Things to do in Burlington, Vermont
- Burlington was the first city in the United States to run its municipal electric department entirely on renewable energy.
- The city's downtown area features a pedestrian-only marketplace that spans four blocks of Church Street, preserving historic mid-19th-century architecture.
- The Lake Champlain waterfront was once a bustling industrial railway hub before being converted into public parkland and multi-use trails.
- Burlington hosts a long-standing local ordinance that requires a percentage of the city's public building budgets to be allocated toward public art installations.
About Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is the largest city in Vermont, uniquely positioned on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain with the Adirondack Mountains visible across the water. It serves as a regional hub for education and culture, featuring institutions like the Fleming Museum of Art [146885]. The city integrates its natural geography with urban design, providing direct lake access through sites like ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain [10463]. Public spaces such as Battery Park [32861] and the quirky World's Tallest Filing Cabinet [53516] reflect the local blend of history and unconventional civic expression.
Highlights of Burlington, Vermont
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Museums
Explore interactive exhibits focused on the ecology and natural history of the Lake Champlain Basin.
Parks
Enjoy elevated views of the lake from a historic site that served as a defensive position during the War of 1812.
Places of interest
View this local landmark, a 40-foot-tall public art sculpture made of stacked filing cabinets.
Museums
Browse an extensive collection of ethnographic and fine art housed on the University of Vermont campus.
Parks
Visit the site of an accessible treehouse designed to provide inclusive play opportunities for all children.
Parks
Observe local geological formations and river wildlife at this popular spot along the Winooski River.
Temples
Appreciate the detailed limestone architecture of this historic mid-19th-century French Gothic cathedral.
Parks
Access the shoreline for swimming and recreation along the extensive northern lakefront path.
Top things to do in Burlington, Vermont
The 85 highest-rated places in Burlington, Vermont, ranked by travellers.
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Around Burlington, Vermont
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Burlington, Vermont on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Burlington, Vermont
Late June through September, when the lakefront is most accessible and the weather supports outdoor recreation on the regional trail networks.
2-3 days, sufficient to explore the waterfront, the university district, and local parks.
The city center is highly walkable, and the Burlington Bike Path provides extensive cycling connectivity, supplemented by the Green Mountain Transit bus system.
Staying near the Church Street Marketplace provides immediate access to dining and retail, while the South End offers a more industrial, arts-focused atmosphere.
Mid-range; lodging costs in the summer months are elevated due to high demand for lakefront tourism.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 85 curated attractions in and around Burlington, Vermont, ranked by traveller ratings.
Shelburne Museum is the highest-rated place to visit in Burlington, Vermont right now.
The largest category is parks, with 25 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Bayonne, New Jersey, Downtown Los Angeles, Washington, D.C..
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