5 Coolest Things to Do in Burlington, VT

If you are going to Burlington, Vermont in the near or distant future, I hope you will take these suggestions with you. Do at least two of them, and I am certain you will have a very cool trip to Burlington indeed.

Ride the Rail Trail

Vermont's most populous city at only 30,000 residents, Burlington rests on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain -- a bucolic setting lined with wooded communities and bicycle trails. The most-ridden of these trails runs north-and-south along Burlington's shoreline. It is a trail that will take you to Shelburne Bay if you bike south, or through neighborhoods and marshes if you travel north. The ride is easy and fun for couples and families, and plenty long if you are an individual looking for a good workout.

You say you cannot bring bikes to Burlington? Not to worry. There are several bike shops within steps of this rail trail (and one right on it) where you can rent rides at reasonable rates.

Enjoy Beer and Pizza at American Flatbread

The American Flatbread brewpub and eatery provides by no means your average beer and pizza. It is a place to tap Burlington's crunchy, grainy pulse. It is also a place that serves exceptional craft beer and pizza.

American Flatbread brews beers few brewers have ever imagined, and even fewer have the courage to attempt. My favorite is the wheat IPA. Think of it as a "hoppy" hefeweizen, or a "wheaty" pale ale. Either way, it makes the craft beer lover's mouth tingle and sing.

Pizza pie has been reborn at this establishment. This has got to be Burlington's finest pizza. With ingredients derived from local farms (and a wide palate), and a wood-fired hearth right in the dining room, I find it the best pizza experience I have ever enjoyed. You will find here a pizza like no other you have ever eaten.

Watch the Sunset on Lake Champlain

On Lake Champlain's West Coast, Adirondack centurions stand guard, and watching the sun set behind this range is a sight that could make one's trip to Burlington a success all on its own. Burlington's shoreline offers several restaurants -- most of which serve seafood -- with decks and/or picture windows for you and (hopefully) a kindred soul to watch the daylight kiss good night the sky. You will not regret watching the sun set in Burlington.

Take In the Shops and Cafes of Church Street

Burlington, Vermont features a pedestrian mall on Church Street (right in the heart of the city) that bursts with life, especially in the warm times of year. Walk the mall in summer, and you will find at least two one-man bands performing -- a sight better seen than described. Amidst dozens of shops and restaurants -- some with names and offerings you will find familiar, and others which you will find new -- exists a blissful afternoon unlike almost all shopping experiences in the U.S. It feels more like Europe, or Montreal. It feels like love. It feels cool.

Pay It Forward

Spend a weekend in Burlington -- especially during the school year -- and a nice, young college student will almost certainly ask to bum a dollar off you. Trust me. It's happened to my wife and me more than once.

Be sure to go on and give the kid the dollar. Think of it as the Burlington tax -- a nominal fee you pay for a great trip to Vermont's finest gem.

When you are ready to travel to Burlington for a very cool time, I hope you'll keep these tips in mind.