Oakledge Park – ­Located in the South End of Burlington, along the shoreline of Lake Champlain, Oakledge boasts over 2400’ of waterfront including two natural sand swimming beaches and a rocky shore which are both perfect spots for watching spectacular sunsets. Oakledge is also home to a playground, three tennis courts, two softball fields, walking trails, picnic shelters, and lots of grassy areas. The park marks the southern end of the Burlington Bike Path, which winds through the entire park.

Waterfront Park - Waterfront Park is at the heart of Burlington’s lakefront, home to several large music and food festivals, the large regional park is now host to some of Burlington’s most popular eateries and captivating attractions. After a vibrant rehabilitation, the Burlington waterfront has become so much more than a great place to watch beautiful sunsets, it has become a focal point for culture and community in the Burlington area.

North Beach – Burlington’s largest beach has something for everyone. With a full campground, snack and beach bar, a playground, as well as kayak, canoe and paddleboard rentals, North Beach is a premier natural sand beach with lifeguards on duty in the summer season. Beloved by locals and visitors alike, North Beach is an essential summer getaway for beachgoers of all ages. Right off of the Burlington Bike Path, North Beach is the perfect day trip for whatever kind of adventure you are looking for.

Leddy Park – Overlooked by a grassy picnic area, Leddy is a very quiet and secluded beach in the North End of Burlington. Tucked away in Appletree Bay, Leddy is a 1500’ sandy beach that is relatively shielded from the elements. The perfect spot for a midday picnic or twilight bonfire. Leddy Park has extensive athletic fields, tennis courts, basketball courts and an Ice Arena on it’s property.

Burlington’s waterfront is expansive and also the city’s most popular amenity, it is a unique destination that offers Burlington residents and visitors a place to discover, celebrate, play, and relax. The waterfront is home to Six major waterfront parks and many other local attractions that are connected together by the Burlington Bike Path.

 

Burlington Bike Path
Operating as the arteries of the Burlington Waterfront, the 8-mile-long Burlington Bike Path hugs the shoreline and travels from Queen City Park in the South End to the Northernmost tip of Burlington, bordering the Winooski River. The Bike Path connects all of the waterfront parks together. Offering some of the best views Lake Champlain has to offer, along with the Adirondacks to the West. There are hidden beaches to swim from, rocky ledges to sunbathe on, and hiking trails to explore, the Burlington Bike Path has something for everyone.

Lake Champlain Community Sailing CenterA vital hub on the shores of Lake Champlain, the Community Sailing Center is a staple of the Burlington Waterfront. Whether you are spending half an hour on a stand-up paddle board or half a day exploring Burlington Bay in a sailboat, the Community Sailing center has a wide variety of opportunities for adventures on the lake, regardless of experience level or limitations. Built on the ideals of fostering a community that is connected to the lake and each other. Offering a unique educational experience while promoting Lake Champlain as Vermont's most valuable natural resource.

 

Marinas Burlington Community Boathouse Marina - At the centrally located Burlington Community Boathouse, boaters can find hourly and overnight dockage, fantastic services and even a dockside restaurant. The boathouse has over 45 transient slips available, with electricity and water at every slip, boater restrooms with showers are offered on site. The docks at the Community Boathouse also house a variety of different sailing charter companies. The Spirit of Ethan Allen cruise boat also calls the boathouse home. Possibly the best location of any marina in Burlington, within close walking distance of shopping, grocery stores and fantastic restaurants.

Perkins Pier Marina – After completing a massive expansion before the start of this summer season, Perkins Pier is a seasonal boater marina in the Burlington Harbor predominately used for smaller boats. All Perkins boaters can utilize any service offered at the Boathouse. A unique urban stop on the Lake Champlain Paddler’s Trail, Perkins Pier offers free kayak/canoe storage as well as paddleboard, kayak, and canoe rentals everyday through Wind and Waves. Perkins Pier is also home to the Maritime Museum’s Louis McClure, a replica of a 1862 canal schooner and also a waterside maritime history exhibit.

Burlington Harbor Marina – Completed in 2019 to make boating on Lake Champlain and the Burlington Waterfront more accessible to transient and local boaters alike. Designed to provide the finest facilities to satisfy all of your boating needs, the newly constructed marina breathes life into a burgeoning area of the waterfront. The Burlington Harbor Marina is rooted in a completely remodeled section of the Burlington Waterfront, directly adjacent to the recently renovated Water Works Park. Only two years after being completed, the Burlington Harbor Marina has become a hub for summer boating activity.

 

A Taste of Local Craft Brews

The Burlington community is home to many well-known breweries. To give them each a try, visit City Brew Tours, located on Williston Road in South Burlington. Get behind their moto “you drink, we drive” and book your Burlington craft beer tour. Highlights on the tour include Magic Hat Brewing Company, Switchback Brewing Company, and Queen City Brewery. Check out their website below!

https://www.citybrewtours.com/burlington/

 

Live Music and Performances

The performance venue staple, Higher Ground, is also found on Williston Road. Year round, this popular venue hosts thousands of artists from all walks of music. Popular artists include Grace Potter, The Avett Brothers, Houndmouth and so many more. Higher Ground, in partnership with the Champlain Valley Exposition, started a new drive-in event series during COVID-19. Additionally, join Higher Ground and Grace Potter for the annual Grand Point North Music Festival!

https://www.highergroundmusic.com/

 

Ben & Jerry's Famous Ice Cream

South Burlington is home to the corporate offices and headquarters of the famous Ben & Jerry’s ice cream! The company, founded in 1978 by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, hosts their factory in Waterbury, VT, just 30 minutes from South Burlington. Stop by their store on Church Street in Burlington for a taste of your favorite scoop!

https://www.benjerry.com/waterbury

 

A Whale of a Tail

Steps from the Ben and Jerry headquarters, in Technology Park, is the landmark Whales Tails sculpture. Seen by thousands every day from Interstate I-89, this sculpture is actually named “Reverence” and was created in 1989 by artist Jim Sardonis. Take a relaxing walk to visit this best roadside attraction – bonus points to those who visit during the winter for the annual lighting ceremony! Click the link below to read more about the story

https://technologyparkvt.com/the-story-of-the-whales-tails/

 

Scenic Vermont Views

South Burlington has so many fun parks and recreational areas to explore! Two popular options are Red Rocks Park and Overlook Park. “Red Rocks,” as it’s known by locals, is best known for cliff jumping and scenic views. The park also has 2.5 miles of pedestrian trails, fantastic spots for swimming on its 700 feet of water front, having a picnic, and more. Overlook park is found off of Spear Street and is best known for its beautiful views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains.

http://www.southburlingtonvt.gov/parks_and_facilities/city_parks/redrockspark.php

 

*BONUS* 

DID YOU KNOW: Though owned by the city of Burlington, the Burlington International Airport is actually located in South Burlington. This airport is also home to the Burlington Air National Guard Base and the 158^th Fighter Wing of the Vermont Air National Guard.