My visit to Burlington one early fall took me by surprise. I’d say this is definitely my favorite city in New England outside of Boston. Burlington is a small city, but it’s still the largest in Vermont and has enough going on to feel lively without being overwhelming. Being only a couple of hours south of Montreal, there’s also some noticeable French Canadian influence. You’ll occasionally hear French spoken around town and even pick up French-language radio stations. Burlington is also known for its cold winters, while summer and early fall can bring some of the nicest weather in the region.
Church Street Marketplace
The busiest and liveliest part of the city is Church Street Marketplace in downtown Burlington. The pedestrian street is lined with restaurants, cafes, local shops, and plenty of places to sit outside when the weather is nice.
Street performers are common here, especially on weekends. The entertainer above had drawn such a large crowd that I couldn’t even see what was going on from where I was standing.
Around Burlington
Outside the main commercial area, Burlington has plenty of older homes and quiet residential streets. Above is one of the larger houses I came across while walking through the city.
Here’s another view from one of the neighborhoods close to downtown. The combination of small-scale residential streets and a compact city center is part of what gives Burlington such an easygoing feel.
Above is a commercial building almost completely covered in ivy. Scenes like this added to Burlington’s character and made parts of the city feel much greener than I expected.
Burlington also has a strong environmental culture. I came across this restaurant promoting its use of sustainable materials and environmentally friendly design. That attitude seemed pretty common in Vermont, where I met plenty of people who were very conscious about energy use, transportation, and environmental impact.
Lake Champlain
What really makes Burlington such a great city is Lake Champlain. The lake sits between Vermont and New York and stretches north toward Quebec. It’s large enough for sailing, fishing, boating, and plenty of other water activities, while also giving Burlington a beautiful waterfront setting.
Above is another view of the marina. During the warmer months the waterfront is full of boats, and it’s one of the best places in the city to walk around and enjoy the lake.
Battle of Lake Champlain
With most of my high school history lessons long forgotten, it wasn’t until I visited Burlington that I learned more about the Battle of Plattsburgh, also known as the Battle of Lake Champlain. The battle took place during the War of 1812 and ended in a major American victory that stopped a British invasion from Canada. Above is a historical marker describing the battle.
Near the waterfront I also found this sailor memorial, another reminder of how important Lake Champlain has been throughout the region’s history.
More of the Waterfront
Above is a gull that seemed to hover almost motionless above me in the strong wind coming off the lake.
Ferries are also an important part of getting across Lake Champlain. There are no bridges spanning the main central portions of the lake, so ferry services carry vehicles and passengers between Vermont and New York.
Above is one of the many sailboats I saw on the lake. With the surrounding mountains and wide-open water, Lake Champlain is an ideal setting for sailing.
The waterfront also has plenty of places to eat. Above is a seafood restaurant called Shanty that I passed while walking around the harbor area.
Above is a large flock of geese flying over the lake. Their formation was a little less organized than the classic V-shape you usually expect to see.
One of my favorite things about Burlington is that the view across Lake Champlain ends with the mountains of New York in the distance. The Adirondacks form a dramatic backdrop across the water and make the waterfront feel much more scenic than you’d expect from such a small city.
Burlington is the kind of place that surprised me because I hadn’t expected much before arriving. Between Church Street Marketplace, the neighborhoods, Lake Champlain, and the surrounding mountain scenery, it easily became one of my favorite stops in New England.
