Things to Do in Burlington VT
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Burlington, Vermont is a pretty university town on the shores of Lake Champlain. Populated by an eclectic mix of hippies, urbanites, and eco-warriors, its vibrant downtown buzzes with purpose. If you are a first-time visitor to “Burly-city,” read our article for an overview of things to do in Burlington VT.
Burlington has its fair share of monuments and museums, but Randy and I think that what makes the city so special is its stunning natural beauty and walkable downtown. It is an easy trek from the Church Street Marketplace to the Lake Champlain waterfront. And, just a short distance away, the Adirondack Mountains offer year-round outdoor adventure.
Add to all this, the town’s love of craft breweries and farm-to-table dining, and the result is a terrific weekend getaway. From Ben & Jerry’s ice cream to the Burlington Bike Path, let us introduce you to all the best things to do in Burlington VT.
THINGS TO DO IN VERMONT
WHERE IS BURLINGTON VERMONT
Burlington is located in northwestern Vermont. The city was built on a hillside that slopes downward toward Lake Champlain. The downtown area has gorgeous lake views with backdrops of the Adirondack Mountains to the west and the Green Mountains to the east.
The Chittenden County city is 45 miles from the Canadian border. It is about 95 miles south of Montreal and 125 miles north of New York City. Burlington and the surrounding area, including South Burlington, Winooski, and Essex Junction, encompasses roughly one-third of the Vermont’s total population.
GETTING TO BURLINGTON VT
Despite its northern location, Burlington Vermont has lots of convenient transportation options. Travel to Burlington by:
Air: Burlington International Airport (BTV) is just a 10 minute drive from downtown. The airport offers direct flights from many major airports with bus, ride shares, and rental cars available at the airport. Click on this link to investigate air fares to Burlington VT.
Train: Take an Amtrak train to Burlington from New York City or New Haven, CT. The scenic train ride disembarks at Union Station on Burlington’s waterfront. Click on this link for train tickets via Omio.
Car: Burlington is easily accessible by rental car or private vehicle. The countryside surrounding the city is considered scenic no matter what direction you are traveling from. Click on this link to investigate rental cars.
Bus: Burlington is serviced by the local Green Mountain Transit (GMT) commuter and express buses; and by intercity Greyhound and Vermont Translines buses. Click on this link for bus tickets via Omio.
BURLINGTON VERMONT HOTELS
Burlington offers a wide range of accommodations ranging from full-service chain hotels to historic bed and breakfasts and lake resorts. For a more walkable experience we recommend choosing a hotel in the downtown area; for better rates try the South Burlington or Essex Junction area.
Try one of these well-reviewed Burlington Vermont hotels:
Hotel Vermont – boutique hotel in downtown area. Acclaimed onsite restaurant, Juniper. Complimentary bicycles for Bike Path (2 hour limit).
Courtyard by Marriott Burlington Harbor: Close to the Church Street Marketplace and waterfront. Indoor pool and bike rentals.
Hilton Garden Inn Burlington Downtown: Located on Main Street in downtown area. Has fitness room, indoor pool, and valet parking.
Lang House: Short walk to downtown area. Queen Anne Victorian bed and breakfast with free parking.
THINGS TO DO IN BURLINGTON VT
Church Street in Burlington VT
The Church Street Marketplace is the place to gather in Burlington. The four-block, vehicle-free pedestrian mall spans Church Street from Main Street to Pearl Street. Within this district there are roughly 100 storefronts that blend local one-of-a-kind shops with artisan galleries, eateries, pubs, and select national chains.
The open-air space is dotted with outdoor dining, kiosks, carts, live music, and street performers. Its brick streets host art installations, festivals, and holiday celebrations throughout the year. Open every day.
Burlington VT Bike Path
The Burlington Bike Path (or Burlington Greenway) is a paved, multi-use trail that runs from Oakledge Park to the Winooski River along Lake Champlain. Offering gorgeous lake and mountain view the 8-mile path is part of the larger 14-mile Island Line Trail.
The pet-friendly trail is popular with walkers, joggers, and bikers. The path is (mostly) flat and paved with seasonal restrooms along the walkway. Bike rental shops are located in the waterfront/harbor area.
THINGS TO DO IN NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND
Boat Tours on Lake Champlain
From late-spring through the fall, boating is hugely popular on Lake Champlain. In the waterfront region there are several marinas offering boat tours. A cruise on the Spirit of the Ethan Allen dinner ship is hugely popular. Another way to enjoy the water is to take a classic sailing charter, or putt-around on a pontoon boat tour.
Kayaking, fishing, and paddle boarding are also common lake activities (rentals available). Try this charter: Day Time Sailing on Lake Camplain
Burlington Food Scene
The Burlington food scene is much acclaimed for its farm-to-table dining. With New England agricultural roots and nearby family farms, Burlington restaurants are filled with menus featuring local cheeses, maple syrup, and seasonal vegetables. Well-known farm-to-table restaurants include the Hen of the Woods and the Farmhouse Tap & Grill.
Regional food specialties include maple ice cream and candies, artisan cheeses, and poutine (French fries with cheese curds and gravy). Be sure to try a “Vermonter” sandwich with sliced turkey, sharp cheese, apple, and maple mustard.
Try this delicious activity: The Ultimate Chocolate Tasting
Eat Some Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream
Beginning with a small ice cream counter in a gas station, the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Company grew into a delicious world-wide phenomenon. You can grab a cone at the Church Street shop, or drive 30 minutes to the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in nearby Waterbury Vermont for a tour.
The only Ben & Jerry’s factory open to the public, take a tour to see how over 350,000 pints of ice cream a day are produced at this plant. At the end of the tour, enjoy a sweet treat.
NEIGHBORING NEW YORK ATTRACTIONS
Embark Upon a Brewery Crawl
Burlington is the home of a thriving beer scene. Dozens of craft breweries, pubs, and taverns pepper the waterfront, South End arts district, and Church Street Marketplace areas.
In the waterfront and downtown area check out Foam Brewers and The Vermont Pub and Brewery. In the South End look for Zero Gravity Brewers, Burlington Beer Co., and Switchback.
Burlington Trolley Tour
Leaving from the waterfront district, Burlington Trolley Tours offer an overview of important city landmarks and heritage sites. Chose a 60 or 90 minute narrated route that takes in the waterfront, Church Street, the University of Vermont, Winooski River, and historic local sites.
For a specialty trolley tour experience, combine the city tour with a trip to a family-run sugar house. The city also has a nice selection of walking history tours, haunted history ghost tours, scavenger hunts, and trips to the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum.
Click here for a 1-hour Burlington Trolley Tour.
Shopping
You can find lots of high quality, well-made products in Burlington including clothing, shoes, furniture, art, housewares, foods, and… the list goes on and on.
For in-city shopping check out the Church Street Marketplace (Patagonia, Vermont Flannel, and Frog Hollow Craft Center), Pine Street (vintage clothing, antiques, and art studios), and University Mall (department stores and retail chains).
ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
This interactive science museum sits on the shores of Lake Champlain. The museum features over 100 nature based exhibits with a 3D theater and huge area dedicated to toddlers and pre-schoolers. The facility is home to over 70 species of fish and critters native to the region.
Home Base for Winter Sports
Many of the things to do mentioned above are great for spring, summer, and fall. However, winter in Burlington should not be overlooked. Cold weather fun includes ski adventures at nearby Stowe and Bolton Vally Resorts, showshoeing, winter hiking & biking, and skating in the surrounding lakes, rivers, and woods.
BURLINGTON VERMONT MAP
BEST TIME TO VISIT & WEATHER
Burlington is four-season town with something fun to focus on in each of the seasons. Here is a rundown of the seasons in terms of temperatures and things to do:
June - August: (70-80’ F) Best for boating, swimming and other water activities, biking, walking waterfront. All businesses, breweries, and eateries open.
September – October: (50-60’ F) Gorgeous autumn colors and foliage. Great for Church Street and waterfront activities (out of the water). All businesses, breweries, and eateries open.
December – March: (20-40’ F) Great for winter sports, holiday decorations, and winter festivals. Most businesses, breweries, and eateries open.
April – May: (30-50’F) Mud season and maple sugaring. With brown and grey foliage, mud, and cooler temperature this is the least desirable season. Most businesses, breweries, and eateries open.
Hope you enjoy the wicked good creemee (soft serve ice cream), Laura and Randy
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