ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center Reviews

I spent a lot of time her when I was a kid and it was absolutely fascinating. awesome place to bring your kids! super educational and even parents will learn and enjoy it

Great place, but I need to read the event description a little better, lol. I went to hear a lecture on winter trees. Turned out to be preschool hour so I was by far the oldest person there. But wonderful displays of fish and other animals from the lake, really nice presentation.

Was a bit over priced and not what we were expecting. Our 4 year old loved it

Really great enjoyment especially for young kids. The butterflies were amazing.

A must go for the kiddos. Very interactive and informative, staff was very friendly!

A great place for kids and families. It's somewhat lacking for those over 16 but the exhibits are interesting and fun.

Great Place to take the kids, learn about the natural history of VT and especially (and maybe most importantly) the history of the interaction with the Abenaki Peoples.

It's not a huge place but it's very well done and they do a good job of rotating exhibits. Also there's stuff there from kids from infants up to early teens to play with and learn.

Great aquarium and marine science center. There are exhibits that work for a good range of ages (including adults). They have a small movie theater as well as seasonal exhibits. We were able to see the butterflies this time. The membership applies to multiple places throughout the US.

fun for my daughter, she like the diversity of exhibits and activities. I think free if you have a children's museum membership from Boston

Nice children's museum for I would recommend walking to 9 years old. Beautiful location right on the lake.

ECHO is a great place to learn about Lake Champlain, and better when accompanied by kids. The displays are mainly catered to children, so it could be spruced up a bit to attract more adults The exhibits are well curated and very educational.

A bit smaller than big city Maritime museum and aquarium, but well kept and nice, nonetheless. Had a butterfly exhibit in August that was beautiful!

I love echo I take my kids one to two times a year. It has all the aquarium animals and interactive things to do. Also they bring animals out so the kids can interact with them which is cool

Such a nice place for kids. We bought our 11 month and he loved it so much. Wish the staff were a little nicer or welcoming when you got their station. One wouldn't even talk to our son or let him touch the toy sea animals, we had to ask for him to touch, and he is able to stand and touch things. Other than that we plan on going there again next time we are in VT.

If you are in Burlington, it s a must see. Small building but elegant architecture.

Defently worth the money as an adult. Plan on going back.

It's often super busy. A lot of parents are on cell phones and their kids are going nuts. Exhibits are usually wrecked. I'm not doing a membership again.

Lots of fun & learning for kids! Our 2 year old had a blast!

Lots of fun for the kids, one of the best places in Burlington, albeit small by national standards. The lake resource room is awesome.

Excellent location and learning center for kids and families. Beautiful all around.

For kids it is fun and learning place. Especially for winter, warm place for quality activities.

Lots of cool creatures and tons of information on Lake Champlain and the surrounding environment.

Great place,free,on the lake,interactive exhibits outside for people just passing by great place for folks of all ages.

The place was boring, tiny, and has false advertising. For example, it shows pictures on its page about a dinosaur room and a butterfly room. I went there and it was all just about lakes.

Kids have so much fun and always something new to discover

I read one review and have to agree. The aquariums for some of these fish/ reptiles are much too small. For example you have several large fish together in a small tank. The big lake sturgeons have to spend their lives swimming around in a circle. Can never generate any speed. Really is kinda sad.

Loved it! Exciting displays and activities that even young kids enjoy.

Just a perfect place to learn and have fun.. For every one!!

This is an absolute must see for EVERYONE! I used to go here as a wee lad(y)... My mum's would bring us kiddos to be educated, and there is infinite learning opportunities. Since, they have renovated, and made it quite the museum. (If that's what it's called...)
I recently visited for a 'Teen Challenge, Vermont' GALA. There is a great space for events. I think Essex High school has hosted proms at this location, even.
Go, learn, enjoy!

Great Small and local Museum. We Got a discount because we stayed at a state park near by. I like it for my kids after camping on lake Champlain.

My children had a blast here, small museum but packed with kid friendly activites, my husband was bored. My 6 and 8 year old were happy. We spent about 3 hours here and did not watch any of the movies.

The staff here were so friendly. Our child had a blast with all over this whole place.

Great place took my nephew love that they can be interactive with displays... I makes it fun for the kids and less stressful for the adults...

This place has a lot of great info and exhibits related to Vermont and it's history. It was a lot of fun and is right on the lake!

It's our local haunt. Present exhibit is butterflies. Very cool. Older kids are not going to find as much to do for repeat visits. But you've kids will love it again and again and again. Great place to go to get out in the winter. Break the cabin fever.

Good place to take the family. Parking can be tricky.

Wonderful science center and aquarium. Great for children of all ages. They have a reasonably priced healthy cafe with a vegan ice cream sandwich that is also gluten free.

A superb museum that is truly captivating for audiences of all ages! We played for I don't know how long in the kinetic sandbox.

My family had a tremendous time at ECHO. We spent a couple hours there and the kids (9 and 14) weren't done! The adults in the group also found it entertaining and informative.

The museum itself is striking in appearance and easy to navigate. There's a lot of information regarding the geological history of Lake Champlain, archaeological/anthropological information about some of the native American peoples, and the biology of the lake. There's a stunning display regarding the wreck of a ship just outside the Burlington's breakwater. The wrist bands/hand stamps allow for re-entry, so you do some of the museum, go off to grab some food, walk around and then return later in the day to do more of the museum. Possibly a good option for families with antsy kids ;-)

We really had a wonderful time and would highly recommend it. I also found it paired well as an experience with the information I learned on the Northern Lights cruise of the lake which was more concentrated on the 18th & 19th century history of the area. The two experiences gave me a good overview/background on Burlington.

Our kids really like it here. Can get very busy at times.

Great place to bring the kids with science exhibits and classes. Lots to learn about Lake Champlain here. It's also affiliated with the local colleges.

Great place for younger kids. Little pricey if you don't have a membership

It's fun for the kids, just time your visit since it can become crowded.

My 2+ son loved this museum. I highly recommend it. Very interactive and educational. Also its on a beautiful spot right by the water.

Educational museum. I learned things about our area that I didn't know before. Great place for kids, has a lot of hands on exhibits.

My kids love going here. I love all the hands on exhibits!

Always a fun experience for the kid. Educational, and visually stunning for all.

My children and I got the family pass, we love it here. It helps little minds grow and explore

A fun and interesting place for kids and adults. A great indoor activity for a winter or rainy day.

A very nice science center that will teach you or your kids about the lake Champlain and other interesting experiments

Not much there! Surprised they call this an aquarium
. Was crowded and not much to do..plus expensive to get in! Expesially considering theres hardly anything there to do! Brought my 6 year old daughter..was quite disappointed

Friendly service, enjoyed the 3D movie. This is a top spot for kids.

A lot of great exhibits. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable.

There is so much for kids of all ages! Just to watch the little ones experience ideas, movements, and kinetic energy is amazing! Combine that with environmental learning is amazing! I can only recommend this highly!

Great place to take the kids. Lots of stuff to do. Great learning experience. Easy place to spend a half day.

Good place to bring children younger than teenagers.

A lot of fun for the family. The staff is knowledgeable & friendly, they have a lot of exhibits and activities for children. Our 5 and 2 year old children had a great time.