Vermont · Lake Champlain
Burlington, Vermont
Vermont's most livable city — a walkable waterfront on Lake Champlain, the Church Street Marketplace lined with independent shops and restaurants, a craft beer scene that punches above its weight, and the Green Mountains rising just to the east.
Burlington sits on a hillside above Lake Champlain in northwestern Vermont, about 3 hours from Rochester via I-90 east and I-89 north. It's the largest city in Vermont — which means about 45,000 people — and it has a character that's hard to find elsewhere: a genuine college-town energy (the University of Vermont and several other colleges are here), a food and craft beer scene that draws visitors from across New England, and a waterfront that's one of the most pleasant in the Northeast.
The Church Street Marketplace is the commercial heart of the city — a four-block pedestrian mall lined with independent shops, restaurants, and cafés. It's one of the most successful pedestrian malls in the country, and it's genuinely lively year-round. The waterfront, a 10-minute walk downhill from Church Street, has a bike path, a marina, a beach, and views across Lake Champlain to the Adirondacks in New York.
Burlington is also a gateway to the rest of Vermont. Stowe is 45 minutes east, the Champlain Islands are 20 minutes north, and the Green Mountain National Forest is accessible within an hour. But the city itself is worth a full weekend — the food scene alone justifies the drive, and the combination of the waterfront, Church Street, and the surrounding neighborhoods makes Burlington one of the most enjoyable small cities in New England.
Best Time to Visit
Burlington is a genuine year-round city — each season has a distinct appeal and a reason to visit.
Apr–May
The city comes alive after a long winter — the Church Street café terraces open, the waterfront path is busy with cyclists, and the farmers market returns in May. A good time to visit without summer crowds.
Jun–Aug
Burlington at its peak — the waterfront beach, outdoor dining on Church Street, the ECHO science center, and Lake Champlain kayaking. The city is lively and the weather is reliably pleasant. Book ahead for July and August weekends.
Sep–Oct
The Green Mountains east of Burlington turn in early October, and the drive up Route 2 or Route 15 into the hills is excellent. The city itself is beautiful in fall — the UVM campus is particularly striking at peak foliage.
Nov–Mar
Burlington in winter is cozy and unhurried — the restaurant and bar scene is excellent, and the city has a genuine local character without summer tourists. Stowe is 45 minutes away for skiing.
Things to Do
The waterfront and Church Street are the twin anchors. The food scene is the reason many people make the drive.
Church Street Marketplace
Shopping & DiningA four-block pedestrian mall in the heart of Burlington — one of the most successful in the country. Independent shops, restaurants, cafés, and street performers. The social center of the city and the best place to spend a morning browsing and eating.
💡 Start at the top of Church Street (near the Unitarian Church) and walk down toward the waterfront. The best independent shops are in the first two blocks. Saturday morning is the liveliest time.
Lake Champlain Waterfront
WaterfrontThe Burlington waterfront has a 7.5-mile bike path along the lake, a marina, North Beach (a sandy swimming beach), and views across the water to the Adirondacks. The ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is a science museum on the waterfront worth a stop with kids.
💡 Rent bikes at Local Motion on the waterfront and ride the path north toward the Champlain Islands causeway — the views of the lake and the Adirondacks are excellent. The path is flat and easy.
Shelburne Museum
MuseumOne of the great folk art and Americana museums in the country, 7 miles south of Burlington in Shelburne. A 45-acre campus with 39 buildings housing an extraordinary collection of American folk art, quilts, decoys, carriages, and a full-size steamboat. Worth a half-day.
💡 Allow 3–4 hours — the campus is large and the collection is genuinely extraordinary. The Ticonderoga steamboat and the covered bridge are the most photographed spots. Open May through October.
Shelburne Farms
Farm & EstateA 1,400-acre working farm and National Historic Landmark on Lake Champlain, 7 miles south of Burlington. The farm produces award-winning cheddar cheese, has a children's farmyard, and offers walking trails through the estate with views of the lake and the Adirondacks.
💡 The farm store sells the best cheddar in Vermont — buy a wedge of the aged farmhouse cheddar to take home. The walking trails to the lake overlook are excellent and free with farm admission.
Burlington Farmers Market
MarketOne of the best farmers markets in New England, held on Saturdays in City Hall Park from May through October. Local cheese, maple syrup, produce, prepared foods, and live music. The social heart of Burlington on a Saturday morning.
💡 Arrive by 9 AM for the best selection. The prepared food vendors sell out quickly — the breakfast burritos and the maple creemees are both worth the early arrival.
Mount Philo State Park
HikingA small but rewarding state park 15 miles south of Burlington with a summit road and a short hiking trail to a 968-foot summit with panoramic views of Lake Champlain, the Champlain Valley, and the Adirondacks. One of the best views in Vermont for the effort required.
💡 Drive or hike to the summit — the drive takes 10 minutes and the hike takes about 30. Go in the late afternoon for the best light on the Adirondacks across the lake. Arrive early on fall weekends — the small parking area fills quickly.
2-Day Itinerary
Two days gives you Church Street, the waterfront, Shelburne Museum, and the best of the food scene. This itinerary works best in summer or fall.
Day 1
Church Street, Waterfront & Food
Church Street Marketplace
Start at the top of Church Street and walk down toward the waterfront. Browse the independent shops, stop for coffee at Uncommon Grounds or Onyx Tonics, and explore the side streets off the main mall.
Burlington Farmers Market (Saturdays) or waterfront lunch
On Saturdays, the City Hall Park farmers market is the best midday option in the city. On other days, walk down to the waterfront and have lunch at Splash at the Boathouse or Penny Cluse Café.
Lake Champlain waterfront bike ride
Rent bikes at Local Motion and ride the waterfront path north toward the Champlain Islands causeway. The views of the lake and the Adirondacks are excellent. Return via the path or cut back through the New North End neighborhoods.
Dinner on Church Street or the Hill Section
Burlington has one of the best restaurant scenes in New England for its size. Hen of the Wood Burlington, Misery Loves Co., and Pizzeria Verita are all excellent. Reserve well ahead for summer and fall weekends.
Day 2
Shelburne & South Burlington
Shelburne Museum
Drive 7 miles south to Shelburne. Allow 3–4 hours for the museum — the folk art collection, the Ticonderoga steamboat, and the covered bridge are all worth your time. Open May through October.
Shelburne Farms lunch and farm store
A 5-minute drive from the museum. Have lunch at the Inn at Shelburne Farms dining room (reserve ahead) or bring a picnic and eat on the farm grounds. Buy aged farmhouse cheddar at the farm store before you leave.
Mount Philo State Park
Drive 8 miles south to Mount Philo for the summit views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. The drive or hike to the summit takes 10–30 minutes. The late afternoon light on the Adirondacks is excellent.
Depart for Rochester
The drive back via I-89 south and I-87 north takes about 3 hours. Leave by 4–5 PM to arrive home at a reasonable hour.
Where to Eat
Burlington has a food scene that consistently surprises visitors — farm-to-table cooking anchored by Vermont dairy, maple, and local farms, with a craft beer culture that's among the best in New England.
Hen of the Wood Burlington
The Burlington outpost of the acclaimed Stowe restaurant — hyper-local Vermont ingredients with exceptional technique in a beautifully designed space. One of the best restaurants in Vermont. Reservations essential weeks in advance.
Must try: The seasonal tasting menu — the kitchen's best work changes with what Vermont farms are producing each week
Misery Loves Co.
A beloved Winooski restaurant (5 minutes from Burlington) with a menu of inventive, ingredient-driven cooking and a natural wine list that's one of the best in Vermont. The most exciting restaurant in the Burlington area.
Must try: The seasonal vegetable dishes and the charcuterie — the kitchen does both exceptionally well and the combinations change constantly
Penny Cluse Café
The most beloved breakfast spot in Burlington — a warm, lively café on Cherry Street with a menu of creative breakfast and brunch dishes using Vermont ingredients. Expect a wait on weekend mornings.
Must try: The huevos rancheros and the gingerbread pancakes — both are Burlington institutions and the portions are generous
Pizzeria Verita
The best pizza in Vermont — a wood-fired Neapolitan pizzeria on Church Street with a short, well-edited menu and excellent local ingredients. The most reliably good casual dinner in Burlington.
Must try: The Margherita and the seasonal special — the kitchen sources Vermont cheese and local produce and the combinations are always good
The Farmhouse Tap & Grill
A Church Street institution with a menu of well-executed farm-to-table pub classics, an excellent Vermont craft beer selection, and a lively atmosphere. The best option for a casual dinner without a reservation.
Must try: The Vermont cheddar burger and a pint of a local Vermont IPA — the combination is exactly right for a relaxed evening on Church Street
Where to Stay
Burlington has a range of lodging from boutique hotels on Church Street to lakefront properties. The downtown options put you walking distance from the best restaurants and the waterfront.
Hotel Vermont
The flagship boutique hotel in Burlington — a beautifully designed property on Church Street with locally sourced furnishings, an excellent bar and restaurant, and the best location in the city. The social center of Burlington's hotel scene.
✦ The rooftop bar has the best views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks in the city — worth a visit even if you're not staying here
The Courtyard Burlington Harbor
A well-regarded hotel directly on the Lake Champlain waterfront with lake views, a pool, and easy access to the waterfront bike path. The best option if the waterfront location matters more than Church Street proximity.
✦ The lake-view rooms are excellent — request a room facing west for sunset views over the Adirondacks across the water
Inn at Shelburne Farms
A magnificent 1899 inn on the Shelburne Farms estate, 7 miles south of Burlington — a National Historic Landmark with 24 rooms, a working farm, and views of Lake Champlain. The most atmospheric lodging in the Burlington area.
✦ Staying at the inn gives you access to the farm grounds after day visitors leave — the evening walks along the lake are extraordinary
Made INN Vermont
A charming boutique bed and breakfast in a Victorian house in Burlington's Hill Section, a short walk from Church Street. Individually decorated rooms, an excellent breakfast, and a warm, personal atmosphere.
✦ The breakfast is exceptional — house-made pastries, local eggs, and Vermont maple syrup. The best value lodging in Burlington for a couple
Budget Breakdown
Burlington is moderately priced by New England standards — the food scene is excellent value relative to comparable cities. All prices are in US dollars.
Hotel (per night)
Downtown Burlington, 2 people
$150–220
$300–450+
Shelburne Museum admission
Per person
$28
$28
Shelburne Farms admission
Per person (grounds + farmyard)
$10
$10
Bike rental (half day)
Per bike, waterfront path
$20–30
$40–60 (e-bike)
Meals (per day)
2 people, 3 meals
$70–100
$180–300+
Lake Champlain kayak rental
Per kayak, 2 hours
$25–35
$40–55
All prices in US dollars.
More Vermont & New England Getaways
If you loved Burlington, these nearby destinations offer more of Vermont's best mountains, villages, and fall foliage.
Stowe, Vermont
Vermont's most celebrated ski town — 45 minutes from Burlington, ~3.5 hrs from Rochester
Woodstock, Vermont
Vermont's most picturesque village — covered bridges and fall foliage, ~3 hrs from Rochester
White Mountains, NH
Mount Washington and Franconia Notch — dramatic peaks and fall color, ~3.5 hrs from Rochester
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