Burlington, VT Summary

photo by gusto

Burlington is 38 miles northwest of Montpelier via I-89, in the northwest of the state. It was founded in 1763. Burlington is the largest city in Vermont, with a population of 54,339, with an additional 20,000 students during the school year, for Burlington is home to the University of Vermont. It is also the birthplace of the American philosopher John Dewey and was home to the Revolutionary War hero, Ethan Allen.

In the past 25 years, Burlington has become a much more cosmopolitan city. This is reflected in the variety of restaurants and shops available. Church Street Marketplace downtown is a good place to enjoy a cappuccino at a sidewalk cafè, and watch the passing parade, or look in a boutique window, or browse in a craft gallery. There are 165 shops, cafès, and restaurants in the marketplace.

Today there are many new hightech firms within commuting distance of Burlington, and university graduates have the possibility of finding a challenging job locally and staying permanently in the area. Since more people are moving here from around the country, the population is becoming much more diversified.

The shoreline around Lake Champlain has recently been cleaned up and transformed. Waterfront Park’s 11 acres includes picnic areas and a 9-mile cycle way. The park is often used for weekend festivals and fireworks displays. Concerts are held here on Thursday evenings in summer, a perfect time to see the stunning sunsets over the lake.

The Lake Champlain Aquarium (open May to September) and the Lake Champlain Basin Science Center are ideal for families. The Community Boathouse is a floating barge complete with a restaurant. Visitors can rent rowboats, sailboats, and rowing shells. There is scuba diving too, with three fascinating wrecks nearby to explore. Ice fishing is popular on the lake once winter has settled in and the ice is thick.

The Burlington music scene is vital and dynamic with jazz, rhythm-and-blues, rock, and folk music in bars and clubs around town. Locals have had the chance to see many more performers than are seen in other cities of similar size. Burlington is between Boston and Montreal and it was often a stopping-off point for large bands on tour. This exposure fuels the local music industry.

Not so far from Burlington — a 45- to 60-minute drive — is Smuggler’s Notch ski resort. It has trails for skiers of all levels, and is particularly known for its programs for families. The first triple black diamond run (the most difficult) in the east was named here in 1996. At the Family Snowmaking Learning Center, you can see how fake snow is made, and exhibits here explore such subjects as snow crystals and the weather.

Shelburne Museum, a short drive south of Burlington, has 35 buildings of historic significance, which have been moved here and scattered over 100 acres. There is a blacksmith, lighthouse and private homes, from stately to small. Visitors can see candles and quilts being made. There is also a steam-powered side-wheeler boat and a collection of 200 carriages.

Burlington has an international airport, and trains and buses service the area.