A Perfect Weekend in Burlington, Vermont
Vermont’s cultural center mixes urban flair with outdoor appeal. Like much of Vermont, Burlington is both a place and a lifestyle. Urban and outdoors, earthy and upscale, local and international. Located on the widest portion of Lake Champlain, with views of the neighboring Adirondack Mountains, this metropolis on the water packs big city perks […]
Vermont’s cultural center mixes urban flair with outdoor appeal.
Photo Credit : Bill Bachmann/Age Fotostock/Superstock
Where to Eat
The Farm House Tap & Grill An upscale, cheerful (and sometimes boisterous) spot, this downtown restaurant showcases local food, homemade charcuterie, and an abundance of beers and cheeses. Burgers are a standout. Entrees: from $15.95. 160 Bank St. 802-859-0888; farmhousetg.com
Al’s French Frys South Burlington It’s really all about the spuds at Al’s—freshly cut, quickly blanched, and double-fried. A local institution since the late 1940s, Al’s was named one of “America’s Classics” by the James Beard Foundation. Fries and sandwiches: from $1.70. 1251 Williston Road. 802-862-9203; alsfrenchfrys.com
Skinny Pancake South Burlington With savory crêpes featuring local apples and Cabot cheese, or sweet ones such as the “Choco-Monkey” (Nutella and banana slices), Skinny Pancake suits most tastes. Elaborate dinner crêpes (such as Thai veggies and noodles) are available Thursday through Saturday evenings; brunch crêpes on weekends. Crêpes: from $4.50. 60 Lake St. 802-540-0188; skinnypancake.com
Splash at the Boathouse To end the day or start the evening, order a drink and an appetizer and watch the sun set over Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks at the Queen City’s only floating waterfront restaurant. Order a couple of the house-special “Rock the Docks” cocktails and you might even see the Caribbean-green flash. Entrées: from $10.95. College St. 802-658-2244; splashattheboathouse.com
Where to Stay
Hotel Vermont This downtown destination offers bright, modern accommodations without boutique minimalism. Vermont wood and stonework are everywhere, and locally sourced ingredients are the rule at Juniper restaurant. A satellite location of the award-winning Hen of the Wood is also a dining option. Rates: from $269. 41 Cherry St. 802-651-0080; hotelvt.com
Made Inn Vermont Luxe B&B or micro-hotel? Burlington’s newest inn blends 19th- and 20th-century styles—including for-sale Vermont artworks—in a classic, cupola-topped Victorian mansion. Enjoy gel-topped mattresses, in-room fridges stocked with local delicacies, a sauna, and an outdoor hot tub. Beer and wine are available. Rates: from $225. 204 South Willard St. 802-399-2788; madeinnvermont.com
What to Do
The Flying Pig Bookstore While not in Burlington city limits, this award-winning shop in nearby Shelburne, owned by former teachers, is a worth a visit. Featuring more than 40,000 titles and knowledgeable staffers who have seemingly read every single one, the shop makes its home in the former Shelburne Inn. 5247 Shelburne Road. 802-985-3999; flyingpigbooks.com
Queen City Ghost Walk Get a jump on the spooky season by joining actor/author Thea Lewis, who offers several different nighttime tours that highlight the area’s haunted past, including a visit to UVM (“one of the most haunted campuses in the country”), a spine-tingling stroll through Lakeview Cemetery, and “Darkness Falls,” a ghostly tour of downtown Burlington. 802- 351-1313; queencityghostwalk.com
Echo Lake Aquarium & Science Center Burlington America’s “Sixth Great Lake” and environs are the focus of this waterfront resource, where visitors come face to face with Champlain’s denizens. Learn about the area’s ecological history, shipwrecks, and of course the legendary monster, “Champ.” (Echo stands for Ecology, Culture, History, and Opportunity.) 1 College St. 802-864-1848; echovermont.org
BTV Flea Burlington The city’s burgeoning South End Arts District hosts a bustling flea market on the third Sunday of each month from May through October, featuring antiques, handicrafts, artwork, brewery tours and tastings, and lots of food. 180 Flynn Ave. 802-488-5766; vintageinspired.net
Burlington & Colchester Bike Paths Cyclists skirt the city shoreline, cross the Winooski River, and connect with suburban Colchester’s own bike trail. The fun really begins as the route heads out onto Lake Champlain along a 3½-mile former railroad causeway. A seasonal bike ferry links with scenic roads threading the Champlain Islands. 802-864-0123; enjoyburlington.com/parks/bikepath1.cfm (Burlington Dept. of Parks & Recreation). 802-861-2700; localmotion.org (ferry information and bike rentals)
