Guidebook for Burlington
Essentials
A 2 minute walk, the city's co-op has the basics in additional to all that fancy foodie stuff. You can buy bread from all the local bakeries, bulk foods, Vermont cheese, and beer. Heady Topper consistently is delivered on Tuesdays @ 2pm, but we highly recommend their Focal Banger instead... or both. Lawson's Finest Liquids are delivered on Wednesday.
145 locals raden deze aan
City Market/Onion River Co-op
82 S Winooski AveA 2 minute walk, the city's co-op has the basics in additional to all that fancy foodie stuff. You can buy bread from all the local bakeries, bulk foods, Vermont cheese, and beer. Heady Topper consistently is delivered on Tuesdays @ 2pm, but we highly recommend their Focal Banger instead... or both. Lawson's Finest Liquids are delivered on Wednesday.
Best beer selection in the Greater Burlington Area. Has 5-10 growler lines in addition to exhaustive bottle and can selection. Knowledgeable staff. PRO-TIP: check their website for weekly delivery times for hard to get beers from Lawson's and Alchemist, etc.
18 locals raden deze aan
Beverage Warehouse
1 East StBest beer selection in the Greater Burlington Area. Has 5-10 growler lines in addition to exhaustive bottle and can selection. Knowledgeable staff. PRO-TIP: check their website for weekly delivery times for hard to get beers from Lawson's and Alchemist, etc.
Food Scene
Penny Cluse Cafe
169 Cherry StThe closest and most fabulous diner in town.
Decent food but we go there for the amazing draft beer selection. Usually the most Hill's Farmstead lines in town. PRO-TIP: When the restaurant wait seems excessive, you can still go straight to the back patio or the downstairs lounge.
120 locals raden deze aan
The Farmhouse Tap & Grill
160 Bank StDecent food but we go there for the amazing draft beer selection. Usually the most Hill's Farmstead lines in town. PRO-TIP: When the restaurant wait seems excessive, you can still go straight to the back patio or the downstairs lounge.
In the Winooski, which is basically the Brooklyn of Burlington. The best food and best cocktails, we love sitting at the bar. Don't be afraid to get the fried chicken.
71 locals raden deze aan
Misery Loves Co.
46 Main StIn the Winooski, which is basically the Brooklyn of Burlington. The best food and best cocktails, we love sitting at the bar. Don't be afraid to get the fried chicken.
Bluebird Barbecue
317 Riverside AveBBQ in Vermont? Yes. Most definitely yes.
Burlington Bay Market's Maple Creemee is the only creemee; the rest are lies.
37 locals raden deze aan
Burlington Community Boathouse Marina
1 College StBurlington Bay Market's Maple Creemee is the only creemee; the rest are lies.
This is my go-to coffee shop for sitting around on a sunny morning and people watching. Great food in addition to the coffee. But no laptops allowed, so choose a different spot if you need to log in.
48 locals raden deze aan
August First
149 S Champlain StThis is my go-to coffee shop for sitting around on a sunny morning and people watching. Great food in addition to the coffee. But no laptops allowed, so choose a different spot if you need to log in.
The only full-serve, cut to order cheese shop in Burlington is inside the best wine store. Go there to pair anything and everything. Rory, the head cheesemonger, just won the National Cheesemonger Championship. Ask him anything. The wine bar has happy hour oysters and kick-ass staff who will can talk to you about wine without making you feel like an idiot. They play a lot of 90s hip-hop in the evening. You'll feel at home immediately.
48 locals raden deze aan
Dedalus Wine Shop, Market & Wine Bar
388 Pine StThe only full-serve, cut to order cheese shop in Burlington is inside the best wine store. Go there to pair anything and everything. Rory, the head cheesemonger, just won the National Cheesemonger Championship. Ask him anything. The wine bar has happy hour oysters and kick-ass staff who will can talk to you about wine without making you feel like an idiot. They play a lot of 90s hip-hop in the evening. You'll feel at home immediately.
As our local paper says: "At this specialty-coffee tasting bar, the ever-changing menu offers a half dozen single-origin coffees from farms and roasters around the world. Sample them in the form of espresso, cappuccino, drip or hand-brewed filter — perhaps paired with a glazed "sourdoughnut" or another sweet snack from a local artisan baker. Warm weather brings cold-brew and affogato. Year-round, the tables are occupied by people clickety-clacking away on computers — in addition to serving excellent, responsibly sourced coffee, Onyx provides a fine workspace with free Wi-Fi."
13 locals raden deze aan
Onyx Tonics Specialty Coffee
126 College StAs our local paper says: "At this specialty-coffee tasting bar, the ever-changing menu offers a half dozen single-origin coffees from farms and roasters around the world. Sample them in the form of espresso, cappuccino, drip or hand-brewed filter — perhaps paired with a glazed "sourdoughnut" or another sweet snack from a local artisan baker. Warm weather brings cold-brew and affogato. Year-round, the tables are occupied by people clickety-clacking away on computers — in addition to serving excellent, responsibly sourced coffee, Onyx provides a fine workspace with free Wi-Fi."
Because we like za'atar on everything and so do you? Great evening ambience, good cocktails, tasty small mediterranean plates.
81 locals raden deze aan
Honey Road
156 Church StBecause we like za'atar on everything and so do you? Great evening ambience, good cocktails, tasty small mediterranean plates.
Still classic. If you're in line when it opens at 4 you can enjoy their $1 oyster hour. Some of the best cocktails in BTV.
159 locals raden deze aan
Hen of the Wood - Burlington
55 Cherry StStill classic. If you're in line when it opens at 4 you can enjoy their $1 oyster hour. Some of the best cocktails in BTV.
Butch + Babe's
258 N Winooski AveWalk to this hot-spot -- great food and people watching.
Try our local Montreal-style bagels. You won't get better than a $3 breakfast sandwich on pumpernickel. After you're done noshing, check out the Barge Canal Market.
31 locals raden deze aan
Myer's Bagel Bakery
408 Pine StTry our local Montreal-style bagels. You won't get better than a $3 breakfast sandwich on pumpernickel. After you're done noshing, check out the Barge Canal Market.
Inventive soft serve around the corner. Try the bittersweet chocolate topping.
12 locals raden deze aan
Little Gordo Creemee Stand
71 S Union StInventive soft serve around the corner. Try the bittersweet chocolate topping.
Sightseeing
Battery Park
Battery Park ExtensionA five minute walk to a sunset that's usually worth watching.
Winooski is the up and coming sister city -- check out numerous shops and restaurants, including the view at Waterworks; Scout Coffee; and Misery Loves Company. Walk around the circle after brunch at Sneakers take in the Winooski Falls.
11 locals raden deze aan
Winooski
Winooski is the up and coming sister city -- check out numerous shops and restaurants, including the view at Waterworks; Scout Coffee; and Misery Loves Company. Walk around the circle after brunch at Sneakers take in the Winooski Falls.
Shopping
Need something for the great outdoors? This store is nationally known for its selection and prices.
22 locals raden deze aan
Outdoor Gear Exchange
37 Church StNeed something for the great outdoors? This store is nationally known for its selection and prices.
Phoenix Books Burlington
191 Bank StLocal bookstore with weekly lit programming.
Barge canal market
377 Pine StVintage vintage vintage.
Entertainment & Activities
Shelburne Farms is obvious and also a hidden gem. Great nature and farm programming for families and adults. Gilded Age mansion with fantastic restaurant and their great lawn is the best place for a sundowner in Chittenden County (make a reservation for a drink to get through security in the evening).
243 locals raden deze aan
Shelburne Farms
1611 Harbor RoadShelburne Farms is obvious and also a hidden gem. Great nature and farm programming for families and adults. Gilded Age mansion with fantastic restaurant and their great lawn is the best place for a sundowner in Chittenden County (make a reservation for a drink to get through security in the evening).
If you already sail, rent a boat here for short money. If you aren't, take a class!
25 locals raden deze aan
Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center
505 Lake StIf you already sail, rent a boat here for short money. If you aren't, take a class!
Tube the Mad River! Get your gear here! They'll even pick you up at the other end.
14 locals raden deze aan
Clearwater Sports
4147 Main StTube the Mad River! Get your gear here! They'll even pick you up at the other end.
Rent a SUP and get your paddle on here at Blanchard Beach.
8 locals raden deze aan
PaddleSurf Champlain
1 Flynn AveRent a SUP and get your paddle on here at Blanchard Beach.
Minor league baseball is alive and well in Burlington! Go to a game and enjoy all the fun up close and personal in a small stadium.
6 locals raden deze aan
Vermont Lake Monsters Baseball
98 University RdMinor league baseball is alive and well in Burlington! Go to a game and enjoy all the fun up close and personal in a small stadium.
Getting Around
Rent your bikes here, including electric assist models.
45 locals raden deze aan
Local Motion Bike Rentals
1 Steele StRent your bikes here, including electric assist models.
North Star Sports
100 Main StYou can also rent bikes here.
Downtown Transit Center
Newly built public transit (i.e. bus) center is only three blocks away.
Drinks & Nightlife
Radio Bean Coffeehouse
8 N Winooski AveGreat live music every night of the week.
Foam Brewers - Burlington Waterfront
112 Lake StBrewery on the lake. 'Nough said.
A lesser known local brewery that just opened up a great new tasting room.
50 locals raden deze aan
Four Quarters Brewing
70 Main StA lesser known local brewery that just opened up a great new tasting room.
Higher Ground
1214 Williston RdCheck who's playing.
Live music most nights, food trucks on Friday, local hot spot for the art scene in the South End.
87 locals raden deze aan
ArtsRiot
400 Pine StLive music most nights, food trucks on Friday, local hot spot for the art scene in the South End.