It’s that time of the year again.
You’ve pulled out your bulky puffers and started chipping away at final projects and papers. Amid long hours spent holed up in the East Reading Room, perhaps you’ve found yourself wishing for a brief reprieve from it all.
Luckily, whether you’re dreaming of biking alongside a beautiful lake, hiking up a lookout tower, indulging in gelato and crepes or playing trivia at a brewery, Burlington, Vt. has it all. Located just an hour and a half from Hanover, this friendly college town is Vermont’s most populous city and the perfect introduction to New Hampshire’s neighboring state. All you need is a car and this travel guide — packed with recommendations from Vermont natives and Burlington frequenters — and you’ll be more than ready for a rejuvenating weekend trip into the heart of the Green Mountain State.
Food and shopping on Church Street:
First up is Church Street, a main drag in the middle of Burlington lined with a variety of shops and restaurants — from Vermont-based bagel shops and cafes to name-brand clothing stores. Sabin Hart ’24 GR’25, who is from Burlington, said it’s a “really beautiful walk right downtown.”
“They’ve got all sorts of things, from card game stores and comic stores to Sephora and specialty olive oil flavored shops,” Hart said.
As winter creeps into New England and the holiday season kicks into gear, Church Street acquires a particular charm in the snow, according to Charlotte Stevens ’28, who is from Stowe, Vt., 40 minutes from Burlington.
“[Church Street is] the best in the winter around Christmas time,” Stevens said. “It’s super holiday[-like], with lots of lights and everything.”
As you walk down the street, a few restaurants might catch your eye. Amid the plethora of options, it might be hard to pick just one, but the good news is that there’s a spot for every occasion — and every craving. Looking to splurge on a fancy meal? Jinny Diop ’27, a Burlington native, recommended Leunig’s Bistro for a “nice dinner or lunch.” She added that while the place is casual enough that “you don’t have to dress up,” you also “wouldn’t wear beach shorts.”
If you want a more relaxed environment and you’re in the mood for some ramen, Stevens recommended Gaku Ramen, which is her “favorite place for lunch” and “always perfect and cozy for a cold day.” In addition to its titular menu item, Stevens also said the gyoza is “really good.”
For readers looking for Nepalese food, Diop recommended Sherpa Kitchen, a “nice casual restaurant” just off of Church Street. Sherpa Kitchen is open for both take-out and dine-in, and Diop said she usually orders “anything with lamb.”
After a delicious meal, Hart suggested taking a peek into some of the niche stores on Church Street, including Homeport, with its “three or four stories of random, assorted stuff” perfect for Christmas shopping, and Saratoga Olive Oil Co., which offers “custom-flavored olive oil and vinegar” — all “very, very good.”
For breakfast, Ciera Fiaschetti ’27, who is from Waitsfield, Vt., pointed to The Skinny Pancake, a restaurant with “a chill vibe” located just down the hill from Church Street towards Lake Champlain. They serve a wide variety of pancakes as well as crepes, her favorite of which is the cheesy chicken pesto.
Although Burlington is the birthplace of Ben & Jerry’s, Diop recommended Shy Guy Gelato, located just over from Church Street. She said she believes their selection is “super underrated,” calling it “genuinely the best ice cream place in the world.”
“All their flavors are made fresh every day,” Diop said. “When you eat the strawberry, it tastes like a real strawberry.”
Also close to Church Street is Dirt Chic, a thrift store stop for those in search of affordable but unique apparel. According to Diop, a number of students from the University of Vermont, which is located in Burlington, donate to the store, meaning it has “a pretty good selection” of items. Diop herself has bought some “really cute skirts” there, while a friend of hers once found a “totally unique pair” of embroidered jeans.
Outdoor activities:
Shopping bags in hand and full of more Nepalese food and gelato than one can handle, head over to the Waterfront Park on Lake Champlain to take in the sights. According to Fiaschetti, the highlight of her summer was traveling to Burlington to “hang out down at the waterfront.”
To take in the local scenery, Hart suggests that you follow a path along the lake, called the Burlington Greenway, for a beautiful walk or bike ride.
“You get to walk past a ton of businesses, a ton of great food [and] some really cool views of Lake Champlain,” Hart said. “Walking or biking down the path are … the best way[s] to experience Burlington.”
In addition to heading off a scenic walk or bike ride, North Beach Park is an ideal picnic location due to its “quiet” atmosphere and “pretty view of the lake,” according to Diop. Fiaschetti added that the beach is also a prime location for swimming.
Another popular place to view Lake Champlain, according to Stevens, is Rock Point, a cliffside overlooking the lake. Stevens said that in the warmer seasons, people even cliff dive off the point.
During the summer, you might even be lucky enough to catch an evening concert at the waterfront, which has previously hosted artists such as Noah Kahan — who Fiaschetti saw in 2023 — and The Backseat Lovers.
For another outdoor excursion, Hart suggested taking a trek through Ethan Allen Park, which features a “40 to 50-foot tall brick lookout tower” called Ethan Allen Tower.
“It’s basically a 10-minute hike [with] more than half paved, but a super fun spot because it looks all over Burlington, all over the waterfront,” Hart said.
Although it might seem out of place, another outdoor activity Burlington offers is its drive-in theater. If you find yourself tired from a long day of tourist activities, the Sunset Drive-In Theater, just outside of Burlington in Colchester, Vt., is Diop’s “favorite place to catch a new movie” and provides the perfect opportunity to unwind.
“You can bring your own snacks … and just hang out,” Diop said. “A summer night at the drive-in was definitely a favorite.”
University of Vermont:
As a college town, Burlington’s energy largely stems from its relationship with the University of Vermont. So to wrap up your trip, a visit to campus may just give you a final taste of the town.
“Especially for college kids, you can always take a peek at UVM,” Gemma Stowell ’27, a native of Lyndon, Vt. said. “I feel like they’re always doing fun events.”
In particular, Diop recommended checking out the Fleming Art Museum, which is “pretty small” and not too pricey, to see UVM’s collection. If you’re missing the thrill of college sports, you could also stop by a soccer, hockey or lacrosse game at the university, Hart said.
UVM’s enthusiasm, though, is not confined to the field. Stevens said that local students bring “a lot of young energy” and liveliness to the town.
According to Stevens, it can be common for places in New England to be relatively subdued, given the frigid winters. Burlington, however, manages to distinguish itself as “a really fun and cool city” with an outdoorsy, active community, she said.
“Burlington always has stuff going on — a lot of live music, a lot of cool shops [and] pretty good restaurants for Vermont,” Stevens said.
Hart echoed this sentiment, while also emphasizing the friendliness of the city, which you “don’t often see” in a college town. According to Hart, “people tend to look out for each other” in Burlington.
Diop agreed, adding that while the population is “crunchy granola” and outdoorsy, the city still maintains its diversity, with “a really nice mix of people” who are “friendly.”
As you leave one college town to visit another, hopefully Burlington not only offers a break from the familiarity of Hanover but also reminds you of the parts of campus you enjoy. Despite the face-freezing winds and academic terms that simultaneously feel like a sprint and a marathon, it’s always easier to appreciate a place after a little time away.
Additional recommendations:
Restaurants and Bars:
- August First
- The Bagel Cafe & Deli
- Burlington Bagel Bakery
- Burlington Bay
- Citizen Cider
- Feldman’s Bagels
- Four Quarters Brewing
- Istanbul Kebab House
- Kountry Kart Deli
- La Boca Wood Fired Pizzeria
- Santiago’s Cuban Cuisine
Shopping:
- Anjou
- Burlington Farmer Market
- Burlington Vintage Market
Entertainment:
- Flynn Center
- Merrill’s Roxy Cinema
Museums:
- ECHO Center
- Shelburne Museum
