Waterfront Park
Burlington, VT
Set perfectly between the Lake Champlain shoreline and downtown Burlington, Waterfront Park is where locals and visitors alike will find everything from lake access and picnic spots to the city’s best food and music festivals, the Burlington Greenway, and even a museum and waterfront dining. If nothing else, come here and enjoy the views—with a Vermont creemee in hand.
The basics
Waterfront Park is an absolute hub of Burlington activity. With 900 feet (275 meters) of lakeshore, a boardwalk, benches, and fabulous views, this spot would be great on its own. Toss in the fact that the downtown shops and restaurants are just a few steps away, and it’s adjacent to the Burlington Boathouse, an actual boathouse and iconic restaurant; ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain; and Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center, and Waterfront Park sings with activity throughout the year.
During warmer seasons, locals and visitors can set out on their kayaks from here, go for a bike ride along the Burlington Greenway, picnic, and more. City festivals like Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, Burlington Wine and Food Festival, and Fourth of July fireworks take place right here, too.
Things to know before you go
- Parking is available at the Pease Lot (within the park) and at the lots on Lake Street near the skate park.
- Waterfront Info Booth and the Burlington Boathouse have restrooms, but they are open seasonally; year-round restrooms can be found at ECHO.
- Free Wi-Fi is available.
How to get there
The park is only one block west of downtown Burlington. If you’re driving, there’s plenty of paid parking; free parking is limited. If you’d like to avoid the fee, walk or bike here if you can—8 miles (12.8 kilometers) of bike trails wind away from the park. Technically, you could also kayak or sail here!
When to get there
Waterfront Park is typically open from sunrise to sunset. There’s truly no bad time to come visit and explore, though with the park facing west, sunsets here are especially spectacular. Crowds can get large during events and on weekends—if you’d like a more serene experience, visit midweek in the off-season.
Dinner is served
If you’re thinking of visiting Waterfront Park to catch the sunset, know that this is a great stop for dinner. In summer, the Farmers and Foragers Dockside food truck serves up Vermont cheesesteaks and more at the Burlington Harbor Marina. Splash at the Boathouse is another great option—it’s famous for its sunset views, to-go creemees, and pancake tacos.
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