Burlington, Vermont - Earth Shiners Travel Guide
Written by: Rashawn Merchant
With glistening Lake Champlain at its heart, Burlington, Vermont makes for a great weekend destination.
Day 1
Within the northeastern United States, Burlington is easy to reach by train. Considering the journey, however, the commute from New York City is approximately 7 hours. For those of you planning to venture for a weekend, keep in mind that a majority of your trip will occur along the Amtrak line. Do not fret, because I quickly realized that this journey positively contributed to the experience. Along the Hudson Valley, you’ll see small towns and gorgeous views of nature.
Burlington, VT Amtrak Station
Rashawn Merchant/Earth Shiners Creative
Upon arrival in Burlington, I suggest checking into your hotel and grabbing something to eat. Hotel Champlain was enjoyable given its close proximity to the train station, views of Lake Champlain, and luxury feel. After setting your bags down, take a trip over to Leonardo’s for a freshly made-to-order pizza.
Day 2
It’s highly suggested that you wake up early to get the most out of your day. Burlington is a small city, but there are many walkable places to see that will take you across the locale. For breakfast, visit The Grey Jay. Their French toast is quite literally the best I’ve ever had. Since their food is Mediterranean-inspired, the Turkish coffee was excellent as well. Right around the corner is Church Street Market, which is a bustling pedestrian-only outdoor mall that is a cornerstone of Burlington. You’ll notice many shops dedicated to sweets and outdoor gear. Notably, Crow Bookshop is a nice place to grab a book.
Church Street Marketplace
Rashawn Merchant/Earth Shiners Creative
Speaking of the outdoors and all things related to nature-based activities, the weekend featured an outdoor bike sale organized by several nearby stores, which sold new and gently used bikes.
Outdoor Bike Fair
Rashawn Merchant/Earth Shiners Creative
Coming to a place like Burlington provides a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in nature.
In doing so, definitely schedule a rideshare out to the Ben and Jerry’s factory in Waterbury, VT. Along the way, you’ll see why Vermont’s green mountains are so famous as they begin to peak on the side of the highway. Upon arrival at the Ben and Jerry’s factory, you’ll be amazed by the colorful array of ice cream-based decorations that this historic company offers with their factory tour. Ben and Jerry’s has had a longstanding mission of sustainability, environmental awareness, and social activism. Their factory tour offers an insight into their company's practices. Furthermore, you’ll get to see the infamous flavor graveyard where years of decommissioned flavors lie at rest.
Ben and Jerry’s and Waterbury, VT
Rashawn Merchant/Earth Shiners Creative
As you arrive back in Downtown Burlington, head over to Lake Champlain. This lake is absolutely beautiful. The water is crystal clear, and you can feel the energy as it radiates aspects of New York, Vermont, and Canada all at once. On a sunny day, you’ll see people out on their boats, playing volleyball, or simply lying in the grass as they take in the view. Lastly, head back near the city center and enjoy dinner at El Cortijo, a Mexican-style diner with great enchiladas.
Lake Champlain
Rashawn Merchant/Earth Shiners Creative
Day 3
Day 3 is mostly dedicated to the train ride home. Take this time to appreciate all that smaller cities have to offer, as they hold significance in their nature and people.
Thanks for reading!
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