1 Hour Narrated Burlington Trolley Tour
A one-hour narrated loop through Burlington by trolley, the easiest way to learn the lakefront city, its hills, its neighborhoods and its stories before deciding where to spend the rest of your trip.
Vermont
Burlington
Burlington is Vermont's lakefront city, a compact college town on Lake Champlain where a pedestrian main street, a waterfront bike path and one of the best sunsets in New England sit a few blocks apart.
This guide books the town properly, with a narrated one-hour trolley tour, a shared foliage trolley for the October color, a private trolley charter, daytime and sunset sailing cruises, brewery, chocolate and cider tastings and self-guided walks, then widens the lens to Shelburne, Waterbury, Stowe, Montpelier and the Green Mountains for day trips. It then matches you to the right hotel, from a design-led boutique downtown and a Victorian bed and breakfast on the hill to lakeview and value-friendly stays in South Burlington and Colchester.
Don't miss
1 Hour Narrated Burlington Trolley Tour
A one-hour narrated loop through Burlington by trolley, the easiest way to learn the lakefront city, its hills, its neighborhoods and its stories before deciding where to spend the rest of your trip.
Shared Foliage Trolley Tour
A shared trolley outing built for peak autumn color, taking you out of the city and into the Vermont countryside when the maples, birches and hillsides turn red, orange and gold.
Public Daytime Sailing Cruise on Lake Champlain
A shared daytime sail out of Burlington, with wind in the sails, Vermont on one side and the Adirondacks on the other, and a pace that makes Lake Champlain feel like the center of the trip.
Public Sunset Sailing Cruise on Lake Champlain
The signature Burlington evening: a shared sail as the sun drops behind the Adirondacks, with the sky turning orange and pink over Lake Champlain and the city lights coming on behind you.
Things to do in Burlington
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Shared Foliage Trolley Tour
A shared trolley outing built for peak autumn color, taking you out of the city and into the Vermont countryside when the maples, birches and hillsides turn red, orange and gold.
Burlington Private Trolley Charter for Special Events
A private trolley for weddings, reunions, birthdays and corporate outings, moving your whole group around Burlington in a vintage-style vehicle with a driver and a narrator on request.
Public Daytime Sailing Cruise on Lake Champlain
A shared daytime sail out of Burlington, with wind in the sails, Vermont on one side and the Adirondacks on the other, and a pace that makes Lake Champlain feel like the center of the trip.
Public Sunset Sailing Cruise on Lake Champlain
The signature Burlington evening: a shared sail as the sun drops behind the Adirondacks, with the sky turning orange and pink over Lake Champlain and the city lights coming on behind you.
Burlington Signature Guided Brewery Tour
A guided crawl through Burlington craft breweries, tasting the beers that made Vermont famous among hop fans, with stories from the people who brew them.
The Ultimate Chocolate Tasting in Burlington
A sweet-toothed hour in a city with a serious chocolate heritage, sampling local makers and learning what separates ordinary candy from the real thing.
Burlingtons Famous Ghosts Smartphone Guided Walking Tour
A self-paced, phone-guided walk through the old streets of Burlington, collecting ghost stories and local legends on your own schedule.
Burlington Scavenger Hunt Interactive Experience
A phone-based city game that sends teams around Burlington solving clues, finding landmarks and learning local history as they go.
Small Group Wine and Cider Tour in Vermont
A guided small-group day in Vermont orchard and vineyard country, tasting local wines and ciders with a driver and a guide handling the roads.
FreeChurch Street Marketplace
Burlington's pedestrian heart: a car-free, brick-paved mile of shops, cafes, street musicians and outdoor tables that anchors almost every visit to the city.
1 to 3 hoursDetails →
Burlington Waterfront and Bike Path
A lakeside promenade, park lawns and a flat shoreline bike path that is the best free way to meet Lake Champlain, with sunset views toward the Adirondacks.
1 to 4 hoursDetails →
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
$$$Hotel Vermont
Downtown Burlington
A design-forward boutique hotel in the center of Burlington that celebrates Vermont with local materials, art and food, a few steps from Church Street and the lake.
Check rates →Lang House on Main Street
Main Street Hill
A restored Victorian bed and breakfast on Burlington's hill, with period details, a full breakfast and a quieter, more personal alternative to the downtown hotels.
Check rates →Courtyard by Marriott Burlington Harbor
Downtown Burlington
A dependable downtown Marriott a short walk from the lakefront and Church Street, popular with families and business travelers who want predictable comfort.
Check rates →Hilton Garden Inn Burlington Downtown
Downtown Burlington
A modern mid-range hotel on the downtown edge, close to Church Street and the waterfront, with a pool, on-site dining and comfortable family rooms.
Check rates →Delta Hotels by Marriott Burlington
Waterfront
A large full-service hotel at the edge of the waterfront, with lake views, on-site dining and easy access to the park, the path and Church Street.
Check rates →DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington Vermont
South Burlington
A comfortable suburban hotel in South Burlington, a few minutes from the airport and shops, with a pool, restaurant and free-style parking convenience.
Check rates →Best Western Plus Windjammer Inn and Conference Center
South Burlington
A value-oriented South Burlington hotel with an indoor pool, breakfast and easy road access, a practical pick for families and budget-minded travelers.
Check rates →Residence Inn by Marriott Burlington Colchester
Colchester
An all-suite extended-stay hotel in Colchester, north of Burlington, with kitchens and space for longer visits, families and groups.
Check rates →Hampton Inn Colchester
Colchester
A reliable Hampton Inn near the highway in Colchester, offering breakfast, a pool and good value for travelers who prefer easy driving to walking the downtown.
Check rates →Burlington guides
Burlington in Three Days: Lake, Church Street and Day Trips
A practical three-day Burlington plan that balances the waterfront, a trolley orientation, a sunset sail and one big day trip to Shelburne or the mountains.
Burlington Trolley Tours: Narrated, Foliage and Private Options
A guide to riding a trolley in Burlington: the one-hour narrated loop, the shared foliage trolley, private charters and how to choose.
Fall Foliage Around Burlington: When, Where and How to See It
When the color peaks near Burlington, the best ways to see it by trolley, boat, bike and day trip, and how to plan around the crowds.
Where to Stay in Burlington: Downtown, the Hill and the Suburbs
A guide to choosing a Burlington base: walkable downtown and waterfront hotels, a historic bed and breakfast and value-oriented suburban options.
Eating and Drinking in Burlington: Beer, Cheese, Chocolate and Cider
A guide to Burlington's food scene: craft breweries, Vermont cheese and maple, chocolate, cider and the best ways to taste them.
Day Trips From Burlington: Shelburne, Stowe, Montpelier and Beyond
The best day trips from Burlington, Vermont, with options for families, foodies, history lovers and adventure seekers, by car or guided tour.
