Things to Do in Burlington in June

June Weather in Burlington

25°C (77°F) High Temp

15°C (59°F) Low Temp

89 mm (3.5 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is June Right for You?

Advantages

Perfect hiking weather - cool mornings at 15°C (59°F) warm to comfortable 25°C (77°F) by afternoon, ideal for the 48 km (30 miles) of Burlington's trail network
Lake Champlain reaches peak clarity in June with 6 m (20 ft) visibility - best month for paddleboarding and kayaking before summer algae blooms
Farmers markets hit their stride with 30+ vendors at Pine Street Saturday market - peak season for Vermont maple products and early summer produce
Shoulder season pricing ends Memorial Day weekend but crowds stay manageable until July 4th - hotel rates average $180-220 versus $280+ in peak summer

Considerations

Rain showers occur 10 days monthly, often lasting 45-90 minutes in late afternoon - can disrupt outdoor dining plans on Church Street
Lake temperature stays chilly at 16-18°C (61-64°F) - wetsuit recommended for swimming or water activities lasting over 30 minutes
Variable weather requires layering - temperature swings of 10°C (18°F) between morning and afternoon are common

Best Activities in June

Lake Champlain Kayaking and Paddleboarding

June offers peak water clarity and calm morning conditions before summer boat traffic increases. Water temperature of 16-18°C (61-64°F) is manageable with wetsuit for 2-3 hour paddles. Morning fog creates dramatic photography opportunities around Burlington Bay islands.

Booking Tip: Reserve equipment 5-7 days ahead through waterfront outfitters. Half-day rentals typically cost $45-65, guided tours $85-120. Book morning slots (8-11am) for calmest conditions before afternoon winds pick up.

Shelburne Farms and Museum Tours

Perfect weather for exploring Vermont's agricultural heritage - cool enough for comfortable walking through 400-acre working farm, warm enough for outdoor exhibits. June brings newborn farm animals and peak cheese-making season at on-site creamery.

Booking Tip: Purchase timed entry tickets online 10-14 days ahead during June weekends. General admission $12-18, combo farm and museum passes $25-35. Allow 3-4 hours for full experience including grounds walking.

Brewery and Distillery Cycling Tours

June's moderate temperatures make 15-25 km (9-15 mile) brewery circuits comfortable without summer heat exhaustion. The Champlain Valley has 12 craft breweries within 20 km (12 miles) - perfect for self-guided or group cycling tours between tastings.

Booking Tip: Electric bike rentals typically $40-60/day, guided brewery tours $95-140 including tastings. Book midweek for smaller groups and better brewery attention. Most tours include 3-4 stops over 4-5 hours.

Mount Mansfield and Camel's Hump Hiking

Prime hiking season begins in June with snow cleared from high peaks but temperatures staying comfortable for strenuous climbs. Mount Mansfield at 1,339 m (4,393 ft) offers 360-degree views without summer haze. Trail conditions are optimal with minimal mud.

Booking Tip: No advance booking needed for trail access, but parking fills by 9am weekends at popular trailheads. Guided day hikes cost $120-180 per person. Allow 6-8 hours for Mount Mansfield summit, 5-6 hours for Camel's Hump.

Church Street Marketplace Food Walking Tours

June weather is perfect for 2-3 hour outdoor food sampling tours covering Burlington's 1.6 km (1 mile) pedestrian marketplace. Cool mornings transition to pleasant afternoons ideal for gelato, farm-to-table samples, and Vermont cheese tastings.

Booking Tip: Book food tours 7-10 days ahead for weekend slots. Typical tours cost $65-95 per person including 6-8 tastings. Afternoon tours (2-5pm) offer more vendor options than morning tours.

Champlain Valley Wine Trail Tours

June marks optimal tasting season before summer crowds arrive at Vermont's emerging wine region. Cool evenings preserve wine quality during transport, and vineyard tours showcase early summer grape development across 8 local wineries.

Booking Tip: Self-guided wine trail maps available free from tourism offices. Guided tours typically $110-160 including transportation and 4-5 tastings. Book Thursday-Saturday tours 2 weeks ahead - many wineries close Monday-Wednesday in June.

June Events & Festivals

Early to Mid June

Burlington Discover Jazz Festival

Vermont's premier music festival brings 200+ performances across 50+ venues downtown. Mix of free outdoor concerts and ticketed indoor shows ranging from traditional jazz to world music. Transforms entire Church Street area into outdoor concert venue.

Mid June

Vermont Brewers Festival

Annual celebration featuring 40+ Vermont breweries at Waterfront Park overlooking Lake Champlain. Perfect June weather for outdoor beer sampling with live music and local food vendors. Advance ticket sales typically sell out within 2 weeks.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight merino wool base layer - temperature swings from 15°C (59°F) mornings to 25°C (77°F) afternoons require flexible layering

Waterproof hiking boots rated for wet conditions - trails stay muddy through June from snowmelt and 89mm (3.5 inches) monthly rainfall

Packable rain jacket with hood - afternoon showers last 45-90 minutes and arrive with little warning, especially near Lake Champlain

SPF 50+ sunscreen for high-altitude hiking - UV index reaches 8 and reflects strongly off lake surfaces and remaining snow patches

Quick-dry pants and shorts - humidity stays around 70% and morning dew is heavy through 9-10am on outdoor activities

Insulated water bottle - morning temperatures require hot beverages, afternoon heat needs cold drinks during 6-8 hour hiking days

Fleece or light wool sweater - evenings drop to 15°C (59°F) and lakefront dining requires warmth after sunset around 8:15pm

Moisture-wicking socks and backup pair - wet conditions on trails and high humidity cause blisters on multi-hour hiking days

Lightweight gloves for early morning activities - 6am sunrise paddles and pre-dawn photography sessions feel much colder than daytime temps

Compact umbrella for downtown walking - Church Street Marketplace and waterfront areas have limited covered areas during rain showers

Insider Knowledge

Lake Champlain water levels peak in June from snowmelt - shoreline restaurants extend docks and patios that aren't available later in summer when water recedes

Local farmers markets accept Vermont Farm Fresh Atlas coupons worth $10-15 off purchases - pick up free booklet at visitor centers for dining discounts through October

Burlington International Airport offers direct flights to 12+ cities in June (versus 8 in winter) - book flights 6-8 weeks ahead for $200+ savings over July-August peak prices

Downtown parking enforcement increases June 1st after relaxed winter rules - free 2-hour spots become 90-minute paid zones, but Church Street garage offers $5 all-day June rates

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating afternoon weather changes - many tourists pack only for pleasant 25°C (77°F) highs and get caught unprepared when temperatures drop 8-10°C (14-18°F) after sudden June thunderstorms

Booking lake activities without checking wind forecasts - Lake Champlain generates 25-35 km/h (15-22 mph) afternoon winds that make kayaking dangerous for beginners and cancel boat tours

Assuming all trails are snow-free - elevations above 900m (2,950 ft) on Mount Mansfield and Camel's Hump often retain snow patches through mid-June requiring microspikes or aggressive tread hiking boots