Things to do in Burlington, Vermont

The sun is shining and the temperatures are rising, which can only mean one thing — summer is on its way!  Excitement fills the air as Burlington comes alive with activity.  This year, make the most of your summer in Vermont!  Whether you are visiting for a week with your family,  planning an extended vacation, or just looking for a new adventure, here are some great things to do in our hometown of Burlington, Vermont.

12 things to do in Burlington this summer:

1.  Visit Vermont's Best Chocolate Brand

Want to know the sweetest way to start your summer?  With chocolate and ice cream!  Visit the Lake Champlain Chocolates Flagship Store to experience the sweet offerings of Vermont’s Best Chocolate Brand! Enjoy free samples, build your own assortment with our wide selection of handcrafted chocolates, or treat yourself to a scoop of our award-winning ice cream. Just make sure you leave plenty of time to stock up on factory seconds!

 2.  Bike the Island Line trail

Grab your bikes enjoy one of the most scenic bike rides in Vermont!  Take in the sights of beautiful Lake Champlain as you cruise the fourteen-mile long bike path known as the Island Line.  (If you are feeling a little more adventuresome you can venture along the Champlain Islands and even take the bike ferry.)

3.  Spend Friday nights at the Truck Stop

A long bike ride can make you work up quite an appetite.  Tantalize your taste buds with a sampling of some of Vermont's finest food trucks.  Head to Artsriot where you'll discover a plethora of food trucks serving everything from eclectic burgers, divine dumplings,  scrumptious Banh Mi and more.  Every Friday, rain or shine.

4.  Peruse the Burlington Farmer’s Market

Searching for the quintessential Vermont weekend activity?  Look no further than Saturday mornings at the Burlington Farmer's Market.  Grab a basket and head to Pine Street to stock up on local fruits, veggies, cheeses, baked goods, and so much more.  It doesn't get any fresher than this.  (We suggest going early to get the best pick.)

5.  Shop the Church Street Marketplace

After you are done perusing the Burlington Farmer's Market, head on over to the Church Street Marketplace.  This open-air marketplace offers something for everyone.  Watch local chocolatiers make hand-dipped chocolate confections, savor a farm-to-table meal at the Farmhouse Tap and Grill, watch a street performance by a local artist, or shop the boutiques for great Vermont-made gifts to bring home to friends.

6.  Catch a Lake Monster's game

No Summer experience would be complete without America's favorite pastime.   Bring the whole family to cheer on Vermont's very own future's league baseball team, the Lake Monsters.  While you are there, join the CHAMP kids club, revel in the festivities that the historic Centennial Field has to offer, and even catch a glimpse of the elusive Champ himself.

7.  Learn at Summervale

Are you interested in learning more about local food?  Then Summervale is the event for you.  Join Slow Food Vermont to learn about taste education.  Get useful kitchen tips and recipes, like how to make your own frozen yogurt and salad dressing, with City Market.  Or get hands-on with the kids as they learn how to plant their own seeds or create their own fruit and veggie stamps.  While you are there, be sure to grab a scoop of our homemade ice cream.  This event runs every Thursday, be sure to check the schedule to find out the weekly activities.

Photo by Sabin Gratz

8. Travel the Cheese Trail

Calling all cheese lovers! Did you know that Vermont is home to more than 50 cheesemakers? Indulge your inner turophile with a trip along the cheese trail. Travel the state and see where some of the best cheeses in the world are made at places like Cabot Cheese, Shelburne Farms, and Vermont Creamery. Add to your cheese adventure by completing the hunt, an interactive scavenger hunt, for a chance to win some great Vermont prizes! You'll also want to mark your calendar for the highly-anticipated Vermont Cheesemakers Festival featuring 30⁺ cheesemakers, food trucks, beer, wine and more!

9. Discover the Echo Center

Sometimes having fun means getting a little wet and messy.  Learn all about the Lake Champlain basin as you explore the family-friendly Echo Center.  Indulge your inquisitive side with the special exhibits, discover the creatures that live in the lake, or get creative with their Science Loves Art activities.

10. Take a Vermont beer tour

Experience Vermont's world-class beer scene.   If you can, try to contain your excitement as you hop aboard the Burlington Brew Tour bus.  Then, sample your way through Vermont's scenic countryside as you venture from Citizen Cider to Zero Gravity to Fiddlehead Brewing Company and any other brewery of your choice.  There are no wrong turns in this choose your own adventure.

11. Try paddleboard polo on Lake Champlain

You've probably heard of paddleboard yoga, but have you heard of paddleboard polo?  It's time to test your skills!  Grab your suits, a board, and some friends to enjoy an active evening on beautiful Lake Champlain playing paddleboard polo.

12. Have a relaxing evening at Shelburne Museum

Delicious food, live music, and the beautiful outdoors — it doesn't get any better than a summer concert at Shelburne Museum!  Unroll that blanket, set up the picnic, and enjoy the sweet concerts on the green as you watch the sunset over Lake Champlain.

Have a great idea for how to enjoy the vibrant Green Mountains this summer?  Share it! #IloveLCC @LCChocolates