A Guide To The Best Spots In Downtown Burlington

Whether you’re in Burlington on vacation, for school or you’re moving there permanently, chances are the Downtown region will be the first part of the city you see. This is doubly so for University of Vermont students; the off-campus bus literally stops there! Therefore, it’d be best to know about the area’s hot spots. Here are 5 of the best spots in downtown Burlington.

1. Church Street Marketplace

Ok, let’s get the obvious one out of the way first. Church Street Marketplace is the symbol of the Downtown area, and possibly of Burlington itself. With chain stores such as Starbucks, the Body Shop and Fjällräven, it’s clear that variety is the key here. But also present are plenty of independent places to choose from such as the Keep Vermont Weird shop, the Downtown Threads shop (for all the retro and hipster gear you could ask for) and the gorgeous Frog Hollow Gallery. And if that’s not enough, how about the various restaurants and coffee shops also available in the area? Truly, the amount of fun to be had at Church Street is close to endless!

2. The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts

The Flynn Center is Vermont’s local venue for theatre, musicals and the classics. Among the things performed there are Broadway, jazz, Shakespeare and dances from all sorts of cultures. And for LGBTQ University of Vermont students, the deal is even better as the LGBTQ center regularly receives vouchers for performances, that only cost the student around $2! What a steal! This is not a place to miss during one’s trip to Burlington!

3. The Waterfront Park

Where else in Burlington can you relax, bike or jog like this? Located on the edge of Lake Champlain, the Waterfront Park offers beautiful views of the water, benches to chill on, perfect look-out points and selfie spots and and grass patches for picnics, dog-walking and whatever outdoor fun you can think of. Relax on the rocks, kayak on the water or smell the flowers; it’s nothing but fun in the sun over here!

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4. Merrill’s Roxy Cinema

Need a movie hang-out spot? Are your tastes less mainstream Hollywood and more indie drama? Merrill’s Roxy Cinema offers both so there’s truly no reason to go out for a night. And with the discount offered to University of Vermont students, not to mention the free ticket opportunities, if you’re lucky enough to get one, you’ll be sure to have a fun, cheap time at the Cinema.

5. City Hall Park

Although not as spectacular as the Waterfront, City Hall Park, so named due to its placement behind City Hall, is a wonderful hang-out and relaxation spot. It’s just grass enough to take your mind off your most recent batch of responsibilities and just pretty enough to enjoy doing it as well. Watch this space; on Saturdays starting in late spring, the Burlington Summer Farmers’ Market appear here so get ready with your wallet in case you need it!