Location: Burlington
Top Things to do in Burlington
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What to do and see in Burlington, Vermont (VT): The Best Free Things to do
Vermont's largest and perhaps most cosmopolitan city, Burlington beckons with the perfect blend of old New England charm, arts, culture and nature. Located on the shores of Lake Champlain, between the Adirondack and Green Mountains, Burlington is one of those places you can't help but fall in love with. During the spring and summer, the streets come alive with festivals and outdoor concerts. The picnic benches, playground and bike paths of Leddy Park are filled with warm weather revelers, and opportunities to swim, fish or just kick back on the beach abound. In the fall, the Burlington Bike Path is bustling with leaf peepers who come to view the vibrant autumn colors. In winter, lace up your ice skates and head to the Paquette Arena or grab your skis and head to any of the nearby resorts. Church Street Marketplace, with its early 1900s architecture, great restaurants, live entertainment, one-of-a-kind shops and well-known stores, is the focal point of the downtown area. Anytime of the year is a good time for chocolate. Be sure to stop by Lake Champlain Chocolates for a tour and taste.
Restaurants in Burlington
1. Vintage Inspired Lifestyle Marketplace
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
A multi-dealer shop overflowing with antiques & vintage goods for inspired lifestyles. Vintage Inspired offers classes and ANNIE SLOAN CHALK PAINT is also available! Vintage Inspired Lifestyle Marketplace is listed in the top 30 things to do in VERMONT! 180 Flynn Ave. is opened Mon-Sat: 10am - 5pm Sun: noon - 4pm
Reviewed By barbarasV9050IQ
One of my most favorite antique/collectible/vintage shop.! Mary is incredible, gracious and talented. I always find something unique, and need to go often as it seems like there is a new treasure awaiting me. Great ideas for displaying treasures.
2. Fletcher Free Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By WiseManTravels - Vermont, United States
The fletcher has tremendous services for the community with all kinds of events and programs that enhance its mission as a library. It also has an easy to use online platform for members. Incredible old historic building too.
3. Church Street Marketplace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,899 reviews
Downtown Burlington Vermont's award-winning open air mall is a hub of activity where you'll find historical architecture, year-round festivals, street entertainers, music, over 100 places to shop and dine, and even quiet places to ponder. We invite you find out about exclusive shopping, dining and events in downtown Burlington as well as to explore the area!
Reviewed By Andres72423 - Bridgeport, United States
We spent the morning and afternoon just strolling the whole marketplace, window-shopping and and actually making some purchases. All kinds of shops-men’s store, women’s shops and boutiques, souvenirs and plenty more. The market place was a safe stroll with no actual traffic to worry about. Plenty of places to stop in and get a bite to eat or have a drink. It was nicely decorated for the holidays although while we were there it was to early to see the full affect of the lights. If you are in the area it is definitely a cool thing to do even if you don’t shop and just people watch.
4. Oakledge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
New park located south of downtown on the waterfront.
Reviewed By WheresRain
We loved exploring this beautiful spot on Lake Champlain. Nice beach and walking path. Our kids rolled their eyes at first when we made them figure out how the earth clock works, but they thought it was cool in the end. We all wished we had more time and could have rented a kayak. Don’t miss the super tall filing cabinet art a few blocks away from the park.
5. Leddy Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
This large, popular park has just about everything for indoor and outdoor fun, including a small beach on Lake Champlain, indoor ice rinks, ball fields, tennis courts, a playground and part of a 7-mile bike path that borders the lake.
6. Burlington Bike Path
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,095 reviews
Converted from the Central Vermont Railway to a bike path in the 1970s, this easy trail crosses through beaches and parks and offers great views of Lake Champlain, the Adirondacks and the city.
Reviewed By javadavy
My wife and I rented excellently tuned Fuji hybrid bikes from Outdoor Gear Exchange downtown and rode 31 miles round trip along the waterfront rail to trail path, taking the Clochester path to the Causeway Path and eventually to South Hero where we found The Accidental Farmer for a great lunch. Beautiful way to see part of Burlington.
7. Lake Champlain Chocolates
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 475 reviews
The Lake Champlain Chocolates Factory Store & Cafe offers chocolates and confections including handmade truffles, caramels, clusters, our famous Five Star Bars, gift assortments and gourmet hot chocolate. The cafe serves lattes, ice creams, gourmet coffee and teas, hot chocolate with homemade whipped cream or marshmallows,and lots of factory seconds! The through-the-window factory tour takes place Monday-Friday on the house from 11am -2pm. Learn the history of Lake Champlain Chocolates, where chocolate comes from, how chocolate is made and enjoy lots of samples!
Reviewed By billsmyname - Deptford, United States
We had come here to try out some chocolates. They were currently not making any as it was the weekend, but they had several free samples to try and all were delicious! Had some marshmallow hot chocolate that was also quite tasty. Definitely a place to go for chocolate lovers!
8. Burlington Community Boathouse Marina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
At the centrally located Burlington Community Boathouse Marina, transient boaters will find dockage, services and a fantastic dockside restaurant, Splash. Whether you’re looking for hourly dockage, moorings or overnight dockage, the Boathouse Marina offers the greatest amount of dockage while not compromising on location! Boaters will find easy and close access to shopping, grocery stores, hardware stores and fantastic restaurants all within close walking distance. Located at our docks are the sailing charter companies Whistling Man Schooner and Let’s Go Sailing. The Spirit of Ethan Allen cruise boat also calls the Boathouse Marina home. Come pull up a seat in one of our Adirondack chairs located on our fully public dock and enjoy the best view in town! Free Wi-Fi is made available by Burlington Telecom
9. Waterfront Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 856 reviews
Reviewed By amyk6978
Burlington is such a beautiful city. We spent much of our time on the waterfront. Waterfront Park has so much to offer and we enjoyed spending time swinging on a swing watching the sunset, enjoying a picnic on the grass, taking a sail with Let's Go Sailing, we got a maple creamee, and enjoyed a dinner at the Skinny Pancake. We walked the path every day of our visit. It also had a nice fenced in dog run. You can also find workout stations along the walking path. The skate park was also fun to sit and watch all the people doing their tricks. I highly recommend visiting!
10. Perkins Pier
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