Learn about Lake Champlain at ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center

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On your visit to Lake Champlain’s waterfront, don’t miss exploring the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. Live animal exhibits and demonstrations as well as unique interactive displays comprise the permanent exhibits at the Lake Aquarium and Science Center, and a variety of touring exhibits are displayed, as well.

ECHO stands for Ecology, Culture, History and Opportunity, and Lake Aquarium and Science Center’s exhibits are devoted to all four of these facets of the Lake Champlain Basin. You can view more than 60 species of fish, reptiles and amphibians at the Aquarium and Science Center as you learn about the biology, ecology and geology of the Basin.

 The first live habitat you will encounter at ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center is the River’s End aquarium. Fish, frogs and turtles native to the Basin are included in this huge 2,750-gallon tank display featuring waterfalls, currents and shoreline areas. You’ll see pickerel, long-nosed gar and other fish as well as bullfrogs, painted turtles, garter snakes and more in this beautiful and intriguing exhibit.

 If you like frogs, you’ll love the Frog World display at ECHO Lake Aquarium. Eleven different frog species from six contents are featured in live frog displays in the Frog World exhibit. The Malayan Leaf Frog, Vietnamese Mossy Frog and Red-eyed Tree Frog are just a few of the frogs you will see in this educational and entertaining exhibit.

 The Atlantic tide pool touch tank at ECHO Lake Aquarium provides visitors with a unique opportunity to experience hands-on interactions with horseshoe crabs, sea stars, anemones, urchins and other sea creatures. 

 Awesome Forces is a very unique theater exhibition at ECHO Lake Aquarium. Awesome Forces provides visitors with a first-hand, multi-sensory experience of the diverse geologic forces that have affected the Champlain Basin over billions of years. You’ll see, hear and feel the forces of water, wind, glaciers and volcanoes in this intense and intriguing exhibit.

 There are many other permanent exhibits to explore and enjoy at ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center. Live animal feedings and demonstrations, short film presentations, and special programs for children are held at ECHO Lake Aquarium daily during the summer months. Children’s story times and special guest speakers provide additional opportunities to have fun and learn about Lake Champlain at the Aquarium.  

 Visitors to ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center can also explore the Resource Room on the second floor of the building. The Resource Room features hands-on exhibits, a terrific Library with books, videos, CD-ROMs and computer stations with Internet access. A knowledgeable and friendly staff is on hand to answer questions about Lake Champlain and help you with your research. 

While visiting Lake Champlain, you'll find days worth of activities in the area to keep you busy.  You'll need a comfortable place to rest your head each night after exploring the various parks and lighthouses of the lake.  You can find excellent accommodations in the Burlington, Vermont area and still be very close to the lake on HotelsCombined.com.