I love Shelburne Museum as an adult. I didn't love it as a kid when I had to go there on school day trips. The "museum" is several acres of land. It is dotted with old, historical Vermont buildings. As a child I liked the old general store because it sold old-fashion penny candy and rock sugar. The merry-go-round and the old steam ship were also my favorites. Now that I'm older I enjoy visiting the rest of the buildings and noticing the architecture, reading the displays, etc. I recently discovered that the old settlers cabin was made by my great great great great grandfather (? I may have missed a great in there) Antoine Lorraine who was from Canada and built many settlers cabins in the area. The fact that some survive attest to the quality. The settlers cabin is probably the least impressive building on the grounds, it's very simple, rustic and humble. But the fact that an ancestor created it makes it one of my favorites. They also have great art shows. Small exhibits. But always very good for the area. If you're visiting Vermont and want to learn a bit about local history this is a place you really should visit. If you're from Vermont it's also a must visit as there are few places that will educate you about your state's history as well as this place can. read more

SHELBURNE MUSEUM - Emma running through roses - Cultural Center Near Me - Shelburne, Vermont

This is an area with buildings, gardens and things like the the Ticonderoga , a full steam train and carousel. The building are filled with art, sculptures , and collections that are to numerous to mention. I would say that this museum is a collection of collections. I would highly recommend visiting this site. Check out the website for more details, there too many to mention. I would also recommend eating at the deli on the property read more

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My wife and I spent six hours at the Shelburne yesterday. It's a collection of art and historical museums spread out amongst beautiful grounds. It is held together by the intelligence, open minded curiosity, and ambition of it's founder and it's curators. The label copy in the exhibits is concise and informative with none of the academic pretension of some museums that demand a phd. to understand. From American pioneers with calistoga wagons to Monet's hung in Gilded Age homes this is a museum of America at it's finest. I would like to see the current curators challenge themselves to represent and tell the stories of the people on who's backs America was built. read more

Spent a cold bright windy day roaming around this collection of old homes, businesses, bridges and other things on their grounds. Very historic and full of information. You walk, can go into some buildings and do a lot of sign reading. I can imagine that schools regularly visit here. There are a couple of art museums/galleries which regularly change their collections. the Pizzigalli and the Webb. In some the art is for sale. In addition, there is a great collection of mostly hand-made Vermont firearms on display. There is even a paddle-wheel boat, the Ticonderoga beached on display. This is similar to Greenfield Village outside of Detroit. One admission and you can roam at will. Lots and lots of history. We ate across the street as much of the Museum grounds were closed as it was winter. Summer would take at least two days to really see the place. read more

Saying "I'm here for the Monets," is about as douchey but as true as it gets regarding my trip to the Shelburne. Luckily the place is AWESOME, exceeded my expectations and wound up being a singularly unique experience that I'd suggest to anyone who loves: quirky old shit, exploring farms, strolling outside, trying something different, or is super into all things Americana. The Monets, if you're a fan, are totally worth the admission. They are all located in the Electra Havemeyer Webb Memorial Building, which is a straight shot from the entrance. The place is setup inside to look like the Havemeyer apartment in NYC. The Monets were in the dining room (as one does) and The Drawbridge, Amsterdam is in the living room above the fireplace. You can definitely get close to them to appreciate their texture and moon over the fact that sometimes rich people have their breakfast with Monets every day. They're clearly meticulously curated and cared for - and though the dim lighting in the dining room is crap for photography it has preserved their color. And you can spend a lot of time with them in peace. The docents will absolutely think you're crazy, but you do you, art fans, you do you. Electra knew her shit. The building is full of awesome. (Highlights inside include the Manet, Degas, and her husband's clear choices - the cowboys and Native Americans art in the basement.) If you're lucky enough to visit on a gorgeous day, strolling through the grounds was beyond lovely. Other highlights include: The General Store & Apothecary Shop (you definitely feel transported inside these rooms and there is SO much to look at!) the Circus Building with it's ridiculous parade that runs the length of the whole building (use the far entrance to walk from front-to-back!), the pond beside the Horseshoe Barn Annex for some zen moments, the Print Shop where truly passionate artisans will give a demo (and you might walk away with art or at least a free bookmark) and of course you have to check out the Ticonderoga because it's journey to the Museum grounds is pretty epic. If you start as they open with a good breakfast in you, you can slam out the highlights in time to leave and go find a lunch somewhere else - even taking a break to rest your feet and enjoy the view of the grounds somewhere (or obsessively walk between the Monets taking pictures at angles to capture depth and take selfies with them. Your choice for time spent!) And keep an eye on tourist brochure racks as you're entering the area: they might have a Shelburne Museum one that has a coupon for $1 off admission! read more

SHELBURNE MUSEUM - Cultural Center Near Me - Shelburne, Vermont

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The circus poster art exhibit was wonderful but small. I only got to see maybe a 1/3 of the museum and then my feet started to hurt but I highly recommend the Shelburne Museum in Vermont. They have a steamship, train car, carousel, another permanent circus exhibit with an amazing collection of carousel animals (giraffes, tigers, raindeers), gardens, a general store and one of my personal favorites - an apothecary! They have a cafe and a trolley/bus to take people around who don't want to walk. The only downside was they had a few historical houses that I would have loved to tour but didn't want to wait for the tour. The steamship and train you can walk through on your own if you have your own agenda. Don't forget your AAA card - it saved me $2 And the staff is fantastic! They clearly have a passion for working there and will happily talk to you about what's on display and make recommendations for what to check out next since it's a sizable property/museum read more

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Nice but a one time only experience. Hodgepodge set of buildings without a true personality or themed era. Well manicured but not the most thrilling locations especially for the $24 a person entry fee. Some nice views but wouldn't drive out of your way for this. read more

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OH MY GOSH. Had no idea this museum had so many masterpieces. Monet. Manat. Degas. And (IMO) the crowning piece: Winslow Homer's Milking. Tour the Ticonderoga and be sure to watch the video on how it got to where it is now. (Then take a trip on The Spirit of Ethan Allen and they swing by the boat yard where the 'Ti' was built, along with the Mount Washington, now operating on that 'pond' over NH-way.) We really loved the lithographs of Currier and Ives now showing. All in all, a remarkable operation here at the Shelburne Museum. read more

One of a kind. It's called "a collection of collections." It is. Five or six (or ten?) museums smooshed together on a gorgeous, sprawling campus. Think EPCOT, but everything is real. The stars aligned and we visited on a day of perfect mid-fall weather: bright sun; blue sky, with a few fluffy clouds; trees in psychedelic colors. The new Pizzigalli gallery is modern and stunning. But also, as it provides a space for short-term exhibitions, the Webb gallery is now freed up for a permanent display of many of the collections best pictures. Never mind where you might stand on the second amendment, the Terry Tyler collection of Vermont firearms is both important and jaw-dropping. The artistry is almost overwhelming, made more so by the fact that they were handmade in small towns all over the state. I never skip the circus parade and I never regret that choice. We'd not been in about 5 years, and we went--as per usual--while guests were visiting. They are NYC natives, extremely well traveled, and were blown away, calling it 'world class.' They would know. They are right. read more

Shelburne Museum is a classic place that one must come to when visiting Vermont. Inside the gates (or should I say old wooden fencing) there is something for everyone to find interesting. Go on a trip throughout history and see the amazing displays that are set up by the wonderful staff here. read more

This museum is really awesome! My GF and I were lukewarm about going here. We read that they had an Ansel Adams exhibit, which seemed interesting, but it did not seem like a must go-to spot. After passing by the museum a few times en-route to other destinations we decided to give it a try. The $20 admission fee we read about seemed steep, but we bit the bullet and went. Finding the entrance can be deceptive because the museum is spread out over seemingly endless acres of property. There is a ton of parking and you enter through the gift shop. We didn't realize that the museum is outdoors and you walk from one building/exhibit to the next one. We went here on the last day of our trip so were disappointed when we found out that your admission receipt is good for the next day as well. If we had known this in advance we definitely would have planned to go for two days. The exhibits were extremely unique and many were interactive. Some of the stand-outs for me were the circus exhibit, taxidermy, the 1950's house and of course the Ticonderoga! They actually have the entire ship and a lighthouse right there! It was really awesome and you could explore every part of it. They had plenty of staff around at all times to answer any questions or to give a bit of insight. The food options in the cafe were kind of lacking. Mostly pre-made and overpriced fare. If you come prepared though they have a great picnic area so you skip the cafe. I wish that we had an extra day so we could have checked out more. One guidebook I read said to set aside three hours for the Shelburne, but I disagree. If you want to do this terrific outdoor museum right give yourself at least five hours and if possible go for the second day since it's included with your admission anyway. read more

Went mid January and only two of the exhibits were open. Map showed how large the estate was - disappointed we didn't get to see more of it.

If you ever get the chance to see an outdoor concert at the Shelburne Museum, don't pass it up! The sound is great, the scenery is beautiful, and the people are low key and nice. It's a mix of locals, college kids, and tourists. Definitely a local flavor place overall though. They have excellent and reasonably priced food during most shows, and the show I was at also had a Magic Hat stand. This place is especially unique if you are seeing a popular band that you'd have to see from a mile back at most venues. I recently saw Wilco there, and we put our blanket down within twenty feet of the stage. We didn't even get there very early, just in time for the doors to open. Only downsides: if it rains, there's nowhere to hide really and the only seating is grass. The bathroom lines were also really long. The parking lot is a disaster post-show, so get out early! read more

Be prepared to walk! The grounds are expansive (we walked 2 1/2 miles over two hours) and spread among several buildlings. We didn't mind the walking after spending the entire previous day driving and leaf peeping. Start by taking the free shuttle around the grounds. It's a great orientation to the grounds, and you can use the tour to decide which buildings to pop into. We especially enjoyed: Ticonderoga: Watch the video that describes how it was brought to its spot at the museum Coaches and sleighs: Huge collection! Impressive Fine art: Monet, Degas, and Manet paintings in the home Electra's children built for her within the grounds. Special Exhibit: 3-D quilting!! I'm not an avid quilter but even I can appreciate the artistry and skill. A must see before it's removed! We pooped out and never made it to the train or circus/carousel, but young kids would especially enjoy them. Beautiful, well manicured grounds and a pleasure to experience. read more

This place was way more fun and interesting than i thought it would be. Oddball doll rooms, authentic old train stations, a huge boat, and a large collection of decoy ducks, which i just learned existed. Great fun! read more

It's fantastic, all-around. The grounds are immaculate. The exhibits are cool, the old buildings are neat, and the staff are incredibly knowledgeable. The focus here is NOT "folk art". The focus is mostly american history, primarily from 1800-1950. FAVORITE EXHIBITS: The print shop, the circus posters, the Ticonderoga steamship, the old horse carriages, and the Adirondack life exhibit. read more

Had an amazing time exploring this unique site. Interpreter Charles was really helpful in explaining the duck decoy exhibit. He was very friendly and knowledgeable!! read more

For some reason, we never went to this little gem until last summer. We went for a special circus day with our kids. And we fell head over heals in love with place. The museum is not in one building. They span across very large grounds. Which are absolutely breathtaking, by the way. The exhibits are in different buildings. I really love the old school house (which is real) and the covered bridge. This is a great place to take younger children as there is plenty of room to run around and expend energy. We will be buying a membership to this awesome museum this summer. It is a must see for visitors and I highly recommend that locals that haven't been make the time to go. read more

The Shelburne Museum is fantastic. There is a ton of New England history on this property as well as some fabulous pieces of fine art. We a little tour of some of the buildings which was neat. My favorite was the variety unit. There is so many neat things in there. Overall you can easily spend 5 or more hours exploring the museum. read more

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The food court and gift shop were my favourite part. But still all beautiful nonetheless, and some excellent exhibits!! read more

SHELBURNE MUSEUM - Cultural Center Near Me - Shelburne, Vermont

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I had NO idea this would be such a pleasure. The depth of the art work collection surprised me - folk art, special exhibits, sculpture, Tiffany furniture & silver and impressionist paintings. The beauty and variety of the buildings and grounds exceeded my expectations also. It's a large property but if you're fit and walk regularly it's VERY possible to see it in half a day, even with a quick lunch stop. We did most of it in 3 hours, no problem. read more

Top 5 museums of all time! I am not a museum person. The mere mention of the word puts me to sleep. Mainly because I hate being inside in dim lighting standing in one place and slowly moving around. I like learning about history and art, but not in that venue. While the Shelburne Museum has some buildings like this, the layout of the place and the vast array of stuff makes it much more interesting. The grounds themselves are something to enjoy - the gardens even have plaques, which my father enjoyed. I loved the Ticondderoga, private train car, pharmacy, covered bridge, circus and quilting exhibit. I spoke with some of the museum volunteers, and each was engaging, knowledgeable, and passionate about the museum. Some had been volunteering there for 15 years. By the end we had to pick and choose what to see because there was so much, but this just means that next time I come back there will be even more. read more

The place should have something for everyone, that is if they have a heartbeat. My blood pressure increased as I viewed and walked aboard the Ticonderoga, a one-cyl steam propelled walking beam side paddle ship which plied the waters of Lake Champlain. Compared to the other remaining ship of its kind in San Francisco, this example is pure luxury. Everything about her shouts opulence. There are a number of tours given during the day, one movie clip about how she was moved from the lake to her present spot, and a number of placards describing the different areas/rooms. I continued to feel excitation in some of the other areas of the museum site such as the toy and automaton exhibit. Watch the video offered in the same room as the automaton exhibit and prepare to be amazed, the "opium smoker" appeared so life like while partaking the substance. read more

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3.5 STARS This museum is more of an open air museum with various buildings. I thought it was a bit expensive at $24/adult, but it does give you access for 2 days. We took the shuttle around the whole museum first to get a survey of what we wanted to see, then stopped off at the Ticonderoga for a 2:30 pm tour. We spent about 15 minutes on the tour and bailed because the pacing of the tour was just too slow. I think YMMV on tours, depending on who's giving it. The boat itself was interesting and they put so much work into restoring it that you have to appreciate the workmanship. We stopped into the Webb Gallery to see the Wyeth and the few Grandma Moses paintings they have in the basement. The Wyeth was interesting because it's a literal "bird's eye view." The covered bridge was fun to take pictures on and it's closed to traffic, so you can really take your time with photos. I thought I would like the Circus exhibit a bit more, but it was alright. My favorite thing in the building was the miniature 3 ring circus that took 40 years to complete. The grounds of the museum are really beautiful and well maintained. We were told that L.L.Bean has used the museum for the winter catalog for the past 3 years. I feel like I've been saying this a lot about my time in New England: I'm glad I went because I would have regretted NOT going, but the museum wasn't the best museum I've ever been to. read more

So much more than expected. This place is just plain fun!

If I ever make it back to VT this is the place where I will spend my time. I was amazed by all the different things to see on this huge property. I was there for only 3 hours or so and that was not enough time to see everything. I would not take my child there because there is too many breakable items but I would go back to check things out again. read more

Absolutely a wonderful way to spend a day! Learning history and exploring the beautiful grounds of Shelburne museum. The place is great for young and older children there are fields to play in and buildings from different time eras to learn about. Great deals, awesome food! read more

It took us two days to explore all the exhibits of this museum, with three young children in tow, but it was well worth the time!

This museum is rich with history and something for anyone! We went as a group of adults, teenagers, and small children and we all left feeling happy and entertained. The staff is very passionate and knowledgable about their exhibits and are willing to interact with you and answer any and all questions. The buildings are so interesting and educational. We only wish it was summer so we could have seen more exhibits! read more

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An amazing museum in a gorgeous setting. Always wonderful exhibits and the shop is wonderful. Try to see the lilacs! And ride the carousel. read more

Shelburne Museum is (dare I say it) the best kept wedding secret in the Twin States. Not only is every inch of these grounds magical, but wedding guests tour for free and 100% of the venue proceeds go into the museum's arts and education program. But believe it or not, that isn't even the best part of this spectacular spot: the events coordinator, Louis, is the star. Louis was forever at the ready to answer questions, guide us around the campus, and offer solutions and creative ideas. He made every aspect of the wedding planning process enjoyable. When we were at Shelburne (and Louis encouraged us to come often and at our convenience), Louis treated us like we were his number one priority. No matter how busy he was, he made it seem as though the only thing he had to do was to make sure we left feeling happy and prepared for our big day. And happy and prepared, we were. Our wedding day was nothing short of spectacular, thanks to Louis and his staff. He managed all vendors beautifully + tracked time seamlessly, resulting in a flawless execution of all ceremony and reception festivities. Louis even found us and our photographer at sunset to snap a few final photos, which also give me and my husband a few special minutes alone to absorb the day's happenings and celebrate our first few hours as husband + wife. We will be forever grateful to Louis and to Shelburne Museum for giving us a day filled with beauty and wonder and kindness. Any couple would be lucky to have the chance to experience the joy that is a wedding at Shelburne Museum. read more

This is a museum within a museum set so exquisitely on beautiful grounds. We had no idea how much there was to see so we simply did not arrive early enough to see everything we would have liked to see before it closed. I cannot wait to return! read more

We love Shelburne Museum! I take my children and those I nanny here multiple times a week during the summer. I feel that there are things here any generation would enjoy. With little kids, we check out the Ticonderoga, the train, the carousel, the circus, the taxidermy, the toy shop, and the school house playground. I have only two complaints: 1. The price. With a season pass it's reasonable, but bringing family or friends is ridiculously expensive, especially for a half day. 2. A few years ago they redesigned the entrance so you have to walk through the gift shop to enter the museum. Past the extremely expensive, low to the ground, breakable items. With small children. And strollers. I miss just being able to come in. read more

There is something here for everyone to see. My nephew enjoyed the animals. So rich in history. Well worth the trip

Loved the Shelburne museum and all it's wonderful buildings of spectacular collections! Take two days to see all the wonders. One admission good for 2 days. Free wheelchairs...knowelable people throughout every building....happy to pass on their knowledge.stay away from the B and B ...IN THE HEART OF THE VILLAGE...stayed 3 hours and left at 10 pm in pouring rain because of bugs...even got charged full rate of 259.00 plus tax...for 2 nights for LEAVING EARLY????a disaster that we will be fighting to small claims court all year...meanwhile out over 500. BEWARE, read more

What a treasure And the docents are so helpful Plan on four hours or better yet a day and a half. The American folk art is amazing read more

Awesome place the kids loved the hands on art in the pizzagalli building. Can't wait to go back when everything is open in the summer. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful read more

SHELBURNE MUSEUM - Cultural Center Near Me - Shelburne, Vermont

Attended a concert on the green (but got to sit on the Museum side). Great spot for a concert when the weather is good. nice sloping hill and we even had fireworks off in the distance. However, leaving the parking lot is a nightmare. either park near the main road (farthest away from the stage) or plan on sitting for at least a half hour before you get in your car. read more

The Shelburne Museum has one of the greatest collections of Americana in the United States. Come for the Lake Champlain paddle steamer, stay for the friendly staff, and wonderful exhibits. Great for kids and a picnic lunch! read more

This museum is spectacular. Masses of great stuff to see. Their website does not do it justice. A real steamboat; working printshop; working weaving shop; working blacksmith; historic general store packed with masses of old-timey stuff; dentist (not working!); drs; apothecary; rifle collection; dolls; massive carved circus parade; ceramics; glassware; pewter; wood carvings; watercolors; Monet; 1930s new york apartment; steam trains; telegraph office; sawmill; quits; so many carriages, sleighs and wagons; ... All housed in an amazing collection of historic houses and barns moved to the site, and all accompanied by demonstrators and docents who can guide you through. read more