People enjoy Church street in Burlington, Vermont. (Photo by: Education Images/UIG via Getty Images)

UIG via Getty Images

Church Street Marketplace

Top choice in Burlington


Burlington's pulse can often be taken along this four-block pedestrian zone running from Pearl to Main Sts. When the weather's good, buskers (licensed by the town), food and craft vendors, soapbox demagogues, restless students, curious tourists and kids climbing on rocks mingle in a vibrant human parade.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Burlington attractions

1. Burlington City Arts Center

0.11 MILES

Under the auspices of Burlington City Arts, the BCA Center is an exciting locus for art exhibits, classes and discussions. Ongoing open studios involve…

2. Union Station

0.38 MILES

Burlington's former railway station (converted to office space in the 1950s) is a prominent landmark at the foot of Main St near the lakeshore.

3. Echo Leahy Center for Lake Champlain

0.43 MILES

This kid-friendly lakeside museum examines the colorful past, present and future of Lake Champlain. A multitude of aquariums wriggle with life, and nature…

4. Waterfront

0.45 MILES

A five-minute walk from downtown, Burlington's delightfully uncommercialized waterfront features a scenic, low-key promenade, a 7.5-mile bike path, a pier…

5. University of Vermont Fleming Museum

0.72 MILES

A mile east of City Hall Park, on the verdant campus of UVM (New England's fifth-oldest university, chartered in 1791), this museum has an international…

6. Intervale Center

1.09 MILES

You'd never guess it standing on a busy Burlington street corner, but one of Vermont's most idyllic green spaces is less than 2 miles from downtown…

7. Ethan Allen Homestead

2.27 MILES

American Revolution hero Ethan Allen lived in this 18th-century colonial homestead, 1 mile north of Burlington on VT 127. Be sure to take the guided tour …

8. Magic Hat Brewery

3.41 MILES

Drink in the history of one of Vermont's most dynamic microbreweries on the fun, free, self-guided 'Artifactory' Tour (once you see the whimsical labels,…