You’re driving up Interstate 89, probably thinking about maple syrup or whether you should have stopped for a creemee in Burlington, and then you see them. Two massive, granite tails diving into a sea of... grass? It’s weird. Honestly, it’s one of those "blink and you’ll miss it" moments that defines the Vermont experience. They aren't in the ocean. They aren't even near a lake. They’re just sitting there in a meadow in South Burlington, looking remarkably like they’re about to vanish beneath the turf.
People call them the Vermont whale tails sculpture, but the real name is Reverence. And they have a weirdly nomadic history for something that weighs several tons.
The Granite Giants of South Burlington
If you want the technical details, here they are: the tails are 13 feet tall. They’re made of African black granite. But that doesn't really capture how they feel when you’re standing underneath them. Jim Sardonis, the sculptor, finished the piece back in 1989. He didn't just wake up and decide to put whales in a field for the fun of it, though it definitely looks that way now. The original intent was a statement about the environment. Specifically, the fragility of the planet. Sardonis wanted to show these magnificent creatures "swimming" through the earth, suggesting that the planet itself is a fluid, living thing we need to protect.
They’re heavy. Really heavy. We’re talking 3,600 pounds per tail.
For years, they lived at a local office park. Specifically, the Technology Park off Community Drive. It was a bit of a hidden gem. You had to know where to turn to find them tucked away near some corporate buildings. Then, things changed. The land was being developed, and the whales needed a new home. In 2019, they made their big move to their current spot at Technology Park, visible from the northbound lane of I-89 between exits 12 and 13.
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Why Granite?
Sardonis chose granite because it lasts. Vermont is the Green Mountain State, but it’s also a state built on stone. Think about the quarries in Barre. While these specific stones came from Africa, the use of massive, enduring rock fits the local aesthetic perfectly. Granite doesn't care about the brutal Vermont winters. It doesn't care about the road salt or the humidity of a July afternoon. It just sits there.
Tracking Down the Vermont Whale Tails Sculpture
Don't just try to pull over on the highway. Please. People do it, and it’s dangerous and basically illegal. Plus, you won't get the best view. To actually see the Vermont whale tails sculpture up close, you need to head to the Technology Park in South Burlington.
- Take Exit 12 off I-89.
- Follow Route 2A toward Williston.
- Turn onto Marshall Avenue.
- Look for the entrance to the park near the Ben & Jerry’s office.
There’s a public path. You can walk right up to them. You can touch the stone. It’s surprisingly smooth in some places and rough in others, where the chisel marks still show the artist's hand. Standing between them makes you feel small. It’s a great spot for photos, obviously, but it’s also just a quiet place to think about how weird humans are for putting whales in a meadow.
The Randolph "Imposters" (Wait, there are more?)
Here is where people get confused. If you’re driving further south on I-89, near Randolph, you might see another set of whale tails. These are not the same ones. The Randolph tails are made of plastic and foam. They were created for a local business and, while they’re fun, they aren't the "real" fine-art Reverence sculpture. If you’re looking for the high-quality granite ones that everyone talks about, stick to South Burlington.
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The Art of Moving a Whale
Moving these things wasn't a "two guys and a truck" situation. When the Vermont whale tails sculpture moved in 2019, it was a massive engineering feat. They had to use heavy-duty cranes and flatbed trailers. The sculpture is actually three pieces—the two tails and a smaller "hump" that sits nearby.
The move cost money. A lot of it. But the local community and the owners of the land, Pizzagalli Properties, saw the value in keeping them visible. Now, instead of being tucked away in a private office complex, they serve as a landmark for thousands of commuters every single day. They’ve become a bit of a mascot for the area.
What the Sculptor Thinks
Jim Sardonis is still an active artist in the region. He’s known for his animal sculptures, and he often focuses on the intersection of nature and humanity. In various interviews over the years, he’s mentioned that the move to the highway-side location actually fulfilled a lot of what he hoped for the piece. It gets people talking. It makes them wonder why whales are in a field, which leads to questions about the environment and our place in it.
The Best Time to Visit
Honestly, winter is the best. There is something haunting about seeing dark black granite rising out of a pristine white snowfield. The contrast is incredible. The summer is great too, but you’ll be sharing the space with more people. If you go at sunset, the light hits the polished surfaces of the granite and makes the "water" look like it’s shimmering.
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- Winter: High contrast, fewer crowds, great for photography.
- Summer: Easy access, green grass provides a lush backdrop.
- Fall: The foliage adds a layer of color that makes the black stone pop.
Common Misconceptions About the Whales
A lot of people think the state of Vermont paid for these. They didn't. It’s a private piece of art that just happens to be very public. People also think they are a memorial to a specific whale or event. Not really. They are a symbolic representation of the species and our relationship to the natural world.
Another big one: "Are they buried deep in the ground?"
Not really. They are anchored to massive concrete pads beneath the surface. They aren't "deep" so much as they are "secure." You aren't seeing the tip of a giant underground whale; you're seeing a carefully balanced artistic installation designed to create an illusion.
Practical Tips for Your Trip
If you're making the trek to see the Vermont whale tails sculpture, combine it with a trip into Burlington. You're only about 10 minutes away from Church Street. Grab some food at the Farmers Market if it's a Saturday, or hit up the Waterfront Park to see Lake Champlain—which, ironically, does not have whales, though it does have a legendary lake monster named Champ.
- Parking: Use the designated lots in the office park. Don't park on the grass.
- Pets: Usually okay on a leash, but pick up after them.
- Time: Give yourself 20 minutes to walk around and really look at the textures.
Actionable Next Steps for Travelers
If you are planning to visit the tails, don't just look at them from your car window at 65 miles per hour. Here is exactly how to make the most of it:
- Download a local map: Cell service can be spotty in some parts of Vermont, though South Burlington is usually fine. Have your GPS set to "Technology Park, South Burlington."
- Check the weather: If it’s rained recently, the field around the tails can get muddy. Wear boots that you don't mind getting a little dirty.
- Bring a real camera: Phone cameras are great, but the scale of the tails is hard to capture without a wide-angle lens if you want to get both tails and the landscape in one shot.
- Support the arts: Check out other Jim Sardonis works in the area. He has sculptures at the Shelburne Museum and other spots around New England. Seeing his other work gives you a much better appreciation for the "whale tails" style and technique.
Seeing the tails is a rite of passage for any Vermont road trip. It’s weird, it’s beautiful, and it’s a reminder that even in a landlocked state, the ocean is never really that far from our minds. Keep your eyes on the road, but keep a lookout for those granite fins breaking the surface of the green hills.