Open to the public since 1989, The Nature Museum focuses on the region’s plants, animals, and geology.

Take the whole family for a day of exploration, learning, and fun at The Nature Museum.

Inside, you can examine Vermont wildlife up-close with interactive exhibits, hand-painted dioramas, and mounted specimens. Crawl through an underground bear den, dig for fossils, dress up as your favorite creature, and watch the resident honeybees at work in their glass hive.

Outside, stroll through the pollinator garden, visit the new Magic Forrest Playscape, or take a hike through the forest along the Fairy House Trail. Discover pond dipping, enjoy a picnic in the backyard, and take a closer look at the beauty that surrounds you.

• Cost: For museum admission, we ask for a donation of $5 per individual, or $15 for a family.  If you don’t have the means to donate, we still welcome you to visit and enjoy the museum.  The Chapman Meadow and the Magic Forest Playscape are freely available.  Your support ensures access to these resources, so thank you for your generosity!  

• Parking: Is available immediately across the street from The Nature Museum in the Windham Foundation parking lot.  Vehicles may drop-off visitors in the driveway adjacent to the Museum, but cannot stay there for the duration of the visit.  

• Pet Policy: 

  Chapman Meadow, Playscape, and Grounds: Leashed dogs and pets are welcome!  Please keep in mind: Owners are responsible for picking up waste and disposing it off-site (Leave No Trace) Pets must be accompanied at all times.  Please note, in Vermont, it is illegal to endanger a pet by leaving them unattended in a vehicle!   Owners are responsible for the behavior of their pets.  Disruptive visitors may be asked to leave. Off-leash pets may endanger local wildlife and sensitive habitats.  Please be considerate.  

  The Nature Museum Building: Service Animals Only are permitted inside the Museum.

  Events: Service Animals Only are permitted at our regular events, programs, and workshops (unless specifically noted for wildlife safety).  We occasionally offer pet-friendly programs – please see specific program descriptions for details!    

• Accessibility: We have a fully accessible entrance to the north side of our building (the driveway side), which gives access to our entire first floor.  There is also a bathroom that is fully accessible on our first floor, and includes a baby changing station.  Our second floor exhibits are up a wide stairway with handrails.  Our pollinator gardens during the warm season can be found behind the building on a relatively gentle, grassy slope. The Magic Forest Playscape is up a steeper, grassy incline at the top of the Chapman Meadow, and the playscape itself has narrower, wood chip pathways, hopping logs, and balancing features.

Want to disconnect from your screen and reconnect to the natural world?  The Nature Museum has you covered.  With both indoor and outdoor opportunities for exploration and play, there is something to see in every season.

Inside, you can examine Vermont wildlife up close with one-of-a-kind, hand-painted dioramas, traditional mounted specimens, and several interactive exhibits.  Outdoors, you can explore the Chapman Meadow, the native species gardens, and the new Magic Forest Playscape – a haven for unstructured play.  We also host speakers, workshops, the renowned Fairy House Festival, and day camps for kids. 

Next door you can explore the trails in the Grafton Village Park and the Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center.  Just down the road, you’ll find the Windham Foundation’s upcoming Turner Hill Interpretive Center, as well as the Turner Hill Wildlife Management Area.  Downtown Grafton is just a short walk from the museum, including a lovely market for lunch and the Grafton Inn for overnight guests.

Special Events

Please be sure to check out our event calendar for the latest happenings at the museum. We host programs for both adults and children not only at the museum, but elsewhere throughout the Southern Vermont community. To stay in the know, sign up for our newsletter!

Other Grafton Attractions

Nestled in the mountains of southern Vermont, Grafton is one of New England’s prettiest villages. Many of its beautiful and historic buildings have been restored by its residents and by the Windham Foundation, so the town today looks much as it did years ago. 

Visit the town of Grafton's website to find out about the many local options for lodging, dining, shopping, events, and activities. If you're planning a trip around the state, check out VermontVacation.com, the State of Vermont's tourism site.