This page highlights local resources to help make any visit more enjoyable and connected. From dining and cultural attractions to transportation and everyday services, these listings offer practical guidance and opportunities to explore the surrounding community. Whether planning ahead or looking for something nearby, these local resources are intended to support a welcoming and enriching experience.

Transportation

Burlington is accessible by plane, train, bus, and car.

Local public transportation is Green Mountain Transit. Take Bus #1 from Burlington Airport to the University of Vermont. The cost is $2.00. It would be advisable to download the GMT Ready app or use the GMT website to view bus schedules.

Health Care

Care Centers

Pharmacies

  • CVS, 1 Dorset Street, South Burlington
  • Hannaford Pharmacy, 217 Dorset St. South Burlington
  • UVM Health Center Pharmacy, 1 Prospect Street and 3rd floor of hospital next to campus. 

Grocery Stores

Education / Enrichment / Entertainment

Burlington Waterfront: Walk, drive, or take the bus straight down College Street from the UVM Main Campus Green, traveling 1.6 miles west to the shores of Lake Champlain. Along the way are the city library, an independent bookstore, City Hall Park, and a diverse collection of restaurants—especially along Church Street, the city’s pedestrian mall. At the waterfront stand are ECHO (see below), the Burlington Boathouse, and access to the Burlington Bike Path, with views of the Adirondack Mountains of New York beyond. Additional information on the bike path appears under Recreation (below).

ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain: Vermont’s science and nature museum on the Burlington Waterfront. For kids of all ages.

Ethan Allen Homestead Museum: The homestead tracks the human history of the site, beginning with the Abenaki people pre-1700s and continuing to today. The property is located along the banks of the Winooski River in the north end of Burlington.   

Vermont beyond Burlington

Shelburne Farms: Extensive walking trails wind through the woods and skirt Lake Champlain. Visitors may visit children’s farmyard animals and watch cheesemaking (and savor farmstead cheddar) among historic farm buildings on this property that fosters sustainability. The farm may be seen on foot or via a hayride-style truck. With 24 hour notice, the farm will issue a special car pass for those with accessibility issues. A food truck and farm store are on site, which is eight miles south of Burlington.

Shelburne Museum: Art and Americana spanning four centuries includes folk art, circus collections, textiles, toys, carriages, decoys, renowned French Impressionism, a steamship and much more. There’s a working carousel and children’s craft center. Collections are housed in thirty-nine buildings spread out over forty-five acres connected by a shuttle bus. Café. Individual admission ranges from $8 to $25 depending on age with family passes available. Eight miles south of Burlington on the bus line.  

Lake Champlain Ferries: The two closest ferry crossings are from Charlotte, Vermont (14 miles south of the university) to Essex, New York and Grand Isle, Vermont (23 miles north of the university) to Plattsburgh, New York. Both crossings take about 15 minutes and run continuously during the day. The Charlotte ferry appeals to pedestrians who can walk around the small waterfront town of Essex and enjoy a meal/ice cream before returning to Charlotte.

Rokeby Museum: Rokeby explores the history of four generations of the Robinson family, Abolitionist Quakers who called this farm home from 1793 to 1961. The Museum includes an ongoing exhibition, Seeking Freedom: The Underground Railroad and the Legacy of an Abolitionist Family. On site there are walking trails, nine historic buildings, and rotating exhibitions. Rokeby is located on Rt.7 in North Ferrisburg, twenty miles south of the university campus.

Ben and Jerry’s Factory: The famous ice cream is made at the factory in Waterbury Center, Vermont, located about 30 minutes southeast of Burlington by car, where samples are included with the tour. Advance booking is recommended. Tickets cost $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $1 for children. More information is available here.

If a visit to the factory isn’t possible—or if more Ben & Jerry’s is in order—there is also a shop on Church Street, Burlington’s pedestrian mall between the UVM campus and the Lake Champlain waterfront.

Beyond Vermont

Ausable Chasm: Often called the “Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks,” this natural attraction in Keeseville, New York, lies about two hours southwest of Burlington by car. Dramatic sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, and scenic trails offer options ranging from gentle walks to more adventurous hiking and rafting experiences. Guided tours and self-guided routes are available seasonally, with advance reservations recommended during peak months.

North Star Underground Railroad Museum: Located in Ausable Chasm, New York, just minutes from the chasm, this museum interprets the history of freedom seekers who traveled through the region on the Underground Railroad. Exhibits focus on the courage, decision-making, and human stories behind these journeys, offering a reflective complement to nearby outdoor attractions.

Recreation 

Ticks are alive and well in the grasses along hiking trails and even in mowed areas. Wear insect repellent, tuck socks in pants, and check carefully for ticks after coming inside to reduce the risk of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.

The Burlington Waterfront features a paved 8-mile scenic trail along Lake Champlain, running from Oakledge Park north to the Winooski River. The path, which is walkable as well as bikeable, is part of the 14-mile Island Line Trail, which connects downtown to the Colchester Causeway, offering expansive views of the Adirondacks of New York and the Green Mountains of Vermont.

Bike rentals

  • Local Motion, 1 Steele Street, Burlington. Located on the Burlington Bike Path. Conventional bikes/tagalongs and trailers, kids bikes, and e-bikes are available. 
  • North Star Sports, 100 Main Street Burlington. Adult and kids bikes, e-bike, hybrid, and trailers.
  • Outdoor Gear Exchange, 37 Church Street, Burlington, conventional and e-bikes

Boat rentals

  • Community Sailing Center, 505 Lake Street, Burlington, 1.6 miles from UVM.  CSC has boats, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats for rent to explore Burlington Bay on Lake Champlain.

Walking, Hiking and Swimming

Centennial Woods is a 70 acre naturalist area adjacent to the university campus.  

Rock Point offers two miles of trails adjacent to the Burlington Bike Path north of the downtown waterfront. Its northern end is Leddy Beach and southern end is North Beach. These are Burlington’s two largest swimming beaches. See for tips on access.

Waterbury State Park. Enjoy swimming or boating (bring your own or rent) at the Waterbury Reservoir just north of the Ben and Jerry’s Factory on Rt.100 in Waterbury Center.

Use Trail Finder to discover other hiking and walking trails in the area.

Miscellaneous

  • Staples, 861 Williston Rd, South Burlington. 
✕
Translate »