Photo: Erin Moreau
Burlington
Vermont’s largest city is inseparable from the state’s crown jewel: Lake Champlain. In fact, the best way to approach the Queen City is by water. Arriving by ferry lets you imagine how the bustling burg looked centuries ago to incoming Indians, soldiers, merchants — and tourists?
Seven Days Pick: Biking
Burlington Bike Path
The Burlington Bike Path runs for miles along the city’s shoreline, north through Colchester and out onto a narrow old railroad causeway that connects Chittenden County with the Champlain Islands. The Island Line Trail ends at “the cut” — except on certain weekends when there’s ferry service across the water. Be sure to stop for “penny candy” at the historic Auer Family Boathouse, where the Winooski River flows into the lake. Photo: Matthew Thorsen
Sponsored Pick: Biking
The Old Spokes Home
The Old Spokes Home opened nine years ago in Burlington’s Old North End, in what was once a kosher grocery store. Owner Glenn Eames, inspired by a cycling store in San Francisco’s Haight District called The Freewheel, created a bike shop that speaks Sturmey Archer, Raleigh and 531 steel as fluently as Campagnolo, Shimano and Titanium. Old Spokes is the place to buy or service single-speed, fixed-gear, three-speed, retro, cruiser and antique bikes. There's a huge selection of used road, mountain, touring and commuter bikes, too.
The Old Spokes Home, 322 N. Winooski Avenue, Burlington, 802-863-4475
Seven Days Pick: Swimming
Burlington Beaches
North Beach is where Burlingtonians go to swim and hardy out-of-towners park their campers. Leddy Beach is a little bit further north, but both beaches are within walking distance of the Burlington Boathouse. To the south is Red Rocks — a popular swimming and sunset spot — and Oakledge Park, which also offers tennis, bocce and picnic pavilions. You have to pay to bring in a vehicle but there’s no charge if you’re self-propelled. The bike path is the best way to get to all of Burlington’s beaches. Don’t forget your sunscreen. Photo: Andy Duback
Sponsored Pick: Arts & Entertainment
Pine Street Artworks
Burlington’s only full-time retail art gallery exhibits and sells art by contemporary mid-career national artists. The store also offers prints and cards made from the Pine Street Art Works 20th-century ephemera collections and is the retail outlet for locally made Flashbags Handmade Handbags. Often described as “the most cosmopolitan store in Burlington,” PSAW carries a changing inventory of the kinds of design items you’d usually have to go to Boston or N.Y.C. to buy. AO! Glass, contemporary Swedish-inspired glassware, lends additional sophistication to this art emporium with its own retail store in the back. Store hours are Tues - Sat 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Pine Street Art Works, 404 Pine Street, Burlington, 802-863-8100
Seven Days Pick: Food
Burlington Farmers' Market
Got kale? They usually do at the Burlington Farmers Market. Area food producers take over Burlington City Hall Park every Saturday morning throughout the growing season in a democratic display of edible innovation. Just-picked fruit, veggies and flowers practically sell themselves, but there are local livestock farmers, too, selling fresh meat raised the old-fashioned way. Don’t cook? Homemade baked goods, ethnic treats are the Queen City’s fast food. Photo: Matthew Thorsen
Sponsored Pick: Restaurant
Leunig's Bistro & Café
Leunig's has been a Burlington institution since it opened in 1980. Located on the corner of Church and College streets on the Marketplace, it invites all passersby to visit Burlington's own "little Parisian Café." The decor and ambiance will make you think you're in Paris; the food will make you think you've died and gone to heaven. A member of the Vermont Fresh Network, Leunig's serves food with a worldly accent made by chefs who use the finest local ingredients. Live jazz with dinner Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Lunch Monday-Friday, Dinner every night, and brunch on the weekend. Great wines by the glass or bottle, full liquor service.
Leunig's Bistro, 115 Church Street, Burlington, 802-863-3759
Seven Days Pick: Attractions
Church Street Marketplace
Downtown Burlington is dominated by the Church Street Marketplace, a pedestrian-only promenade enlivened by shops, restaurants, food vendors and street performers. When the weather’s nice, and the cafe tables come outside, you can get dinner with a side of people-watching. It’s the closest thing in Vermont to an Italian piazza. No Vespas on the cobblestones, though. Looking for all of the above off the beaten path? Check out the Pine Street corridor in the city's South End. Photo: Matthew Thorsen
Sponsored Pick: Attractions
ECHO Lake Aquarium & Science Center
Discover 70 live species, more than 100 interactive experiences, and exciting exhibits — all exploring the ecology, culture, history and opportunities for stewardship of the Lake Champlain Basin. This summer, don’t miss the cool science and pure fun of “Wind Power & Play,” featuring a hurricane simulator and Galaxy of Kites, plus the fascinating quadricentennial presentation, “Indigenous Expressions: Native Peoples of the Lake Champlain Basin.” And if you want to get up close and personal with the lake, there are three “ECHO on the Lake” boating packages which include ECHO admission. Open daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
ECHO Lake Aquarium & Science Center, 1 College Street, Burlington, 802-864-1848
Seven Days Pick: Restaurant
Sadie Katz Delicatessen
The bacon cheeseburger isn’t exactly kosher — and neither is the owner, Glenn Walter — but for Jews in the Burlington area, Sadie Katz Delicatessen is a godsend. With specialty items shipped in regularly from New York City, the diner-turned-deli supplies the Queen City with whitefish salad and lox, H&H bagels and Dr. Brown’s sodas. Keep reading...
Photo: Andy Duback
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Sponsored Pick: Attractions
Community Sailing Center
Burlington’s Community Sailing Center provides educational and recreational access to Lake Champlain. Through youth camps, adult classes and clinics, rentals, storage and volunteer opportunities, it introduces everyone to the benefits of human-powered boating, including valuable life lessons and a passion for lake stewardship.
Lake Champlain Sailing Center, Burlington Waterfront, 802-864-2499.
Seven Days Pick: Attractions
Vermont Lake Monsters
The crack of the bat, the call of the hot-dog vendor — it wouldn’t be summer without minor-league baseball. In Burlington, the Vermont Lake Monsters — formerly the “Reds,” then the “Expos” — play through Labor Day at UVM Centennial Field. The 103-year-old ballpark is a jewel in the middle of a city neighborhood that once hosted the likes of Barry Larkin, Ken Griffey, Jr., Orlando Cabrera and Jason Bay. Photo: Matthew Thorsen
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Articles
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