Burlington, Vermont City
City in Vermont, United States
Lake Champlain frames Burlington’s bike paths and Church Street Marketplace; travelers come for ferry rides to islands, local breweries and cheese shops, fall foliage, university town energy and easy access to nearby ski slopes.
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Why Visit Burlington, Vermont?#
Set on the shores of Lake Champlain with a lively college town energy, Burlington draws visitors for its outdoor lifestyle and artisanal food scene. Church Street Marketplace and the waterfront park create easy access to cafés, breweries and live music, while nearby Shelburne Museum and local maple syrup producers give a taste of Vermont history and craft. Fall leaf-peeping and bike-friendly routes add seasonal appeal, making it an appealing base for both nature lovers and food-focused travelers.
Best Things to Do in Burlington, Vermont#
Burlington, Vermont Bucket List#
Church Street Marketplace - Pedestrian mall lined with shops, cafés, street performers and frequent outdoor markets.
Waterfront Park & Lake Champlain - Walk waterfront park, take sunset views across Lake Champlain and islands.
ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain - Interactive science and aquarium exhibits focused on Lake Champlain’s ecology and history.
Fleming Museum of Art (UVM) - Small art museum on UVM campus with regional and global collections.
Flynn Center for the Performing Arts - Historic theater hosting concerts, indie films, and community events downtown.
North Beach - Sandy beach with swimming, volleyball, and accessible picnic areas just east of downtown.
Foam Brewers taproom - Taproom on Pine Street pour local beers and seasonal experimental brews.
Intervale Center - Community farm and trails offering farmers markets, seasonal tours, and birdwatching.
Shelburne Museum - Eclectic museum complex nine miles south with folk art, historic buildings, and trains.
Stowe / Trapp Family Lodge - Mountain village and Trapp Family Lodge offering hiking, skiing, and alpine views.
Middlebury & Ben & Jerry’s Factory - Drive to Middlebury and visit Ben & Jerry’s factory tour in Waterbury.
Best Time to Visit Burlington, Vermont#
Visit Burlington in late August through October for warm days, crisp nights and spectacular fall color; summer (June-August) is ideal for lake activities and outdoor festivals. Winters are cold and snowy-great for nearby skiing but expect travel delays.
December - February
-10°C to 2°C (14°F to 36°F)
Heavy snow, short days, and great access to nearby ski resorts; be ready for cold, icy roads and limited downtown outdoor dining.
March - May
1°C to 18°C (34°F to 64°F)
Unpredictable mix of mud, late snow and early bloom; quieter trails and lower rates, but pack layers and expect variable weather.
June - August
15°C to 27°C (59°F to 81°F)
Warm, sunny lake days perfect for kayaking, farmers’ markets and patio evenings; expect occasional humidity and busy weekends, but quieter midweek.
Burlington, Vermont's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -12°C to 27°C. Moderate rainfall (867 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -2°C and lows of -12°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -12°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. The wettest month with 100 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Burlington, Vermont#
Burlington is served by Burlington International Airport (BTV) for most flights; longer-distance rail arrives at Essex Junction (Amtrak Vermonter) with a short connection into downtown. Many travellers also drive or take intercity buses from Boston or Montréal for more schedule or fare options.
Burlington International Airport (BTV): The airport is about 3 miles from downtown Burlington. Taxi or rideshare to the Church Street area typically takes 10-15 minutes and costs about $15-25; rental cars are available on-site.
Boston Logan International (BOS) / Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau (YUL): Many visitors also fly into Boston (≈3.5-4 hours drive) or Montréal (≈1.5-2 hours drive) and drive or take intercity buses into Vermont. Driving times vary by traffic; expect 1.5-4 hours depending on origin, and intercity coach fares commonly range from $20-60 one-way (operators and schedules vary).
Train: Amtrak’s Vermonter serves Essex Junction (station name: Essex Junction), which is the nearest intercity rail stop for Burlington; from Essex Junction it’s a short taxi or local-bus ride to downtown Burlington (about 10-20 minutes, taxi ~$10-20).
Bus: Intercity coaches (e.g., regional carriers and seasonal services) connect Burlington with Boston, Montréal and other New England towns; travel times depend on origin (Boston ≈3.5-4 hours, Montréal ≈1.5-2 hours) and fares typically range from ~$20-60 one-way. Local Green Mountain Transit buses serve the Burlington area for short hops around the city.
How to Get Around Burlington, Vermont#
Burlington is compact and best experienced by a mix of walking and short taxi/rideshare trips; rent a car if you plan to explore mountain areas or travel between states. Regional trains and coaches connect the city to the wider Northeast but schedules can be limited.
- Taxi / Rideshare ($10-25) - Taxis and rideshares (Uber/Lyft) are the quickest way to get from BTV or the Amtrak stop into the city center - expect 10-20 minutes from the airport or Essex Junction and fares in the $10-25 range depending on pickup point and time of day. Taxis are readily available outside terminals and stations.
- Car / Rental ($40-100/day (typical rental)) - Renting a car is convenient for exploring Lake Champlain and nearby ski areas; downtown Burlington has paid parking and some free lots. Winter driving requires snow tires or chains at times - check rental company policies and local road conditions in winter.
- Amtrak (Vermonter) (Varies (book online)) - Amtrak’s Vermonter stops at Essex Junction, the rail gateway for Burlington. From Essex Junction the trip into downtown is short by taxi or local bus. Trains are useful for longer regional trips (e.g., from New England and the Northeast Corridor).
- Intercity Bus / Coach ($20-60) - Regional coach services and seasonal shuttles link Burlington with Boston, Montréal and local ski resorts. Coaches are usually cheaper than trains but slower - plan for 1.5-4 hours depending on origin and expect fares in the tens of dollars one-way.
- Local Bus (Green Mountain Transit) ($1.50-$2.00 (typical single fare)) - Green Mountain Transit runs local routes around Burlington and the immediate region for short hops and connections to the airport and university. Buses are inexpensive and useful for getting around without a car; schedules can be sparse on weekends and evenings.
- Walking - Burlington’s downtown (Church Street, waterfront) is compact and very walkable - most attractions, restaurants and the waterfront are within a 10-20 minute walk of each other.
Where to Stay in Burlington, Vermont#
Downtown/Waterfront - $90-250/night
Affordable options are limited downtown; expect basic chain hotels and seasonal deals. Book early for summer festivals and university events.
Courtyard by Marriott Burlington Harbor - Good location near waterfront and downtown
Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain - Comfortable, sometimes affordable off-season rates
Church Street/Downtown - $150-300/night
Comfortable, well-located hotels and a few boutique options. Good choices for couples and families, with easy access to the waterfront and Church Street.
Hotel Vermont - Boutique lakeside hotel, local-food focus
The Essex, Vermont’s Culinary Resort & Spa - Upscale resort in nearby Essex Junction
Lakefront/Essex - $250-450/night
Higher-end hotels and resorts are limited but comfortable; choose waterfront or nearby Essex for full-service spa and dining experiences.
Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain - Large rooms, waterfront views, downtown access
The Essex, Vermont’s Culinary Resort & Spa - Full spa and culinary programs, family-friendly
Where to Eat in Burlington, Vermont#
Burlington emphasizes local farms, craft breweries and seasonal produce - bright salads, maple accents and farm-to-table mains in relaxed, community-minded spots.
- Hen of the Wood - Seasonal Vermont cuisine, local foraged ingredients
- Penny Cluse Café - Hearty breakfast and classic Vermont comfort food
- The Skinny Pancake - Crepes and local-sourced savory and sweet fillings
Casual dining centers on local beers and comfort plates - breweries often serve elevated bar food paired with small-batch ales.
- Foam Brewers - Taproom with creative house-brewed beers
- Zero Gravity Craft Brewery - Popular brewery with rotating beer selection
- The Farmhouse Tap & Grill - Burgers, local beers, sustainable meat options
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Burlington, Vermont’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Burlington, Vermont#
Burlington’s shopping is concentrated on the pedestrian Church Street Marketplace, where independent boutiques, outdoor gear shops and cafés line a walkable stretch. Local produce and artisan goods are easy to find at the Burlington Farmers Market during the warmer months. You’ll also find Vermont specialty shops - including ice cream and brewery stores - for souvenirs and local food items.
Nightlife in Burlington, Vermont#
Nightlife centers on Church Street and the nearby brewery scene; evenings often revolve around casual bars, craft breweries and live music. For bigger shows and touring acts, Higher Ground in nearby South Burlington is the main concert venue. There’s a friendly, low‑key vibe rather than a late‑night club scene; live venues like Radio Bean host regular local performers.
