Things to Do in Burlington in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in Burlington
Is August Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect shoulder season weather - daytime highs around 26°C (79°F) are warm enough for outdoor activities without the oppressive heat of summer. You'll actually enjoy walking around downtown instead of ducking into air-conditioned shops every 20 minutes.
- Minimal rainfall with only 2.5mm (0.1 inches) across the month means you can confidently book outdoor activities without weather backup plans. Those 10 rainy days typically bring brief afternoon showers that last 15-20 minutes, not all-day washouts.
- Lake Champlain is at its warmest in August - water temperatures reach 21-23°C (70-73°F), which is genuinely comfortable for swimming without a wetsuit. Locals consider this the absolute best month for paddleboarding and kayaking.
- Peak festival season hits hard in August. You've got the Vermont Brewers Festival (usually first weekend), Champlain Valley Fair (late August, running 10 days), and the South End Art Hop (third Friday). The city feels alive in a way it doesn't during quieter months.
Considerations
- Peak tourism season means accommodations book up fast and prices reflect it - expect to pay 30-40% more than shoulder months like May or October. Downtown hotels that go for 120 USD in September will run you 170-200 USD in August, and anything waterfront books solid 6-8 weeks ahead.
- That 70% humidity combined with 26°C (79°F) temperatures creates a sticky, muggy feeling by mid-afternoon. It's not unbearable, but if you're sensitive to humidity or have breathing issues, you'll notice it between 2-5pm when the sun is strongest.
- Church Street Marketplace and waterfront attractions get genuinely crowded on weekends - think shoulder-to-shoulder during peak lunch and dinner hours. If you value elbow room, you'll need to time your visits strategically or accept that August means sharing space with other visitors.
Best Activities in August
Lake Champlain Kayaking and Paddleboarding
August offers the warmest water temperatures of the year at 21-23°C (70-73°F), making this the most comfortable month for paddle sports without a wetsuit. The lake is typically calm in early mornings before 10am, and you'll spot great blue herons and ospreys fishing along the shoreline. Waterfront launches at Oakledge Park and North Beach are easily accessible, and the variable weather conditions in August actually work in your favor - those brief afternoon showers cool things down without creating dangerous conditions.
Burlington Bike Path Cycling Tours
The 12.5 km (7.8 mile) waterfront bike path is genuinely spectacular in August when the trees are fully leafed out and lake views are unobstructed. The path runs from Oakledge Park to the Winooski River, staying flat and paved the entire way - perfect for casual riders. With sunrise around 5:45am and sunset past 8pm in August, you've got extended daylight for early morning or evening rides when temperatures drop to a comfortable 18-20°C (64-68°F). The UV index hits 8 during midday, so timing matters.
Shelburne Farms Agricultural Tours
This 1,400-acre working farm sits 11 km (6.8 miles) south of downtown and becomes incredibly photogenic in August when pastures are bright green and the children's farmyard is most active. The property offers walking trails with Lake Champlain views, a farmhouse tour showcasing Gilded Age architecture, and hands-on activities with sheep, chickens, and dairy cows. August weather is ideal for the 2-3 hour experience - warm but not hot, with that 70% humidity keeping everything lush. The farm-to-table lunch options feature produce literally picked that morning.
Craft Brewery Walking Tours
Burlington has earned its reputation as a beer destination, and August timing coincides with the Vermont Brewers Festival (typically first weekend). Even outside festival dates, the concentration of breweries within walking distance of downtown makes for excellent afternoon touring. Zero Gravity, Foam Brewers, and Switchback are all within 1.6 km (1 mile) of Church Street. The warm August weather makes outdoor beer gardens particularly appealing, and most breweries feature live music Thursday-Saturday evenings. That 70% humidity actually works well here - nobody expects to stay perfectly dry while brewery hopping.
Mount Philo State Park Sunset Hikes
This 30-minute drive south gets you to Vermont's oldest state park, featuring a relatively easy 1.6 km (1 mile) summit trail that climbs 213 m (700 ft). August offers the longest daylight hours - sunset doesn't hit until after 8pm, giving you time to drive down, hike up, and catch golden hour views over Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. The trail is well-maintained and suitable for families, though that 70% humidity makes the climb feel harder than the elevation suggests. Bring twice as much water as you think you need.
Church Street Marketplace Food Tours
The pedestrian-only marketplace becomes a food destination in August when outdoor seating expands and the farmer's market (Saturdays 8:30am-2pm) is at peak season. You'll find everything from Vietnamese banh mi to wood-fired pizza to Vermont cheese shops within four blocks. The area genuinely comes alive in August - street performers, outdoor concerts, and the kind of people-watching that makes urban walking worthwhile. Those brief afternoon showers mentioned earlier rarely disrupt plans since most restaurants have covered seating.
August Events & Festivals
Vermont Brewers Festival
Typically held the first Saturday in August at Waterfront Park, this is the state's premier beer event featuring 50-plus Vermont breweries. You'll get access to limited-release beers that never make it to distribution, plus food from local vendors and live music on the main stage. The waterfront location means lake breezes help with that August humidity. Sessions run afternoon and evening, with the afternoon session (12-4pm) being less crowded.
Champlain Valley Fair
Running for 10 days in late August, this is Vermont's largest agricultural fair with carnival rides, livestock competitions, demolition derbies, and the kind of fried food that makes nutritionists weep. It's held at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction, about 16 km (10 miles) from downtown Burlington. Locals treat this as the unofficial end of summer. Evening visits (after 6pm) offer cooler temperatures and better people-watching.
South End Art Hop
Held the third Friday of every month including August, this self-guided tour opens 30-plus artist studios, galleries, and creative businesses in Burlington's South End Arts District. The August edition tends to be one of the best-attended, with outdoor installations and food trucks taking advantage of the warm weather. It runs 5-9pm, and the neighborhood becomes genuinely festive. Free shuttle buses run continuous loops if you don't want to walk the entire 2.4 km (1.5 mile) district.