Life in Burlington and Vermont

Vermont is home to a diverse collection of communities, but the crown jewel of the Northeast is Burlington, where geography, culture, and history come together to create a very special place. It's easy to see why Burlington Vermont Real Estate is some of the most sought-after in all New England.

A Dynamic VT Business Environment

Burlington’s entrepreneurial spirit is very much in evidence: well-known organizations like IBM, Pizzagalli Construction, Fletcher Allen Health Care,  GE Healthcare (formerly IDX Corporation), BankNorth Group, General Dynamics, Bruegger's Corporation, St. Michael's College, Husky, Connor Homes and Ben & Jerry's create a wide variety of employment and business opportunities.

Summer Activities in Vermont

Burlington’s position on the shores of Lake Champlain (sometimes called America’s 6th Great Lake) provides a wealth of recreational opportunities: sailing, swimming, water-skiing, scuba diving, and paddling. In addition there are bike paths, trails, and parks if you’re keen to hike or cycle. Wherever you look, there are fantastic views of the brilliant blue Lake Champlain surrounded by gently rolling hills.

Winter Fun In Vermont

In winter we’ve got a completely different set of recreational opportunities, most of which take advantage of our generous annual snowfall. With just a short drive, skiers can visit some of the very best resorts in the East: Stowe, Sugarbush, Bolton Valley, and Smuggler’s Notch. If you’re interested in cross-country skiing, you can find excellent trails in the immediate Burlington area. You might also search out our ice rinks or snowmobile trails or bundle up for some ice fishing. 

New England in the Fall and Spring

Fall means apple picking, leaf peeping, and fantastic views. Drive country roads to search for antiques. Drink hot cider and eat spiced doughnuts in the cool, crisp air. In the spring, Vermonters make jokes about Mud Season, but you just might catch them by the side of the road admiring the fields and mountains as they come alive with brilliant bursts of color.

Burlington Vermont Recreation

The Lake Champlain region provides a variety of recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. There’s fishing, sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing, kayaking, tubing, and scuba diving in the summer; ice-boating, cross country skiing, skating, ice fishing and sleigh rides during the winter months.

The Burlington waterfront park area makes summer activities easily accessible to all with an eight-mile bike path that curves along the lake. Runners, bikers, rollerbladers, and walkers use this path throughout the milder seasons of Northern Vermont.

Within an hour’s drive from Burlington are world-class ski areas: Stowe, Sugarbush, Bolton Valley, Smugglers’ Notch, Jay Peak, and Mad River Glen.

Burlington Vermont, Past and Present

Burlington is well known for its independent, entrepreneurial nature. After the Revolutionary War, Vermont became its own republic, coined its own money, ran its own militia, and conducted its own foreign trade. At that time, water was the most elegant and convenient form of travel.

Situated perfectly on the Eastern Shore of Lake Champlain, Burlington quickly launched into the new century with one of the nation’s first steamboats, The Vermont. With an energetic timber trade facilitated by easy water travel, Burlington soon became a cultural center and thriving metropolis.

At present day, Burlington’s entrepreneurial spirit thrives in microbrews and gourmet chocolates. From Phish to Burton Snowboards to Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Burlington has a flavor all its own.

Burlington Shopping

Church Street Marketplace is the focal point of the downtown commercial area. This pedestrian mall is lined with shops, restaurants and cafes, department stores, Burlington Square Mall, and Miller’s Landmark. On mild days, one can sit at a sidewalk cafe and enjoy the passing scene.

Burlington Arts

The Flynn Theatre for the Performing Arts, a restored art deco theatre located in the Center of Downtown Burlington, is recognized as one of New England’s finest performing centers. It offers the community a range of world class dance, jazz, and theater events. The University of Vermont’s Robert Hall Fleming Museum provides outstanding traveling and permanent exhibits on UVM’s main campus. 

When it comes to cultural festivals, Burlington’s Vermont Festival Campaign has developed some very successful festivals with the Discover Jazz Festival and the Arts Alive Festival of Fine Arts. Other outstanding festivals include The Vermont International Film Festival, the Winter Blues Festival, and Burlington’s Summer Theatre Festival.

Burlington Transportation

Burlington International Airport, just three miles from downtown, handles over 375,000 passengers yearly making it the third busiest in New England. Several airlines provide direct service and international connection to and from major cities. Interstate 89 is a tool free highway between Boston and Montreal. Route 7, a major north/south artery, links western Vermont with Massachusetts and Quebec.

Route 2 bisects Vermont westward to New York State and eastward to New Hampshire and Maine. Public transportation is centered in downtown Burlington with fourteen inter-city and local bus routes connecting Burlington and the surrounding communities.

Quality of Life in Burlington

Burlington has the distinction of being voted one of America’s most livable cities by the National Conference of Mayors. In addition, Burlington has been rated one of the safest cities in America!

More Information About Burlington Vermont Real Estate

For more information about Burlington, or for help finding Burlington Vermont Real Estate that suits you, please contact Burlington’s #1 real estate agent, Brian Boardman.

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