The Paunsaugunt Wildlife Museum on Center Street is an unusual small-town institution: a large private collection of taxidermied animals from around the world displayed in natural-looking dioramas. The collection runs to several hundred specimens and includes African big game, North American bears, deer, and mountain lions, alongside exotic species most visitors won't recognize from the wild.
Taxidermy museums are an acquired taste. Those with no interest in the form can skip it, but for curious travelers or families with kids fascinated by animals, it offers a closer look at wildlife that is genuinely hard to see in the field. The craftsmanship is good and the display more thoughtful than you'd expect in a town of 1,800. Hours and entry fees are modest — check current listings as they vary by season.