Burlington travel guide

About Burlington

Burlington is the largest city in the U.S. State of Vermont and the county seat of Chittenden County. It is located 45 miles (72 km) south of the Canada–United States border and 95 miles (153 km) south of Montreal. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 44,743, making Burlington the most populous municipality in Vermont and the least populous U.S. city to be the most populous city within a state.

Places to visit in Burlington

1. 

   Church Street Marketplace

   Market

   A brick pedestrian street in downtown Burlington lined with shops, restaurants and outdoor cafes, with street performers in summer and the city's main gathering spot year-round.

2. Burlington Waterfront

   Park

   A lakeside park on Lake Champlain offering sunset views across the water to the Adirondacks, boat cruises, a boardwalk and direct access to the lakeshore bike path.

3. 

   Island Line Trail

   Nature · 7 mi from centre

   A bike path that follows the lakeshore north from the city and continues along a narrow causeway far out into Lake Champlain, a scenic ride or walk on a clear day.

4. 

   Shelburne Museum

   Museum · 7 mi from centre

   South of the city, this museum displays American art and folk art across dozens of buildings on its grounds, including a historic steamboat, a lighthouse and a covered bridge.

5. 

   Shelburne Farms

   Nature · 6 mi from centre

   A historic working farm on the shores of Lake Champlain with walking trails, a children's farmyard, a grand inn and cheddar cheese made on site from its own herd.

6. ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain

   Museum

   A science center on the waterfront focused on the lake's ecology and history, with aquariums of native fish, hands-on exhibits and activities designed for families.

7. 

   Ethan Allen Homestead

   Historic · 2 mi from centre

   The restored farmhouse of Revolutionary War figure Ethan Allen, leader of the Green Mountain Boys, with tours, a small museum and walking trails along the Winooski River.

Where to stay in Burlington

Popular hotels in Burlington, out of 7 properties you can book.

Best Western Plus Carousel Inn & Suites

• Downtown

From $123 per night

Fairfield Inn & Suites Burlington

• Downtown

From $167 per night

Quality Inn Burlington

• Downtown

From $107 per night

Econo Lodge Burlington

• Downtown

From $78 per night

Travelodge By Wyndham Stratton

• Stratton

From $57 per night

Burlington Stay Inn

Hotel Cheyenne Wells - US 40

Best time to visit Burlington

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Burlington is August to September, when average daytime highs are around 72–77°F and rain falls on about 9 days a month.

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Burlington weather forecast

• Wed 21 Oct 53° 35° 0%
• Thu 22 Oct 54° 38° 6%
• Fri 23 Oct 49° 32° 6%
• Sat 24 Oct 55° 31° 3%
• Sun 25 Oct 59° 35° 1%
• Mon 26 Oct 63° 45° 7%

Know before you go

Currency

United States dollar (USD)

Language

English

Calling code

+1

Driving

On the right

Time zone

America/New_YorkUTC−4

Capital

Washington, D.C.

Upcoming public holidays in United States

• Wed 11 NovVeterans Day
• Thu 26 NovThanksgiving Day
• Fri 25 DecChristmas Day
• Fri 1 JanNew Year's Day
• Mon 18 JanMartin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Mon 15 FebPresidents DayWashington's Birthday

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Burlington

These are the airports closest to central Burlington. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

• BTV Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport3 mi (5 km) from the city centre

Getting around Burlington

Downtown Burlington is one of the most walkable and beautiful small cities in New England, and you'd do well to get out of your car (parking in city and most private garages is free for the first 2 hours, and all day on Sundays) and soak it in.

By car

There are car rental offices at Burlington International Airport, including Hertz, Avis and Thrifty. Traffic is generally bad during the normal crunch half-hours (7:45-8:15AM and 4:45-5:15PM). Williston Road to the east and Shelburne Road to the south are congested during those hours, and, unfortunately, unavoidable for the most part.

By bus

Burlington and the surrounding communities of Winooski, South Burlington, Shelburne, Colchester and Essex Junction are served by Green Mountain Transit (GMT) which operates public buses. Buses are generally clean, uncrowded and relatively cheap. The main terminal is in downtown Burlington at the intersection of Church St. and Cherry St.

By bicycle

Burlington is a bike-friendly city. There are various bike lanes around the downtown area, and thanks to slow traffic and often courteous drivers, getting around the greater Burlington area on bike is a breeze. In the summer extra bicycle parking is made available, and low bike-related crime helps encourage everyone to get on their bikes. Bikes can be rented at Local Motion on the waterfront or at some of the other bicycle shops around town.

Burlington travel FAQ