Two nature-driven attractions in Quechee, Vermont are the VINS Nature Center and Quechee Gorge. Both offer visitors a way to walk among the trees while listening to birds and river rapids. We visited in early autumn just as the leaves started to change color.
VINS Nature Center
The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) Nature Center offers a forest canopy walk, raptor enclosures, nature trails, songbird aviary, live bird programs, forest exhibit, reptile room, and a Birds are Dinosaurs exhibit on its 47-acre property.
VINS Nature Center
2022 Price: $18 per person
There are also several sculptures scattered on the property. My favorite was a group of three American turkeys in the field.
Forest Canopy Walk
This canopy walk is a universally accessible elevated boardwalk. The walkway has several interactive sections like the Tree House and the Eagle’s Nest.
Climb up spiral staircases to reach the top of the Tree House, over 100-feet in the air! From here you get panoramic views of the Ottauquechee River, Dewey’s Pond, and the forest floor below.
The Eagle’s Nest is a circular platform with a nest sculpture in the center. Two handcrafted, iron bald eagles spread their wings into the wind.
Raptor Enclosures
More than 40 raptors reside here due to injuries or conditions which prevent them from living in the wild. These birds include bald eagles, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, American kestrels, barred owls, snowy owls, Cooper’s hawks, broad-winged hawks, red-tailed hawks, ravens, northern harriers, turkey vultures, and black vultures.
Raptors, also called birds of prey, have keen eyesight, hooked beaks, and powerful feet with sharp talons. These three characteristics help them catch and eat their prey.
Each species gets its own enclosure with an information sheet providing fun facts for visitors.
Indoor Exhibits
The Forest Exhibit gives facts and quizzes about the area. The two most surprising facts for me are:
- There are 88 species of trees and shrubs in Vermont.
- 78% of Vermont is forested – roughly the size of New Jersey!
Birds are Dinosaurs is an exhibit explaining the evolution from dinosaurs to today. Skeletons, replicas, and activities explain how birds have adapted over 250 million years.
Quechee Gorge
Known as Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon, Quechee Gorge was formed by melting glacial waters. Today, the Ottauquechee River flows through it.
It is free to view the gorge, 165-feet down, from a bridge on U.S. Route 4. There are small cut-outs in the wire on the bridge, so you have unobstructed views.
Park at the visitor center or along the road at the pull-offs on either side. Because it is a busy road, use the designated crosswalks to view each side safely.
For those looking for more activity, check out the hiking trails along the gorge in Quechee State Park.
I was the lucky one traveling with Steph Purk on this road trip. Of course I loved seeing the raptors up close and personal. I felt better knowing these were all rescues and can’t live in the wild. The Kestrel and Snowy Owl were my favs. The canopy walk was well done. A beautiful day all together!