72 Hours in Greater Burlington, In and Out of the City
Lakefronts, local bites, and mountain trails
Tucked between the shores of Lake Champlain and the ridgelines of Vermont’s tallest peaks, the Greater Burlington region blends urban energy with easy access to the outdoors. Here, a compact, lakefront city hums with live music, eclectic storefronts, and artisan markets, while surrounding towns invite you to explore off the beaten path.
Across the region, creativity runs deep — in the food, the art, and the sense of community. You’ll taste it in wood-fired bakeries and modern Mediterranean kitchens, and you’ll see it in small galleries and repurposed industrial spaces where artists roll up the garage doors. Whether you’re exploring downtown Burlington or nearby lakefront or mountain towns, this region offers a layered mix of culture, nature, and flavor.
DAY ONE
Explore the city, the Lake, and the Food Scene
Wake up in downtown Burlington where you can explore the city right from your hotel. At Hotel Vermont, boutique rooms are filled with local products like Vermont Flannel robes and Lunaroma bath products. When you’re not savoring the locally sourced eats at the on-site Juniper Bar & Restaurant, Burlington’s thriving locavore scene is just steps away. The grand yet modern Blind Tiger Burlington is another great choice in town, set within a stately brick mansion. Alternatively, The Ellis Inn in Colchester provides intimate lodging just a short drive away while the Shelburne Farms Inn south of town immerses you in 19th-century lakefront charm, with elegant rooms and original furnishings.
Start your morning with coffee and a from-scratch breakfast at August First, or grab a peach ginger fritter with maple glaze at The Grey Jay. Once fueled, head out for a stroll along the Burlington Greenway or explore the pedestrian-friendly Church Street Marketplace — its murals, street performers, and 100-plus shops invite wandering. Art lovers can explore the annual South End Art Hop event in September or Pine Street galleries year-round, while history enthusiasts might visit the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum and Historic Site north of downtown.
For lunch, enjoy a wood-fired Neapolitan pizza at Folino’s — which has several locations, including downtown Burlington, Shelburne, and Williston — or enjoy sandwiches and quiche at Rustic Roots in Shelburne. For a taste of Dominican fusion, grab lunch at Café Mamajuana in Colchester — think cheese curds smothered in fried green plantains and slow-roast gravy and a tall soursop juice. For an introduction to Vermont’s beverage scene, join Savor Vermont on a tour of the region’s standout breweries, cideries, wineries, and distilleries.
In the afternoon, Lake Champlain beckons. Sail with the Community Sailing Center, take a charter with Whistling Man Schooner Co., or bike or walk the Island Line Trail out to Colchester Causeway, with a seasonal ferry linking to the Champlain Islands. For indoor options, check out ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, which sits right on the Burlington shoreline and showcases more than 70 species of aquatic wildlife, hands-on exhibits, and immersive 3D shows.
Shelburne’s cultural gems aren’t to be missed, either. The Shelburne Museum spans 45 acres of art, history, and Americana, while Shelburne Farms has walking trails, cheesemaking demos, and a farm store. Pick your own apples at Shelburne Orchards or sample wines at Shelburne Vineyard.
As evening arrives, settle in for dinner at Frankie’s and enjoy a seafood-forward menu with sustainable wines, local beers, and a cocktail list described as “classic without being stuffy.” In Colchester, The Pickled Perch serves street corn fritters, burgers, and other casual fare. Cap the night with cocktails at Shelburne Fig, crafted with locally sourced ingredients and fresh, hand-juiced fruit. If you want a bit of nostalgia to end your day, hop aboard the seasonally operated Champlain Valley Dinner Train and watch the verdant landscape slip by as you feast on a three-course gourmet dinner in a 1930s dining car.
DAY TWO
Snowflakes, Summits, and a Night at the Essex Experience
Begin your day with a seasonally curated breakfast at the Sinclair Inn Bed & Breakfast, a restored Queen Anne Victorian in Essex Junction, or wake up at the Essex Resort & Spa, where full-service pampering and scenic views will start your day off right. In addition to a complete roster of spa treatments ranging from massages and HydraFacials to Reiki and reflexology, the latter also serves up award-winning restaurants, culinary experiences, and cooking classes to keep you both well fed and highly entertained during your stay.
Fuel up with coffee and light bites at the Firebird Café before heading west to Jericho, a small town with a big legacy. History meets heart at the Old Red Mill National Historic Site, where you’ll see cameras, microscopes, and original images belonging to Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, the Vermont farmer and self-taught meteorologist who first photographed the snowflake in 1885. The pioneer captured more than 5,000 images of snowflakes over his lifetime.
After exploring the Old Red Mill, enjoy a taste of local life around town. Stop by the Jericho Center Country Store for a maple creemee, groceries, and local treats, or pick up freshly made pies at Poorhouse Pies. For a sweet detour, Palmer Lane Maple has a small store with a creemee window and year-round syrup sampling to get a taste of Vermont’s maple tradition. Later, adventure calls from nearby Underhill State Park, with trails leading hikers up Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak. The Sunset Ridge Trail offers a gradual ascent, open ledges, and ongoing views while the Laura Cowles Trail is more direct but also steeper and harder — both rewarding hikes, depending on your preference.
After your hike, stop for lunch at Jericho Café and Tavern, where farm-to-table comfort food is elevated with seasonal ingredients and craft beers. Later, return to Essex to explore The Essex Experience, one of Vermont’s newest centers of entrepreneurship and craft. Housed in a former outlet mall, it features 20-plus independently owned businesses, including ArtHound Gallery, Black Flannel Brewing and Distilling Company, and The Double E, a performance space hosting live music and Vermont’s only large-format theater. The Essex Experience is the perfect place to end the day, browsing local art, sampling craft beverages, or catching a show.
DAY THREE
Peaks, Pedals, and an Evening in Richmond
Wake up slopeside at The Inn at Bolton Valley and fuel up at breakfast for a day of outdoor adventure. In the winter, spend the day skiing or riding at the resort’s 71 alpine trails or heading into its extensive backcountry. When the snow melts, one warm-weather option nearby is to hike up Camel’s Hump from the Burrows Trail in Huntington. This towering peak, one of Vermont’s five over 4,000 feet, rewards hikers with rare alpine tundra, sweeping Green Mountain vistas, and the chance to hike part of the Long Trail, the oldest through-hiking trail in the U.S. Cyclists can take advantage of the region’s extensive gravel roads and trails, weaving between mountains, forests, and farmland.
Grab lunch at Good Times Cafe in Hinesburg, which serves Cajun-inspired dishes, stone-baked pizzas, and house-made sandwiches highlighting local ingredients. (The cafe also has a location in South Burlington.) Afterward, head to the Birds of Vermont Museum — part art museum, part natural history attraction. Over 500 finely detailed wooden birds, crafted by naturalist Bob Spear, populate dioramas of Vermont habitats, while feeders, a treehouse, and a bird blind on the grounds let visitors watch live birds in action.
In the afternoon, check out Sleepy Hollow Inn Ski and Bike Center for mountain biking trails, snowshoeing, or Nordic skiing — complete with illuminated cross-country trails at night. Night skiing at Bolton Valley or Cochran’s Ski Area also adds a magical sunset-to-dark experience on well-lit trails for all ages.
Make your way to Richmond when hunger calls. Admire the town’s 16-sided, 200-plus-year-old Round Church, which once served as a church and community hall, on your way to dinner. Hit up Stone Corral Brewery for craft beers and hearty fare, or head to The Kitchen Table, a bistro that serves brunch on weekends in addition to its seasonal, farm-driven dinner menu. End the night at Stone’s Throw with a cannoli flight, with your choice of three of the sweets featuring flavors combos like orange, pistachio, and chocolate or cherry chocolate.
From downtown wanderings to mountain hikes and lakefront escapes, Greater Burlington blends urban culture with exhilarating outdoor adventure. Come discover Vermont’s inspiring mix of flavors, landscapes, and community.