Essex Junction VermontATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Essex Junction, Vermont.
1. Burlington Greenway
SCENIC WATERFRONT PATH
The Burlington Greenway is a popular attraction featuring eight miles of paved path for biking and walking along Lake Champlain. This jewel of Burlington's parks system offers stunning waterfront views and is enjoyed by locals and visitors year-round. The path has undergone a beautiful transformation with additions like Barre granite steps enhancing the city's trail system.
2. Waterfront Park
LAKESIDE URBAN OASIS
Waterfront Park in Burlington sits on the shores of Lake Champlain offering a friendly atmosphere and pleasant views. The park serves as a gathering place for events, picnics, and relaxation with the backdrop of the lake and Adirondack Mountains. Visitors can enjoy the boardwalk, open green spaces, and easy access to the Burlington Bike Path.
3. ECHO Leahy Center For Lake Champlain
INTERACTIVE SCIENCE MUSEUM
ECHO Leahy Center is an engaging science museum dedicated to educating visitors about Lake Champlain's ecosystem and natural history. The center features interactive exhibits, aquariums with native fish species, and educational programs for all ages. Visitors can learn about the lake's environmental challenges while exploring the hands-on displays designed to inspire conservation.
4. Church Street Marketplace
VIBRANT PEDESTRIAN MALL
Church Street Marketplace is a bustling pedestrian-only shopping district in the heart of downtown Burlington. The brick-paved street is lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes housed in historic buildings with distinctive architecture. Street performers, seasonal festivals, and outdoor dining create a lively atmosphere throughout the year.
5. Lake Champlain
VERMONT'S GREAT LAKE
Lake Champlain is a natural freshwater lake spanning Vermont and New York, often referred to as 'The Sixth Great Lake.' The lake offers recreational activities including sailing, fishing, kayaking, and swimming during summer months. Its shores provide habitat for diverse wildlife and stunning views of the Adirondack and Green Mountains.
6. Shelburne Museum
HISTORIC ART COLLECTION
Shelburne Museum is a renowned cultural institution housing an extensive collection of American folk art, decorative arts, and design. Spread across 45 acres, the museum features 39 buildings, including historic houses, barns, and a steamboat, many of which were relocated to the site. Visitors can explore the diverse collections of paintings, textiles, tools, toys, and transportation artifacts representing three centuries of American history.
7. Shelburne Farms
WORKING HISTORIC ESTATE
Shelburne Farms is a 1,400-acre working farm, National Historic Landmark, and nonprofit environmental education center. The estate features stunning Frederick Law Olmsted-designed landscapes, a historic inn, and agricultural operations producing award-winning farmhouse cheddar cheese. Visitors can explore walking trails, gardens, and a children's farmyard while learning about sustainable agriculture and conservation.
8. University of Vermont
HISTORIC CAMPUS GROUNDS
The University of Vermont, founded in 1791, features a picturesque campus with historic buildings and beautiful green spaces. The university's Fleming Museum of Art houses impressive collections of art and anthropological artifacts open to the public. Visitors can enjoy walking tours of the campus to admire the architecture and landscaped grounds overlooking Lake Champlain.
9. Foam Brewers
LAKESIDE CRAFT BREWERY
Foam Brewers is a popular craft brewery located along Burlington's waterfront offering innovative and quality beers. The brewery features a taproom with rotating beer selections, live music, and outdoor seating with views of Lake Champlain. Visitors can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere while sampling freshly brewed beers crafted with local ingredients.
10. Battery Park
HISTORIC HILLTOP PARK
Battery Park is a historic green space situated on a bluff overlooking Lake Champlain in downtown Burlington. The park offers panoramic views of the lake and the Adirondack Mountains, making it a popular spot for sunset watching. Visitors can explore the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 historical significance of the site while enjoying the open lawn areas and walking paths.
11. Mount Mansfield
VERMONT'S HIGHEST PEAK
Mount Mansfield is Vermont's highest mountain, featuring a distinctive ridgeline that resembles a human profile when viewed from the east. The mountain offers year-round recreational activities, including hiking, skiing, and scenic gondola rides with breathtaking views. Visitors can explore the unique alpine ecosystem at the summit, home to rare arctic-alpine vegetation.
12. Stowe Recreation Path
SCENIC MOUNTAIN TRAIL
The Stowe Recreation Path is a 5.3-mile paved trail that winds through the scenic landscape of Stowe with mountain views and river crossings. The path is popular for walking, jogging, cycling, and rollerblading during summer months, and cross-country skiing in winter. Visitors can enjoy the picturesque bridges, farm vistas, and access to restaurants and shops along the route.
13. Smugglers Notch State Park
HISTORIC MOUNTAIN PASS
Smugglers Notch State Park features a dramatic mountain pass with massive boulders and cliffs nestled between Mount Mansfield and Sterling Range. The park is named for its history as a smuggling route during the embargo of 1807 and later during Prohibition. Visitors can explore hiking trails, rock climbing routes, and scenic viewpoints within the boulder-strewn landscape.
14. Stowe Mountain Resort
PREMIER ALPINE DESTINATION
Stowe Mountain Resort is a world-class ski destination offering diverse terrain across two mountains: Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak. The resort features 116 trails, high-speed lifts, and a European-inspired village with lodging, dining, and shopping options. In summer, visitors can enjoy the gondola skyride, zip lines, treetop adventures, and mountain biking.
15. Trapp Family Lodge
AUSTRIAN-INSPIRED MOUNTAIN RESORT
The Trapp Family Lodge is a unique Austrian-inspired mountain resort established by the famous von Trapp family of 'The Sound of Music' fame. The 2,500-acre property features European-style accommodations, dining venues serving Austrian specialties, and a brewery. Guests can explore extensive cross-country ski and mountain biking trails, attend history tours about the von Trapp family, and participate in various outdoor activities year-round.