Looking for things to do in Burlington, Vermont?

I’ve got you covered. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly activity or something a little more adventurous, Burlington, Vermont is the place to visit.

 

Burlington is an amazing place with tons of great activities to offer, and we want to help you experience all of them. With our guide, you’ll be able to make the most out of your time in this beautiful city.

Without further ado, let’s jump right in!

Visit the Church Street Marketplace

Church Street Marketplace is the heart of Burlington. This is a great place to find unique shops, restaurants, and bars. Make sure to check out this marketplace during your stay in Burlington.

Some of the best restaurants and stores are:

• The Gryphon- a great restaurant known for their cocktails.
• Istanbul Kebab House- you will think you have been transported to Turkey!
• Honey Road- a Middle Eastern Restaurant that is very good.
• Frog Hollow Craft Gallery- this is a great place to pick up a great souvenir of your time Vermont.
• Keep Vermont Weird Store- Full of weird Vermont stuff.

Church street does not disappoint. It is a lovely 4-block cobblestone pedestrian street that looks to have revitalized the city. There are restaurants with outdoor seating on either side, and the charming sounds of dining are audible as you walk by. Boutique stores, along with some well known ones, are interspersed among the restaurants.

 

Most of the buildings still bear the marks of their previous lives. Look up as you walk along and you will find old banks and stores on the nameplates of the buildings.

Visit the Crow Bookstore

When you are there don’t miss the Crow Bookstore at the high end of the street. We spent a long time lingering over the books and enjoyed the feeling of book-lover solidarity that came from the other patrons. The children’s section, while not big, made up for it with well-selected books both used and new. We left with way more books than we intended, and everyone was happy for a while.

Visit Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain is a beautiful lake located in Burlington. This is a great spot for fishing, boating, and swimming. If you’re looking for a fun day out with the family, make sure to visit this lake.

Cruise along the waterfront on the Ethan Allen a boat that runs cruises daily.

 

 

The kids liked watching the boats coming into the wharf, and I enjoyed the people watching. Definitely a low energy event, but still one worth the time.

Rent a bike to ride the Greenway and Waterfront

The Burlington Greenway is a bike path that runs through the city. This is a great spot for a leisurely bike ride, and it’s perfect for families. Make sure to rent a bike and check out this path during your stay in Burlington.

Ride along the waterfront for a beautiful view of Lake Champlain.

You can rent them from Local Motion on Steele Street–right near the waterfront The bike trail went along the water and then all along the Greenway.

 

Have Some Fun at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts

 

The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts offers a variety of performances, including theater, dance, and music. This is a great place to experience some of the best talent that Burlington has to offer.

If you’re looking for something fun to do in the evening, make sure to check out the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts calendar.

 

Burlington Farmer’s Market

Every Saturday, one of the best Farmer’s Markets in New England happens in Burlington, Vermont. There are always tons of fresh produce, flowers, crafts, and more. This is the perfect place to find unique gifts for your friends and family.

Make sure to stop by the Farmer’s Market during your stay in Burlington. You won’t regret it!

 

Ethan Allen Homestead

The Ethan Allen Homestead is a great spot for history buffs. This homestead is the birthplace of Ethan Allen, one of Vermont’s most famous historical figures. If you’re interested in learning more about Vermont’s history, make sure to visit this homestead.

Ethan Allen was a patriot during the Revolutionary War who helped lead the Green Mountain Boys.

 

The Shelburne Musuem

The Shelburne Museum is a great spot for art lovers. This museum is home to a variety of art, including paintings, sculptures, and furniture. If you’re looking for a cultural experience, make sure to visit the Shelburne Museum.

This museum is also home to a variety of historical artifacts spread across 45 acres and 25 buildings. It can be an all-day experience for adults but it is still worth visiting with your kids for an hour or two.

 

Visit the Echo Lake Aquarium and Science Center

The Echo Lake Aquarium and Science Center is a great spot for kids. This center offers a variety of exhibits and activities, including a nature center, an aquarium, and a science center. Make sure to visit this center during your stay in Burlington.

Some of the exhibits include:

-Aquarium with fish from Lake Champlain

-Touch tank with starfish and urchins

-Live animal exhibit with reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals

-Science exhibits with games and activities for kids

Take a Hike at Mt. Philo

Mt. Philo is an amazing hiking spot located not far from Burlington. This mountain offers some incredible views of the city and the surrounding area. It’s definitely worth taking a hike up this mountain if you’re looking for an adventure.

Shelburne Farms

Shelburne Farms is a great spot for families. Not far from Burlington and totally worth visiting with your kids. This farm is home to a variety of animals, including cows, pigs, sheep, and chickens. This is a great place to learn about farming and animal husbandry.

This farm is also home to a variety of gardens, including a vegetable garden and a herb garden. Make sure to visit this farm during your stay in Burlington.

You can also enjoy some local cheeses at the Shelburn Farms Store.

 

Check out the Filing Cabinet Tower 

If you’re looking for a unique photo opportunity, make sure to check out the filing cabinet tower in the Southern part of Burlington. This tower is made up of several filing cabinets that have been stacked on top of each other. It’s definitely a quirky spot and it’s perfect for an Instagram post.

University of Vermont 

University of Vermont is a great spot for families. This university offers a variety of activities for people of all ages. The campus is beautiful, and there are always events happening. If you’re looking for something fun to do, make sure to check out the University of Vermont calendar to look for upcoming music, shows, and more.

 

Visit Ben and Jerry’s Factory in Nearby Waterbury

We had to stop at the Ben and Jerry factory while we were in the area. It was a mad house! I couldn’t believe how many people were there, but the staff were organized with parking and getting information out to people in line.

We wanted to go on the factory tour, but the tour was sold out for the day. (I almost didn’t even include this because it was a non-event. However, I want you to know that even with the best planning things won’t always work out.) We had some sad boys, but they were appeased when we stopped at another scoop shop on the way home. My guess is that a weekend is not the best day to go and that winter might be a slower time of year. (Don’t say “who wants ice cream in winter” because I always want ice cream!)

 

In conclusion

Our quick weekend trip to Vermont has caused us to fall in love with Vermont leading to tons of other trips to Stowe, Woodstock, Brattleboro and more. If you want to read about our day trip to Brattleboro click here. 

Or check out the fun things to do in Vermont at Christmas in this post.

Read about 27 amazing things to do in Vermont