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Burlington is a northern Vermont community hugging the Lake Champlain shore. Despite a population of just 42,585, “The Queen City” is the most populous place in the state. Residents and visitors alike enjoy the small town vibe and strong sense of community. You may know Burlington as the home of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, founded in a renovated gas station in 1978.
Why is Burlington, VT, Such a Great Travel Destination?
Burlington is less than 50 miles from the U.S. and Canadian border. The combined allure of Lake Champlain and the mountains is intoxicating. Springtime delivers streams and rivers running clear with fresh snowmelt. In the summer, there are many watersports to enjoy. Come October, splashes of color paint the countryside. The tree sap flows, and maple syrup is the result. In the winter, area resorts like Stowe Mountain and Smuggler’s Notch are magnets for skiers.
Top Restaurants in Burlington, VT
Vermont ranks first among the states for local food availability. Farm-to-table fare is a given at many Burlington restaurants. Farm-to-school is common as well. During the summer and the fall, farmers markets do a brisk business. In the winter, the cozy confines of the city’s restaurants attract skiers heading to and from area resorts. Home-grown fare inspires talented chefs in Burlington. Conclude your dining experience with a craft cocktail or a locally brewed beer.
Bistro de Margot
126 College Street
Diners enjoy classic French cuisine at Bistro de Margot. Modern, trending decor contributes to a welcoming ambiance. The chef makes every effort to source vegetables from local farmers. Choose from multiple seafood dishes. One is mussels steamed in white wine and garlic. Another is roast loin of monkfish with carrot mousseline and caramelized braised endives. Chicken and steak entrées appear as well, along with gluten-free and vegetarian entrées.
Hen of the Wood
55 Cherry Street
Hen of the Wood is known for its artfully prepared farm-to-table cuisine. Delight in creations by chef de cuisine Jordan Ware, a James Beard semi-finalist. Consider the rabbit leg with buttered celery root, parsnips and cranberries. Mushroom toast with house bacon and poached farm egg is delectable. Capable bartenders serve creative craft cocktails and locally sourced beer and wine.
Juniper
41 Cherry Street
At Juniper, locally sourced cuisine includes Lake Champlain perch. It is fried and served with shallots, frisée, malt vinegar and hazelnut oil. One chicken entrée includes Fresno chili, baby greens and grains, maple ginger and cherry-toasted almond vinaigrette.
The drinks menu is very Vermont-centric. Choose from locally crafted beer, cider and spirits. Juniper even has its very own lines of bourbon, vodka and gin. In the summer, ease back into an Adirondack chair by the fire pit while you savor a Lake Champaign sunset.
Honey Road
156 Church Street
Cara Chigazola Tobin is Honey Road’s executive chef and owner. Previously, she was chef de cuisine at the award-winning Oleana in Boston. Consider delectable dishes like Duck and Fig Lamejan and Winter Citrus & Beet Fattoush. Family-style offerings include chicken wings with sweet harissa sauce and fuchsia-hued muhammara. Consider one of the big boat-shaped flatbreads stuffed with either cheese and meat or vegetables. Thinking about a late night snack? Many menu items will transport well back to your hotel room.
Best Burlington, VT, Hotels
Many of Burlington’s best hotels are within a quarter-mile of Lake Champlain. Downtown accommodations offer easy access to many of the city’s attractions. Select one as a home base for day trips into the countryside.
Here are our recommended Burlington, VT, hotels.
Hotel Vermont
41 Cherry Street
The 125-room Hotel Vermont offers some of Burlington’s most stylish lodging. Two outdoor terraces deliver gorgeous Lake Champlain views. Popular amenities include concierge services, a fitness center and bike rentals. Guests are walking distance from Waterfront Park, Battery Park and the Church Street Marketplace. Ben and Jerry’s flagship store is also nearby. The University of Vermont is less than a mile to the east.
Hilton Garden Inn
101 Main Street
Guests at the Hilton Garden Inn enjoy access to valet parking, an indoor pool and a fitness center. The hotel is minutes from City Hall Park and the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts. Shop at the nearby Church Street Marketplace. The hotel’s Mirror Mirror spa offers Swedish massages and facials. Enjoy a meal at the hotel’s Armory Grille.
Courtyard by Marriott Burlington Harbor
25 Cherry Street
Courtyard by Marriott Burlington Harbor is ideally located in downtown Burlington. The hotel offers spacious, modern rooms. Amenities include an indoor pool, spa tub and 24-hour fitness center. Dine at Bleu Northeast Seafood, the onsite restaurant. Courtyard by Marriott is steps from both Waterfront Park and Battery Park. It is a five-minute walk to the shopping on Church Street. It is also close to the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts.
Hilton Burlington
60 Battery Street
The 258-room Hilton Burlington offers upscale accommodations at a convenient central location. Guests enjoy popular amenities including a pool and fitness center. Take advantage of the onsite bike rental, then explore the 14-mile Burlington Bike Path along the lake. The Hilton is near Waterfront Park, Battery Park and the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts. The Church Street Marketplace is a five-minute walk away.
Plan Your Burlington, VT, Getaway Today
Guest Reservations is an independent travel network offering more than 100,000 hotels around the world. Choose from our recommended hotels above, or browse all our hotels in Burlington, VT.