One Day In Burlington, Vermont

Vermont is the U.S. state I love most. I grew up there, so I’m 100% biased, but I do think it’s special. Something about how the light hits the friendly green mountains, its obsession with maple products, or the enchanting sound of loons calling out on the not-overly-developed lakes. It strikes an ideal balance of rural beauty and also progressive politics.

Burlington’s famous Church Street Marketplace

For a state where 61% of the residents are defined as living in “rural areas” (#2 most rural in the USA!), Vermont surprisingly has a long history of its citizens embracing liberal ideals and political movements. Think Bernie Sanders, same-sex civil unions, and Ben & Jerry’s. I call it changing with the times and caring for one another.

Burlington, the largest city, represents Vermont well with the popular University of Vermont up on the hilltop and walkable streets slanting down toward a grand, spiffed-up urban waterfront. Not to mention one of the best views of the Adirondack mountain range on earth. Burlington also has a phenomenal beer and cider scene, comedy, music, and arts galore. If you haven’t been to Vermont, or aren’t the type to embrace rural adventure, Burlington is the perfect place to get your feet wet in Vermont culture.

MORNING:

A perfect Burlington day begins with a hardy breakfast at Penny Cluse Cafe. Go early to avoid the crowds and experience serious quality eats in the form of pancakes, eggs, breakfast burritos, and coffee. Next, walk the entire of the Church Street Marketplace. This pedestrian street stretches through the center of town, and has created a sense of vibrant activity downtown, with many bars and restaurants spilling out onto the bricked street.

LATE MORNING:

I recommend that if you have just one day in Burlington and want to experience a touch of the history and rural beauty of the state, head just one town south to Shelburne, Vermont. Shelburne is home to many attractions like Shelburne Farms, Shelburne Museum, and Vermont Teddy Bear Company. Depending on your mood or company, choose one spot and spend at least a couple hours exploring. The Shelburne Museum hosts a collection of relocated historic Vermont buildings, vintage carriages, trains, artwork, and even a gigantic ship on it’s sprawling grounds. The Shelburne Farms is a huge estate (previously a vacation home to the Vanderbilt / Webb family) and currently provides wagon rides, cheese tasting, and other cultural events throughout the year. Finally, Vermont Teddy Bear is the producer of some of the highest quality hand-crafted teddy bears in the USA.

LUNCH:

Quality food is scattered all over downtown Burlington, but my favorite lunches are casual and just outside of town. Grab a Neapolitan-style pizza at Folino's in Shelburne, which miraculously shares a building with the Fiddlehead Brewery; two delish Vermont gems in one place! Alternatively, head to the or Al's French Frys in South Burlington for burgers, fries, and milkshakes; a Vermont classic since 1946.

AFTERNOON:

Head back into downtown Burlington and explore more nooks and crannies of Church Street Marketplace and the quirky side streets. Shop some local crafts and pottery at the Frog Hollow Crafts Gallery or the Bennington Potters North store, selling iconic Vermont pottery since 1793!

If you’re into Antiques, there’s a large center a short walk south from downtown called Barge Canal Market. Across the street from Barge, there’s one of the best wine shops in New England, Dedalus. If you have room before dinner and don’t get caught up in a wine tasting, I recommend indulging in a soft serve ice cream, called a “creemee” in Vermont. The best creemee is, of course, the maple variety and can be found right on the Burlington waterfront at either Burlington Bay Cafe or Ice Cream Bob’s.

Ice Cream Bob’s in Vermont takes maple creemees (aka: soft serve ice cream) very seriously

EVENING:

Before dinner, you will still be full from the maple creemee and all the amazing food from the day, so work it off by taking a stroll along the waterfront. Burlington waterfront is gorgeous and includes miles of trails alongside Lake Champlain, public beaches, a skating park, a science museum, a boardwalk with swings, and other surprises.

Conveniently, one of my favorite breweries is also located on the waterfront: Foam. This place can be busy later in the evening with live performances, so if you want a more low-key experience tasting fantastic local beer, then show up before dinner and sample one or two specialty beers on either their front or back terraces. They also serve plates of fine cheeses and charcuterie.

Finally, dinner on the town. You’ll want to make reservations well in advance at Hen of the Wood, one of the best restaurants in the entire state. It’s a short walk from the Burlington Waterfront and is decidedly upscale. Typically, when I go to Vermont, I like to indulge in casual breweries, diners, and dives. However, Hen of the Wood is worth splurging for. Second runner up for best dinner in Burlington goes to an old favorite, American Flatbread for pizza. There’s no reservation here, but you can put your name in and head straight to the bar in the entryway for some local beer while you wait.