Burlington may not be at the top of your bucketlist, but it's a great place to visit. Here is how to spend the perfect weekend in Burlington, Vermont.
Looking for the best things to do to have fun in Burlington Vermont? Join us for what to do, activities, and restaurants in Burlington VT!
Ferry entering Port Kent, NY When you spend four days in northern New York, you have some time to cross state lines and explore beyond the Empire State. Up in Ausable Chasm, you can do this quite easily (and affordably) in neighboring Port Kent. You can leave New York behind and take an hour cruise across Lake Champlain over to Burlington, Vermont. One scenic boat ride is all it takes and you can swap quiet Ausable for bustling Burlington, home to amazing breweries, great food, and amazing bike paths. Ferry Crossing from Port Kent, New York to Burlington, Vermont The ferry departs Burlington Vermont for Port Kent New York five times a day starting at 9:30 am with the last ferry out at 5:30. The ferry arrives in New York starting at 10:50 am and the last ferry out being 6:35. To spend as much time as possible in Burlington, we planned to take the 10:50 ferry over and the 5:30 ferry back, giving up about 5.5 hours (including the one hour crossing) to explore Burlington via bike. If you prefer to take your car, that is also an option and reservations are not accepted. The fares are reasonable at $8 a person, $9 a bike and person, and $30 a car and a person (one way). The ferry crossing was smooth and food and beverages were served on board. We spent the one hour cruising on the deck, enjoying the day and chatting with a family making their way over to Burlington for the day. Get all the information you need about the ferry, including the schedule, here. Waiting at the Port Kent, NY ferry terminal View of Lake Champlain Car Ferry - Burlington GoPro view from the ferry Once you get to Burlington, there is plenty (and I mean plenty) to do. We had plans to bring our bikes and see the town on two wheels so I did my KW research on local bike routes. Burlington made it easy for me and within 15 minutes I found this great guide from the local bike shop Local Motion. Their guide included a 10-mile bike loop that takes you around historical parts of Burlington, Vermont. Cycle the City / Local Motion Bike Routes around the city Bike Trail - Burlington, VT Pedaling along the bike path This 10 mile loop starts on the Island Line Trail, an impressive and active recreation path open to bikers, walkers, and runners. As you head north away from the port, you have gorgeous views of Lake Champlain to your left while also enjoying a safe space to ride your bike away from the city traffic. After cruising for a bit on the bike path, you will take a right onto Leddy Park and hop on the road for a quick minute before biking through the scenic paved trails in Ethan Allen Park. As you make your way along the path with a few hills, you will see a sign for the tower inside the park. We parked out bikes and made the five minute hike to see what the tower was all about. Bike path along Lake Champlain Ethan Allen Tower View from the Ethan Allen Tower The tower was erected in 1905 by the Sons of the American Revolution as a memorial to Ethan Allen, a local farmer and founder of the Green Mountain Boys. The tower is open to the public and you can climb the tower stairs (no charge) for a birds eye view of Vermont and Lake Champlain. On a clear sunny July day, we could see Lake Champlain and the valley below. After this quick detour, we were back on our bikes, leaving Ethan Allen Park to continue our 10-mile tour of Burlington. From here, you can choose the paved route (another bikeway, Beltline Path) or the off-road route on the Intervale trail. Because I was with my parents on their 5 speed cruisers, we stuck to the paved trails and followed the paved bikeway back south, by the Ethan Allen Homestead and and back towards the local University. Following the bikeway back to the downtown area After biking past the idyllic University of Vermont campus (UVM), you will eventually make your way back to the city center where you have a lot of great options for lunch after a great ride. After reaching out for recommendations, we decided on the outdoor seating area at Sweetwaters American Bistro where we indulged in amazing local beer and food. We started with the poutine (you are almost in Canada after all) before enjoying our selected entrees of seared tuna, fish and chips, and a burger. We loved the local beer selection and enjoyed the great food, better beer, and sunny streets of Burlington. Lunch at Sweetwaters Stopping to play the community pianos after lunch After lunch, I broke off from the group to ride my bike down to well known and loved Citizen Cider to stock up on this local beverage and see what the cidery was all about. We all agreed Burlington was a beautiful clean city, chock full of interesting history, great food, top notch craft beer, and some of the best bike paths we had seen. We enjoyed seeing the city on two tires, and only regretting not having more time (and energy) to see more of the city, eat more of its food, and visit all of its breweries. Check back in later in the week as I share my experience at Citizen Cider in Burlington Vermont. Citizen Cider - Burlington, VT Happy Biking,
Burlington has tons of public parks and beautiful locations for hiking and sightseeing. Check out these free things to do in Burlington VT.
Top 10 tourist attractions in Burlington, Vermont. The city has got so many active things to enjoy, look out for quality craftsmanship and also have the best cultural attractions throughout the city that will leave you with some mesmerizing moments.
Burlington has tons of public parks and beautiful locations for hiking and sightseeing. Check out these free things to do in Burlington VT.
Burlington is the coolest city in the state of Vermont. Find out why from a local, plus 25 of the very best things to do in Burlington VT.
Explore cooxon's 1716 photos on Flickr!
Vermont is more than just a pretty view; its whole essence is captivating. People come from all over the world to see this beautiful New England state, and many across the Northeast come to escape the city and enjoy the fresh air and more laid-back lifestyle here. Maybe you've seen some of the quintessential Vermont scenery - the white steeple church in front of the green rolling hills, the winding dirt roads lined with trees showing off their colorful displays of oranges, yellows, and reds, and the sailboat gliding through the waters of Lake Champlain. Vermont is picturesque indeed and well worth a spot on your bucket list as there are many things to do here, especially in Burlington. One of my favorite things about Vermont is the culture. Compared with most other places I've visited in the United States, the people here are more friendly and down-to-earth. The state as a whole is very liberal, especially in the more urban area of Burlington, but of course, we have our conservatives too! Understatement in both appearance and attitude is the fashion here. People are not flashy or flaunting their wealth. You will find a population of very active people who generally love to get out and enjoy the outdoors in any type of weather. Some popular activities are camping, road and mountain biking, and hiking. In the winter, you can also go skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and more! If you are a foodie, you'll be sure to love dining in Burlington as well. Although I have lived here most of my life, I still pause regularly to appreciate all of Vermont's famous landmarks and wonders. While there is so much to see and do here, no visit is complete without spending at least a couple of days in Burlington - Vermont's largest city at 43,000 people. You should also go exploring outside of Burlington. Best things to do in Burlington: For such a small city, Burlington is brimming with culture, sophistication, and vibrancy. Several colleges are located here, including the University of Vermont. While Vermont is one of the whitest states in the U.S., Burlington is quite diverse in comparison, as it has been a refugee resettlement area for decades and attracts students and professionals from all over. It's also easy to get around in Burlington. You can ride public transit or take a bike, depending on where you are staying. The whole city is very accessible by bike if you can contend with the hills. Nonetheless, if you want to enjoy Burlington to its fullest, here are my recommendations.
Plan the ultimate 4 days in Burlington VT with this 4-day itinerary and detailed travel guide for all your vacation’s logistical needs!
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Burlington is the coolest city in the state of Vermont. Find out why from a local, plus 25 of the very best things to do in Burlington VT.
Burlington Vermont sits in the Green Mountains overlooking Lake Champlain with views of the Adirondack Mountains. This plaid wearing, tie-dyed city has an amazing craft beer scene, a lake monster and is the home of Ben and Jerry’s, Bernie Sanders and Phish. Check out these things to do while planning your visit to Burlington Vermont.
Burlington is the coolest city in the state of Vermont. Find out why from a local, plus 25 of the very best things to do in Burlington VT.
Historic red brick buildings, scenic lakefront, charming pedestrian downtown, and fun craft breweries – it’s easy to see why Burlington is one of the most popular cities in Vermont! The city size, the convenience of having an International Airport, and plenty of accommodation options make it a great base location for those visiting New England.
Pssst did you know there are several cool hikes near Burlington VT? It's true, we've rounded up the top places to hike in Burlington and beyond!
Plan the ultimate 4 days in Burlington VT with this 4-day itinerary and detailed travel guide for all your vacation’s logistical needs!
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Last week, I ventured up to Burlington, Vermont and explored a little bit! If you ever head to the area, use this travel diary as a resource!
From farm-to-table restaurants to bike paths beside Lake Champlain, there are so many things to do in Burlington, VT on a Vermont vacation
Looking for the best restaurants in Burlington, VT? Look no further! Click this now to discover the BEST Burlington restaurants - AND GET FR
Heres my list of favorite things to do in Burlington, VermontL restaurants, winery, outdoors, Downtown Burlington, Vermont shopping and more.
Plan the ultimate 4 days in Burlington VT with this 4-day itinerary and detailed travel guide for all your vacation’s logistical needs!
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The Burlington Bike Path along Lake Champlain is one of the best trails in Vermont! Join us on the Burlington Greenway for a day of fun!
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