Welcome to America’s smallest, biggest city. Yep, you heard that right: Burlington is the largest city in Vermont, but it boasts the lowest population among all U.S. state’s biggest cities, with just over 40,000 residents. Picture everything you love about a big city—acclaimed restaurants, varied cuisine, nonstop nightlife—without the congestion, parking woes, or urban sprawl.
Overlooking Lake Champlain and in the shadow of the Green Mountains, it’s hard to imagine a more idyllic New England setting. Sure, Burlington’s far-north location locks it in a deep freeze for several months a year. But we think the cold is character-building; bars and restaurants are packed to the brim all winter long with locals staying warm sipping craft beer. During the short and glorious summer and fall, terraces spill out onto the streets and cuisine erupts into color with the bounty of local produce.
Burlington’s many colleges and quirky culture attract artists and misfits and forward-thinkers, but it’s so much more than a hippie town. There’s something for everyone in this open-minded city—so, peruse our guide to plan your perfect escape.
Welcome to America’s smallest, biggest city. Yep, you heard that right: Burlington is the largest city in Vermont, but it boasts the lowest population among all U.S. state’s biggest cities, with just over 40,000 residents. Picture everything you love about a big city—acclaimed restaurants, varied cuisine, nonstop nightlife—without the congestion, parking woes, or urban sprawl.
Overlooking Lake Champlain and in the shadow of the Green Mountains, it’s hard to imagine a more idyllic New England setting. Sure, Burlington’s far-north location locks it in a deep freeze for several months a year. But we think the cold is character-building; bars and restaurants are packed to the brim all winter long with locals staying warm sipping craft beer. During the short and glorious summer and fall, terraces spill out onto the streets and cuisine erupts into color with the bounty of local produce.
Burlington’s many colleges and quirky culture attract artists and misfits and forward-thinkers, but it’s so much more than a hippie town. There’s something for everyone in this open-minded city—so, peruse our guide to plan your perfect escape.
