Many museums, companies and organizations have on-going, free tours and/or admission. We hope you enjoy the list below:
American Precision Museum
The American Precision Museum, housed in the original Robbins & Lawrence Armory, now holds the largest collection of historically significant machine tools in the nation. Free on Sundays.
Haskell Free Library and Opera House
The pride of Stanstead, Quebec, and Derby Line, Vermont, the Haskell Free Library and Opera House was constructed deliberately astride the boundary line separating Canada from the United States. This remarkable institution has attracted visitors from around the world. The subject of an ongoing fascination on the part of the media, the Haskell has been featured on network news around the world and in publications such as Life Magazine, Canadian Geographic, the New York Times, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and countless others. The Haskell has been classified a historic site by the governments of Canada, the United States, and the Province of Quebec. Seasonal tours and $5.00 donation suggested per adult.
Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College
The Hood Museum of Art is a teaching museum. Our mission is to create an ideal learning environment that fosters transformative encounters with works of art.
Lake Champlain Chocolates
Coming to Vermont? Visit us in person at our Factory Store! See chocolates made right before your eyes and take in the aromas and tastes (not to mention free samples) of our chocolate factory. Our free, through-the-window factory tours are offered on the hour, Monday through Friday, at our Factory Store and Café location at 750 Pine Street, in Burlington, Vermont. Please note that our hours are subject to change, so please refer to this page for tour time updates and/or cancellations. If you have any questions please call us at 802.864.1807.
Long Trail Brewing Co.
The Long Trail Brewing Company began its mission to brew high quality craft beer in November 1989. A humble beginning in the basement of the old Bridgewater Woolen Mill along the Ottauquechee River in the Green Mountains of Vermont was soon outgrown so the brewery packed up and “Hit the Trail” up the road to a riverside hay field where they now reside in a state of art, environmentally friendly brewery. Now, thousands of visitors every year experience Long Trail’s hospitality and unique country ambience while enjoying great food, fresh brews and an intimate view of the brewing process at the brewery’s Visitor Center.
Magic Hat Brewery
The Magic Hat Brewery has been putting a performance into every bottle of beer since 1994. Today, the South Burlington, VT-based brewery is cranking out 400 bottles of beer every minute and the brewing process, in all its strange and satisfying glory, has never been more accessible.
The Magic Hat Artifactory, the nerve center of it all, is located in South Burlington, VT, and is ready to take your taste buds to places you never knew existed! The Growler Bar is a sight to behold with 48 taps a flowin’ and a constantly changing line-up of Magic Hat’s best beers, including all our year-round offerings, the current seasonal and even some experimental brews! Come take in the mysterious ambience created by the best tasting beer on the planet!
Merck Forest and Farmland Center
MFFC is a non-profit environmental education organization located on 3,160 acres of forest and farmland in the Taconic Mountains of southwestern Vermont. We offer programs and demonstrations for visitors, school groups, landowners, professional foresters and farmers, as well as an apprenticeship program. Forest activities include sustainable agriculture, recreation, habitat preservation, maple sugaring, timber harvests, forest roads, water control and wildlife habitat management. Farm activities include organic gardening, rare breeds of animals, rotational grazing, cover crops and alternative energy.
Assist Merck staff in taking care of the chickens, pigs, sheep and draft horses during afternoon chores. Offered daily, no sign-up required. Open to all ages. Meet at the Pig Barn at 3:30pm sharp and come prepared wearing boots or other sturdy footwear, it could get mucky!
Rock of Ages
Factory tours are available as self-guided experiences. Our 160,000 square foot factory is a world of contrasts. Come watch sculptors using methods little changed over the centuries juxtaposed against the latest laser etchers and diamond saws. See cutting, polishing and rubber stencil layout for sandblast.
The factory is open for self-guided observation of our artisans Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The factory is closed all weekends, holidays and associated vacation days. For example, the factory is closed the Friday after Thanksgiving. The factory is normally closed during January, early February and the first two weeks of July for maintenance of heavy equipment and vacation.
Admittance for self-guided factory tours is free.
Simon Pearce
Visit the Simon Pearce glassblowing workshops in Quechee or Windsor.
University of Vermont Historic Tour (Seasonal)
Founded in 1791, the year Vermont became the 14th state to join the union, the University of Vermont is the fifth oldest university in New England. To bring its illustrious history to life, we encourage you to take this walking tour of our historic campus. The tour is approximately 90-minutes; read detailed tour coverage from The Boston Globe and Vermont Public Radio.
Vermont Cheese Council
Visit the Vermont Cheese Council for a listing of cheesemakers in Vermont that offer free tours.
Vermont State House
The Friends of the Vermont State House is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the fulfillment of the Capitol building’s full potential as the structure of first importance to Vermont.
To accomplish this, the Friends focus on conservation and restoration of the Capitol’s historic integrity and promotion of public appreciation of the building and its collections.
We work in close cooperation with the Legislature and government officials to ensure that the historic and symbolic dignity of the building continues to enhance the vital continuing function it fills.