Burlington.
Cold wind comes straight off Lake Champlain, slapping you awake before you have even reached Church Street. The city slopes steadily toward the water, red brick underfoot and the jagged teeth of the Adirondacks sitting blue on the horizon. People here take their cider crisp, their sourdough dark, and their raw-milk cheddar seriously enough to debate moisture content over lunch. It is a working university town that treats good bread and wood-fired ovens as basic civil rights.
Last updated 28 Aug 2026
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What to do in Burlington Vermont United States
Burlington sits on a steep hillside dropping straight to Lake Champlain, anchored by four pedestrian blocks on Church Street and the maker spaces of Pine Street. Days here revolve around morning coffee, cycling the lake path, and sitting down to unfiltered cider, heritage pork, and sharp farmhouse cheese. It suits travelers who value strong independent businesses, honest food, and crisp northern air over polished resort luxury.
24 hours in Burlington Vermont United States
Start on Church Street for black coffee and sourdough, then rent a bicycle to ride the waterfront greenway to Oakledge Park. For dinner, book well ahead for wood-fired mushrooms and Berkshire pork at Hen of the Wood, followed by an evening pour on the terrace at Foam Brewers as the sun sinks behind the Adirondacks. Select 1 Day above to see it.
2 days in Burlington Vermont United States
Spend day two in the South End along Pine Street, popping into artisan studios and grabbing dry cider at Citizen Cider. Head across town to the Winooski riverbank for dinner, where you will find crisp cider-steamed mussels or wood-fired flatbreads in converted 19th-century brick textile mills. Choose 2 Days to expand the plan.
3 days in Burlington Vermont United States
A third day allows a short drive south on Route 7 to Shelburne Farms, a working 1,400-acre agricultural estate making raw milk cheddar beside the lake. Afterward, climb Mount Philo for sweeping valley panoramas before ending the evening with a quiet bowl of noodles or lake fish downtown.
Burlington Vermont United States itineraries by interest
Craft Beer in Burlington Vermont United States
Drink hazy IPAs at Foam Brewers near the waterfront, or hunt dry lagers and saisons from Zero Gravity along the Pine Street corridor.
Cheese & Dairy in Burlington Vermont United States
Taste Jasper Hill clothbound cheddar and Vermont Creamery goat cheeses at City Market, or pair local curds with crusty rye on Church Street.
Lakefront Walks in Burlington Vermont United States
Walk the Burlington Greenway along Lake Champlain, following the old railway bed out to Oakledge Park and the stone bluffs of North Beach.
Farm-to-Table Dining in Burlington Vermont United States
Eat wood-roasted local roots, pastured pork chops, and braised greens at Hen of the Wood, set quietly near the corner of Cherry Street.
Bakeries & Cafes in Burlington Vermont United States
Grab dark-crusted sourdough and cardamom buns from August First on South Champlain Street, paired with strong filter coffee from Scout & Co.
Local History in Burlington Vermont United States
Visit Ethan Allen Homestead along the Winooski River, or trace 19th-century timber and canal trade along the waterfront piers and wharves.
Independent Bookshops in Burlington Vermont United States
Browse the dense floor-to-ceiling fiction stacks and regional nature writing at Crow Bookshop on the pedestrian cobbles of Church Street.
Cider & Ferments in Burlington Vermont United States
Sip bone-dry heirloom apple ciders at Citizen Cider on Pine Street, alongside sour pickles and small-batch kimchi made from Champlain Valley produce.
Water Sports in Burlington Vermont United States
Rent a sea kayak or paddleboard from the Community Sailing Center to explore the open waters and sheltered coves around Waterfront Park.
Art Galleries in Burlington Vermont United States
Browse contemporary installations, printmaking, and studio metalwork across converted industrial warehouses in the South End Arts District.
Regional Markets in Burlington Vermont United States
Pick up maple syrup candy, warm cider donuts, and heirloom squash at the Burlington Farmers Market on Pine Street on Saturday mornings.
Day Trips in Burlington Vermont United States
Drive twenty minutes south to Shelburne Farms for farmstead cheddar and historic barns, or head east into Waterbury for cider mill visits.