You won’t need a car on your first day in Burlington; you can explore this pretty city on Lake Champlain by foot. Or even better—by bicycle. Explore the 8-mile Greenway Bike/Walk path; it crosses through beaches and parks and offers endless views of the shoreline. If you have time, stop at the engaging ECHO Center—which is dedicated to all things science-related regarding Lake Champlain. After this, head to the Church Street Marketplace for lunch—we like Leunig’s Bistro or Church Street Tavern—before shopping away the afternoon looking for bargains. If you happen to be in town on a Saturday, you’ll want to stop by the bustling Burlington Farmers Market, held from late spring through the fall season.
After checking into the 4-Star Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain, take a sunset cruise on the Spirit of Ethan Allen. This 2.5-hour casual trip comes with dinner, and of course, tasty cocktails, and allows you to see the Lake from a whole new perspective.
The next day, pick up a rental car and head seven miles south to the little lakeside town of Shelburne. Allow at least two hours to explore the one-of-a-kind Shelburne Museum, which focuses on folk art, history and design. Ramble around the different buildings scattered across 45 acres, discovering little treasures and unique bits of Americana for yourself.
Fuel up at Rustic Roots, a simple but outstanding eatery featuring all fresh food and home-cured meats. (Don’t miss the popovers.) At Shelburne Farms you can check out the store, walk on 10 miles of trails and learn more about cheesemaking and sustainable farming.
End your getaway with oohs and aahs: take a tour at the world-renowned Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, always
a huge hit for the family.
