Despite being small, Burlington is the most visited city in Vermont and is a lot of fun to explore. Vermont in February offers exciting things to satisfy everyone’s wanderlust, including charming towns, world-class ski resorts, and some of the nation’s most romantic covered bridges. Stay inside to experience the rich local culture while you’re in Burlington, which is recognized as an artistic city with a fantastic food and drink scene. The tiny community is located on Lake Champlain in northwest Vermont. Burlington’s Church Street, a four-block pedestrian mall, and the quaint downtown district are among the city’s most visited attractions.
Since Burlington is the epicenter of nightlife, the arts, and culture, it is a must-visit city for a day or two when visiting Vermont. You will find much to do there. One of my favorite seasons to visit Burlington is winter because there are so many enjoyable things to do there. Even if you don’t want to be outside in the chilly weather, there is something for everyone, from classic winter sports to interesting shows and pubs! It is well known that Burlington, Vermont, experiences cold winters. Fortunately, there are still many things to do when it gets colder. Any time of the year, Burlington is a great weekend retreat. Here are some of the top winter activities in Burlington, Vermont.
1. Ice Skating at Burlington’s Rinks:
In Burlington, ice skating is a popular winter pastime that is a lot of fun. You can go to Calahan Park Community Rink and Lakeside Skating Rink, two community rinks. In a special location named Arthur Park, you can skate on wild ice, which means that you will be skating on a lake rather than a man-made rink. There are risks associated with skating on wild ice and numerous safety precautions must be taken. However, the Sea Caves are very visible from the ice.
2. Do Some Holiday Shopping on Church Street:
In Burlington, Vermont, there is nothing better than perusing the charming stores along Church Street. You could spend the entire day on one block alone because there are over 60 local shops, two hours of free parking at the Downtown Garage, and a ton of eateries and cafes to refuel at. Shop for new and old books at Crow Bookshop (14 Church St.) or fine regional crafts at Frog Hollow Gallery (85 Church St.)
3. Take a Sleigh Ride:
The best winter activities include sleigh rides, which you must experience in Burlington, Vermont, to really appreciate the winter landscape. Shelburne Farms is not only a lovely location in the winter, but it is also the ideal location for sleigh rides! In less than 15 minutes, you can drive from downtown Burlington to the farm. Keep exploring the farm after your sleigh ride with other enjoyable pursuits including the indoor winter Farmers’ market and informative winter farm events. In Stowe, Vermont, you can also go on sleigh rides at places like Sterling Mountain Carriage Services or Gentle Giants Sleigh Rides & Carriage Rides. Additionally, Stowe, Vermont, offers a ton of other amazing wintertime activities.
4. Try your luck at the archives:
You must visit The Archives if you enjoy playing old-school arcade games. Try your luck at Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, or one of the many pinball machines offered while sipping on a finely made cocktail. A group of buddies can meet up here in style.
5. Explore the Frozen Lake:
Locals and visitors to Burlington enjoy wandering out onto the ice to explore once the lake has frozen over in the winter. The ice is thick enough to skate on, stroll on, and do other things, especially during the coldest winter months. Leddy Park (216 Leddy Park Road) and Oakledge Park are the two excellent sites to visit to begin a lakeside walk (Flynn Ave). Additionally, both parks offer picnic tables and other facilities including restrooms.
6. Experience Burlington in the winter by attending a live performance:
What better way to spend a cold day than taking in a live performance in Burlington, Vermont, which offers a variety of live entertainment? The Flynn, a nearly century-old theater in Burlington, hosts numerous regional and international productions. The variety of acts includes everything from dance troupes to comedic performances. When visiting Burlington, though, you never know what kind of concert will be playing there, so check the calendar and buy some tickets.
Visit the Vermont Comedy Club in the heart of Burlington for a night of laughing. The majority of the weeknights feature performances, including those by upcoming comedians, open mic nights, and trivia nights. Additionally, the comedy club has a small café that is open during the day where you can have some coffee and a hot breakfast. Live music is played in a few local taverns. A cozy bar with live music, theater, poetry readings, and dancing is called Radio Bean. You can enjoy local beers, coffee, cocktails, and small appetizers while watching live performances. Nectar’s, a funky bar with live music that is more conventional than Radio Bean, is another option. They offer a wide selection of domestic and artisan beers, wines, and cocktails in addition to selling cuisine.
7. Have a Stiff Drink at the Burlington Distilleries:
It’s a little odd that Burlington has not one, but two distilleries gave how small the city is. A hard drink seems even more enticing during the chilly winters! When visiting Burlington, Vermont in the winter, be sure to stop by the famous Mad River Distillers (137 St. Paul St.) and Smugglers’ Notch Distillery (28 Church St.). The tasting rooms at both are top-notch, but Mad River has a full bar and a cocktail menu.
8. Take a Tour of the Coziest Bars in Burlington:
In Burlington, there are so many charming, little bars that are ideal for hiding out during a snowfall. The Archives Arcade Bar (191 College St), The Light Club Lamp Shop (8 N Winooski Ave), and Three Needs Taproom are the three coziest places to visit in Burlington this winter (185 Pearl St). All three provide a cozy ambiance that’s ideal for getting together with friends, soft and comfortable seats, and dim lighting. When you’re spending time with friends inside, who cares about the weather outside?