Nestled in the heart of the bustling Waterfront neighborhood, the ECHO makes an attractive pit stop for lots of young families. Its marine-focused children's museum is full of hands-on exhibits like the saltwater petting tank and ever-popular FrogWorld. Visitors note that the aquarium is much smaller than expected but still worth visiting if you have kids.

The ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center is part of the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, which is dedicated to educating visitors on the fragile Lake Champlain ecosystem. It's open year-round from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $13.50 for adults and $10.50 for children. For more information about the ECHO, check out the center's website.