How to spend a great winter getaway in Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is the perfect winter getaway. Embrace the enchanting winter wonderland of Burlington, Vermont, as we embark on a journey through this picturesque New England gem.
The Green Mountain state is full of charms all year round. If you are looking to relax by the lake in summer, looking for a beautiful hiking path to admire the fall colours or if you are a ski fanatic or a foodie & beer lover, this getaway is for you! The local scene plays a big part in its appeal. The state has taken pride and value in producing and positioning its products on the national scene.
While I have been going to Vermont for the past few years (around 7 years), it is just now, that I have decided to tell you about why Vermont is a great winter vacation. But more specifically, why Burlington Vermont is the best winter getaway.
Why? Because it has everything to love in the snow: a charming town that looks like a postcard? Check. A food and beer scene that will please your taste buds, check. Winter activities for every level? Check!
Vermont is one of the states that border the US with Quebec and is located only 2h south of Montreal. Burlington is one of my favourite getaways from Montreal.
If you are visiting Burlington in the winter and don’t know where to start, I have the blog for you! This article has everything for you to start planning your next trip.
Discover Burlington
Vermont is the second least populous state in the US, the small villages are scattered throughout the territory; even its biggest city, Burlington is only 42,000 inhabitants.
The city is a classic New England small-town and the main action is around Church Street. The old colonial buildings with red bricks and cobblestone streets are part of its landmark. The city is set to overlook Champlain Lake which offers great views of the sunsets.
Located downtown, the Vermont University is the heart of the town. The city has a vibe of a college town mixed with a local feeling led by the local food and drink scene. The main streets are filled with very diverse stores you can go from fancy fashion boutiques to thrift stores, old vinyl, outdoor sports, and made-in Vermont products with some hippie-style stores scattered throughout. You can also catch the few murals and graffiti the city has scattered around.
To warm up from the cold, I have a few options for you! Church Street Marketplace is a popular shopping mall. In downtown Burlington on Church Street, you have the Firehouse Gallery with many exhibits. In terms of museums, you have a few options, these are the perfect indoor activities. Shelburne Museum features the world’s largest collection of American folk art, their functioning antique carousel is one of the highlights along with their full-sized steamship. Down by the Lake Champlain waterfront, you will find the ECHO at Leahy Center, the science museum. The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum preserves the cultural and natural heritage of the Lake Champlain region. Another museum is the Fleming Museum of Art at Vermont University.
If you want to catch a show, you should go to the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts. This is an iconic theatre that hosts a variety of live performances year-round. The building is nearly a century old. The types of shows range from classical music to dance groups to comedy shows. Higher Ground is a popular option if you like live music. Vermont Comedy Club in downtown Burlington is the perfect place to laugh all night.
The Burlington Greenway is an eight-mile paved biking and hiking path that runs along the lake.
The city hosts a few events like the Vermont Penguin Plunge. The event participants raise money for the Special Olympics, run and plunge into Lake Champlain in the freezing winter. The Winter Lights during the holiday season is another great event to attend during your visit. The BTV Winter Market is the Christmas market and it is the perfect place to do Christmas shopping. Finally, Great Ice, is a 3-day event with plenty of winter fun for everyone in the family.
Burlington is a great starting point for your winter Vermont adventure since some of the best ski and winter resorts are only 1 hour away.
WHERE TO EAT & drink in Burlington
One of my favourite things about the food scene in Vermont is that nearly everything is locally sourced. Most of the restaurants will tell you which local farm they do work with, everything from the veggies to cheese. This farm-to-table emphasis makes the state have truly unique local flavours. So where to eat and drink?
My favourite restaurant is Hen of the Wood. A Sophisticated yet simple farm-to-table dining. Their menu changes constantly with seasons along with their chef's inspiration. The service and the food were great. I like the fact that the portions were generous yet small enough to be shared among 2 or a group of friends.
American Flatbread is a super popular handmade pizza. It has locations in other Vermont and Massachusetts towns. The pizzas are deliciously baked in a wood fire with local ingredients and they also offer gluten-free and vegan cheese options. Their pizzas come in 2 sizes and you can order them to go or to split in 2 to try different toppings.
Another great brunch place is Mirabelles. Here the portions are also large. This is a very popular spot and they don’t do reservations so be sure to count some extra time to wait in line or to arrive early.
Don’t forget to stop for Ice Cream at the Ben & Jerry’s flagship counter. The famous ice cream parlour was created in the city. You can also visit the factory in Waterbury (around a 30-minute drive from Burlington).
At the end of Church Street near the waterfront, you will find pubs and restaurants. Almost all bars serve the Vermont breweries and ciders. There are more than 50 breweries in the state and Burlington is the central hub. If you are looking to sample some of the best beers that Vermont has to offer, you can go to The Vermont Pub & Brewery.
Light Club Lamp Shop and Radio Bean are probably the coolest bars in town. These 2 bars are interconnected with a restaurant in the middle, so you can go freely between the 3 establishments. They have a speakeasy-style lounge with live music. The lamp shop has an eclectic collection of lamps adorning the ceiling. The night that we went, they showcased a GREAT musician, one of the best performances that I’ve seen in a while.
Devil Takes a Holiday, I love cocktails and I have been to some of the world's 50 best bars and I think that the cocktails here should be on that list or at least, on everyone’s list. The ambience is fun and offers an extensive list of sinful cocktails to delight your palate. I took the Can’t Elope with cantaloupe, gin and mint.
CO Cellars was in the Times “Greatest Places 2019”. Naturally seeing this bar on the list, I wanted to visit but I was beyond disappointed. I still don’t understand why this place is on the list, it was empty (we were the only ones on a Saturday night), and it offered the ciders that you can find elsewhere. Maybe it was bad timing, who knows?
The brewery Zero Gravity is also very popular.
Enjoy Winter activities
Instead of hating winter like I have been doing for the last decade, I have decided to embrace it a little more (you can see it in my latest winter articles). I’m doing baby steps. While I don’t ski or snowboard due to a knee injury, but I can tell you that Vermont has 20 alpine ski resorts. The Vermont winter transforms the landscape into a great ski haven, The most well-known mountains are Sugarbush, Smuggler’s Notch Resort, Mad River Glen, Jay Peak Resort, Bolton Valley and Stowe. If I were a skier, this would probably be paradise.
If you like to snowshoe, I would suggest finding a Vermont State Park that meets your itinerary. There are 30 cross-country touring centers and 7,300 acres of alpine terrain. You can also try snowmobiling if you are into adrenaline. Since I don’t ski, I like to snowshoe and of course, my favourite activity is wandering outside and then seeking a warm refuge in a restaurant or a bar.
The state also offers winter festivals and events to get you playing outside, here is the list.
Burlington has 3 places to do ice skating. The city has two community ice skating rinks: Calahan Park Community Rink and Lakeside Skating Rink. The third option is Arthur Park, where you can skate on the lake with views of the Sea Caves. If you are doing this last option please be sure to check if the ice is thick enough.
Go beyond Burlington
Beer hoping
Vermont has the most breweries & brewpubs per capita in the US as it has more than 50 breweries and 16 micro-distilleries and numerous cider houses & wineries. As the state motto, everything is handcrafted, and locally grown with the highest quality standards. Why not discover the state by sampling their finest products by getting in the car and driving around? The distilleries, breweries & wines have their own association and offer tours & passports to guide you through your travels.
Here are my favourite selections, for now: Otter Creek Brewery, Fiddle Head Brewing Company, Hermit Thrush Brewery and Long Trail have great craft beer selections. Stone Cutter Spirits- cool cocktail bar & tasting room with the nice decoration of an industrial environment with pops of yellow. Their Gin is amazing! Stowe Cider has cider and other apple-related products to eat and drink, they are delicious!
Please be mindful to not drink and drive to plan your trip well.
Stowe
Stowe is the quintessential winter destination. It is a mix of old-fashion and chic resort lifestyles. Stroll down Main Street, go skiing or go to the spa at the mountain village. The Trapp Family Lodge is a famous resort since it is the family from which the Sound of Melody movie was inspired. Stowe Mountain Resort is one of the most popular, and the accommodations are more expensive than in other areas. Stowe is only a 45-minute drive from Burlington which is a great day trip to experience one of the best mountains in the region.
Quechee
Quechee is a small town south of the state, close to the New Hampshire state line. The main attraction is a beautiful gorge full of hiking trails and great views. Unfortunately, due to ice and hail, we could not enjoy it at its fullest. Quechee is also home to the famous Simon Pearce factory. Simon Pearce creates glassblowing and pottery; you can see how glassblowing is done at the store. However, the best thing in the place is the restaurant which overlooks a waterfall and it is in a restored 19th-century mill. The restaurant was voted one of the most scenic restaurants in the US in 2019, and the view does not disappoint, be sure to ask for a view in the solarium by the window. The food is classic American comfort food. Quechee is located a 1:30 hour drive from the city.
Looking for more ideas for your Vermont winter vacation?
If you are looking for other trip ideas to do in Vermont in Winter, you can visit Sugartree Maple Farm to taste delicious maple syrup, do dog sledding, or do horse-drawn Sleigh Rides (be sure to do your research to make sure the animals are well treated.) Or you can go ice fishing, fat biking, snow tubing, snowmobile or ice climbing.
In the central part of the state, you have the picturesque Woodstock which also has great ski slopes. Woodstock is home to the only National Park in the State of Vermont for you to explore, the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, located in Windsor County near Woodstock.
Mad River Valley is another popular stop, not only for its plethora of winter activities like skiing, ice skating, and snowshoeing in Blueberry Lake. but it is also known for its 7 covered bridges and of course the super famous Ben & Jerry’s factory where you can do a tour and sample their delicious ice cream. Another Vermont winter getaway idea is Okemo Mountain Resort for more skiing, snowboarding and other outdoor adventures.
Practical info
HOW TO DRESS FOR THE COLD
This is a KEY component to enjoy your winter getaway, especially if you are not used to the cold. Here are a few tips to maximize your time exploring outside.
You MUST back the following items:
Tank top will be your initial layer, you will tuck it into your pants so no wind can go through.
Sweaters, big or thin. Whatever you prefer, you are better off dressing in layers than having a very thick sweater that will make you sweat instantly. Think that you will need to peel off layers inside.
Tights or leggings, you will use these underneath your pants.
Jacket, a cute fall jacket won’t do the trick. You need a heavy waterproof coat that will protect you from the wind, snow and rain.
Insulated and water-resistant shoes are a must.
Tuques (winter hats) scarves and mittens are a must! Mittens are warmer than gloves since all your fingers are together and you will generate heat.
If you are playing in the snow, don’t forget your snow gear (pants, jackets, goggles,..).
TAP WATER
You can drink tap water so ditch your plastic bottle and fill your reusable bottle at the hotel.
Getting around
I would recommend renting a car since you will most likely have your ski equipment and you will want to be hopping from one place to another. You also have great flexibility in the places you want to go across the state. If you are only staying in Burlington then the city is very walkable and you will not need a car. Be sure to plan all of your stops in your road trip itinerary.
Accommodations
Burlington has very different types of accommodations for your Vermont winter getaways (because you will want to come back, I guarantee you!) You could rent a cabin near the town with a fireplace or you can stay at a cozy boutique inn or a modern hotel offering breathtaking lake views, or a big chain hotel if you have points with a specific company. You also have the option of quaint bed and breakfasts to upscale resorts with spas, whatever you choose, Burlington's accommodations ensure a memorable winter escape in the heart of New England.
Have you ever been to Vermont? Tell me what is your favourite place!
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