Things to Do in Burlington in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
March Weather in Burlington
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
41°F (5°C)
High Temp
24°F (-4°C)
Low Temp
0.1 inches (3 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Black ice is a common morning and evening hazard on roads and sidewalks. Walk and drive with caution. Every step counts.
⚠ Rapid temperature swings can occur within a single day. This requires frequent wardrobe changes. Embrace the chaos.
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + March in Burlington is the city's great seasonal shrug. Snowpack on the Adirondack peaks across the lake stays deep enough for skiing. Spring's first whiffs creep in anyway. A damp-earth smell cuts the last woodsmoke.
- + College crowds are still on break. Summer tourist crush feels distant. Walk into Hen of the Wood or The Farmhouse Tap & Grill without July's two-hour waits. The Burlington Bike Path along the waterfront is yours. Locals in puffy coats walk dogs.
- + This is the last month for genuine maple sugaring season. Steam from sugar shacks hangs in cold morning air. Find the year's first, sharpest syrup at the Burlington Farmers' Market inside the Memorial Auditorium. It's also drizzled over creemees at local spots.
- + Hotel rates sit in the shoulder-season sweet spot. They're noticeably cheaper than summer peak. They're above the deep winter discounts tied to sub-zero temperatures. You can still score a lake-view room without a second mortgage.
Considerations
- − Don't let 'warm and humid' fool you. That 41°F (5°C) high is a daytime best-case. 'Variable' conditions can flip fast. Sunny afternoons feel almost mild. Sleet evenings sting your face. The ground is patchwork ice, slush, and mud. Locals call it 'Vermont concrete.'
- − This is mud season. Hiking trails in the Green Mountains turn slippery. Paths around Red Rocks Park suck boots. Many trailheads close to stop erosion. March looks great on paper. It becomes a logistical puzzle.
- − Lake Champlain is still a vast, frozen plain. It's not the sparkling summer playground. Ice fishing shanties are towed off. The ferry to New York may dodge ice floes. Burlington's water-centric soul hibernates.
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
March in Burlington is a slow thaw, not a show. Winter's grip loosens one reluctant finger at a time. The air stays damp and cold, swinging between a raw, blustery day when wind whips straight off Lake Champlain and a gentle afternoon under a pale, clear sky. Locals eye the lake's frozen skin, listening for the first crack and groan, and swap heavy boots for mud-caked shoes while the last crusted snow retreats from south-facing slopes. Visitors are thin on the ground, so the city's character shows without the usual crowd noise. Seek warmth beside a brewery's fermenters, poke through quiet galleries, walk streets where bare branches creak and a distant train whistle drifts over the waterfront. No big festivals means the spotlight lands on Burlington's indoor life and the landscape's quiet shifts. March rewards anyone who likes to look twice: steam curling from a manhole, woodsmoke mixing with meltwater scent, late sun skimming the brick façades of Church Street. Dining rooms feel tighter, café conversations stretch longer. The lakefront path might be too windswept for a stroll. Yet the compact core links warming stops in minutes, a malty pint or bowl of chowder always within reach. This is Burlington unvarnished, waiting patiently for spring.
Burlington Signature Guided Brewery Tour
foodThis tour examines the working heart of Burlington's craft beer scene, moving beyond the taproom to where the magic happens. You'll stand among gleaming stainless fermenters, breathe warm, bready mash, feel the humid brew floor while a guide explains the alchemy of local hops and Vermont water. The payoff comes fast: unfiltered, often experimental beers poured straight from the source, flavors running from crisp floral to deep roast.
It gives a tangible, behind-the-scenes link to the city's liquid culture you cannot get by ordering a flight at a bar.
Insider tip: Wear closed-toe shoes with non-slip soles. Brewery floors stay wet and slick.
Small Group 5-Day Tour Vacation Package in Vermont
guided_experienceThis complete package turns Burlington into your basecamp for a deep look at Vermont in early spring. Days roll through landscapes still wearing winter gray, sugarhouses where steam and maple scent mark the start of sugaring season, historic villages where meltwater rushes in stone-lined brooks. Evenings bring you back to town for sharp local cheddar or a maple-glazed pork chop.
It efficiently pairs the quiet of the March countryside with the culinary and cultural comforts of Vermont's largest city.
Insider tip: Pack layers, warm hat and gloves. Van travel and outdoor stops can be surprisingly cold even under sunny skies.
Awesome Scavenger Hunt: Burlington Beauty
otherThis self-guided adventure turns the city into a puzzle, using a smartphone app to steer you toward architectural details, tucked-away art, overlooked lakefront vistas you'd otherwise miss. You'll study carved stonework above a doorway, listen for a specific clock tower chime, feel the bark of a heritage tree on a quiet street. It forces you to notice late-winter light on red brick and bare limbs against the steel-gray lake.
It supplies a framework for discovery that makes you an active participant in uncovering the city's character, good for independent travelers.
Insider tip: Charge your phone fully and bring a portable battery. The app and camera drain power fast.
Burlington's Famous Ghosts Smartphone Guided Walking Tour
walking_tourThis after-dark audio tour mixes local lore and history while you walk quieter streets where shadows pool in alleys off Church Street and lake wind sounds like whispers. The narrator points out dimly lit windows of storied buildings, notes the chill near a certain cellar door, retells tales passed down for generations. The familiar downtown feels older, layered, in the crisp, empty March night air.
It delivers an atmospheric take on the city's past, good for listeners who want spine-tingling stories beyond standard historical facts.
Insider tip: Dress far warmer than you think necessary. Standing still to listen is colder than a brisk walk.
Where to Stay in Burlington in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
March Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Late March
Vermont Maple Festival (in St. Albans)
Not in Burlington proper. But the long-running Vermont Maple Festival in nearby St. Albans is the state's ode to syrup. Worth the 45-minute drive. The air smells of frying dough and maple cotton candy. Watch logging demos and syrup judging contests. Sample maple BBQ sauce and maple creamies. It feels like a county fair. But deliciously sticky throughout.
Packing Checklist
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View Burlington Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The best 'hike' in March is the Burlington Bike Path, from Oakledge Park to the Winooski River. It's plowed and sanded, offering guaranteed lake views without the trail mud. Go at dusk. Watch the lights come on across the water in Port Henry, New York.
Skip the crowded waterfront restaurants for lunch. Head to the Old North End. Grab a banh mi from Pho Hong or a massive, cheap slice from Leonardo's. The neighborhoods have more character when the summer sheen is off.
Want to ski or snowboard? The mountains are still fully operational. Instead of fighting I-89 traffic to Stowe, try Bolton Valley Resort. It's a 30-minute drive, has night skiing, and feels more local. Smarter choice.
Parking is easy in March. Ignore the garages. The on-street meters are free after 5 pm and all day Sunday. You can almost always find a spot within a block or two of Church Street. Simple.
Avoid These Mistakes
Underestimating the wind chill on the lakefront is a rookie move. That 'feels like' temperature is real. A sunny 40°F (4°C) on Church Street can feel like 25°F (-4°C) with the breeze off the water at Waterfront Park. Respect it.
Don't assume all maple farms are open for visits. The season is short and weather-dependent. Always call or check a farm's Facebook page before making a drive. Save yourself the trip.
Packing only for cold is a mistake. The sun is surprisingly strong. Indoors (restaurants, shops, museums) will be overheated to a Vermonter's standard. You'll be constantly putting layers on and taking them off. Plan for swings.
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