Questions about the Montshire? Check out our frequently asked questions. If you need more information, please feel free to contact us.
Planning Your Visit
What are the Montshire's hours of operation?
The Montshire is open 7 days a week, 10am to 5pm.
What are the Montshire's admission prices?
Summer Admission
June through September
- $19 for adults
- $16 for children 2–17
- Free for members and children under 2 years of age.
General Admission
September through May
- $18 for adults
- $15 for children 2–17
- $3 for Warm Welcome visitors (See guidelines for Warm Welcome)
- Discount for active or retired military with ID
- Free for members and children under 2 years of age.
Student Admission
- Check out our Visit with Students page for this information.
How can I purchase a ticket for a visit to the Montshire?
Museum admission can be paid on the day of the visit. Advanced registration is no longer being offered. All visitors, including those walking the trails, need to purchase admission.
Can I purchase tickets using cash?
To limit the potential spread of infection, cashless transactions are encouraged. However, cash may be used to purchase tickets at the Admissions Desk.
What is the Montshire's weather policy?
In case of severe weather conditions (such as electrical storms) or the threat of severe weather (such as thunder), visitors must take shelter in the museum building or their personal vehicles.
The Museum grounds must close if there is thunder or lightning and cannot reopen until 30 minutes after the last thunderclap.
Please check the weather forecast before your visit to help you plan accordingly.
Does the Montshire have reciprocity with other institutions?
The Montshire has no reciprocity with other museums or institutions.
Can I leave my car in the Montshire Museum parking lot?
No. The Montshire’s grounds and gate close at 5pm.
Visitor Health and Safety
What are the Montshire's policies to help ensure the safety and health of visitors?
The following Museum policies and visitor guidelines are in place to help ensure a safe, engaging, and flexible learning environment.
Visit Only If Healthy — Museum visitors must show no symptoms of illness. Visitors must not enter the Montshire building or grounds if they are unwell or experiencing any symptoms of illness.
Face Coverings and Masks — Masks are encouraged but not required.
Practice Healthy Hand Hygiene — We ask that all visitors wash their hands or use hand sanitizer upon entry and frequently throughout their visit. The Montshire has upgraded our restrooms with touchless features and increased the availability of hand-washing and hand-sanitizing stations throughout our building and grounds.
Maintain Social Distance — Social distancing has proven to be an effective measure in decreasing the risk of infection. We encourage one visitor group per exhibit and for visitor groups to stay together (all children must stay with adults at all times).
Stay Together with Your Group — Visitor groups should stay together in the Museum. One visitor group per exhibit. Children must stay with their adults at all times.
Can I use the Montshire trails after hours?
No. The Montshire’s trails and museum grounds all close at 5pm.
Navigating the Montshire
How do I move around the Montshire’s space?
Social distancing has proven to be an effective measure in decreasing the risk of infection. We encourage one visitor group per exhibit and for visitor groups to stay together (all children must stay with adults at all times).
Is the Montshire wheelchair accessible?
Several nature trails on the Quinn Nature Preserve are wheelchair accessible with assistance. The paths in Science Park consist of loose gravel; some areas are wheelchair accessible with assistance.
Generally, the first floor exhibit spaces and bathrooms are entirely wheelchair accessible. Second floor exhibit spaces can be reached by elevator.
Visitor Amenities
Is food and drink allowed on the site?
Your Montshire admission is for a full day at the Museum and allows for re-entry. Restaurants nearby, such as King Arthur Baking Company, offer lunch options. We also encourage eating at the benches outside the Museum entrance or packing a car picnic.
During warmer months, visitors may eat at the outdoor dining space at the terrace. Appropriately spaced picnic tables outside are also available to use.
The tables and chairs in the Hughes Pavilion are for family science programs only and should not be used as an eating area.
Are food or drinks available for sale?
Snacks and reusable water bottles are available for sale at the Museum Store. Water bottle filling stations are on site for visitors to use.
Is the Museum Store open?
The museum store is open the same hours as the museum. Admission is not required to visit the store.
Is there parking on site?
There is free parking available at the Museum parking lot.
Are pets allowed at the Montshire?
Only service animals are permitted on museum grounds. Dogs and other pets are prohibited in the building and on the grounds. They are allowed in the parking lot, but must not be left in vehicles on warm (70+) or cold (40 and below) days. If an animal in a vehicle is consistently barking or showing other signs of stress, the visitor will be contacted by Museum staff and may be asked to leave. If the owner cannot assist, Museum staff may utilize Vermont Statute 13 V.S.A. § 386 to address the situation.