Things to Do in Burlington in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Burlington
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect spring weather 10-23°C (50-73°F) for walking the waterfront - locals call this 'jacket weather' when you can comfortably layer while exploring Church Street
- Peak lilac season at Shelburne Farms and Battery Park - 2-3 week bloom window creates Instagram-worthy purple landscapes impossible to see other months
- Lake Champlain ferry service resumes full schedule after winter reductions - hourly crossings to NY begin May 1st, perfect for day trips to Fort Ticonderoga
- Graduation season brings vibrant energy with UVM students celebrating - downtown restaurants extend patios and local breweries debut seasonal beers made with Vermont maple
Considerations
- Unpredictable spring weather requires layers - morning 10°C (50°F) can hit 23°C (73°F) by afternoon, and afternoon rain showers occur 10 days out of 31
- Black fly season begins mid-May in hiking areas - these biting insects are most active dawn/dusk near wooded waterfront trails, locals avoid Ethan Allen Park during peak hours
- Graduation weekend (mid-May) inflates hotel rates 40-60% and books restaurants solid - three-day weekend creates mini peak season pricing
Best Activities in May
Lake Champlain Scenic Ferry Crossings
May marks full ferry schedule resumption after winter cuts. 23°C (73°F) afternoons perfect for upper deck viewing. Spring runoff creates dramatic waterfalls visible from Charlotte-Essex route. Adirondack peaks still snow-capped for photos. Locals use this as scenic commute rather than tourist activity - you'll sit with Vermonters heading to work in NY.
Shelburne Farms Spring Estate Tours
Peak lilac blooms mid-to-late May create Vermont's most photographed landscape. 400-hectare working farm offers wagon rides through purple-lined paths. Spring lambing season means newborn animals. Weather perfect for 3-hour walking tours without summer heat. Locals bring picnics during lilac festival - you can too.
Camel's Hump Spring Hiking
May offers perfect hiking weather 10-23°C (50-73°F) before summer heat and bugs peak. Snow clears from 1,244m (4,083ft) summit by early May. Spring wildflowers bloom along Burrows Trail. Crisp visibility reveals Montreal skyline 160km (100 miles) north. Warning: black flies emerge mid-May, so time hikes for early morning.
Church Street Marketplace Spring Festival Browsing
May weather perfect for outdoor market season kickoff. Local artisans return from winter hiatus. University students create buzzing atmosphere before summer departure. Street performers resume regular schedules. 70% humidity keeps dust down but isn't oppressive like summer months.
Vermont Brewery Spring Beer Tours
May marks maple beer season - breweries release limited-edition brews made with spring maple syrup harvest. Perfect weather for brewery hopping without winter driving concerns. Local favorites debut seasonal IPAs. Outdoor beer gardens reopen after winter closures.
Ethan Allen Homestead Historic Tours
Spring opening season with full tour schedule resuming. Perfect walking weather for 1-hour outdoor historical tours. Winooski River at spring flood stage creates dramatic backdrop. Gardens begin blooming. Fewer crowds than summer peak allows intimate small-group experiences.
May Events & Festivals
UVM Graduation Weekend
University of Vermont graduation transforms downtown with thousands of visiting families. Restaurants offer special menus, local businesses extend hours, and Church Street buzzes with celebratory energy. Free outdoor concerts and food vendors.
Shelburne Farms Lilac Festival
Peak blooming season creates purple landscapes across 400-hectare estate. Special photography workshops, extended farm tours, and local artisan markets. Vermont's most photographed spring event lasting 2-3 weeks depending on weather.