Burlington · Chittenden County, VT

Where to take visiting family in Burlington

Scout analyzed 63 Burlington places and surfaced the ones that actually fit visiting family.

Places analyzed

Matches

Typical spend

$50

Typical visit

1.4 hr

Scout-verified spots

Food & Drink

Kru Coffee Collective

Kru Coffee Collective is a good spot for a quick coffee and snack, perhaps before or after shopping on Church Street. Expect to spend $5-$15 per person for about 30 minutes.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$5–$15 typical45 min visitmoderate parking

Food & Drink

Hen of the Wood - Burlington

Hen of the Wood is a dinner destination for a relaxed but upscale meal, pairing well with a pre-dinner stroll or a post-dinner drink elsewhere. Expect to spend 2 hours and $75-$150 per person.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$75–$150 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Food & Drink

Onyx Tonics Specialty Coffee

This coffee shop is ideal for a quick solo stop or a casual meet-up, allowing you to sample specialty coffees for about $5-10 per person. It's a good starting point for a walk around Burlington or a brief break from shopping.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$5–$10 typical45 min visitmoderate parking

Essex Town

Uncommon Coffee

Uncommon Coffee is a good stop for a casual coffee or light bite, suitable for starting your day or a quick break. Expect to spend 30-60 minutes and $5-$15 per person.

FoodRelaxedSocial

$5–$15 typical45 min visiteasy parking

South End

Shanty On The Shore

This is a good spot for a casual seafood meal with lake views, ideal for a date or family dinner. Expect to spend 1.5-2 hours and $30-60 per person.

FoodViewsRelaxed

$30–$60 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

South End

Restaurant Poco

Poco is a reliable restaurant for a meal or drinks with friends, typically taking 1.5 hours. Expect to spend $30-60 per person on food and beverages.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$30–$60 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Outdoors

Mt. Philo State Park

Visit Mt. Philo for a moderate hike to scenic views of Lake Champlain, suitable for a 2-hour outdoor adventure. Expect to spend $5-10 per person for park entry.

OutdoorsViewsAnimals

$5–$10 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Outdoors

Overlook Park

Overlook Park is ideal for a brief, free scenic stop to enjoy views, often paired with a drive or other local activity. Expect to spend about an hour here.

OutdoorsViewsRelaxed

$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Food & Drink

Juniper Bar and Restaurant

Juniper is suitable for an upscale dinner and drinks experience, pairing well with a walk around downtown Burlington before or after. Expect to spend 1.5 to 2 hours and roughly $50-100 per person.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$50–$100 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

New North End

North Beach Park

North Beach Park is good for a few hours of outdoor family fun, offering swimming, playground access, and picnic areas. Expect to spend a small amount on snacks or parking if applicable.

OutdoorsViewsFood

$0–$20 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Food & Drink

The Grey Jay

The Grey Jay is a restaurant suitable for a meal as part of an evening out or a midday stop. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and around $20-$40 per person for food.

FoodRelaxedSocial

$20–$40 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Food & Drink

Splash At the Boathouse

Splash at the Boathouse is a good spot for a meal with lake views, especially for dinner or a weekend lunch. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and about $30-70 per person for food and drinks.

FoodCocktailsViews

$30–$70 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Food & Drink

Waterworks Food + Drink

This is a good spot for a dinner out, offering American fare in a scenic riverside setting. Expect to spend 1-1.5 hours and $30-70 per person for a meal and drinks.

FoodCocktailsViews

$30–$70 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

New North End

Leddy Beach

Leddy Beach is suitable for a 1-2 hour outdoor visit, offering walking trails and lake access. It's a free activity that can be paired with a picnic or a nearby coffee shop.

OutdoorsAnimalsViews

$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Shelburne

Shelburne Museum

This is a substantial museum that requires several hours of walking across many historic buildings and outdoor exhibits, making it a good main activity for a family outing or a solo deep dive, costing around $25-35 per person for admission.

ArtsHistoryOutdoors

$25–$35 typical2 hr visiteasy parking

Nightlife

The Old Post

This bar and grill is suitable for an evening meal followed by drinks and entertainment. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and $20-50 per person.

FoodCocktailsLive music

$20–$50 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

South End

August First

August First is a great spot for a casual breakfast or lunch, offering European-style breads and pastries. Expect to spend $10-25 per person for a meal and a drink, and plan for a 45-minute visit.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$10–$25 typical45 min visitmoderate parking

South End

Oakledge Park

Oakledge Park offers a scenic outdoor escape by Lake Champlain, suitable for family outings or a solo adventure. Expect to spend a few hours swimming, playing, or enjoying the views, with minimal costs unless renting equipment.

OutdoorsAnimalsViews

$0–$5 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Old North End

Radio Bean

Radio Bean is good for an evening of live music with drinks or coffee, pairing well with a casual dinner beforehand. Expect to spend $15-40 per person for an hour and a half to two hours.

FoodCocktailsLive music

$15–$40 typical1.5 hr visithard parking

New North End

Ethan Allen Homestead Museum and Historic Site

This site offers a mix of indoor exhibits and outdoor exploration, making it suitable for a 1.5-hour educational stop for history buffs or families. Expect to spend $10-15 per person for admission.

ArtsHistoryOutdoors

$10–$15 typical2 hr visiteasy parking

Food & Drink

Farmhouse Tap & Grill (Burlington VT)

This gastropub is good for a casual meal or drinks, especially pairing with a stroll in downtown Burlington. Expect to spend $25-50 per person for an hour and a half visit.

FoodCocktailsOutdoors

$25–$50 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Outdoors

Red Rocks Park

Red Rocks Park offers trails and a public beach, suitable for a 1-2 hour outdoor activity like hiking or jogging. It's a free outdoor space, best enjoyed during daylight hours for scenic views.

OutdoorsViewsRelaxed

$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

South End

Speeder & Earl's Coffee

This coffee shop is good for a quick solo stop for a drink and baked good, or as a starting point for a day out. Expect to spend 30 minutes and under $15 per person.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$5–$15 typical45 min visitmoderate parking

Outdoors

Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park is ideal for a few hours of outdoor recreation or a scenic stroll, easily paired with a meal in downtown Burlington. A visit can be free, or cost up to $50 per person if renting equipment.

OutdoorsViewsSports

$0–$50 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking