Burlington sits right on the shore of Lake Champlain with the Adirondacks visible across the water, a small city that punches above its size thanks to a walkable downtown, a genuinely strong craft beverage scene, and easy access to some of Vermont’s best fall foliage. It has the compact, café-and-bookstore energy of a college town — the University of Vermont sits right above downtown — paired with a waterfront that feels more like a resort town than a state’s largest city. Even as Vermont’s biggest city, it never feels far from the farmland and mountains that define the rest of the state.
Related: Burlington, Vermont Travel Guide: Best Tours, Sights and How to Plan Your Trip
Best Things to Do in Burlington
Shop and eat along Church Street Marketplace
This pedestrian-only stretch of downtown is lined with local shops, restaurants, and street performers, and functions as the city’s living room — a place to end up more than once during a visit, whether for a meal or just people-watching. In summer, outdoor seating spills out from nearly every restaurant along the strip.
Walk or bike the Burlington Waterfront
A paved multi-use path runs along Lake Champlain’s shoreline, connecting parks, a public beach, and a marina, with sunset views across the lake toward New York’s Adirondack Mountains that draw locals out every clear evening.
Tour the Ben & Jerry’s Factory
A short drive from downtown in Waterbury, the original Ben & Jerry’s factory offers tours through the production line along with a tasting, and it’s a genuinely fun stop that works for both kids and ice cream-serious adults. A small on-site “flavor graveyard” pays tribute to discontinued flavors, which is worth a look on the way out.
Visit the ECHO Leahy Center
Right on the waterfront, this science and nature center focuses on Lake Champlain’s ecology, with hands-on exhibits, a small aquarium, and views straight out over the water it’s teaching you about. It’s especially well suited to families traveling with kids who want a break from walking.
Sample Vermont’s craft breweries and cideries
Burlington sits at the center of a dense cluster of well-regarded breweries and cideries, several within walking distance of downtown and more a short drive out, making a self-guided tasting tour an easy way to spend an afternoon.
Top-Rated Burlington, Vermont Tours & Experiences
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Late September into October brings spectacular fall foliage and is understandably the most popular — and most booked-up — season. Summer offers warm days for the waterfront and lake activities, while winter turns the region into ski country, with several resorts a short drive away.
How to Get There
Burlington International Airport (BTV) serves the city directly, or it’s reachable by car via I-89 from Montreal or points south in Vermont and New Hampshire.
Good to Know
Downtown is compact and easily walkable, with the waterfront just a short walk from Church Street. Foliage season books up lodging well in advance, so plan early if that’s your target window. Bike and kayak rentals along the waterfront are popular in summer and worth reserving ahead on weekends.
Burlington makes an easy base for a few unhurried days — a morning on the waterfront, an afternoon exploring Church Street or a nearby brewery, and evenings that make the most of a lake sunset. It’s small enough to see well without a rigid plan, which makes it a good fit for travelers who prefer to wander rather than follow a checklist.
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