In Burlington, you get the sense that it's a city that works -- it still has a downtown that people truly enjoy visiting.  We have managed to balance the need for economic growth while remaining supportive of local enterprise.  Burlington’s downtown is more than a window shopping draw for tourists. It’s a real-world district that meets the needs of shoppers looking for anything from groceries to camera repair to shoes. And the city's scale is pleasantly pedestrian-friendly -- park your car and walk when you can.

Church Street Marketplace

Four architecturally-historic blocks make up the Church Street Marketplace, nestled in the heart of downtown Burlington. Restaurants, street vendors, and more than 100 retail shops lend Vermont's favorite pedestrian mall a distinctive flair -- part rural flavor, part urban mecca. This pedestrian mall, a creation that has failed in so many other communities, works here, reversing the flight to the mall that has plagued other small cities. 

Burlington Town Center

Immediately adjacent to the Marketplace is Burlington Town Center, downtown Burlington's higher-end indoor shopping center, featuring an ecclectic mix of regional and national retail stores (think The Gap next to Danforth Pewter next to Williams-Sonoma). Not to be too confusing with many market-type names, the City Market, downtown Burlington’s grocery store, is run by the Onion River Co-op. This consumer cooperative sells natural food alongside more conventional products. In fact, they feature more than 1,700 Vermont products in keeping with the popular Buy Local movement.  

Burlington Waterfront

Today, the Burlington waterfront exudes a cheerful, busy atmosphere. Well into the fall, serious cyclists on 24-speed carbon-fiber bikes share the 14-mile bike path along the lake with children still using training wheels, skateboarders, in-line skaters and joggers. Toddlers experiment with water and other hands-on exhibits at the Echo Lake Aquarium and Science Center (Echo is an acronym for Ecology, Culture, History and Opportunities for Stewardship). Diners share overstuffed crepes at the ever popular Skinny Pancake or, in season, a burger and a beer at the water’s very edge, on the floating deck at the restaurant Splash. Many of the amenities are seasonal, including public facilities on the city’s three beaches, boat rentals, outdoor food vendors and tour boats, which open in the spring and close in mid-October. But it is year-round shops, residences and businesses that keep the waterfront alive. Come explore downtown Burlington, Vermont and get in touch with Brian Boardman with your real estate questions.