Burlington, Vermont, USA is a charming city offering an incredible experience to all who come. From the delightful weather and captivating sights to the vibrant culture and delectable food, this city has left a lasting impression on us. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a history buff, a foodie, or someone seeking a relaxing getaway, Burlington has something special to offer. Check out our top 11 things to do in the area.
Climate and Seasons: During our visit to Burlington, we experienced a couple of delightful summer days. The temperatures were warm and sunny, reaching around 33°C, which was perfect for us after traveling from the still chilly climates in Canada. Burlington generally enjoys four distinct seasons with summers being warm and inviting, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities. Winter has heavy snowfall which makes it the perfect destination for people who love snowsports, and Autumn and Spring are a nice mix of the two.
Things to do:
- Island Line Trail
- Leddy Beach
- Church Street Marketplace
- Burlington Waterfront
- Cidery Visit
- Burton Headquarters
- World’s Tallest Filing Cabinet
- History on the Rocks
- Burlinton Farmers Market
- Barge Canal Market
- Charlotte Town Beach
Island Line Trail
The Island Line Trail is a picturesque trail stretching from OakLedge and goes all the way across the causeway to Allen Point. It runs along the waterfront and offers breathtaking views. The trail is 13.4 miles (21.6km) so you see many cyclists along the way.
We explored part of it as we didn’t have time to complete the whole walk. We parked at Airport Park and walked to the causeway from there. There is parking closer to the causeway but there were only about 15 spots and they fill up fast, especially on the weekend. Airport Park had plenty of parking in the shade, it also had bathrooms, a bubbler and a bottle refill station.
We were captivated by the beauty of the causeway and were lucky enough to see many frogs and turtles poking their heads out of the water.
Leddy Beach
Address: 216 Leddy Park Rd, Burlington, VT 05408
The inviting waters of Lake Champlain beckoned us to Leddy Beach for a refreshing swim. It was the perfect way to beat the summer heat after our Island Line Trail walk. A beautiful public beach has a long, narrow strip of sand and many trees where you can enjoy the sun, shade and the lake without spending a dollar.
Ebony & Ivory Tip: Make sure to bring your inflatables and take pleasure in floating out on the water as you soak up the sun.
Ebony & Ivory Tip: Be sure to get down there early if it’s a pleasant day as the beach fills up quickly.
Church Street Marketplace
This is a pedestrian street adorned with charming boutiques and cozy cafes. We spent some time wandering around, indulging in retail therapy, and enjoying delicious treats. Stroll along this lively strip, window-shop, and soak in the bustling atmosphere.
Burlington Waterfront
This is a lovely spot for a stroll or to sit along the sparkling waters edge with a picnic or to people watch on a nice day. There is a restaurant, an art centre on the pier and a train station to take you where you need to go. Be sure to check when the next carnival is as they often host them down in the park.
Cidery Visit
Address: 316 Pine St #114, Burlington, VT 05401
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12 pm-9 pm, Sat & Sun 11am – 9pm
At the south end of town, we visited a Cidery; Citizen Cider, where Ebony sampled their delightful cider flight, including a sweet apple cider, a raspberry cider, a strawberry cider, and a brose cider. Ivory enjoyed their non-alcoholic option, which was equally delicious. The food was also amazing and we highly recommend the Korean inspired tater tots.
Burton Headquarters
Address: 180 Queen City Park Road, Burlington, VT 05401
Tour times: Mon-Thurs 2pm
Store Times: 11am – 6pm, 7 days a week
Another interesting spot was the Burton Flagship Headquarters Store, it is a must-visit for snowboarding enthusiasts! Ivory was thrilled to explore and learn more about their iconic brand. There was a cheeky sale section too, 50% off past season.
World's Tallest Filing Cabinet
Address: 220 Flynn Ave, Burlington, VT 05401
An unusual but intriguing sight to behold, the world’s tallest filing cabinet is an interesting piece of art worth seeing. It is easy to spot and stands in the middle of an industrial carpark. It was a unique item to tick off the bucket list.
History on the Rocks
Address: parking on Oakledge Pk, Burlington, VT 05401 and you can walk down from there.
History on the Rocks is another nice spot to enjoy the lake. Grab your swimmers, a picnic, some good company and relish sitting on the rocks while watching the sunset and taking a refreshing dip in the water.
Facilities they have at the site are bathrooms, BBQ areas, picnic tables in the shade.
Ebony & Ivory Tip: It is $2 parking for the day but if you arrive after 6pm it’s free.
Burlington Farmers Market
Address: 345 Pine St, Burlington, VT 05401
Opening hours: Sat 9am-2pm
We love a market so when we heard they have a market every Saturday in the south end we couldn’t miss it. The market is laid out in a carpark where there are many stalls of fresh farmers produce, crafts, street food and much more. The stalls spilled out onto the streets too to attract cars and pedestrians. You cannot miss it though, there was a big crowd and many cars trying to find a spot or slowing down to witness the hype.
Ebony & Ivory Tip: There isn’t much street parking so get there early if you are driving.
Barge Canal Market
Address: 377 Pine St, Burlington, VT 05401
Opening hours: 10am-5pm, 7 days a week
Barge Canal Market is right next door to the Burlington Farmers Market so it makes the perfect next stop. It was beautifully put together with lots of little makeshift sections. You can tell the staff have a great eye for interior design. Ivory picked up one of the old maps that they had.
Just behind Barge Canal Market is Speaking Volumes which is a fabulous second hand book and record shop. The floors were piled high with all sorts of books from rare old books to new bestsellers. They even have a free book section on the porch.
Charlotte Town Beach
Address: 1371 Lake Rd, Charlotte, VT 05445
If you are interested in exploring a bit further out of town, why not check out Charlotte Town Beach. It was very much a young chill out area with options to set up on the grass or on the sand. Both of which have a beautiful view of the lake. It does cost $5 in parking, however that’s all day.
