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10 Things to Do in Burlington, VT for First Time Visitors

Burlington is one of the biggest cities in Vermont and a regional college town. This beautiful and diverse city is surrounded by stunning countryside and is a huge attraction for tourists who want to combine urban and rural activities during their vacation. It is famous for its history, architecture, culture, and art, so many activities within the city revolve around these areas of interest. However, there are activities to suit all tastes in this wonderful city. If this is a city you are planning to visit for the first time, you should try to include the following in your stay.

1. Stay in a Lakeside Hotel

There is a good selection of hotels from which you can choose when you visit Burlington, Vermont. As the city is located next to Lake Champlain, it makes sense to stay in a hotel that is close to the Lake so you can take advantage of the many activities that are taking place nearby and so that you can experience views of the lake when you wake each morning.

2. Eat Out in the Local Restaurants

Burlington has an excellent food scene with a vast choice of different places to eat that accommodate for all budgets and culinary preferences. Some of the top restaurants to try while you are in this area include Hen of the Wood, Bistro de Margot, Pizzeria Verita, and Zabby & Elf’s Stone Soup. There are many restaurants with a farm-to-table ethos and a specialty dish in the area is corn chowder, so you might like to give this a try.

3. Visit the Museums

One of the highlights of a trip to Burlington is visiting the museums as this city has a rich history and the museums are the ideal place to learn about this. Some of the top museums to try to visit during your first time in Burlington are the Robert Hull Fleming Museum, the Perkins Geology Museum, and the Heritage Winooski Mill Museum.

4. Spend Time in the Parks

Throughout the city and the surrounding area, there are many parks for you to enjoy during your stay. These are fantastic places to visit if you enjoy spending time outdoors and each has something different to offer. Some of the best parks in the area include Farrell Park, Schifilliti Park, Roosevelt Park, Red Rocks Park, and Centennial Woods Natural Area.

5. Take a Boat Trip to Juniper Island

Juniper Island is a small 13-acre island in Lake Champlain and is accessed by boat. Both the boat ride and the visit to the island are a popular attraction for tourists. One of the main points of interest on the island is the Juniper Island lighthouse.

6. Go to the Aquarium

A fun activity for all the family is a trip to the local aquarium. A trip to ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is an educational and interactive experience that allows visitors to learn about the underwater life at the lake and has many species of fish and aquatic creatures. This is an activity that is suitable for people of all ages and is ideal for a family day out.

7. Enjoy Some Retail Therapy

If you are a fan of shopping, then Burlington is a great city to visit as there are plenty of shops to enjoy some retail therapy. Shopping options range from arts and crafts centers to markets and from large malls to small boutiques.

8. See the Landmarks

Burlington, Vermont, is a city that is famous for its history and architecture. Therefore, there are many landmarks which are worth seeing during a visit. Some of the top landmarks to see include Grand Isle Lake House, Perkins Pier, Samuel de Champlain Statue, and Ethan Allen Homestead.

9. Watch a Performance

One of the best things to do in the evening is to watch a performance in one of the city’s theaters. These include the Flynn Center for Performing Arts, the Vermont Comedy Club, and Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center. These have a jam-packed schedule throughout the year.

10. Enjoy the Nightlife

Although many of the attractions are for enjoyment during the day, Burlington is a hive of activity at night, so the fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. There are numerous bars and pubs where you can have fun and some have live entertainment.

Garrett Parker

Written by Garrett Parker

Garrett by trade is a personal finance freelance writer and journalist. With over 10 years experience he's covered businesses, CEOs, and investments. However he does like to take on other topics involving some of his personal interests like automobiles, future technologies, and anything else that could change the world.

Read more posts by Garrett Parker

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