The Perfect Guide To Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is a cozy college town situated in the northern part of Vermont. The quaint New England town is home to the bustling Church Street, great hiking spots, and an eclectic art scene. If you are looking for cozy New England vibes, Burlington is the place for you! Read on to discover your perfect guide to Burlington, Vermont.
About Burlington
Safety - Overall, Burlington is a safe city. Just take normal precautions (avoid walking alone at night, keep an eye out for pickpockets, ect.)
History - Established in 1763, Burlington is a rather new city compared to the rest of New England, but still older than most other cities in the US. Burlington is most notable in history as the place were one of the first steamboats was built.
Best Hotels In Burlington
Luxury Burlington Hotel - Blind Tiger
The Blind Tiger is a fashionable hotel located in the outskirts of the city (but you can still walk to downtown). If you are looking for cool and eclectic farmhouse stay in Burlington, you will love this bed and breakfast!
🛎️Check The Latest Prices - Blind Tiger
Middle Range Burlington Hotel - Hotel Vermont
Hotel Vermont is a modern hotel situated right in downtown Burlington. At The Hotel Vermont you will find spacious rooms, a great restaurant, a bar, a gym, and breakfast served daily.
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Budget Burlington Hotel - The Essex Resort
Located over by Essex and near the airport you will find The Essex Resort. The Essex Resort is perfect if you are looking to do a family trip as it has pools and restaurants on the property.
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What To Do In Burlington
Stroll Down Church Street
Church Street is easily the most popular place to go in Burlington. Home to over 100 store and restaurants, Church Street Marketplace sells unique goods you will not be able to find anywhere else along side your favorite brands. The pedestrian only street is the hub of life in Burlington. You will also find plenty of events held here throughout the year - one of the most popular is music on the bricks.
To see all of the shops, events, and restaurants on Church Street checkout there website here.
Go On a Hike
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Vermont is home to some amazing hikes! The best time to hike in VT is in the fall because the leaves are colorful and gorgeous. The summer is also a great time to hike. Avoid hiking in the winter and spring in Vermont - the winters are cold and harsh and there isn't much of a spring.
The best places to hike around Burlington include The Red Rocks Park Loop, The Rock Point Loop, The Island Line Rail Trail, and the Riverwalk to Salmon Hole.
Stop By The Ethan Allen House
The Ethan Allen House was home to war hero, Ethan Allen in the 18th century. After only a year of living in this home he pass away and left the house to his wife and seven children who lived there and maned the farm for seven years. The Ethan Allen House is interesting, not because a war hero lived there, but because of Fanny Allen.
Fanny Allen was the model of what it was to be a woman in Vermont during the 18th century. At the Ethan Allen House you will find hiking trails, well preserved furniture, 18th century architecture, and an Ethan Allen learning center.
Go To Ben & Jerry's
Did you know that the amazing Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream was made in Burlington, Vermont? If you are a fellow ice cream fanatic you have to visit the original Ben & Jerry's. You can try all of your favorite flavors alongside some creative creations. We opted for a tour and had a blast!
See The Shelburne Museum
The Shelburne Museum is an election of gardens, colonial American art, and old New England Architecture. The property sits on forty five acres of beautifully manicured land just south of Burlington in Shelburne, Vermont. Some of the most impressive collections at the Shelburne Museum include American paintings, historic horse drawn carriages, and circus paintings.
Burlington Farmers Market
If you happen to be in Burlington on a Saturday in the summer or autumn, you must visit the Burlington Farmer Market! You will find the farmers market in Burlington's South End (345 Pine Street). At the market you will find tons of vendors selling handmade goods and fresh produce. Some of my favorite vendors at The Burlington Farmers Market include Maple Wind Farm, Cole's Cookie Co., and Deep Woods Pottery.
Visit Waterfront Park
One of the best places to spend a lazy morning or afternoon in Burlington is at the Waterfront Park. Situated in downtown Burlington on the coast of Lake Champlain, Waterfront Park is the perfect place to go for a swim, walk on nearby trails, go sailing, or frolic through the gardens. Waterfront Park is free to visit and super easy to get to from the fabulous Church Street.
Go To The Beach
While Burlington isn't on the ocean, Lake Champlain is so big it feels like a sea. While nothing compares to the open ocean there are perks of swimming in a lake. Coming from Cape Cod it's nice to know there are no sharks in the vicinity. Some of the best beaches in Burlington include Starr Farm Beach and North Beach.
Best Tours To Take In Burlington, VT
🚗Small Group Wine & Cider Tour in Vermont - This small group wine & cider tour is perfect for a girls trip, birthday, or a fun day out with friends! The tour is run by a boutique tour company that offers highly rated tours of the Burlington area. On this tour you will have the opportunity to visit the Shelburne Vineyard, Charlotte Village Winery, Dakin Farm, Woodchuck Cider House, and Lincoln Peak Vineyard.
🚗Burlington Signature Guided Brewery Tour - Did you know that Burlington is one of the best cities for beer in the United States? On this tour you get to visit and try beer at three of Burlington's best breweries.
Best Restaurants In Burlington, VT
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Best Coffee Shops In Burlington
- Onyx Tonics - Onyx Tonics is an amazing coffee joint right in downtown Burlington. The cool and crafty cafe offers coffees and pastries that will make you keep coming back for more. Onyx Tonics is easily one of the best coffee shops in Burlington!
- Speeder & Earl's Coffee - Speeder & Earl's Coffee is a cool cafe located in South Burlington that offers coffee roasted in house and delectable pastries.
- Kru Coffee Collective - Kru Coffee Collective is a trendy little cafe situated in downtown Burlington. At Kru Coffee you will be met with freshly brewed coffee alongside all the best breakfast food and pastries.
- Vivid Coffee - Located on the famous Church Street, Vivid Coffee is a great place to go for your morning brew. At Vivid Coffee you will find amazing coffee and great food.
- Kestrel Coffee Roasters - Situated just south of Waterfront Park you will find the lovely Kestrel Coffee Roasters. Kestrel offers great coffee and is the perfect place to sit and do any work.
Best Restaurants In Burlington
- Tiny Thai Restaurant - Who doesn't love Thai food? Get your Thai food fix at the Tiny Thai Restaurant located right in downtown Burlington.
- Hen of The Wood - Hen of the Wood if the perfect place to go if you are looking for a cozy sit down restaurant in downtown Burlington. This woodsy restaurant offers top notch American food (be sure to try the oysters!)
- Bistro de Margot - Bistro de Margot is easily the best French restaurant in Burlington. At the chic restaurant you will find delectable french cuisine and wines.
- Juniper Bar and Restaurant - If you are looking for more of a casual dinner be sure to checkout Juniper Bar and Restaurant (located in Hotel Vermont). Juniper Bar and Restaurant serves American bar food in a relaxed environment.
- Trattoria Delia - Trattoria Delia is a lovely Italian restaurant located in Burlington's downtown area. At Trattoria Delia you will find all the best pastas, salads, seafood, and wine in the city. Be sure to make a reservation at Trattoria as it gets busy.
When To Go To Burlington, VT
The best time to visit Burlington is definitely in the summer or fall. The summer offers mild temperatures, but is still quite warm (70s - 80s F). The fall is my favorite time in New England because it is colorful, festive, and the weather is crisp.
Avoid Burlington in the winter and spring. Vermont get freezing in the winter, I mean it is only a few miles from the Canadian Border. It is hard to be outside for more than a few minutes during the winter. There is not much of a spring in Vermont. It really doesn't start to get warm until that end of May. March - the beginning of May is cold and grey in Burlington.
How To Get To/Around Burlington
Unlike other small cities in New England, Burlington is actually quite easy to get to. If you are flying, Burlington has its own airport that actually offers a good amount of flights. You can fly into Burlington International Airport (BTV) from many US cities.
Burlington is only 45 miles (72 km) to the Canadian Border and 95 miles (153 km) to Montreal. This makes Burlington an easy addition to a Quebec trip.
If you plan on staying the the downtown area of Burlington for your whole trip then you don't need to worry much about renting a car because it is super walkable. If you are hoping to do a bit of hiking or explore the Burlington area you should rent a car at the airport.
In terms of public transportation Burlington offers bus routes to nearby towns, but it is much easier to rent a car because this can be unreliable.
The Perfect Guide To Burlington, Vermont Wrap Up
Burlington is a New England gem , the cute shops, stunning streets, gorgeous nature, and more make Burlington a must visit destination in the Northeast. We hope that this perfect guide to Burlington, Vermont helps you plan the perfect trip. If you liked this post checkout our complete guide to Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Happy Travels,
Daisy
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