In 1891, when Franklin Fairbanks' collection of stuffed animals and cultural artifacts from across the globe grew too large for his home, he built the Fairbanks Museum of Natural Science. This massive stone building with a 30ft-high barrel-vaulted ceiling still displays more than half of Franklin's original collection, including a 1200lb moose, a Bengal tiger and a bizarre collection of 'mosaics' made entirely from dead bugs. The attached planetarium offers shows ($6 per person) throughout the year.
Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium
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Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
19.36 MILES
Robert Frost (1874–1963) was America's most renowned and best-loved poet in the mid-20th century. For several years he lived with his family on a farm…
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2.14 MILES
Signposted 2 miles east of St Johnsbury, this captivating spot celebrates the legacy of Vermont artist Stephen Huneck. There's an entire gallery devoted…
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17.63 MILES
The brainchild of Shaun Hill, known for his uncompromising adherence to creativity and quality, this unassuming-looking brewery down a remote dirt road –…
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21.76 MILES
This stunning fjord-like lake, 30 miles north of St Johnsbury, sits sandwiched between Mt Hor and Mt Pisgah, whose cliffs plummet more than 1000ft to the…
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Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway
23.81 MILES
This tram shoots up the side of Cannon Mountain, offering a breathtaking view of Franconia Notch. You can also hike up the mountain and take the tramway…
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Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves
28.87 MILES
Adventurous kids will enjoy exploring this network of caverns and crevices formed by glaciers millions of years ago. Each cave has its own title and story…
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19.86 MILES
Formed in New York City by German artist Peter Shumann in 1963, the renowned Bread & Puppet theater collective presents carnivalesque pageants, circuses,…
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29.69 MILES
The world's largest granite quarries, 4 miles southeast of Barre off I-89 exit 6, cover 50 acres, tapping a granite vein that's a whopping 6 miles long, 4…
Nearby attractions
0.13 MILES
Home to one of America's oldest art galleries, this elegant public edifice was initially founded as a library by Horace Fairbanks in 1871. Comprising 9000…
2.14 MILES
Signposted 2 miles east of St Johnsbury, this captivating spot celebrates the legacy of Vermont artist Stephen Huneck. There's an entire gallery devoted…
14.47 MILES
Alright cynics, pessimists and grouches, give it up a minute for the joyous Pollyanna statue on the lawn of the library. The children's book character, an…
17.63 MILES
The brainchild of Shaun Hill, known for his uncompromising adherence to creativity and quality, this unassuming-looking brewery down a remote dirt road –…
19.36 MILES
Robert Frost (1874–1963) was America's most renowned and best-loved poet in the mid-20th century. For several years he lived with his family on a farm…
19.37 MILES
The only park of its kind in Vermont, Seyon Lodge (about 30 miles east of Montpelier) offers private rooms in its rustic lodge on the shores of Noyes Pond…
19.86 MILES
Formed in New York City by German artist Peter Shumann in 1963, the renowned Bread & Puppet theater collective presents carnivalesque pageants, circuses,…
21.76 MILES
This stunning fjord-like lake, 30 miles north of St Johnsbury, sits sandwiched between Mt Hor and Mt Pisgah, whose cliffs plummet more than 1000ft to the…