Things to Do in Burlington in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Burlington
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Lake Champlain freezes into a stunning winter landscape - when conditions are right, you get ice formations along the waterfront that locals call 'ice volcanoes' or pressure ridges. The frozen lake creates this otherworldly scenery you simply cannot see any other time of year, with ice fishing shanties dotting the surface and cross-country ski trails extending onto the lake itself
- Winter festival season hits its peak - the Burlington Winter Festival typically runs in late February with ice sculptures, outdoor hockey tournaments, and the Penguin Plunge into Lake Champlain. You're also catching the tail end of Vermont Restaurant Week, which usually extends into early February with prix-fixe menus at 20-30% below regular pricing across Church Street restaurants
- Accommodation pricing drops 35-45% compared to summer and fall foliage season. Mid-week rates at downtown hotels that run 280-350 USD in October typically fall to 160-210 USD in February. You'll also find last-minute availability that's impossible during peak season, and restaurant reservations are walk-in friendly except Valentine's weekend
- Winter sports access is excellent - you're 45 minutes from Stowe Mountain Resort and 30 minutes from Bolton Valley, both hitting their stride with 150-200 cm (59-79 inches) base depths by February. The Intervale Center maintains 8 km (5 miles) of groomed cross-country trails right in Burlington city limits, and ice skating at Leddy Park is typically reliable by this point in winter
Considerations
- The cold is legitimate and unforgiving - that -9°C (16°F) overnight low isn't theoretical. If you're from warmer climates, the combination of sub-zero temperatures and 70% humidity creates a bone-deep cold that's genuinely uncomfortable. Walking more than 10-15 minutes outdoors requires serious layering, and you'll find yourself planning your day around minimizing outdoor exposure between destinations
- Daylight is limited to roughly 10 hours - sunrise around 7:00 AM and sunset by 5:30 PM means your sightseeing window is compressed. The Church Street Marketplace and waterfront feel considerably less appealing in darkness, and that early sunset can make the day feel like it's ending just as you're getting started. This particularly affects outdoor activities like lake walks or hiking
- Some seasonal attractions operate on reduced schedules or close entirely - the Lake Champlain ferry to New York runs limited winter service (typically 5-6 crossings daily versus 15-17 in summer), several waterfront restaurants close for the season, and the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center has shorter hours. The Shelburne Museum, one of the region's major attractions, is completely closed February through April
Best Activities in February
Lake Champlain Ice Formations and Waterfront Winter Walks
February gives you the best chance to see Lake Champlain's ice formations - those pressure ridges and ice shelves that build up along the Burlington waterfront. The Waterfront Park and Burlington Bike Path (which becomes a winter walking path) offer 12 km (7.5 miles) of maintained trails with lake views. Go mid-morning around 10:30 AM-12:00 PM when temperatures peak at 1°C (34°F) and you get the best light for photography. The ice formations change daily based on wind and temperature, so what you see is genuinely unique. Worth noting - the path gets icy despite maintenance, so traction devices for your boots are essential.
Brewery Tours and Craft Beer Tasting Experiences
Burlington has earned its reputation as a craft beer destination, and February is actually ideal for brewery visits - the tasting rooms are warm refuges from the cold, crowds are minimal compared to summer, and brewers have more time to chat. The South End Arts District alone has 6-7 breweries within a 1 km (0.6 mile) radius. Most offer tours on weekends (typically 2:00 PM-4:00 PM slots) and tasting flights year-round. The cold weather makes the walk between breweries brisk but manageable, and you'll appreciate the heated spaces. Many breweries release special winter stouts and barrel-aged beers in February.
Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding Day Trips
February typically offers the season's best snow conditions at nearby resorts - Bolton Valley (30 minutes), Smugglers' Notch (45 minutes), and Stowe (45 minutes) all have 150-200 cm (59-79 inches) base depths and most terrain open. Mid-week visits mean lift lines under 5 minutes even at Stowe. The cold temperatures keep snow quality excellent, though wind chill on summit lifts can hit -20°C (-4°F) with wind. Most resorts offer night skiing until 8:00 PM on weekends, which is actually more comfortable than midday due to less wind.
Church Street Marketplace and Indoor Shopping Districts
The pedestrian-only Church Street Marketplace becomes a winter refuge - four blocks of shops, restaurants, and cafes with heated outdoor seating areas and fire pits. February means you can actually browse without summer crowds, and many retailers run winter clearance sales with 30-50% discounts. The indoor University Mall (15 minutes south) and newer City Place Burlington development offer additional shopping with climate control. Street performers still appear on Church Street during warmer afternoon hours, typically 12:00 PM-3:00 PM when temperatures peak.
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing in Urban Parks
The Intervale Center maintains 8 km (5 miles) of groomed cross-country ski trails right within Burlington city limits - you're literally 10 minutes from downtown. Catamount Family Center (20 minutes south) offers another 30 km (18.6 miles) of groomed trails with better facilities. February snow coverage is typically reliable at 30-50 cm (12-20 inches) depth. These activities let you experience Vermont winter at a gentler pace than downhill skiing, and the effort actually keeps you warm despite the cold. Trails are busiest 10:00 AM-2:00 PM on weekends.
Indoor Cultural Attractions and Museums
February weather makes this ideal time for Burlington's indoor attractions. The Fleming Museum at UVM has rotating exhibitions and a strong collection of global art (typically open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM). The ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center offers 3-4 hours of exhibits focused on Lake Champlain ecology, with touch tanks and interactive displays particularly good for families. The BCA Center (Burlington City Arts) in the old Firehouse building showcases Vermont artists. These attractions are never crowded in winter, giving you space to actually absorb the exhibits.
February Events & Festivals
Burlington Winter Festival
This typically runs over a long weekend in late February with ice sculpture competitions, pond hockey tournaments, and the famous Penguin Plunge where hundreds of people jump into Lake Champlain through a hole cut in the ice. The festival includes outdoor concerts (dress VERY warm), food vendors with hot chocolate and Vermont specialties, and family activities like ice bowling. The ice sculptures along the waterfront are genuinely impressive - professional carvers create 15-20 large-scale pieces that stay up for several days if temperatures cooperate.
Vermont Restaurant Week
While this event typically spans late January through early February, it often extends into the first week of February. Participating restaurants (usually 40-50 throughout Burlington and surrounding towns) offer three-course prix-fixe dinners at 30-40 USD that would normally cost 50-70 USD. This is genuinely the best time to try higher-end restaurants like Hen of the Wood, Leunig's Bistro, or Farmhouse Tap and Grill at reduced prices. Reservations become essential during this period, especially for Friday-Saturday slots.