KidsOutAndAbout.com's Family Travel Guide to Burlington, VT
The West Coast of New England: Visiting Burlington, VT with Kids
by Ella S. Ross
Even though you can literally wave at my home state from Burlington, I somehow never thought to wave back until now.
Whether you’re the type to walk along the Island Line trail out into the lake, or walk along Church Street Marketplace for a souvenir and a snack, you’ll be able to make it happen in Burlington. Although if you don’t want to take a cruise around the lake to learn about some history and a sea monster, I’m not sure how much we could relate to one another.
A rolling mountain range plus a city with some punch, what more could you ask for?
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ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
ECHO currently welcomes more than 167,000 visitors annually into a 34,500-square foot, award-winning LEED-certified facility. Through more than 100 interactive exhibits; 70 species of fish, reptiles, and amphibians; major changing exhibits; a 2,500-square foot early learning interactive space; ECHO encourages visitors to view the natural environment as part of their neighborhood and to explore, learn about, and consider opportunities for stewardship.
Spirit of Ethan Allen Cruise
The Spirit of Ethan Allen III is Vermont's largest cruise ship. The 363 passenger showboat launched in May of 2002 on Lake Champlain. The Spirit does daily scenic cruises, lunch/brunch cruises, and evening cruises, including tons of entertaining themed dinners. The Spirit also offers services in wedding ceremonies, private functions, corporate events, school outings and themed cruise parties. Whether you're looking to plan a special event, enjoy the sunset with a lobster themed dinner or dance the night away to one of Burlington's top DJs, join us this summer aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen III.
Island Line Trail
The Bike Path is a walking/bicycling pathway along the shore of Lake Champlain with great views of the lake and the Adirondack Mountains in northern New York. In Burlington, it is 8.9 miles long and connects several city parks with beaches along the lake shore including Oakledge, North Beach and Leddy Park as well as Waterfront Park downtown.The pathway has a 12 foot wide paved surface throughout most of its length with two-foot-wide running paths on each side. Since it hugs the shoreline, it’s relatively flat. It’s also free of cars, making it perfect for a leisurely walk, a jog, or rideon bikes, e-bikes, or inline skates
Church Street Marketplace
The Church Street Marketplace is Burlington, Vermont's award-winning open air mall with a hub of activity, historical architecture, year-round festivals, street entertainers, music, and over 100 places to shop and dine! We invite you to explore downtown Burlington!
BTV Airport
This plot of land is the largest tract of virgin, old-growth forest within any city limits in the United States. As an Indiana Nature Preserve and National Natural Landmark, Wesselman Woods is a surviving remnant of Southern Indiana’s original forests. The mission of Wesselman Nature Society is to preserve and protect Wesselman Woods and Howell Wetlands for future generations through conservation, education, research, and to provide equal access to nature. Since the inception of Wesselman Woods as a non-profit organization, extensive trails have been created throughout the woods, though the forest remains intact and virtually untouched.
Shelburne Farms
Shelburne Farms is an education nonprofit on a mission to inspire and cultivate learning for a sustainable future. We believe that transformative learning experiences sow the seeds for a thriving and more just world. Our work seeks to create the space, spark the conversations, and share the stories to inspire educators, students, and learners of all ages to build a better future for everyone.
But wait, there's more!
Family-friendly restaurants worth checking out:
Thank you for the wonderful hospitality to the team at Hello Burlington and everyone at the attractions who showed me around!
—Ella
Ella S. Ross is a travel videographer. Interested in having her visit your region? Click here for more information.