Welcome to VINS
The VINS Nature Center is open daily from 10am – 4pm.
All outdoor exhibits are open: Raptors, Songbird Aviary, Adventure Playscape, Nature Trails, and the amazing Forest Canopy Walk. Our indoor exhibits are open: Birds Are Dinosaurs, Forest Exhibit, and Reptile Room.
We highly recommend prepurchasing your admission tickets. We welcome all walk-ins.
Contact Us
Nature Center Hours
VINS Nature Center
10 AM to 4 PM Daily
Wild Bird Rehab
802.359.5000 x212
8 AM to 4:30 PM Daily
Visitor Programs
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Natural Wonders
Daily 10:30 AM
A journey of discovery through the wonders of the natural world. -
Raptors Up Close
Daily 11 AM
Explore the natural world through the eyes of raptors. -
Songbird Aviary Tour
Daily 12:30 PM
Spend some time with our songbirds as they fly around you. -
Raptor Feeding Time
Daily 2 PM
Join our raptor care-givers for feeding time.
A Forest of Lights
NOVEMBER – JANUARY – Experience winter magic as thousands of lights transform the VINS Nature Center into an enchanted wonderland. Stroll through spectacular displays featuring this year’s new attractions: the Sparkle Dome, Fiery Tower, Dancing Lights Pavilion, and Under the Black Light Sea. Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in this seasonal wonder!
Family Fun Program + Forest of Lights (for families with young children)
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER – Join us for a special family-friendly evening to celebrate the wonders of winter. This hour-long program is inspired by winter snow and animals that thrive in the cold. Enjoy a puppet show and story, practice hunting like an owl in winter, create your own Forest of Lights lantern and bird feeder, find all the hidden winter animals, and experiment with ice treasures. This program is an additional experience to your Forest of Lights ticket. Buy your tickets now as space is limited.
Riding with Researchers
JANUARY 8 & 29 – Ride along with the VINS Research Team in the field this winter! Addison County is known as a hotspot in Vermont for wintering raptors. Red-tailed Hawks, Rough-legged Hawks, and Northern Harriers are all often observed and some years even yield Snowy Owl sightings. During our day-long outing, we will crisscross Addison County searching for raptors and attempting to trap and band hawks as part of our long-term winter raptor survey.
