Burlington with Kids
Family travel guide for parents planning with children
Top Family Activities
The best things to do with kids in Burlington.
Church Street Marketplace
A lively four-block pedestrian mall in downtown Burlington lined with independent shops, restaurants, street performers, and seasonal markets. The brick-paved street creates a village-like atmosphere that's the heart of Burlington's family-friendly culture.
ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
An interactive science museum and aquarium on the Burlington waterfront focused on Lake Champlain's ecology, geology, and history. Touch tanks, live animal exhibits, and the famous 'Champ' lake monster legend captivate children.
Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour
The iconic Vermont ice cream brand's factory in Waterbury (30 minutes from Burlington) offers guided tours showing the ice cream production process, followed by tastings of the day's flavors. The Flavor Graveyard outside memorializes retired flavors.
Burlington Waterfront & Bike Path
An 8-mile paved bike path along Lake Champlain with impressive mountain views, swimming beaches, parks, and the waterfront promenade. The path extends south to Shelburne connecting beaches, farms, and natural areas.
Shelburne Museum
A 39-building museum campus on 45 acres displaying American folk art, Impressionist paintings, and a restored 220-foot steamboat. Historic buildings including a lighthouse, schoolhouse, and covered bridge are filled with art and Americana.
Stowe & Green Mountains
The classic Vermont mountain village of Stowe, 40 minutes from Burlington, offers winter skiing at Stowe Mountain Resort, summer hiking and mountain biking, and a charming village with the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum.
Best Areas for Families
Where to base yourselves for the smoothest family trip.
Downtown Burlington
The walkable city center with Church Street, the waterfront, and the University of Vermont campus creating a lively, youthful atmosphere.
Highlights: ['Church Street Marketplace', 'Waterfront access', 'Restaurant diversity']
South Burlington / Shelburne
The southern corridor with Shelburne Museum, Shelburne Farms, and a more rural family atmosphere while remaining close to the city.
Highlights: ['Shelburne Museum', 'Shelburne Farms', 'Rural Vermont character']
Stowe
The classic Vermont mountain village offering year-round outdoor activities and a charming village center. A day trip or overnight addition from Burlington.
Highlights: ['Skiing and mountain activities', 'Village charm', 'Trapp Family Lodge']
Family Dining
Where and how to eat with children.
Burlington's food scene punches far above its weight, with a farm-to-table philosophy that's core to Vermont culture. Local dairy, maple syrup, artisan cheese, and craft beer define the culinary identity. Church Street has diverse options, and Vermont's food culture is inherently family-oriented.
Dining Tips for Families
- Vermont cheddar cheese is excellent — try it at the Cabot Annex on Church Street
- Maple syrup appears in everything from pancakes to cocktails to candy — embrace it
- Burlington has excellent international options despite its small size
- Cold Hollow Cider Mill's apple cider donuts (near Stowe) are legendary
Farm-to-Table Restaurants
Burlington restaurants sourcing from local Vermont farms — Hen of the Wood and similar establishments serve seasonal menus showing the region's exceptional produce and dairy.
Church Street Dining
Diverse restaurants along the pedestrian marketplace — pizza, Asian, Mexican, American — with outdoor dining in summer and family-friendly atmospheres.
Vermont Specialty Shops
Artisan cheese shops, maple candy stores, and ice cream parlors selling Vermont's signature products. Perfect for snacking between activities.
Tips by Age Group
Tailored advice for every stage of childhood.
Burlington with toddlers works beautifully — the ECHO Center's touch tanks, Church Street's pedestrian safety, North Beach wading, and the gentle pace of Vermont life are naturally toddler-compatible.
- The pedestrian Church Street is blissfully safe for toddlers to explore
- ECHO Center has a dedicated early childhood area
- Vermont's family-friendly culture means restaurants welcome toddlers warmly
Burlington offers school-age children science at ECHO, the adventure of Ben & Jerry's factory, Shelburne Museum's exploration, and year-round outdoor activities. The combination of education and fun is smooth.
Learning: ECHO Center teaches freshwater ecology and conservation. Shelburne Museum covers American folk art and transportation history. The Ben & Jerry's tour introduces manufacturing and business. Vermont's working farms teach about agriculture and food systems.
- The Ben & Jerry's Flavor Graveyard is a quirky highlight for school-age humor
- Let kids choose which Shelburne Museum buildings to explore — the campus is large
- Bike rental on the waterfront path gives this age group freedom and exercise
Burlington's youthful university-town energy, outdoor adventure options (skiing, hiking, kayaking), and the independent shopping and food scene on Church Street appeal to teens. Stowe's mountain activities add adventure.
- Church Street's independent shops and street performers create a teen-friendly social atmosphere
- Stowe Mountain Resort's terrain parks appeal to teen skiers and snowboarders
- Give teens freedom to explore Church Street independently — it's safe and walkable
Practical Logistics
The nuts and bolts of family travel.
Getting Around
Downtown Burlington is very walkable. The bike path extends the walkable zone. A car is needed for Stowe, Shelburne Museum, Ben & Jerry's, and surrounding attractions. Bus service exists but is limited. Uber/Lyft work in Burlington proper.
Healthcare
University of Vermont Medical Center is the region's primary hospital and provides excellent care. Vermont Children's Hospital is within the complex. Standard US healthcare applies. Pharmacies on Church Street and throughout the city.
Accommodation
Downtown Burlington offers the most walkable family experience. Shelburne and South Burlington suit families wanting a quieter base. Stowe is worth an overnight for ski families. Book summer and fall foliage accommodation well in advance — Vermont is extremely popular.
Packing Essentials
- Layers — Vermont weather changes quickly at any time of year
- Warm clothing for October-May (seriously warm for winter)
- Rain gear — afternoon showers are common
- Swimwear for Lake Champlain beaches in summer
- Hiking boots for Green Mountain trails
Budget Tips
- Church Street window shopping and people-watching is free entertainment
- The Burlington waterfront and bike path are free
- Vermont state parks offer affordable outdoor recreation
- Burlington farmers' market (Saturdays) offers excellent local food
- Visit during mud season (April-May) for the lowest accommodation prices
Family Safety
Keeping your family safe and healthy.
- Burlington is one of America's safest cities — family-friendly and welcoming, with very low crime rates
- Lake Champlain water can be cold even in summer — watch for hypothermia signs in children swimming for extended periods
- Mountain weather changes rapidly — always carry warm layers and rain protection for Stowe and Green Mountain activities
- Winter driving in Vermont requires winter tires or chains — conditions can be challenging from November through April
- Check beach water quality advisories before swimming in Lake Champlain — blue-green algae blooms occasionally occur in late summer