Burlington is the biggest city in the entire state of
Vermont. Combined with the city’s close proximity to the state’s largest lake, which is dubbed
Lake Champlain, this makes the location a fairly popular destination with tourists. There’s plenty
to do and see while visiting Burlington, and we’ll be taking a look at some of the
best activities in this video. From going souvenir shopping at the Church
Street Marketplace to getting the inside scoop on Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, join
ViewCation as we take a look at the best things to do in Burlington, Vermont.
Go Souvenir Shopping at the Church Street Marketplace
If you’re looking for a great place to go shopping for a variety of souvenirs while visiting the city
of Burlington, you need to look no further than the Church Street Marketplace. The impressive
shopping center has come to be known as one of the preeminent destinations for tourists
within the boundaries of the great Vermont city, and shoppers of all types will find plenty to
peruse during their visit. The shopping center sits right within the middle of the bustling city,
and some would call it the city’s heart. The shopping center lines a street that’s blocked
off from cars, meaning that pedestrians will have plenty of room to hop from store to store.
Besides the variety of interesting,
local stores that can be found lining the Church Street Marketplace, there are also
several notable eateries that shoppers can stop into to refuel. Whether you’re looking to shop,
grab a bite to eat, or simply soak in the atmosphere, tourists will find that there’s
a great deal to enjoy while visiting the Church Street Marketplace. The marketplace also happens
to play host to a number of notable events over the course of the year, and these events can
make the area exceptionally bustling. Some of the numerous events that you may find being held at
the Church Street Marketplace include the Church Street Santa Parade and the Festival of Fools.
Go for a Leisurely Ride on the Burlington Bike Path
The city of Burlington is a great place to take a bike ride thanks to its massive
eight-mile-long bike path. This bike path goes by the name of the Burlington Bike Path,
but it’s also colloquially referred to as the Greenway. The path can be found
along the shores of Lake Champlain, and the path also happens to pass
through a total of six different Burlington parks over the course of its length.
The Burlington Bike Path is paved all the way through, which makes
it an exceptionally easy and stress-free ride for cyclists.
However, those who would prefer to take the trail by fit also have the option to do so.
Bikes are available to rent from nearby retailers for those who didn’t bring one with them, but
there are also plenty of visitors who simply choose to walk or run along the amazing trail.
During the winter, the immense snowfall in Vermont makes the Burlington Bike Path a great place to
try out the unique sport of “fat biking”. Tourists may not have ever heard of this interesting
activity, but it’s been growing in popularity over the years in areas where there’s a ton of
snow. Fat biking is similar to regular biking, but the tires are a lot bigger. This means that the
bikes have less of a problem maneuvering in the snow, hence the sport’s popularity in Vermont.
Take a Visit to the Burlington Famers’ Market Burlington plays host to its own farmers’ market
every Saturday, and tourists that have a penchant for fresh and local produce won’t want to miss it!
The Burlington Farmers’ Market was first held in 1980, and it has become a beloved city tradition
in the many decades since. The market is held on Pine Street and can be found every Saturday of the
week from the late months of the spring until the early months of the fall. At the farmers’ market,
you’ll find vendors that have traveled from all over the state to share their goods with
the massive city’s population of both locals and tourists. Besides produce, you’ll also find
vendors offering a variety of other food products. In farmers’ market tradition,
you’ll also find a slew of vendors offering up hot food and full meals.
Some of the many, many different food items that you’ll find at the Burlington Farmers’
Market include local Vermont syrup, as well as freshly picked tomatoes and strawberries. You’ll
also find a seemingly never-ending supply of fresh baked goods for those looking for something sweet.
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Admire Lake Champlain at the Waterfront Park There is a great deal of awesome parks located
within the boundaries of Burlington, and many of them can be found along the aforementioned
Burlington Bike Path. For those who would like to get a great view of Lake Champlain,
you’ll certainly want to pay a visit to the Waterfront
Park. As the name of the park would suggest, the park sits right on the edge of Lake Champlain and
offers some of the greatest views of the giant Vermont lake that visitors are likely to find.
The Waterfront Park is located only a short distance west from Burlington’s downtown area,
meaning it’s not all that out of the way. Once you get to the park, you’ll find numerous paths
leading to the shore, where you’ll be able to take in incredible views of Lake Champlain and
the surrounding area. As one might imagine, these views become much more beautiful during
both sunrise and sunset, meaning that these are some of the best times to visit the park.
The Waterfront Park is one of the more popular parks in Burlington thanks to its beautiful
location, and this also means that it’s the park where tourists are most likely to find special
events being held. Some of the numerous special events that are held at the Waterfront Park
include the Grand Point North Music Festival and the local Oktoberfest.
Venture Out onto the Water North Beach Park While the Waterfront Park is the most popular
park to visit if you want to take in some grand, encompassing views of Lake Champlain,
North Beach Park is the park to visit if you want to hop out onto its waters. North Beach Park takes
its name from North Beach, which is the largest beach in the entirety of Burlington. As such,
North Beach Park is an exceptionally great place to go swimming or try your hand at some of the
area’s popular watersports. Some of the many watersports that you’ll see being practiced
out on the waters of Lake Champlain include kayaking and canoeing, as well as paddleboarding.
The park also features a playground and multiple picnic tables, which provide fun for families.
Try Out Some of Burlington’s
Numerous Craft Breweries The city of Burlington, as well
as the greater state of Vermont, has come to be known for its plethora of craft breweries. Some
of the numerous breweries that can be found within the confines of Burlington include the Magic Hat
Brewing Company and Zero Gravity Brewing. These two breweries are only the tip of the iceberg
when it comes to the variety that you’ll be able to find while strolling through Burlington, making
the city an exceptionally great place for tourists to go brewery hopping. Each of these breweries
features something unique, and fans of craft beers won’t want to miss out on visiting a single one.
Visit the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum
Those who are interested in getting a taste of Vermont’s rich history should check out
Burlington’s Ethan Allen Homestead Museum. The museum is housed in an authentic homestead that
was erected all the way back in the 18th century. The homestead as since been converted into a
popular museum, and there’s plenty for tourists to enjoy while perusing it. The homestead belonged
to a Revolutionary War hero by the name of Ethan Allen, which is where the museum gets its name.
Workers are dressed up in authentic period garb and act like colonists while giving tours.
There’s also an area of the museum by the name of the Abenaki Encampment. While the
bulk of the museum showcases what it was like to live in the area as a colonist,
the Abenaki Encampment shows what it was like to live in the area as a Native American.
Visit the Shelburne Museum While the Ethan Allen Homestead museum offers up
an undeniably unique and Vermont-style experience to tourists, history buffs may also want to check
out the larger and more popular Shelburne Museum. The Shelburne Museum functions as both a history
and an art museum, and it has come to be known as the largest of its type in the entirety of New
England. The museum spans nearly 50 acres and houses over twenty different historical buildings.
The Shelburne Museum has no shortage of interesting artifacts, with some of
the most awesome including a massive steamboat and an old-fashioned carousel from years past.
Besides these mainstays, the museum also hosts a variety of rotating exhibits throughout the years,
meaning that tourists will always find something new.
Get the Inside Scoop At Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream For those who are unaware, Burlington is the home
of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream was first founded back in the
late 1970s and has since become one of the area’s most beloved exports.
Those who wish to try some Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream for themselves
while visiting the city of Burlington will find numerous opportunities to do so. For one thing,
they can visit the shop that’s located along the aforementioned Church Street Marketplace. For
another thing, they can visit the factory located in the unincorporated village of Waterbury. There,
tourists can take a tour and see how the popular brand of ice cream is produced.
With all of these awesome activities to take part in while you’re there, it’s no wonder that
the city of Burlington has become such a popular destination with tourists. Now it’s time to hear
from you: did you know that Burlington is the home of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream
and that the city lines the largest lake in all of Vermont? As always, like this
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