Last Updated: May 2026
Burlington is Vermont’s largest city, which by most states’ standards would still count as a small town — and that’s precisely its charm. Perched on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain with the Adirondacks visible across the water on a clear day, Burlington manages to feel genuinely cosmopolitan without losing the easy friendliness of the Vermont countryside. We arrived during the Church Street Jazz Festival, which turned out to be perfect timing.
Church Street Jazz Festival
Church Street Marketplace is Burlington’s pedestrian main street — four blocks of shops, restaurants, and street performers closed to traffic year-round. During the jazz festival weekend, every corner had a different band, from classic New Orleans standards to contemporary jazz fusion, and the whole street buzzed with the easy energy of a city that knows how to enjoy itself. We ate well, listened hard, and wandered until our feet gave out.
Amazing Grace Vineyard, Chazy, New York
Before crossing into Vermont, we stopped at Amazing Grace Vineyard in Chazy, New York, on the western shore of Lake Champlain. A small family winery tucked into the Champlain Valley, it produces cold-climate varietals that thrive in the lake’s moderating microclimate. The tasting room is intimate and the views across the vineyard toward the Adirondacks are exactly what you’d hope for. A bottle of their red came with us across the lake.
Lake Champlain Waterfront
Burlington’s waterfront is one of the finest in New England — a car-free path that winds along the lake shore past parks, marinas, and beach access, with the Adirondacks rising dramatically across the water on the New York side. We walked the path on a clear afternoon and the views were genuinely stunning. Lake Champlain stretches 120 miles from Whitehall, New York, to the Canadian border, and from Burlington’s shore you can feel the full scale of it.
Plattsburgh to Grand Isle Ferry
To cross Lake Champlain, we took the ferry from Plattsburgh, New York, to Grand Isle, Vermont — a 12-minute crossing that feels like a proper adventure even at that distance. The lake is wide enough here that you genuinely feel you’re mid-water, with Vermont’s Green Mountains ahead and the Adirondacks falling away behind. It’s a scenic alternative to driving south to the bridges, and the ferry can handle RVs if you book in advance.
Coventry RV Park, Milton
We stayed at Coventry RV Park in Milton, just north of Burlington — a convenient base that put us within easy reach of both Burlington’s amenities and the Northeast Kingdom to the east.
Visitor Information
Church Street Marketplace
Church Street Marketplace runs four blocks through downtown Burlington from Pearl St to Main St. It’s free and open year-round. The jazz festival is an annual summer event; check churchstmarketplace.com for event dates.
Burlington Waterfront
The ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is at 1 College St on the waterfront. The bike path runs the length of the city. Public beach access is available at North Beach Park, a 5-minute drive from downtown.
Lake Champlain Ferries
Lake Champlain Transportation Company operates three ferry crossings. The Grand Isle–Plattsburgh crossing takes approximately 12 minutes. RVs are accommodated but reservations are recommended in summer. Visit ferries.com for schedules and fares.
Amazing Grace Vineyard
Amazing Grace Vineyard is at 1754 Miner Farm Rd, Chazy, NY — about 15 miles south of Plattsburgh on the New York side of Lake Champlain. Call ahead for tasting room hours.
Practical Tips
RV access to Church Street: Church Street is pedestrian-only, but several large surface lots and a parking garage are within a short walk. Larger rigs should use the Leddy Park or North Beach lots and walk or bike in.
Ferry with an RV: The Plattsburgh–Grand Isle ferry can accommodate most RVs, but call ahead to confirm clearance for your rig’s height and length. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure.
Best time to visit Burlington: Summer (June–August) is the liveliest, with farmers markets, festivals, and warm lake water. Vermont winters are real — if you’re RVing, stick to late May through mid-October.
Dining on Church Street: American Flatbread is a Burlington institution with wood-fired pizzas made from Vermont ingredients. Reservations fill quickly on festival weekends — arrive early or plan to wait.
