Located on Lake Champlain's eastern shore, this active college town has a pedestrian-friendly downtown with local shops, farm-to-table restaurants, and craft breweries.
Burlington, Vermont's largest city with 44,743 residents, sits on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain. Walk down Church Street to browse independent bookstores like Crow Books or grab coffee at Speeder & Earl's. Watch lake scientists at work in the ECHO Center's research labs, or join locals cycling along the 8-mile waterfront path with views of the Adirondack Mountains.
Church Street Shopping District
The four-block Church Street has more than 100 independent businesses in brick buildings from the 1800s. Local musicians set up throughout the day between cafes with sidewalk tables. You'll find Vermont-made products at Frog Hollow Craft Center, used books at Downtown Books, and maple syrup tastings at Lake Champlain Chocolates.
Lake Champlain Waterfront
Three public parks line Lake Champlain's shore, each with views of New York's Adirondack Mountains. Take dinner cruises on the Spirit of Ethan Allen III from Waterfront Park, or swim at North Beach Park's lifeguarded beach in summer. Cycle the Island Line Trail across the lake on a former railroad causeway to reach the Lake Champlain Islands.
Art Galleries and Museums
Former textile mills and industrial buildings in the South End now house artist studios and galleries like S.P.A.C.E. Gallery and Soda Plant. Each September, the South End Art Hop turns the neighborhood into an art festival with 600+ artists. The Fleming Museum at UVM displays 150,000 pieces, including Native American artifacts and contemporary Vermont artists' work.
Transportation
Take Amtrak's Ethan Allen Express from the waterfront station to reach New York City. Green Mountain Transit runs buses within Burlington and to neighboring towns. Burlington International Airport, located in South Burlington, serves U.S. destinations. Several downtown bike shops rent cycles for use on the city's bike paths.
Green Initiatives
Since 2015, Burlington has run on 100% renewable energy from solar, wind, and biomass sources. The city's food system includes year-round farmers markets and the 350-acre Intervale Center along the Winooski River, where working farms grow food for local restaurants and markets while teaching sustainable farming methods.
