Vermont Day Trip: Explore the Shelburne Museum

45 acres, 39 exhibition buildings, and more than 150,000 objects on display. Welcome to the Shelburne Museum, Northern New England’s largest art and history museum, and one of my favorite places in the state.

Just ten minutes south of Burlington, this sprawling campus requires a full day of exploring. I’ve been visiting the Shelburne Museum for more than 40 years, and each time I return, I discover something new.

The Shelburne Museum makes a perfect day trip for families and history lovers of all ages.

A Museum Like No Other in Vermont

Unlike many museums across the country, the Shelburne Museum isn’t a single building with endless galleries and echoing hallways; it’s a collection of collections, spread across a recreated village of historic New England buildings.

It’s a place where you can stroll through a covered bridge, step inside a one-room schoolhouse, poke around a general store, and then climb aboard a full-sized 220-foot steamboat.

It’s a fun destination for families, and the perfect spot to get lost while exploring the endless American treasures.

Founded in 1947 by Electra Havemeyer Webb, the museum celebrates American history, art, and culture with a bit of whimsy. Webb envisioned the museum as a way to connect everyday objects with the broader story of America, and her vision continues to guide the museum today.

The museum grounds are as much a draw as the exhibits themselves. With 22 gardens, landscaped walking paths, and picnic spots, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a Vermont summer day.

Make a Weekend of it! Read: Three-Day Itinerary for Shelburne, Vermont

My Favorite Exhibit: The Arnold Circus Parade

I’ll admit my personal bias right up front—my favorite exhibit at Shelburne Museum is the Arnold Circus Parade. I’ve been visiting it since childhood, and it never fails to leave me wide-eyed.

The parade consists of 4,000 hand-carved figurines, each one crafted to a one-inch-to-one-foot scale, stretching into a 500-foot-long display. Carved and painted between 1925 and 1955, the figures include clowns, acrobats, elephants, and marching bands—all frozen in a joyful procession.

The entire collection is displayed in the horseshoe-shaped Circus Building, which was designed specifically to showcase the parade.

At 518 feet long, the building allows visitors to walk alongside the parade, taking in the details from start to finish. For me, this whimsical display is the very heart of the museum.

Be sure to take a ride on the carousel while you’re in circus mode!

Also Read: 16 Must-Visit Historic Sites and Attractions in Vermont

Other Highlights at Shelburne Museum

While exploring the Circus Building is my personal favorite, countless other exhibits and buildings deserve attention. Here are a few can’t-miss highlights:

• The Steamboat Ticonderoga: A fully restored, 220-foot sidewheel steamboat that once ferried passengers across Lake Champlain. Today, it sits proudly on the museum grounds, a National Historic Landmark that you can explore from the boiler room to the pilothouse. Both my kids love the Ticonderoga best of all!
• The Round Barn: Built in 1901 and moved to the museum in the 1980s, this rare Shaker-inspired round barn houses a collection of horse-drawn carriages and serves as an event space.
• The Covered Bridge: Originally spanning the Lamoille River, this 1845 covered bridge was relocated to the museum, complete with its ingenious Burr arch truss design.
• French Impressionist Paintings: Thanks to Electra Webb’s parents, the museum holds works by Monet, Manet, Degas, and Cassatt—the only place in Vermont where you’ll find such treasures.
• American Art Collections: From Winslow Homer to Andrew Wyeth, the museum’s American paintings rival any big-city gallery. The Webb Gallery, in particular, is a must for art lovers.
• Folk Art and Decoys: From weathervanes and trade signs to one of the nation’s best collections of wildfowl decoys, the museum’s folk art exhibits celebrate American creativity in its many forms.
• Toys and Dolls: Kids (and adults) will love the collections of antique toys, dollhouses, and mechanical automata.

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Special Exhibitions and Programs

In addition to its permanent collections, Shelburne Museum hosts numerous seasonal exhibitions. These thoughtful and imaginative shows connect the museum’s historic collections with contemporary art, often highlighting underrepresented voices and new perspectives.

Here’s what’s currently on display.

The museum offers guided tours to help you make the most of your visit, including:

• Exploring the Colonial Revival – Inside the Prentis and Stencil Houses.
• Full Steam Ahead – Walking tours of the Ticonderoga.
• Making the Museum – A self-guided exploration of Electra Webb’s vision.

These tours add context and storytelling to what you see, deepening the experience.

If you’re visiting this part of Vermont in the summer, be sure to get tickets to one of the Ben & Jerry’s Concerts on the Green. They’re one of the highlights of the summer!

And for winter visitors, check out Winter Lights, on display through the holidays.

From cascading, firefly-like twinkles in the enchanting Beach Woods to the iconic steamboat Ticonderoga set aglow on a shimmering “sea” of lights, this is the holiday event that Vermonters and visitors will be thrilled to attend.

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When to Visit Shelburne Museum

Hours for 2025:

• Open daily May 10 – October 26, 10 am to 5 pm
• Museum Store: 10 am to 5:30 pm
• Weathervane Café: 11 am to 3 pm

The museum is closed during the winter months (except for the Winter Lights display during the holidays), so plan your visit between May and October. Summer is the most popular time, but I love visiting in early fall when the foliage adds an extra layer of beauty to the grounds.

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Admission Prices

Here’s what you can expect for Shelburne Museum ticket prices in 2025:

• Adults: $27.50 ($25 online)
• Vermont residents with ID: $15
• Seniors (65+): $25.50 ($23 online)
• Children 5–12: $12
• Teens 13–17: $14
• Vermont children 5–17: $8
• Under 5: Free
• Family Pass (2 adults + 2 kids): $65
• College Students: $15 with ID
• Members & Active Military: Free

Tip: Buying tickets online saves you a couple of dollars.

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Why the Shelburne Museum is One of the Best Things to Do in Vermont

There are plenty of Vermont attractions that showcase history, art, or outdoor beauty, but Shelburne Museum manages to combine all three. It’s whimsical, educational, and endlessly surprising, and one of the best ways to experience Vermont.

I recommend setting aside a whole day for your visit, especially if it’s your first time. Pack a picnic, wear comfortable shoes, and let yourself wander. Whether you’re an art lover, a history buff, or a family with kids, you’ll find plenty to keep you engaged.

For me, the Shelburne Museum isn’t just a tourist attraction; it’s a place I return to again and again, rediscovering old favorites and uncovering new stories each time.

If you’re exploring Northern Vermont, the Shelburne Museum is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary. From the breathtaking steamboat Ticonderoga to the playful Circus Parade, it’s a place where history, art, and imagination rub elbows in the most delightful ways.

Electra Havemeyer Webb called her vision a “collection of collections,” and walking through the museum today, you can feel the joy and curiosity she poured into every building and exhibit.

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