Located on Lake Champlain's eastern shore, this Vermont city has a lively Church Street marketplace, craft breweries, and walking trails near the Adirondack Mountains.
Burlington sits along Lake Champlain as Vermont's largest city, home to 44,743 residents. You can walk down Church Street's brick-paved pedestrian mall, where local musicians play guitar next to café patios, or watch scientists feed lake sturgeon at the ECHO center's main tank. Cyclists pedal past sailboats on the waterfront bike path, while farmers sell fresh produce at three weekly markets throughout the city. Since 2015, Burlington has powered all its homes and businesses with renewable energy.
Getting to Burlington
You can fly into Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport, which connects to 13 U.S. cities. Take Amtrak's daily Ethan Allen Express from New York City, or drive on Interstate 89. The city is 45 miles south of Canada and 95 miles from Montreal.
Church Street Shopping and Entertainment
Church Street's four-block pedestrian zone runs through downtown Burlington's core. Local shops and restaurants fill 19th-century brick buildings, where you'll find everything from Vermont-made wool sweaters to locally roasted coffee. From May through October, musicians and street artists perform on the corners, while winter brings 250,000 LED lights strung between buildings and holiday markets.
Lake Champlain Activities
Eight public parks line Burlington's waterfront, with three spots to launch boats. Between May and September, rent kayaks or paddleboards to explore the lake, take a three-hour cruise on the Spirit of Ethan Allen, or bike the 14-mile Island Line Trail across the water. At ECHO Leahy Center, watch daily feeding demonstrations of lake sturgeon and learn about Lake Champlain's ecosystem through hands-on exhibits.
South End Art District
Former warehouses along Pine Street now house 160 working artists' studios. Walk through S.P.A.C.E. Gallery or Soda Plant to see painters and sculptors at work, or buy directly from their studios. The September South End Art Hop transforms the neighborhood into an open gallery, with 600 artists showing work across 100 locations.
University District
The University of Vermont's campus stretches across 460 acres, with buildings dating to 1791. Walk through Fleming Museum's collection of 25,000 artifacts, including Abenaki tools and European paintings. Watch student theater productions at Royall Tyler Theatre, or browse five independent bookstores and stop at student-filled cafes around campus.
Local Food Scene
Three weekly farmers markets sell vegetables grown within 50 miles of the city. Eight craft breweries make beer within city limits, while maple syrup producers tap trees throughout Chittenden County. At Intervale Center's 350-acre farm complex along the Winooski River, seven working farms grow food for local restaurants, and 165 community garden plots let residents grow their own vegetables.
Getting Around
Green Mountain Transit buses connect Burlington's neighborhoods on 15 routes. Bike on 50 miles of dedicated lanes and paths, including the waterfront Burlington Greenway. Walk through downtown on 127 miles of sidewalks that connect major areas and neighborhoods.
