How to Spend an Exciting 4 Days in Burlington, VT (Travel Guide + Itinerary)

Do you want to spend 4 days in Burlington, Vermont but don’t know where to start planning? This Burlington Travel Guide is just what you need!

In this vacation planning guide, you’ll get the core information needed to plan a great trip to Burlington. Plus, I’ve included a 4-Day Itinerary for Burlington, VT at the end, in case you just want to print it out and go!

Is the Burlington itinerary flexible? Yep! In fact, if you are feeling a little more independent and want to customize your own itinerary, you can use these tips to inspire your own great adventure.

For a list beyond four days worth of activities, definitely be sure to review my guide covering more of what to do in Burlington Vermont (so you have plenty of exciting options).

Where is Burlington Vermont?

Burlington is the largest city in the state of Vermont and is considered part of New England. The City of Burlington is located right on Lake Champlain, two hours north of Lake George, NY and directly across from New York State’s Adirondack Mountains.

Map of Burlington Vermont

If you’re map obsessed like me and need a visual Burlington Vermont map in order to understand its surroundings, check out the map provided below. Zoom in and out as needed!

What is Burlington, VT known for?

The City of Burlington is known for many things, like its free-spirited community, famous food spots, and proximity to Canada.

• Politically, it is known for Bernie Sanders’ eight-year role as mayor in the ‘80’s, as well as being a liberal city.
• Culturally, the university town is known for its free-spirited, vibrant energy and arts scene.
• Gastronomically, it is the original home of Ben & Jerry’s, a great city for beer, and where you can find plenty of restaurants that honor locally sourced ingredients in their menus (some even nominated for James Beard awards).
• Geographically, it is perfectly situated by upstate New York, on Lake Champlain, and not far from the Canadian Border.

Why is Burlington a great place to vacation?

Being right on the lake is a major plus for visiting the City of Burlington. This expands your activity options significantly, especially during warmer months.

There are many arts and cultural activities, an impressive food scene from locally sourced ingredients, and an obvious appreciation for outdoor well-being. Most of all, the people of Burlington make it feel quite welcoming (even for tourists!)

The Best time to Visit Burlington, VT

The best time to visit Burlington depends on your interests. Burlington is special year-round, but I prefer warmer weather and love all of the activities one can do when the temperatures warm up.

• If you are vacationing for warm weather and festivals, May – September is the best time to visit Burlington.
• If you are a winter sports fan and want to combine nearby slopes with your Burlington itinerary, December – February is a better option.

Is it better to visit Burlington on the weekend or during the week?

With the exception of Monday (I found many things to be closed then), any day is a great day to visit Burlington!

If you want to experience Burlington’s Farmers Market, I recommend ensuring your Burlington itinerary overlaps a Saturday morning. If you want fewer fellow tourists, I definitely recommend overlapping a few weekdays.

How to get to Burlington by Plane

Are there Flights to Burlington Vermont?

If you want to fly to Burlington you are in luck, as there are plenty of affordable flights and airlines flying into Vermont’s most populous city.

For non-stop flights to Burlington, major airlines like Delta, American Airlines, United, and JetBlue offer plenty of options.

Where is the airport (Burlington, Vermont)?

The Burlington Airport is only about a 10-minute drive to Downtown Burlington, so really easy to get to!

Rental cars in Burlington Vermont

You don’t really need a car to get around Burlington, but if you want to see more of the Greater Burlington Area it might be helpful.

Rental cars in Burlington, Vermont can be picked up from the Burlington Airport. There are also car sharing services located downtown.

How to Get to Burlington by Car

Directions to Burlington Vermont

If you have your own car and are planning to make a road trip out of your Burlington getaway, it is pretty straightforward to get there. I-89 runs through Burlington as well as US Route 7 and US Route 2.

How to get to Burlington by train

Does Amtrak go to Burlington

You can now take the Ethan Allen Express directly from NY Penn Station to Burlington Union Station once a day each way. The ride is 7.5 hours.

If you are wondering where to stay in Burlington, I recommend mapping out the things you want to do and choosing accommodations that are central to that area. Despite being a few short blocks from Church Street Marketplace, noise was never an issue during my stay at the Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain.

Hotels in Burlington Vermont

There are only few hotels located in the heart of Downtown Burlington, and the nightly rates reflect that. That said, if budget is an issue, staying closer to the airport or University can expand your options considerably.

I stayed at the Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain and it was a fantastic stay thanks to its free bike perk, beautiful rooms, and proximity to all the “happening” scenes.

Airbnb Burlington Vermont Options

There are no state regulations in Vermont against short-term renters on Airbnb, so the sharing economy is definitely an option if you are looking for an alternative to Burlington hotels.

That said, when I researched Airbnb nightly rates, they were pretty much than same as hotel room rates (unless you were only renting a private room), so you should weigh the pros and cons.

Day 1 in Burlington, VT

I like to explore my bearings on my first day anywhere—far and wide! So I suggest you hop on a bike, and explore the shoreline and all the outdoor recreation Burlington has to offer. After you’ve recharged with lunch, take that exploration to the lake with a cruise.

Here’s the breakdown for day one in Burlington.

Morning:

• Have a delicious breakfast at Kru Coffee. I got the spicy vegetarian egg sandwich on an English muffin and it was delicious. You could also try Penny Cluse if it is open (depends on which days you are in town).
• Bike along the Burlington Greenway bike path along Lake Champlain. If you are staying at the Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain, bikes are free to borrow!

Afternoon:

• You could honestly spend all day biking! There are beaches to explore along the Greenway and other recreational activities.
• Enjoy lunch at Istanbul Kebab House. I recommend splitting a mezze platter and some kebabs!
• If you have extra time, use it to stop by Church Street Marketplace and get your bearings (I like to take mental notes of what I’d like to visit later).

Evening:

• Take a relaxing sunset cruise along Lake Champlain on the Spirit of Ethan Allen. They serve dinner on the Spirit of Ethan Allen cruise if you want to order food (and it is delicious!) You can also just order a picnic charcuterie cheese board and then dessert like I did. Sunset cruises are 2.5 hours and board at 6:00 pm.

Day 2 in Burlington, VT

On day two, I recommend you spend it tasting another breakfast spot’s menu, grab fresh juice to go, and then head over to Shelburne (part of the greater Burlington area) for a museum & wine experience.

Here’s the breakdown for day two in Burlington.

Morning:

• Enjoy breakfast and the amazing blessing that is fresh baked goods at August First. We loved this place so much we came twice during our last visit. I highly recommend the avocado toast with everything seasoning and the “Eat the East” breakfast sandwich (it has maple curry aioli and cumin onion chutney, OMG).
• Grab some fresh cold-pressed juice from The Vermont Juice Co. up the street. I get the Brain Boost or Berry Beetiful!

Afternoon:

• Head down to Shelburne for two amazing activities! The Shelburne Museum and then wine tasting at the Shelburne Vineyard.
• The Shelburne Museum could honestly be a whole day affair; tickets actually are valid for two days because of this. I recommend lots of sun coverage!
• Wine tasting at the Shelburne Vineyard down the road is picturesque and perfect for a couple’s date or friends activity. Be sure to reserve your spot in advance.

Evening:

• Wind down and enjoy dining by the lake with a food truck vibe and locally sourced ingredients at Farmers and Foragers Dockside. The fish tacos were delicious.
• Dessert anyone? Head over to Church Street Marketplace and join the queue of people excitedly waiting for their Ben & Jerry’s ice cream treat!

Day 3 in Burlington, VT

Spend the third day of your Burlington getaway enjoying many of Burlington’s best perks and quirks! I recommend enjoying this day shopping, browsing, and treasure-hunting street murals.

Here’s the breakdown for day three in Burlington.

Morning:

• Did you know you can enjoy breakfast at the acclaimed Hotel Vermont (even without being a hotel guest)? It is a fee-based buffet breakfast at the Juniper but you can enjoy their outdoor patio while you dine.

Afternoon:

• Explore downtown Burlington and beyond! Shop for chocolate gifts at Lake Champlain Chocolates, try out natural wines at BIPOC-owned wine shop Wilder Wines, and don’t hesitate to strike a pose along Church Street Marketplace.

Evening:

• Experience Burlington’s beautiful sunset on Lake Champlain with dinner and drinks at Spot on the Dock. The cocktails are fun and creative, and the crowd really fills in the dockside lounge area.

Day 4 in Burlington, VT

Your last full day in Burlington deserves a bit of a hike with all that culinary goodness. Visit the states first State Park, a local eatery in North Burlington, and a brewery in South End. Thanks to Burlington’s quaint size, it isn’t as far away from each other as it sounds. 🙂

Here’s the breakdown for day four in Burlington.

Morning:

• Go hiking in Mt. Philo State Park and climb the mountain’s near 1,000-foot summit for picnic opportunities and epic views of the Adirondacks hovering over a glittering Lake Champlain under the sun.

Afternoon:

• Do not miss adding Cafe Mamajuana to your list of foodie musts! This amazing woman-owned restaurant opens at 4:00 pm until the food runs out so plan accordingly! The perfect lunch spot for Afro-Dominican food (as an Afro-Boricua, I approve of their pastelillos and maduros)

Evening:

• Relax and kick back at Zero Gravity and The Great Northern for delicious food and brews! If you want to keep the night going, be sure to catch some live music at Red Square on Church Street Marketplace.

Have an extra day in Burlington? There’s tons more you can do!

I recommend enjoying the arts scene in South End, indulging in gastronomic bliss at Hong’s Chinese Dumplings, and trying your darndest to get a reservation at James Beard nods, Honey Road and Hen of the Wood.

→ LEARN MORE: Find more amazing things to do in Burlington, Vermont year-round at HelloBurlingtonVT.com and @HelloBurlington.

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