Overview
Burlington is the largest city in the American state of Vermont. Situated on Lake Champlain, it is the heart of a small urban area that acts as Vermont's vibrant and cosmopolitan center. Known for its ultra-liberal environment and free-thinking spirit, Burlington is a college town and an important commercial city, but maintains an intimate atmosphere.
7 sights · 22 things to do · 38 places to eat · 15 bars & cafés · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Burlington
Cathedral of Saint Joseph
Seat of the Catholic Diocese of Burlington. The church was built in 1887.
First Baptist Church
A significant example of early Italianate ecclesiastical architecture in the state, this Baptist church was built in 1864.
First Methodist Church
Built in 1869, it is the city's only example of ecclesiastical Romanesque Revival architecture.
Ethan Allen Homestead
Guided tours of Revolutionary War Hero Ethan Allen's final home on Burlington's Scenic Intervale
Fleming Museum of Art
ECHO at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
Lake aquarium and science center.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 78°F; winter lows dip to about 7°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Montpelier)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BTV Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport, Burlington — 3 mi away. Directions
- PBG Plattsburgh International Airport, Plattsburgh — 18 mi away. Directions
- ALB Albany International Airport, Albany — 123 mi away (major hub). Directions
It is relatively well connected to Montreal to the north and Plattsburgh, New York to the west.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $30–$30 a night (typical $88), from 2 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $8 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$60, mid-range ~$140, comfortable ~$140.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning ECHO at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Williams' Fire Escape, First Methodist Church
- Lunch August First Bakery
- Afternoon Flynnspace, BCA Center
- Dinner Ahli Baba's Kabob Shop
- Evening The Vermont Pub and Brewery
Day 2
- Morning Ethan Allen Homestead, Waterfront, Cathedral of Saint Joseph
- Lunch Asiana Noodle Shop
- Afternoon Spirit of Ethan Allen III, The Bern Gallery
- Dinner The Skinny Pancake
- Evening Three Needs Brewery and Taproom
Day 3
- Morning Fleming Museum of Art, North Beach, First Baptist Church
- Lunch Handy's Lunch
- Afternoon Flynn Theater, Queen City Ghostwalk
- Dinner Halvorson's Upstreet Cafe
- Evening Akes' Place
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Being a large college town, Burlington is home to many cheap eateries. Due to the competition, most of them are pretty good.
Although the Burlington area is much wealthier and more populous than the rest of the state, there aren't many expensive restaurants in town. Most of Vermont's expensive restaurants are out in the countryside or up in the mountains. Most of their menus change frequently and prices within each menu can vary wildly so if you want to get carried away, go for it.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Burlington, a city of 45,000 people (2020), is known outside of Vermont mostly as the place where Ben & Jerry's ice cream began, and as the city where democratic socialist Bernie Sanders launched his political career, winning the 1980 mayoral election and serving in that role for eight years before moving on to the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the 2016/2020 presidential races. However, contrary to what you may think, this lovely town has a lot more to offer than left-wing politics and ice cream.
Tourist information
- Hello Burlington website
Get in
It is relatively well connected to Montreal to the north and Plattsburgh, New York to the west.
By plane
By car
Interstate 89 lies just to the east of town. The town center is accessible via exit 14W, while the south end of town can be accessed via Interstate 189 at exit 13. Interstate 89 continues north to the Canadian border at Highgate, and south and east to the New Hampshire city of Concord. U.S. Route 7 can also be useful for accessing Burlington from the south, as it travels north from western Connecticut and Massachusetts and the southwestern Vermont town of Bennington.
It is a 6-hour drive from New York City, a 3½-hour drive from Boston and a 1½- to 2-hour drive from Montreal.
By bus
- Greyhound, +1-800-552-8737. The Greyhound bus terminal is at the airport, but there is stop at the downtown transit center (listed as "Burlingt Transit Ctr" on the website search page - you must type "burlingt" without the "-on" to find it in the search). The price for the two stops differs by about $7.
- Megabus. Daily service to Burlington from Montpelier and Boston. The bus stop is at the north end of University Place, near Colchester Avenue.
By train
- Route stopping at Burlington:
- Ethan Allen Express operating daily between Burlington and New York City including in Middlebury, Rutland, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Albany (Rensselaer), Hudson, Rhinecliff, Poughkeepsie, Croton-on-Hudson, and Yonkers. Travel time to Burlington from New York City is 7.5 hours. The route passes through scenic rural New England.
- In Essex Junction, about a 15-minute drive to the east, the Vermonter operates between St Albans and Washington, D.C. via New York City.
Get around
On foot
Downtown Burlington is one of the most walkable and beautiful small cities in New England, and you'd do well to get out of your car (parking in city and most private garages is free for the first 2 hours, and all day on Sundays) and soak it in.
By car
There are car rental offices at Burlington International Airport, including Hertz, Avis and Thrifty. Traffic is generally bad during the normal crunch half-hours (7:45-8:15AM and 4:45-5:15PM). Williston Road to the east and Shelburne Road to the south are congested during those hours, and, unfortunately, unavoidable for the most part.
By bus
Burlington and the surrounding communities of Winooski, South Burlington, Shelburne, Colchester and Essex Junction are served by Green Mountain Transit (GMT) which operates public buses. Buses are generally clean, uncrowded and relatively cheap. The main terminal is in downtown Burlington at the intersection of Church St. and Cherry St.
By bicycle
Burlington is a bike-friendly city. There are various bike lanes around the downtown area, and thanks to slow traffic and often courteous drivers, getting around the greater Burlington area on bike is a breeze. In the summer extra bicycle parking is made available, and low bike-related crime helps encourage everyone to get on their bikes. Bikes can be rented at Local Motion on the waterfront or at some of the other bicycle shops around town.
See
Downtown Burlington is home to an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants, and is well known for its pedestrian Church Street Marketplace. Church Street is home to a multitude of performers ranging from violists to folk singers to hip-hop dancers, and you don't have to pay a penny, although it doesn't hurt to leave a few dollars. Burlington is ideal for observing all sorts of individuals: flower-child hippies, students, funky artists, tattooed hipsters, and preps mingle on the streets and can provide unparalleled entertainment.
See Williams' Fire Escape
One of Burlington's hidden treasures is a few flights up the fire escape of one of UVM's buildings. Williams Hall, across from the University Green, is an architectural masterpiece in its own right. However, the sunset sights seen from an outside stairwell are some of the best views one will experience. If there are not too many people/students visiting the spot, it is a romantic and breathtaking place to visit. At the uppermost flight of the fire escape, all of downtown Burlington, spanning to Lake Champlain, is visible. At sunset, the sun hits the water and the buildings in a lovely way.
Churches
See Cathedral of Saint Joseph
Seat of the Catholic Diocese of Burlington. The church was built in 1887.
See First Baptist Church
A significant example of early Italianate ecclesiastical architecture in the state, this Baptist church was built in 1864.
See First Methodist Church
Built in 1869, it is the city's only example of ecclesiastical Romanesque Revival architecture.
Do
Burlington is renowned for its cultural amenities and strength in the arts, providing the opportunities typical of a much larger city. Outdoor activities include a 7.6-mile (12.5-km) bike path that runs along the lake and now connects to the Colchester bike path. Mount Philo is a leisurely hike for beginners, especially with younger kids. Camel's Hump and Mount Mansfield offer more challenging terrain, but reward hikers with beautiful summit views of the Champlain Valley. All three mountains are within 1-hour driving distance of Burlington. Several alpine and cross-country ski resorts and backcountry ski trails are within an hour of Burlington—and you can Nordic ski in the city, as well, at Red Rocks Park and Burlington Country Club.
Do Flynn Theater
Home to the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Vermont Stage Company, and Lyric Theatre Company.
Do Flynnspace
Presents alternative and avant-garde performances in an intimate, black box theater.
Do BCA Center
A five-story complex of galleries, classrooms, and studios run by Burlington City Arts.
Do The Bern Gallery
This is a local grassroots art gallery with live glassblowing daily. The Bern Gallery smoke shop makes custom glass, has Burlington's only Hookah Bar, features local artwork and jewellery, and is a Vermont accredited glass blowing school. The Bern Gallery is also home to the Pipe Classic, the glass industry's première pipe-making competition. Held every September, the Pipe Classic features the talents of 12 glass artists chosen from across the nation to compete head-to-head in this celebration of pipe-making.
Festivals
Burlington hosts several festivals and events throughout the year. This list changes every year but the following events staples of the community.
Do First Night
Parades, performers, and fireworks help to mark the coming of the new year. Burlington continues the First Night tradition with plays, performers, and a grand welcoming of things to come.
Do Winter Carnival
February time frame. Celebrate the winter with ice sculptures, parades, and sleigh rides.
Do Mardi Gras Parade
Weekend before Ash Wednesday. Burlington hosts its own Fat Tuesday parade which is usually scheduled for the Saturday before Ash Wednesday. A large parade goes up Church Street, bands play in the clubs and streets, and special events hosted by Magic Hat Brewery.
Do KeyBank Vermont City Marathon
Sunday before Memorial Day. A qualifying race for major national marathons, it is one of the largest sporting events in the city with street vendors, musicians and food stalls during and after the race. The marathon begins and ends at Waterfront Park and traverses much of the city. Expect major city streets to be closed down in the morning hours and most hotel rooms booked far in advance.
Do The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival
First two weeks in June. The Discover Jazz festival is the largest event of its kind in the state and draws internationally renowned performing artists to the city each summer, as well as throngs of jazz, blues, gospel and Latin music fans. It's the highlight of the summer festival season. Venues throughout the city, including Waterfront Park, Memorial Auditorium, Contois Theatre, Waterfront Theatre, and The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts.
Do Independence Day Fireworks
Evening of July 3. The City of Burlington holds its fireworks the evening of the 3rd to allow people to attend both it and the smaller towns' festivities on the 4th. If you go to the latter, prepare to leave early as many roads are closed for parades and it's not always possible to reach towns without Interstate exits between mid-morning and late afternoon of the 4th.
Do Vermont Brewers Festival
Mid-July. Taste microbrews from Vermont and throughout New England during this annual summer gathering on Burlington's waterfront. General admission is $35/session which includes 10 tasting tickets and a complimentary tasting glass. Discounts are available for admission tickets purchased before July 1st.
Do Vermont Air Show
Late August. Watch an air demonstration of older and newer airplanes. Sometimes held at Hanscom Field and sometimes held over the downtown area.
Buy
Shop LeZot Cameras
This non-chain, locally owned and operated camera shop has an amazing collection of lenses, manual cameras, and accessories; even their camera bags collection is large and versatile. Their repair shop is great, and the employees actually know cameras, love cameras, and you can see it. For the service, it is reasonably priced.
Shop Lower Main Neighborhood (Lo Main)
This funky neighborhood sits between Church St. and the Waterfront, and boasts some of the best local establishments. Look for quirky antiques and collectables at Anjou and Little Pear, earth-friendly and locally made housewares at the Green Life, and delicious artisan breads, pastries, coffee and lunch at August First Bakery. Discover Burlington's special off-the-beaten-path neighborhood!
Eat
Budget
Being a large college town, Burlington is home to many cheap eateries. Due to the competition, most of them are pretty good.
Eat Ahli Baba's Kabob Shop
Serves Greek and Middle Eastern food. Popular spot with students, open late.
Eat Asiana Noodle Shop
Specializes in noodle soups from all over East Asia.
Eat The Skinny Pancake
A Burlington creperie. They serve sweet and savory crepes with a local twist. The "Heartbreaker" crepe features the world favorite Nutella spread loaded with fresh bananas and local strawberries. Along with an emphasis on local and organic products, the S.P. offers molten Swiss fondues and live music on Th, F and Sa. Come grab a crepe!
American
Eat Handy's Lunch
Popular south-end diner.
Eat Halvorson's Upstreet Cafe
Dine outside at this Church St. cafe.
Eat Henry's Diner
Historic downtown diner
Coffee and bakery
Eat New Moon Cafe
Named well before the Twilight craze, this cafe is a good place to grab coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and salads.
Eat August First Bakery
A local favorite! Casual bakery cafe in downtown Burlington, baking artisan bread and serving delicious breakfast and lunch. Look for classics like BLT made with Vermont bacon on homemade baguette, and amazing pastries like their signature Hungarian Sweet Roll.
Eat Barrio Bakery
Old North End bakery that turns into a pizza place at night.
Dessert
Eat Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop
No trip to Vermont would be complete without a stop by one of the renowned Ben & Jerry's scoop shops to sample their latest contributions to Americana. Indeed, few would dispute the fact that ice cream is in season every season. There is a scoop shop on the Church Street Marketplace at the corner of Cherry Street. The original Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop was nearby on the southwest corner of College Street and Saint Paul Street.
Sandwich
Eat Top of the Block Sandwich Shop
They roast their own meats at this tiny sandwich shop. Coffee is $1 if you bring your own mug.
Eat Henry Street Deli
Possibly the best hidden sandwich shop in Burlington.
Mid-range
Eat American Flatbread Burlington Hearth
Enjoy a wide range of flatbreads made with local ingredients as well as beer from the attached microbrewery. If flatbreads aren't a thing where you're from, they're basically pizza.
Eat Bluebird Barbecue
Serves traditional BBQ and dishes with a Northern Vermont flavor such as BBQ Poutine
Eat The Farmhouse Tap & Grill
This restaurant serves gourmet burgers along with one of the most extensive beer selections in the area.
Eat Asiana House
Fusion restaurant serving Japanese, Korean, and Thai food.
Eat A Single Pebble
Authentic Chinese restaurant.
Eat El Cortijo Taqueria Y Cantina
Small Mexican restaurant emphasizing local ingredients wherever possible.
Eat Four Corners of the Earth
Delicious and elegant sandwiches in a unique atmosphere. Great service!
Splurge
Although the Burlington area is much wealthier and more populous than the rest of the state, there aren't many expensive restaurants in town. Most of Vermont's expensive restaurants are out in the countryside or up in the mountains. Most of their menus change frequently and prices within each menu can vary wildly so if you want to get carried away, go for it.
Eat Hen of the Wood
This is a restaurant that changes its menu every day and concentrates on using ingredients in season in interesting ways. They also have a very interesting and wide range of alcoholic beverages, and their dessert chef is particularly brilliant, so if you have any inclination at all to order dessert in restaurants, make sure to do so at this one. Their small plates can be quite small, but their main dishes are filling. The food is delicious, but the level of salt can be high at times.
Eat Lake Champlain Chocolates
A local chocolate maker. They have a company store and a viewing area to see the chocolate being made. They also have a small coffee bar where they serve espresso drinks and their own ice cream. They have another location at 65 Church St.
Eat NU Chocolat
A much younger local chocolate maker (founded 2018).
Eat Leunig's Bistro
French style bistro with outdoor seating. They sometimes have live jazz.
Breakfast
Eat Burlington Bagel Bakery
Pizza
Eat Big Daddy's
The footlong Oinkin' Gobbler is a local favorite, but the pizza is great as well.
Seafood
Eat Shanty On The Shore
Fresh seafood and great lake views. Expect a wait on weekends.
Indian
Eat Masala Elaichi Indian Restaurant & Bar
Eat Shalimar of India
Have a great Sunday brunch which is ~$10 and buffet/all you can eat. Good deal.
Drink
Bars and clubs
Drink The Vermont Pub and Brewery
Drink Ruben James Sports Bar & Restaurant ("RJ's")
Drink Three Needs Brewery and Taproom
Freshly-brewed self and local beers, as well as a small but decent selection of beers on tap. Red felt pool table in the back, and friendly barstaff.
Drink Drink
Hip spot. Lots of couches. And board games.
Drink American Flatbread
An organic and localvore flatbread (don't call it pizza) joint which brews its own "Zero Gravity" beer.
Microbreweries
Drink Switchback Brewing Co.
Microbrewery
Drink Vermont Pub & Brewery
Microbrewery
Coffee and tea
Drink Muddy Waters
Locally owned. Great atmosphere. Some beers on tap too.
Drink Speeder and Earls Coffee
Serving the best coffee in downtown Burlington, Ask Anyone.
Sleep
Many other hotels with "Burlington" in their names are actually in South Burlington. If you have a car, consider those if price is a consideration, because many of them are within 5 miles (8km) of Downtown Burlington.
Go next
- The Canadian border is about an hour's drive, and Montreal, Quebec, is less than a two-hour drive north. Border crossing between the U.S. and Canada requires a passport or enhanced identification (such as Vermont state's Enhanced Driver's License, or EDL).
- Smuggler's Notch and Stowe ski resorts are within 45 minutes from the heart of the city.
- Just south of the city are several state parks and some of the tallest peaks in the Green Mountains.
- Try to find 'Champ', the Lake Champlain monster who is supposed to be a sister to Nessie of Loch Ness.
Nearby
Winooski
City / town · 7 listings · 2 mi away
South Burlington
City / town · 37 listings · 2 mi away
Colchester
City / town · 17 listings · 5 mi away
Williston
City / town · 9 listings · 6 mi away
Essex
City / town · 36 listings · 6 mi away
Shelburne
City / town · 8 listings · 6 mi away
Jericho
City / town · 25 listings · 10 mi away
Charlotte
City / town · 7 listings · 11 mi away
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