Burlington
Burlington is a lakeside city with a walkable downtown, a craft beer scene and Green Mountain day trips in fall.
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Burlington is Vermont's largest city, on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain in the northwest of the state, near the Canadian border. Church Street Marketplace is a car-free street of shops, cafes and restaurants downtown. The waterfront has Waterfront Park and the Burlington Bike Path along the lake, and you can walk, cycle or take a boat out on the water. The city also has a strong craft beer scene, and the University of Vermont sits on a hill above town.
Come for a relaxed stay built around lake time and good food, with the Green Mountains within reach. Late September through mid October is the peak for fall color, so book early for those weeks. Summer brings warm lake days and outdoor time. Two or three days covers the city; add more if you want to drive into the mountains, to Stowe, or north toward Montréal.
Burlington in five
- Book fall foliage rooms earlyColor usually peaks from late September to mid-October, depending on elevation. Reserve rooms months ahead for weekends, or visit on a weekday for lower prices.Eastern USA overview
- Walk Church Street and the waterfrontThe pedestrian marketplace has shops and cafés, and the lakefront bike path runs along Lake Champlain. Allow half a day for both.
- Rent a car for the mountainsBurlington is walkable, but Stowe, the Green Mountains and the ice cream factory in Waterbury are a drive away. Add one day for scenic roads.
- Pair it with Montréal or BostonMontréal is about 2–2.5 hours by car; Boston is about 3.5 hours. Check Canada's entry rules before crossing.Montréal travel guide
- Take the Lake Champlain ferry for viewsFerries run across the lake to New York State in the warmer months. They are scenic and can shorten a drive to the Adirondacks.
Things to do in Burlington
See all attractions in Burlington
Need to know
- Airport
- Burlington International (BTV), about 10 minutes from downtown
- Getting around
- Walk downtown; car for Stowe and the mountains
- Best base
- Downtown near Church Street, or the waterfront
- Time needed
- 1–2 days; 3–4 with Stowe and a scenic loop
- Time zone
- Eastern, UTC−5; UTC−4 in summer
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow13 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh-2°Low-9°Cold, ski seasonJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- -2°
- Low
- -9°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, ski season
- FebruarySnow12 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh0°Low-9°Cold, snowFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- 0°
- Low
- -9°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- MarchCloudy12 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh4°Low-5°Thaw, mudMarchCloudy
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw, mud
- AprilRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh11°Low2°Spring, rainAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 111 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, rain
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Mild, greenMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- JuneRain13 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh23°Low13°Warm, lakeJuneRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 130 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, lake
- JulyRain13 rainy daysHigh26°Low17°Warm, festivalsJulyRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 139 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, festivals
- AugustRain13 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Warm, lake swimsAugustRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 124 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, lake swims
- SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Fall color startsSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall color starts
- OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Peak fall colorOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 136 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak fall color
- NovemberRain13 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh6°Low0°Cool, quietNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- DecemberSnow13 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh1°Low-5°Cold, snowDecemberSnow
Poor
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
Average daily high and low in Burlington, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Burlington
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 13°
- Humidity
- 44%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 3%
Burlington
05:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today19°7°3%Monday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Tue15°12°45%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 15°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Wed21°11°21%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 21%.
- Thu18°14°55%Thursday: Rain. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Fri19°12°55%Friday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Sat12°10°54%Saturday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 54%.
- Sun11°5°37%Sunday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 37%.
Updated 04:40 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Stoweabout 45 minutes by carMountain village, skiing and scenic roads.
- Montréalabout 2–2.5 hours by carA Canadian city for a long day or a night; carry your passport and check entry rules first.Read the guide
- Bostonabout 3.5 hours by carBetter as a stop than a day trip.Read the guide
Before you go to Burlington
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Burlington, checked
- Visitors from visa-waiver countries need an approved ESTA before flying to the US. Check eligibility on the official CBP site (esta.cbp.dhs.gov).Source
- The legal drinking age in Vermont is 21. Bars and liquor stores ask for photo ID, so carry your passport or another photo ID.
- Tipping is customary in restaurants and bars, usually 15 to 20 percent of the bill before tax.
- US power is 120 V at 60 Hz with Type A and B plugs. Bring an adapter if your devices need one.
Plan around Burlington
French-Canadian city, about 2–2.5 hours
Read the guideBoston travel guideThe big city, about 3.5 hours south
Read the guideEastern USA overviewHow the northeast fits together
Read the guideCatskills travel guideMore fall color, in New York state
Read the guideESTA explainedWho needs it and how to apply
Read the guideAll of the USAParks, cities and road trips
Read the guideBurlington FAQ
Is Burlington, Vermont worth visiting?
Yes, especially in fall and summer. It is a small, walkable lake city with a good food and beer scene and an easy base for the Green Mountains.
When is the best time to see fall foliage in Burlington?
Usually late September to mid-October. Higher elevations turn first, and Lake Champlain's valley follows. Plan for a flexible window, because peak dates shift by year.
How many days do you need in Burlington?
One to two days covers the city and lakefront. Add two more if you want Stowe and a loop through the Green Mountains.
How far is Burlington from Montréal?
About 2–2.5 hours by car, depending on border waits. Check Canada's entry rules for your passport and your ESTA status for the return.
Do you need a car in Burlington?
Not for the downtown and waterfront. For Stowe, scenic drives and most mountain sights, yes. Public transport between towns is limited.