12 Fun Things to Do in Burlington with Kids — Family-Friendly Activities!
The city of Burlington is stunning. Rustic.
Burlington is the ideal vacation destination year-round, thanks to its picturesque setting amidst verdant hills and a gorgeous lake.
The city’s numerous festivals, live music venues, restaurants, food carts, quirky street performers, and other exciting tourist attractions make it feel like there’s always something going on, no matter the time of year.
The streets of Burlington are lined with restaurants selling local specialties like sausages, cheeses, and, of course, maple syrup.
Your timing is perfect if you’re considering making Burlington your following family vacation location.
I have thus developed the following list of kid-friendly activities in Burlington specifically for you!
- Burlington Bike Path
A bike path called the Burlington Bike Path follows the shore of Lake Champlain.
This trail connects Oakledge Park south to the Winooski River over 7.6 miles.
Begin your family’s day in Burlington here if you have no plans.
Why Your Family Should Go
Connecting six other parks within the city limits is the purpose of the complete bike path.
The most admirable view of historic Lake Champlain may also be had from here.
What to Do with Kids
Take a family bike ride around the city’s iconic lake.
No bike?
Sure, no sweat.
Numerous local businesses offer bike rental services.
Recommended Ages
Anyone, from kids old enough to ride their bikes to adults, is welcome to use the bike route.
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- Church Street Marketplace
Regarding marketplaces, the Church Street Marketplace is in a league of its own.
In 1980, four blocks were blocked and transformed into a spectacular pedestrian shopping mall.
In 1982, after construction had been completed, the mall finally opened.
Why Your Family Should Go
There are more than a hundred restaurants and stores to choose from, and the area is always buzzing with new things to do.
There are concerts and street shows here all year long.
What to Do with Kids
Enjoy yourself while you eat and watch live entertainment.
This area features some of the most entertaining and bizarre street performances.
Bringing kids here is an excellent decision you can make when visiting Burlington.
Recommended Ages
Everyone from newborns to seniors will have a good time there.
- Waterfront Park
Located on the shores of Lake Champlain, Waterfront Park is a 900-foot-long gathering space for locals and visitors alike.
It features a boardwalk and park benches along a paved lakeshore with well-kept trees and flowers.
Why Your Family Should Go
On cloudless days, Burlington offers breathtaking views of the sunrise and sunset.
If you want to try out any solar-related pursuits while in town, the park is the place to do it.
What to Do with Kids
The park is a great place to unwind with the whole family.
Check out live coverage of the music and cuisine festivals on your computer, thanks to the city’s free Wi-Fi.
If you have more time in Burlington and want to do other activities, such as taking your child to a museum or biking, this is a terrific place to start.
Recommended Ages
It doesn’t matter how old you are; Waterfront Park is fun for the whole family.
- World’s Tallest Filing Cabinet
The steel sculpture was erected in 2002 by Burlington native and artist Bren Alvarez.
Thirty-eight steel drawers are placed on top of one other to create this freestanding piece of art.
Why Your Family Should Go
To one of the city’s planned developments, the monument’s significance is tied directly to the number of drawers it contains.
Time spent on a project is represented by the number of drawers it occupies.
What to Do with Kids
Enjoy a work of visual art that no one else will have before the elements destroy the steel frame.
Take as many pictures as you like.
Recommended Ages
The memorial is suitable for all family members to attend, from the youngest to the oldest.
- Oakledge Park
You can find Oakledge Park in the southern part of town.
Located as it does on the beaches of Lake Champlain, it is frequently visited by tourists on the lookout for tranquil water views.
Why Your Family Should Go
Time spent enjoying the park’s walking trails, playground, sports courts, and other attractions will be well spent.
When visiting Burlington with your kids, don’t forget to take them to Oakledge Park.
What to Do with Kids
Spend some time in the sun and the water with the kids. Get in some tennis or volleyball.
Go on a picnic. Try to locate a peaceful corner of the park in which to unwind.
Wait for the perfect Burlington sunset before calling it a night.
Among the top spots in Burlington for family fun, there’s a little mistake about it.
Recommended Ages
All ages are welcome to use the park’s facilities.
- Ethan Allen Homestead Museum
Two hundred ninety-four acres of land are home to the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum.
Since its construction in 1787, the Ethan Allen home has remained a landmark.
In 1985, thanks to the efforts of many volunteers, the museum opened to the public.
Why Your Family Should Go
The history of Burlington is incomplete without the inclusion of Ethan Allen.
His contributions to the so-called “Queen City” are so significant that they need to study outside the classroom.
What to Do with Kids
Find out about Allen and his band of misfit revolutionaries, the Green Mountain Boys, and their incredible exploits.
Find out how they have contributed to Vermont as it is now.
Taking the kids to a historical location and educating them there is one of the top things to do in Burlington, Vermont.
The whole gang can have fun with this.
Recommended Ages
Everyone of every age is welcome to visit the museum. Kids below five are allowed in for free at the museum.
- Petra Cliffs Climbing Center & Mountaineering School
In 2000, the Petra Cliffs Climbing Center & Mountaineering School opened its doors to the climbing and mountaineering community.
At this facility, you can get instruction in the finer points of mountaineering and climbing.
Why Your Family Should Go
The institution also offers excellent opportunities to learn to ski and ice climb.
Today’s most popular activities for children include rock climbing and ice skating.
I never said that teenagers wouldn’t enjoy them.
What to Do with Kids
Get geared up and show your kids who’s the strongest by competing with them on the center’s indoor and outdoor wall climbing facilities.
Recommended Ages
There are climbing and skiing lessons for kids as young as 5.
- ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
ECHO is a group that has been working since 2003 to get kids and their parents excited about science and environmental conservation.
It aims to inspire curiosity and spark its guests’ interest through various educational programs and daily science challenges.
Why Your Family Should Go
When entering the museum, you will be met by a state-of-the-art 3D theater, an astonishing collection of animals, and exciting exhibitions.
What to Do with Kids
Visit the 3D cinema at Northfield Savings Bank. It has a 20-minute 3D film called “The Last Reef” that will take you underwater to witness the reefs’ hidden beauty and value.
Put your ingenuity to the test at the Engineer It exhibit, where you may utilize the museum’s tinkering benches and spinning tables to create something new.
You have to take your kids to these Burlington kid-friendly free events.
Recommended Ages
Children as young as two are welcome at ECHO, along with adults of all ages.
- True North Kayak Tours
A mother and son team owns and operates the kayaking company True North Kayak Tours.
Mother and son are both seasoned paddlers.
Why Your Family Should Go
Men, women, and kids of all ages are welcome on the guided kayaking excursions that True North Kayak Tours offers.
The tour group also provides special tours for the elderly.
What to Do with Kids
Start your day off right by paddling out onto open water with the help of some knowledgeable local guides.
An alternative is to share a tandem kayak with a friend or companion and experience the sights and sounds of the water together.
Recommended Ages
Anyone from the ripe old age of seven and above is welcome on True North Kayak Tours.
- Burlington Farmers Market
The Burlington Farmers Market has been serving locals and visitors alike since 1980, and its reputation for excellence in sourcing fresh, local produce is well-deserved.
The Burlington Farmers Market is an annual event between late spring and early fall.
Why Your Family Should Go
There will be a vast selection of locally grown products for sale.
You may find all kinds of fresh produce, baked goods, jewelry, local beer, and much more.
Children will enjoy a day of inexpensive entertainment at the mall and restaurant.
Anyone, including nursing mothers, can visit here without worry.
What to Do with Kids
Utilize the opportunity to stock up on all of your necessities and favorite foods in one handy spot.
Get plenty of snapshots and souvenirs to remember this trip by.
This exclusive happening repeats every Saturday.
So, this weekend, bring the kids and have a look around.
Recommended Ages
Kids and grownups alike are welcome to come here.
- Vermont Teddy Bear Factory
In 1981, on Burlington’s Church Street, the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory opened for business out of a cart.
Their teddy bears are all guaranteed to be produced by hand.
A “hospital” has been set up in the factory for sick or hurt teddy bears.
“Patients,” or broken teddy bears returned by clients, are admitted to the hospital — to be fixed.
Why Your Family Should Go
The assortment of teddy bears produced by the firm is virtually endless.
You may be relieved that the factory is responsible for more than just stuffed animals.
Various other stuffed animals, such as elephants, unicorns, mermaids, lions, kittens, and bunnies, are also manufactured there.
What to Do with Kids
Visit the facility and meet the stuffed animals of renowned people.
The likes of Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders are waiting for you to visit them.
A trip here is a must if you’re looking for kid-friendly things to do in the Burlington area.
Recommended Ages
All ages are welcome in the factory.
The entry fee is waived for children under the age of 12.
- Lake Champlain Ferries
A company called Lake Champlain Ferries has been operating since 1826 and operates ferries to the cities and towns on the lake’s shores.
Why Your Family Should Go
A trip on the Lake Champlain Ferries from Burlington to the surrounding towns is a great way to enhance your trip.
Enjoyable family activity in Burlington is a cruise on Lake Champlain.
What to Do with Kids
A cruise with fireworks is something you should do.
Take a trip around the lake on one of the company’s many boats.
Recommended Ages
Adventurers of any age are allowed on the ferries of Lake Champlain.
However, children under 12 need to have a parent or guardian with them.
