10 Things To Do In Burlington, Vermont On A First Visit

Tightly hugging the eastern shores of Lake Champlain, small but undeniably attractive Burlington is one of the most visited cities in Vermont. The college town, which runs entirely on renewable energy, is the perfect place to spend a day or two on a New England road trip, particularly in fall when vibrant colors fill the streets. Church Street and its four block marketplace are the most famous attractions in Burlington, but what else can you do in town?

In this guide we show you our 10 favorite things to do in Burlington, VT so you can pack out your travel itinerary. It may not be as picturesque as Woodstock, or as adventurous as nearby Stowe, but Burlington is Vermont’s center of culture, arts, nightlife and shopping.

Our Experience

We’ve visited Burlington twice. Both times we included it on a New England road trip in 2020 and then again in 2023. When we first visited in September 2020, the city was very busy which surprised us because it was the height of covid. But we focused on the outdoor activities like the Burlington Bike Path, Ethan Allen Homestead and Lake Champlain Causeway. Many of the restaurants and breweries were open, but visitors could only eat outside.

We decided to return in 2023 to experience the city in its full glory. This time we were able to shop in the local stores and see some of the sights we missed the first time. But while there are many fun things to do in Burlington and we enjoyed our time, we noticed certain parts of town had gone downhill in terms of safety. This is not meant to scare you, but prepare you for what to expect when you visit. Read more about us.

SHOP: Our New England Guidebook features the best of Burlington and other popular towns in the region.

Now, let’s explore this popular city! Here’s what you should do:

1. Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain is a long and narrow fresh water lake forming much of the New York-Vermont border and stretches up into Quebec, Canada. The lake has a colorful history, including playing an important role in the Revolutionary War of the 1770’s and 1780’s, and then again in 1812 in a battle near Plattsburgh on the Western shores of Lake Champlain.

Today the lake can be crossed by ferry which makes for a unique thing to do in Burlington. During our second trip, we took the Essex, NY to Charlotte, VT crossing and the views were absolutely stunning. Here’s the ferry crossing schedule.

Back in Burlington, the lake is a focal point for activities. There are multiple hikes with viewpoints, a small marina and numerous lakeside parks. Sunset is one of the best times of day to visit the lakefront. West facing views over Lake Champlain toward the setting sun make a relaxing stroll the perfect way to end the day.

We love the Burlington Bike Path, also known as The Burlington Greenway, and it’s one of the most popular things to do in town. The paved path follows Lake Champlain’s shoreline for 8.0 miles. It joins Oakledge park to the north Winooski River connecting many of Burlington’s lakeside parks, two beaches and downtown commercial district.

If you have time and are up for a long ride, follow the Island Line Trail further north. This is the Lake Champlain Causeway, another popular Burlington activity. It’s an abandoned rail line running from the Vermont Mainland to the South Hero island community. Hikers and bikers can use this bike ferry to continue onto the Champlain Islands. We did not bike this path, but we did walk it for several miles and it’s a must-do when visiting Burlington in the warmer months. There are plenty of bike rental places in or near Waterfront Park.

Travel Tip: In 1998 Lake Champlain became the sixth US Great Lake for a period of just 18 days before the Senate Bill was rescinded.

2. Shop Church Street Marketplace

Church Street is Burlington’s most famous attraction, top place to visit and best photography location. It’s a red-brick pedestrian only street filled with restaurants, shops and tourists. The entire length of Church Street is effectively an open air mall called Church Street Marketplace.

You’ll find historic buildings and architecture, year-round festivals, dozens of places to eat or drink and a wonderfully positive buzz in the air. There’s an eclectic collection of popular outdoor stores and local shops selling interesting items. No matter where you stay in Burlington, or what else you plan to do in town, you’ll naturally gravitate to Church Street each day for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a spot of shopping.

Here are a few of our favorites shopping spots:

• Earthbound Trading Co – Gift shop with fun jewelry and home items
• Frog Hollow Craft Gallery – Best place to find local artisan crafts and artwork
• Saratoga Olive Oil Co – Stop in to sample the delicious olive oils and balsamic vinegars
• Ten Thousand Villages – A gift shop featuring handmade goods from villages around the world
• Vermont Flannel Company – High quality and ultra soft flannels since 1991

Photography Tip: If you like photography, the classic up-street shot with the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington Church at the end is unmissable. The best images are taken in the evening when Church Street illuminates under artificial lights.

3. Eat Your Way Through Burlington

What Burlington lacks in true must do attractions, it more than makes up for with awesome eateries and breweries. This is a college town with plenty of delicious options known for using fresh locally grown food. And with so much farmland in Vermont, there’s also no surprise that farm-to-table dining is par for the course.

• August First – Bakery with soups, salad and sandwiches
• American Flatbread – Craft beer and wood-fired pizzas
• Bistro de Margot – Fine French cuisine with a stylish bar
• Farmhouse Tap & Grill  – Farm-to-table gastropub with seasonal beer garden
• Hen Of The Wood – Upscale American food with a changing menu
• Henry’s Diner – Serving all-American eats since 1925
• Honey Road – Mediterranean small plates and cocktails
• Leunig’s Bistro – Classic French dishes with a Vermont twist
• Pizzeria Verità – Wood-fired Neapolitan pizza and farm-fresh Italian mains
• Skinny Pancake – Local chain with vegan options great for breakfast
• Trattoria Delia – Italian fare in a romantic basement setting

Many of these restaurants can be busy all year because this is a four season city. We highly recommend making a reservation if there is a specific restaurant you want to try. It was hit or miss depending on they day we visited, but you’ll avoid the long wait if you have a reservation.

Travel Tip: The Burlington Farmers Market is a popular spot offering prepared foods along with fresh farm products. It runs Saturdays mid-May to the end of October from 9:00am to 2:00pm.

4. Enjoy The Breweries

Just like restaurants, there are so many fabulous breweries in Burlington, Vermont. We spent half a day trying out several of the places below and they did not disappoint. You could easily plan a boozy weekend in Burlington if you had the time.

Here are the popular breweries in Burlington:

• Foam Brewers – Right in Waterfront Park next to the bike path. We think this one has the best location
• Switchback Brewery – Located in the south end not far from Lake Champlain Chocolate with beer garden and tap house
• Burlington Beer Company – Next to Switchback with a variety of beer and good food
• Zero Gravity Brewery – Next to Lake Champlain Chocolates. We love the laid back vibe here
• Vermont Pub and Brewery – Vermont’s oldest craft brewery
• Mad River Distillery – Bourbon, rye, rum and apple brandy

If you want to learn more about the breweries in town, this popular tour will take a deep dive into the Vermont beer scene.

Travel Tip: Look for the world’s tallest filing cabinet off Flynn Ave near Burlington Beer Company and Switchback Brewing.

5. Ethan Allen Homestead Museum

Ethan Allen led an interesting life in the US northeast. He began with farming and iron works but became a leader in the Green Mountain Boys, a militia group opposing British New York and New Hampshire. Allen and his boys would repel any attempt by outside surveyors to settle in the area now known as Vermont and this resulted in a price on his head. Later he bought up land that became Burlington and sold it for huge profit, against the laws of New York.

Allen then led his Green Mountain Boys to capture Fort Ticonderoga on the southern shores of Lake Champlain, without a single shot being fired. Raids in Quebec failed and he was captured by the British, kept prisoner on ships and Pendennic Castle in Cornwall, Southwest England.

Eventually he was released as part of a prisoner exchange and played a role in the growth and politics of Vermont’s formation as well as early prosperity. His fame and notoriety had grown, and after his death he was remembered as a fierce supporter of Vermont. Today, his final home on the Onion River which is now called the Winooski River is the focal point of the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum.

We thought this historic site was worth visiting because it offers a unique slice of both Burlington and Vermont’s history. You can take guided tours of the homestead, walk the gorgeous grounds, hike to the river and learn about Allen’s intriguing life. Visit the official website for more information.

READ: Best places to visit in Vermont

6. Ethan Allen Tower

Just a mile away, you can park in the 60-acre Ethan Allen Park and walk along various trails surrounded by trees. At the center of the park, you’ll find Ethan Allen Tower, a 40 ft tall monument built of stone in the style of a castle or stand alone turret. You can climb a narrow metal staircase inside until you reach the top showcasing 360° views over Burlington and Lake Champlain.

The viewpoint is popular at sunset in summer or anytime in fall when autumnal colors are glowing. Expect colorful trees for foreground, Lake Champlain middle ground and New York hills as background. Ethan Allen Park is a great place to take a relaxing stroll through forested land but don’t miss the views!

7. ECHO Science And Nature Museum

The ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is the perfect place to visit in Burlington if you’re traveling with younger children. It’s a kid-focused museum with over 70 species of animals, interactive displays, fish tanks and presentations about marine life. A major focus of ECHO is to educate about the local natural environment, mainly Lake Champlain in Burlington.

Various films are shown daily in the 3D theater with numerous programs offered as well. Animal demos are offered at 11:00am and 2:00pm. The museum is open 10:00am to 5:00pm everyday. Advanced reservations are not required and you can buy tickets right on site. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $16.50 for kids 3 to 17 years of age. Children 2 and under are free. Check out the daily programs on the official website.

8. Lake Champlain Chocolates

In Burlington’s vibrant artsy South End neighborhood, you’ll find the Lake Champlain Chocolates’ flagship store. It has been a locally run business using ingredients from the surrounding areas to create superior chocolate since 1983.

Unfortunately, they no longer offer their famous factory tours, but you can watch a video of the old tour, sample hundreds of delicious chocolate varieties and learn all about Lake Champlain Chocolate through interactive information boards. There is also a large window you can look through to see the chocolates being made right on site.

Travel Tip: We love stocking up on factory seconds! These are imperfect chocolate pieces that may have a bubble or a crack, but they sure still taste the same. So you can usually find chocolates half the price in this section.

9. Explore The Local Parks

Another highlight to visiting Burlington is the public parks and community gardens. Waterfront Park along Lake Champlain is an extremely popular one, but there’s so much more to discover. So if you’re looking to explore the green side of Burlington, here’s where we recommend:

• Calahan Park – Playground, soccer field, baseball diamond with basketball and tennis courts
• Niquette Bay State Park – 584-acre park with hiking, swimming and fishing
• North Beach – A beautiful sandy spot located in the north end with snack bar and picnic spaces
• Oakledge Park – Local favorite with tennis courts and Forever Young Treehouse
• Overlook Park – Stunning views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains
• Red Rocks Park – Public beach with hiking trails and snowshoeing in winter
• Waterfront Park – Community space with a cute board walk and boat rentals

Travel Tip: During our last Burlington trip in 2023, we unfortunately ran into various groups essentially doing drugs in the middle of the day at Battery Park. It was also an unkept area with trash everywhere. We felt very uncomfortable here and we’d avoid it, especially if traveling with children. If you’ve visited recently and this has changed, please let us know in the comments at the end of our guide.

10. Visit Nearby Shelburne

All of the activities we listed have been located in or close to Burlington, Vermont. But we think it’s worth taking a short day trip to Shelburne for three reasons – the Shelburne Museum, Shelburne Orchards and the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. Shelburne is about 8 miles from downtown Burlington so it’s not a far drive.

The Shelburne Museum is one of the most popular attractions in Vermont. It contains over 100,000 American folk and decorative art items spread out between 39 different buildings with 25 of them having historical significance. Popular sites include the Shaker design Round Barn, 220-foot sidewheel steamboat Ticonderoga and the General Store. Admission costs $25 for adults or $15 with a VT driver’s license. We made the mistake of thinking we could visit in just an hour, but you could easily spend an entire day walking through it.

We liked visiting the Shelburne Orchards because it’s a great place for fruit picking. You can pick peaches in the summer and the apple season begins early September. Unfortunately, they lost a large crop of McIntosh from a bad frost in April, but they are still open for the 2024 season. Make sure you grab some delicious apple cider and donuts which we highly recommend.

Another must-see attraction is the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. You can tour the factory for $5 and tours are offered on a first come, first serve basis occurring every 30 minutes. The first tour begins at 10:30am with the last tour at 3:00pm. We also enjoyed the visiting the gift shop because there are so many different kinds of stuffed animals you can buy. Kristen came here as a child and she still has her Vermont teddy bear today!

Travel Tip: If you head towards Shelburne, stop at Fiddlehead Brewing Company for pizza and a beer. It’s located right between the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory and the Shelburne Museum.

Where To Stay In Burlington, VT

Burlington is a very popular tourist destination in Vermont, but there is a surprisingly low amount of hotels in the downtown area. Staying downtown near Church Street is ideal for first time visitors who want to be at the heart of the lively town, but options are very limited and therefore are typically more expensive.

Those visiting on a low budget will have to look a little further out of downtown Burlington to find affordable rooms nearby. Colchester and South Burlington have a handful of options, or you can book a cheaper room near the airport.

If you want to find a great place to stay in Burlington, read our complete guide to the 8 best hotels in Burlington VT on our sister site Best Hotels Anywhere. Alternatively, take a closer look at some of the top rated hotels below listed from cheap to expensive:

• Starlight Inn
• Double Tree by Hilton
• Hilton Garden Inn
• Courtyard Harbor
• Hotel Vermont Burlington

We’ve stayed ay the Starlight Inn. It’s a fantastic low budget hotel not too far from Causeway Park. The hotel has a fun casino and movie theme throughout, complimentary drive in movie access and affordable nightly rates in a quiet location northwest of town.

Burlington Interactive Map

Use our interactive map for Burlington to familiarize yourself with the area. Click to activate the map. We’ve included the best things to see and do that we already mentioned in this guide.

Map key:

• Red – Our top attractions
• Purple – Local stores
• Green – Popular restaurants
• Yellow – Breweries
• Dark Blue – Hotel recommendations

You can also open the full map here for a better and larger view.

Our Burlington Photos

We have so many photos from ours trips to Burlington. Here are a few of our favorites:

The Morgan Conclusion

What we like: Burlington is Vermont’s most populated city and it provides beautiful waterfront views overlooking Lake Champlain. We were pleasantly surprised by the beauty here. There are many highly rated restaurants and breweries, but it also offers various parks and green spaces. The Lake Champlain Causeway was a highlight for us because it’s a unique thing you won’t find anywhere else.

What we don’t like: Having visited twice, sadly we’ve seen a decline in Burlington. It’s been hit hard with crime and the fentanyl crisis making some of the popular spots a bit unsettling. We’ve visited many cities in Vermont and Burlington is definitely the worst in terms of how safe we felt. You can read this article that discusses similar student concerns at UVM.

Is Burlington worth visiting? Yes, Burlington is definitely worth visiting. But it certainly has rough parts which include the Church Street Marketplace and popular parks in the city. It’s sad to see because it’s a great city with many attractions for people of all ages. So if you’re planning a visit, be alert and look for trouble before it starts. Burlington is also very close to New York’s Adirondack Mountains, home of Lake Placid and Mount Marcy so you could easily add those into your itinerary.

More From New England

• Best things to experience in Stowe, VT
• Things you can’t miss in Manchester, VT
• Our favorite things to do in Woodstock, VT
• Tips for finding Vermont’s covered bridges
• What to do in Acadia National Park
• Amazing sights along the Kancamagus Highway
• How to plan a New England fall road trip
• Best things to do in Lake Placid, NY

Want more Vermont content? Head to our Vermont Travel Guides to explore more from the Green Mountain State.

---

We hope our guide featuring the best things to do in Burlington helps with planning your visit!

Please let us know if you have any questions about visiting Burlington or planning a trip to New England in the comments below.

Happy Travels,

Mark and Kristen

Enjoy this Burlington, Vermont guide? Pin it for your visit!

Note: This article contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

All Rights Reserved © Where Are Those Morgans, LLC. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, etc.) in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.