If you don’t have lodging, you have lots of choices, from world-class hotels to cozy B&B’s and inns. Lakeside accommodations range from the Hilton, Hotel Vermont and Courtyard Burlington Harbor to the Inn at Shelburne Farms (www.shelburnefarms.org/staydine). We like the Willard Street Inn (www.willardstreetinn.com) for an in-town treat with lake views.
Hungry? Fear not! The Burlington area is a hub for dining experiences from the highest of high end French cuisine, to fusion to pub food to the Saturday Burlington Farmers Market, where you can sample international cuisines, baked goods, wines, maple products, etc. Here are some more hot picks:
Bistro de Margot (www.bistrodemargot.com) for a hit of classical French cuisine, or dine al fresco at Leunig’s, offering bistro-style cooking. www.leunigsbistro.com . (Remember, we are only an hour from the border of French Canada!) If you’ve never had poutine, head over to Nector’s, www.liveatnectors.com .
On Church Street, a promenade in downtown Burlington, there are café’s, Asian takeout, Italian, Mexican, pubs, chocolate and ice cream, pizza, as well as great shopping and people watching.
Vermont is famous for its craft breweries, and there are a few in the Burlington area, with tasting rooms, growlers, the works. In addition to Switchback, Magic Hat, Heady Topper, Queen City Brewing, Fiddle Head and Zero Gravity, there’s Citizen Cider. Check www.BurlingtonBrewTours.com for tours of local breweries. If you are a wine aficionado, go to Shelburne Vineyard, and enjoy the tasting room in the Vineyard.
In summer, we head to the beach or the bike path. https://enjoyburlington.com has info on local beaches. The Burlington Bike Path hugs the shore for miles. You can rent bikes and helmets trailside at Local Motion www.localmotion.org and also pick up maps for biking throughout the area.
For a complete list of everything Burlington go to www.vermont.org.
Have fun! Tell us how you liked it! And we’ll see you at Julius Caesar!
Written by Ruth Wallman
Vermont Shakespeare Festival 