Explore VINS

Welcome to VINS

The VINS Nature Center is open daily from 10am – 5pm. All outdoor exhibits are open: Raptors, Songbirds, Adventure Playscape, Nature Trails, and the amazing Forest Canopy Walk. In addition, our indoor exhibits are open: Birds Are Dinosaurs, Reptile Room, and the Forest Exhibit. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

VIEW DETAILS

Safety is Our Priority

Masks are required for all visitors to the Nature Center who are not fully vaccinated, this includes children. Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear a mask.

COVID SAFETY POLICY

Contact Us

802.359.5000
info@vinsweb.org

Nature Center Hours

VINS Nature Center
10am to 5pm Daily

Accepting Injured Birds
8am to 5pm Daily
802.359.5000 x212

Get Directions
View Weather
BECOME A MEMBER
VISITOR INFORMATION
VISITOR MAP
GROUP VISITS
SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Visitor Programs

  • Reptile

    Reptile Time

    Daily 10:30 AM
    Meet a turtle or a snake and learn how they got their adaptations.

  • Predators of the Sky

    Predators of the Sky

    Daily 11:00 AM & 3:00 PM
    Join us as we explore the natural world through the eyes of raptors.

  • Raptors Up Close

    Raptors Up Close

    Daily 1:00 PM
    In this encounter you will explore the fascinating lives of raptors.

View Full Calendar

Raptor photos by John Sutton.

Forest Canopy Walk

Forest Canopy Walk

TAKE A WALK

"My daughter and I enjoyed our visit yesterday very much. You continue to do outstanding work to preserve the natural world and educate people about your mission. I was very inspired by all that I saw and experienced. I wanted to share a photo of the volunteer that inspired me with her kindness, wealth of knowledge, and expertise in the care and handling of the amazing birds currently on site."

VINS Nature Center Visitor

"A must-visit! Perfect for social distancing - very safe and still so much to explore! The bald eagles were the highlight...and

the birds-are-dinosaurs exhibit is extremely well done, and the canopy walk is gorgeous (and easy even with little children)."

VINS Nature Center Visitor

"Fun place to go to and take your kids, close encounters with some of the most iconic birds - bald and golden eagles, snow owls etc., canopy trail is really cool."

VINS Nature Center Visitor

"Wonderful place for a day trip! Educational and amazing! Great staff that are helpful and very knowledgeable."

VINS Nature Center Visitor

"Awesome place to visit! The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and the birds are beautiful. The new treetop walk offers spectacular views of the surrounding pond, and the tall tower is a little scary! Come prepared to wear a mask and follow the safety guidelines set by the institute. Staff is very dedicated to making your visit a safe one!"

VINS Nature Center Visitor

Magnificent Mammals Day

JULY 17 – Join us for a day exploring the amazing lives of mammals. Discover the specialties of our furred cousins and find out how important they are to the natural world. In addition there will be hands-on activities and crafts all day long. It’s sure to be a magnificent day!

Read More

Incredible Insect Festival

AUGUST 7 – Welcome to the fascinating world of insects at the Incredible Insect Festival! Renowned insect expert Sam Jaffe will showcase a multitude of live caterpillars at The Caterpillar Lab. Have a fun day discovering the insects we share our planet with through demonstrations, exhibits, games and crafts.

Read More

Owl Festival

SEPTEMBER 18 – Join us for a day of all things owly! Gather with live owls from all over the world, discover their life stories, create adorable crafts, get your face painted, and delight in delicious food.

Read More

Shop the Nature Store

Visit our online store for t-shirts, hats, books, bird guides, and more!

Curbside pickup is available:
MON - FRI, 10 AM - 4 PM

SHOP TODAY
Woodpecker
Clock
Tshirt

Nature Center

VINS offers quality environmental education experiences to all.

Environmental Education

We deliver specialized education and training programs to schools and communities.

School Programs

VINS School Programs are focused on science inquiry and place-based education. 

Wild Bird Rehab

Our highly-trained rehabilitators treat injured and orphaned birds from throughout New England.

Nature Camp

Each day of camp is an exciting journey, revealing the wonders of the natural world.

Support VINS

Your contribution enables us to offer outstanding educational experiences to all ages.