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1. Shop and dine on Church Street Marketplace
–
Burlington’s pedestrian shopping district is packed with boutiques, restaurants, and local gems like Burlin
gton Records
and Common Deer
.
2. Bike the Island Line Trail - Rent bikes at Local Motion and ride along scenic Lake Champlain on this iconic rail trail with a dramatic causeway cutting through Lake Champlain showcasing panoramic views of the Green Mountains of Vermont and the Adirondack Mountains in New York.
3. Paddle Lake Champlain – Rent a kayak, canoe, or SUP and explore Burlington’s stunning shoreline.
4. Sample Burlington’s craft beer
–
From Zero Gravity to Foam Brewers, the city is a beer lover’s paradise. See a full list of breweries here!
5. Visit local farmers markets – Pick up fresh Vermont-grown produce, handmade goods, and local eats, from pasties to apple cider slushies and everything in between.
6. Explore the BCA Center – Rotating contemporary art exhibitions and events in the heart of the Church Street Marketplace.
7. Plan your trip around a festival or event and witness the city come alive! Our recommendations include the Discover Jazz Festival, Festival of Fools, Grand Point North, or the South End Art Hop. Here's a list of more festivals happening in Burlington this summer.
8. Take a Lake Champlain sunset cruise – Hop aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen or Cruise Lake Champlain for a guided tour of the lake with epic views and a relaxing atmosphere.
9. Catch a concert at the Champlain Valley Fair a true Vermont pastime, some of the biggest acts in the state come through the fair. Whether it’s a concert or the demolition derby, this is the perfect way to top off your summer in Vermont.
10. Listen to one of the many local artists at venues like the Light Club Lamp Shop , Radio Bean , Foam Brewers , and other local spots.
11. Experience the South End Art Hop Burlington's biggest art celebration every September, featuring local artists, musicians, and food vendors.
12. Set Sail on Lake Champlain
with Whistling Man Schooner Co
. or the Community Sailing Center
and experience an authentic jo 
urney through Lake Champlain.
13. Visit the ECHO Leahy Center for hands-on science and local ecology, perfect for families or those looking to learn more about Lake Champlain. Check out their new Into the Lake exhibit.
14. Try a maple creemee at one of the many Creemee Stands in Burlington; some local favorites include Little Gordo , Burlington Bay , Ice Cre am Evan’s , or the Sweet Spot.
15. Tour the Ethan Allen Homestead – Explore the home of Vermont's Revolutionary War hero, Ethan Allen, and go back in time to experience authentic Vermont history.
16. Discover creativity and connection at Expressive Arts Burlington . Perfect for locals and tourists alike, offerings like Family Touch Drawing date nights, Collage Playshops, Open Studio events, and Kintsugi Bowl experiences (to name a few) invite individuals and groups to explore profound play, mindfulness, team building, and personal growth.
17. Visit the Shelburne Museum , walking through historic museum grounds, exploring exhibits, and catching glimpses of life from hundreds of years ago.
18. Listen to music in City Hall Park – Free outdoor concerts all summer long. Bring the kiddos to Splash Dance and make the most out of a beautiful summer evening.
19. Dine at Honey Road on Church Street and delve into a new dimension of tapas and other Mediterranean-style entrées. Check out our Foodies Guide to Burlington .
20. Hop on the Champlain Valley Dinner Train for a memorable dinner and a ride along Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains.
21. Travel back in time at the Archives Bar and enjoy an eclectic mix of classic arcade games while savoring craft beer or mixed libations
22. Explore the Lake Champlain Islands by car or bike. That's right, the Burlington Bike Path extends all the way to the Champlain Islands with the help of Local Motion's Bike Ferry crossing on the causeway.
23. Go on a brewery tour and visit some of Burlington’s best breweries, sample Vermont's finest IPAs, lagers, and more. Accessible by walking, biking, or if you have friends with you, hop on the City Brew Tours for a guided brewery tour.
24. Watch a sunset on the waterfront – Bring a blanket and enjoy nature's show on the Burlington Waterfront, don’t forget to bring your camera, Lake Champlain sunsets are unmatched!
25. Visit the world-class A-Dog Skatepark Endorsed by Tony Hawk himself, this epic park is right by the lake with downtown views.
26. Savor locally produced wines and learn about the winemaking process in a northern climate. Alternatively, explore one of Burlington’s esteemed wine shops.
27. Dust off your boots and set off on a hike in Vermont's Green Mountains and soak in the breathtaking views of mountains and lakes.
28. Head to Shelburne Farms and visit the operating farm or enjoy a drink at the Inn while gazing over Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains.
29.
Grab your swim trunks and head to the beach
.
Burlington boasts three sandy beaches along the shores 
of Lake Champlain! Try North Beach
which features a beautiful view and a local tiki bar, Oakledge Park
, or if you brought your pup along for the journey, Texaco Beach is dog-friendly!
30. Take a short ride to Ethan Allen Park and climb up the Ethan Allen Tower for 360-degree views of Lake Champlain and downtown Burlington. This historic monument is part of what makes the New North End so unique.
31. Chill out at the Burlington Surf Club, take a board out on the lake, or take a refreshing dip into Lake Champlain.
32. Indulge in tacos, burritos, and a Mexican Lager or Margarita at Taco Gordo or El Cortijo Taqueria .
33. Try a paint and sip class – Gather your friends for a night of creativity, laughter, and togetherness.
34. Ring in the New Year at Burlington's highlight event and watch the annual fireworks with your loved ones.
35. Lace up your running shoes and sign up for the Vermont City Marathon . Participants can enter to run the full, half, or join a relay team to conquer 26.2 miles together.
36. Cool off on a hot summer day by taking a dip in one of the hundreds of local streams and brooks. Check out a list of local waterfalls here!
37. Visit a local Orchard and pick your own apples, grab a pumpkin or cider donuts, and kick off your fall in Vermont fashion.
38. Take a gondola ride up Vermont's tallest peak and enjoy a drink or a meal at the Cliff House.
39. Hit the links on an 18-hole golfing adventure with stunning views and good times , good shots and bad shots alike.
40. Spend a summer night watching the Vermont Lake Monsters or Vermont Green FC . ( 2025 USL League 2 Champion s !)
41. Take a drive to the Northeast Kingdom and experience Hill Farmstead , ranked as the #1 Brewery in the world. Check their website for operating hours and reservations.
42. Enjoy a Laugh at Vermont Comedy Club , home to the best comedic acts that Burlington has to offer. Check out their upcoming schedule here.
43. Take a quick trip to the Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour and explore the ice cream-making process or revisit your favorite flavors in the Flavor Graveyard.
44. Visit the Fleming Museum of Art and appreciate UVM’s diverse collection of art pieces on exhibit.
45. Book a day at the Essex Resort and Spa and indulge in an assortment of relaxing spa offerings. Don't forget to bring your appetite along—two on-site restaurants await.
46. Swing by AO Glass on Pine Street for a glass blowing class and learn how to blow your own glass, from ornaments, bowls, drinkware, and more.
47. After a heavy snowstorm, try urban cross-country skiing along the streets of downtown Burlington.
48. Shop Vintage throughout the city . Here’s your go-to guide for where to shop vintage in Vermont, sustainably and stylishly, in the Queen City
49. Hunt for quirky landmarks like the flying Monkeys, the World’s Tallest Filing Cabinet, or the Earth Clock.
50. Take a quick hike along Burlington’s Intervale Center . This local non-profit maintains hundreds of acres of farmland and river trails along the Winooski River.
