Lake Effect: Get Your Feet Wet With Our Lake Champlain Primer
Just as mountain activities are a virtual prerequisite for surviving the winter months in Vermont, doing summer right in BTV means taking advantage of Lake Champlain. The best way, of course, is to own a boat — or befriend a sailor. But if those options are beyond your means — or social graces — don’t…
Become a Regular at These Burlington Neighborhood Restaurants
Drifter’s 156 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington, driftersvt.com It took a while for Queen City residents to discover Drifter’s, which opened in the Old North End in June 2016. But word slowly got out about chef-partner Andrew Ryan’s inexpensive, religiously local fare. From the kimchi ramen bowls made with duck broth and house-smoked bacon to the…
Sample the Suds at These Burlington-Area Breweries
Burlington Beer Company 25 Omega Dr., Suite 150, Williston, burlingtonbeercompany.com Creativity fuels the kettle at this airy warehouse brewery, where you might find an oatmeal-cranberry stout aged on red oak or bright IPAs brewed with pea flowers, pawpaw or dragonfruit. Frequent can and bottle releases draw the beer-loving crowds, while daily hours offer a more…
Meet Slam Poets Hawa Adam and Kiran Waqar of Muslim Girls Making Change
Names: Hawa Adam and Kiran Waqar Age: 17 Occupation: slam poets and high school students Towns: Burlington and South Burlington They may still be dealing with locker combinations, midterms and gym class, but the members of Muslim Girls Making Change are also making waves nationwide. Since 2016, young slam poets Hawa Adam, Balkisa Abdikadir, Lena…
Soak Up Some Sun at These Favorite Burlington Parks
Oakledge Park Flynn Ave., Burlington, enjoyburlington.com Tennis, volleyball and bocce courts — and the occasional hipster kickball league — are draws at this beautiful South End park. The picnic pavilions, spacious lawns, playground and hidden tree house are nice, too. Seeking some sun? You’ve got options. Lounge on the clean, sandy beach that abuts the…
The Bean Scene: What’s Brewing in Burlington’s Java Joints
So, it’s morning — or not — and you’re in need of a sleep-defying pick-me-up. Word to the wise: Don’t just curb that caffeine craving at the first coffeehouse you come across. Perhaps you’re looking for a quiet spot to sit and get some work done. Maybe it’s a more social sip that you seek — in…
Need Outdoor Gear? These Burlington Shops Will Get You Set for Biking, Skiing and Shredding
Old Spokes Home 322 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington, oldspokeshome.com The self-described “most unusual bike shop on the planet” is the hub of the local cycling community and the best place in Burlington to find a vintage ride. It’s also not a bad spot to learn more about the cycles of yesteryear, thanks to the Bicycle…
Meet Burlington Bouncer Mikey van Gulden
Age: 48 Occupation: owner, Chocolate Thunder Security Town: Burlington If you’ve ever set foot in a Burlington bar or club, you’ve likely encountered effervescent bouncer extraordinaire Mikey van Gulden. As the youngest of 10 children, he’s always been accustomed to crowds. Raised in Williston, his first jobs in Burlington included washing dishes at the long-gone…
Our Favorite Outdoor Dining Spots in the Burlington Area
Waterworks Food + Drink 20 Winooski Falls Way, Winooski, waterworksvt.com Warm weather draws droves of diners to the coveted patio seats outside this former textile mill on the Winooski River. Gather for evening drinks — Waterworks boasts one of Chittenden County’s finer cocktail menus — and linger over a wood-fired pizza, seasonal salad or garlic hummus with…
Good, Clean Fun: Nonalcoholic Activities In and Around Burlington
You don’t have to belly up to the bar to socialize or unwind in Burlington — there’s more to our nightlife than creative cocktails and craft brews. Whether you’re straight-edge, sober, underage or just need a night off from the club scene, we think you’ll enjoy our recommendations for booze-free hangouts. GTFO Escape rooms are all…
Feeling Artsy? Head to These Burlington Galleries
Burlington positively oozes creativity — like, in a good way. You can witness it at work in the city’s varied galleries and exhibition spaces, which showcase local, national and international artists alike. When you’re ready to feast your eyes, mind and soul — or just have a lazy, wander-y afternoon — check out one (or…
Meet Race-Car Driver and College Student Emily Packard
Age: 20 Occupation: race-car driver and college student Town: Northumberland, N.H. Emily Packard has been gunning her engines since she was 9 years old. That was the first time she got behind the wheel of a race car — admittedly, a go-kart — and she’s rarely slowed down since. The 20-year-old Community College of Vermont…
Vermont’s Collin Hale Is a Pro Skateboarder and Sous Chef
Age: 31 Occupation: pro skateboarder and sous chef Town: Stowe Collin Hale has lived in Vermont most of his life. But it was during a brief stint in Phoenix, Ariz. — in fourth through sixth grades — that he discovered skateboarding. By the time his family moved back to Underhill, Hale was hooked. “Skateboarding’s not for…
What’s Good 2017: Your Burlington Survival Guide
Residents of the idyllic hamlet of Burlington, Vt., firmly believe in that age-old Darwinian axiom: survival of the fittest. How can you tell? Well, not to get all braggy, but your newly adopted lakeside hometown annually ranks among the healthiest cities in the country. And thanks to Vermont’s famously back-to-the-land, self-sufficient ethos, BTV is a…
Burlington’s Best Date Night Spots
Monarch & the Milkweed 111 St. Paul St., Burlington, monarchandthemilkweed.com Entering tiny but chic Monarch & the Milkweed feels like stepping into a miniature marble palace. Fluted chandeliers cast warm light over white-stone pedestal tables; napkins are branded with the restaurant’s butterfly logo. You could keep it casual and meet for lunch, dipping grilled cheddar-Gruyère…
Thrift Score: Scouting Out Burlington’s Secondhand Shops
Vermonters recycle pretty much everything — bottles, altweekly newspapers, significant others, etc. Clothing, décor and furniture are no exception. There are plenty of thrift and consignment stores around town to flex your creative muscles and scoop up fabulous finds on the cheap. Here’s our guide to tracking down treasures that’ll save a pretty penny while…
Drive Time: Find the Vermont Road Trip That’s Right For You
Burlington is a great place to live, work and play. But the fun doesn’t stop at the city limits. Whether you’re looking for beaches and snack bars, mountain peaks and pine-scented forests, or skyscrapers and city streets, there’s a great escape just a short drive away. Take the quiz below, and we’ll point you in…
Travel the World in the Burlington Area With These Global Eateries
Istanbul Kebab House 175 Church St., Burlington, istanbulkebabhousevt.com Turkey is better known for dolma and spit-roasted lamb than it is for wine, but Burlington’s own kebab house carries a dozen charismatic Turkish bottles. Sample them with a feast of spiced bulgur croquettes, zucchini pancakes and sizzling skewered meats. Finish with a petite cup of jet-powered…
Lookin’ Good: Seven Local Artists to Watch
Fun fact: Vermont has one of the highest percentages of artists per capita in the U.S. Evidence of this is rampant; just about every public space has art on display. (See our guide to BTV galleries.) Want to put your finger on the creative pulse of the city? We’ve selected just a few up-and-comers to…
The Best Burlington-Area Townie Bars
Olde Northender Pub 23 North St., Burlington, 864-9888 Owner Bob Beauvais describes this true neighborhood watering hole as “the best damn make-you-feel-at-home bar.” That might be because the building pretty much looks like someone stuck a bar in a house. What the Old North End joint lacks in draft beer selection it makes up for…
The Best Destinations for Outdoor Summer Fun in Vermont
Andy A-Dog Williams Skatepark Waterfront Park, Burlington, enjoyburlington.com Bummed that you can’t skate down the Church Street Marketplace? Don’t worry, there’s a consolation prize. Hit up Burlington’s world-class concrete skate park, located just off the waterfront bike path, for its rails, ramps, boxes, half-bowl and half-pipe. In June 2016, skate legend Tony Hawk dropped in…
Earl Handy Serves Up Classic Diner Food and Local Pointers
Age: 42 Occupation: Owner and grill chef at Handy’s Lunch Town: Burlington When he took over the family business at age 21, Earl Handy became the third in three generations to man the counter — and flattop griddle — at Handy’s Lunch since it opened in 1945. His father, Robert, swapped the joint’s original counter…
Seven Burlington-Area Breakfast and Brunch Spots to Try Right Now
Parkway Diner 1696 Williston Rd., South Burlington, 652-1155 Parked on Williston Road since the 1950s, this vintage Worcester Lunch Car serves breakfast all day. While it looks like your typical greasy spoon, the specials are surprising — like the deep-fried pork tenderloin on a cheddar biscuit, topped with a runny egg and chipotle hollandaise. Is…
The Best Destinations for Outdoor Winter Fun in Vermont
Smugglers’ Notch Resort 4323 Route 108, Jeffersonville, smuggs.com The locals call it Smuggs — for good reason. There’s plenty for this resort to be smug about. It offers three mountains of downhill slopes for some of the best tree skiing and riding around — not to mention a great terrain park. With trails and terrain…
Tessa Valyou Outfits Vermonters With New Duds
Age: 33 Occupation: co-owner, New Duds Screen Printing & Illustration Town: Burlington Tessa Valyou started New Duds Screen Printing & Illustration in 2008 with her beau, Torrey Valyou. The now-married college sweethearts — they met at the University of Vermont — have since grown their business into a five-person operation that prints dope illustrations on soft…
Find Pizza, Pool and More at These Burlington College Bars
Three Needs Brewery & Taproom 185 Pearl St. Burlington, facebook.com/threeneeds The Needs is a cut (or two) above most college bars. It’s got great beer, lively pool tables and an enormous outdoor patio. Swing by at 4 p.m. on weekdays for Duff Hour: a double dose of “The Simpsons” and dollar drafts. Pro tip: The…
Meal Deals: Your Guide to Burlington’s Best Dining and Drinking Specials, 2017
Eating out ain’t cheap — but sometimes it’s necessary. Empty fridge? Hot date? Just want to live a little? These can take a toll on your wallet. Avoid a state of emergency by familiarizing yourself with the Queen City’s daily dining and drinking deals. This handy cheat sheet to “meals ready to eat” will help…
Sip Classy and Creative Cocktails at These Burlington-Area Bars
Juniper 41 Cherry St., Burlington, hotelvt.com Creative cocktails and a ritzy Hotel Vermont location make this bar and restaurant a prime destination for classing up your game — perhaps with jazz on Wednesdays. Local bands and DJs play on the weekends, adding to the spot’s chill, retro-chic vibe. In warmer months, unwind outside by the…
Quiz: How Well Do You Know Vermont?
Being a Vermonter isn’t all Ben & Jerry’s and weed. OK, it kind of is. But there’s a bunch of other important stuff you need to know, too, lest you forever be seen as a flatlander — Vermonters’ term for an outsider. Before venturing into the wilds of the Green Mountain State, take this very…
Ask Athena: Answers to Your Questions on Love and Lust in Burlington
I go to the same bar all the time. There’s this hot chick who bartends there, but I can’t tell if she’s single. I get good vibes, so should I ask her out? — Barfly on the Wall What’s life without a little risk, amirite? What’s the worst that could happen here? She says no,…
To-Do List: Vermont Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Looking to do like the locals? Follow them to a festival or seven. While it would be impossible to include all of the city’s goings-on in one list, we’ve compiled this calendar of major events that keep the good times rolling all year round. For a weekly rundown of can’t-miss happenings in Burlington and beyond,…
Add These Adventures to Your Vermont Bucket List
Locals have this saying: “The best thing about Burlington is that it’s close to Vermont.” As awesome as BTV is, we can’t help but agree: Getting out of town every so often is crucial. The following Green Mountain State destinations are good reason to leave Burlington — at least for the day. Bread and Puppet…
Don’t Miss These Burlington Performing Arts Spaces
Burlington may be small, but its performing-arts scene upstages that of many cities. (See what we did there?) Whether you’re a die-hard “Glee” fan looking for your musical fix or a comedy nut who loves the awkward thrills of improv, BTV won’t let you down. Want to see something truly weird? Don’t worry — we’ve…
Looking for Live Music in Burlington? Here’s Where to Go
The Monkey House 30 Main St., Winooski, monkeyhousevt.com The hippest joint in the Onion City has the most consistently excellent lineup of local, regional and national indie music this side — or that side, really — of the Winooski River. The Monkey also features a sneaky-good selection of craft beers, as well as ginormous barstools…
Now Hear This: Vermont Music You Should Be Listening To
You could easily spend seven nights a week in Burlington checking out great live music and never encounter the same genre twice. We might advise a more even-keeled approached — sleep is important, y’know. The point is, the Queen City punches above its weight class when it comes to rock and/or roll — not to…
Readers Choose the Best Places to Go Shopping in Burlington
Figuring out where to shop in Burlington isn’t rocket science: For the most part, you can just head to the Church Street Marketplace. But you work hard for the money — so hard for it, honey — so let’s get a little more specific about where to spend it. Once a year, Vermonters vote on…
