Though Vermont's nickname is the "Green Mountain State," is its most populous city a "green" destination? Known for waterfront views of Lake Champlain, hosting the world's tallest filing cabinet , and being the birthplace of Ben & Jerry's (which now boasts a slew of plant-based flavors), Burlington, Vt., is renowned for being a sustainable leader in the U.S. In fact, it's one of the first cities in the country to source 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources .
Burlington's Net Zero Energy Roadmap aims to reduce citywide fossil fuel consumption. According to a March 2024 Burlington Free Press article, the city has installed 2,300 eco-friendly heat pumps since the plan's 2019 pitch, and has provided rebates since 2017 to residents who switch to an electric vehicle. Greenhouse gas emissions in the ground transportation and thermal sectors are down 18.2 percent, and natural gas consumption in the building sector decreased by 19 percent.
Hotel Vermont is partnered with a team from the University of Vermont’s Sustainable Innovation MBA to ensure the establishment is as sustainable as possible. The hotel boasts a Female Founders Speaker Series, the #drinkitforward Fundraising Campaign (which supports local BIPOC & LGBTQ+ nonprofits), and the small business-focused Hotel Vermont Holiday Market. Hotel Vermont has also collaborated with the NAMI Vermont for events and fundraisers surrounding mental health awareness and recovery.
If that's not enough, Hotel Vermont features refillable locally sourced amenities, energy-saving systems, waste-reducing communal pantries, a mattress recycling program, and is a member of the Burlington 2030 District .
Where to eat and drink: Enjoy vegan Crunchwraps and charitable beer.
Pingala Café:
With locations at 1 Mill Street and 1353 N. Avenue, Pingala Café is known for "nourishing, comforting, and responsible" food truck-inspired vegan cuisine. From vegan Crunchwraps to mac and oat cheese to PB Jelly Jam smoothies, Pingala knows how to please the belly.
Plus, charitable patrons can choose the "pay it forward" menu option to provide a meal to someone in need!
Daily Planet:
Go on over to 15 Center Street to find out "where the locals dine since 1982." Love Burlington credited Daily Planet for its "award-winning cocktails, delicious American fare, and a large eclectic interior," noting that there are at least two vegan options in every menu category . From Mushroom Leek Omelets to Sea Salt & Lime Cured Cauliflower Steak, vegans won't go hungry.
Plus, the celestial Burlington fave has a hefty list of local beers and mouthwatering after-dinner drinks!
Zabby & Elf's Stone Soup:
At 211 College Street sits a buffet-style cafe with a strong community feel — partially because it partners with a slew of local farms and nurseries. Since 1997, Zabby & Elf's Stone Soup (which features an open concept dining area and kitchen) has served unique and inclusive Jewish cuisine with an emphasis on vegetables.
Pop over for a vegan club with tempeh and tofu, or ask for the vegan "Z&E’s Choice" buffet plate.
Each month, Zero Gravity donates $1 from every Green State Lager sold in its taproom to a different environmental organization. In August 2024, the brewery is partnering with the Vermont Natural Resources Council .
Where to shop: Weave through the racks and aisles of Burlington's best vintage, consignment, thrift, and antique stores.
Billie Jean Vintage:
Boasting washed and mended vintage pieces from the 1930s to the 1990s, as well as some "thoughtfully curated new items," Billie Jean Vintage at 152 Battery Street is a hot spot for secondhand fashion. Think 1950s appliqué cocktail dresses, vintage faux fur berets, and Dolce & Gabbana sweaters!
Founded in 1991, Battery Street Jeans — which now sits at 115 College Street — is a treasure trove of affordable secondhand clothing, video games, trinkets, jewelry, and art. The store aims to minimize landfill waste, support local artists , and enrich the community, even offering a " Free Bin " resource right outside the shop.
Looking to sustainably refurbish your place? Barge Canal Market at 377 Pine Street is the place for novel antique and vintage furniture and decor. According to its Facebook page , it focuses on "mid-20th-century design, American industrial, and vintage farmhouse" styles. Where else can you find a custom sofa-entertainment center hybrid complete with a stereo system, "hand-carved Zodiac relief wood panels," and a Dionne Warwick record?
Things to do: Explore Burlington's attractions and historical landmarks on foot.
Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour:
Explore Burlington at your own pace with Wandering Tours Burlington's self-guided and educational walking tour (which is also wheelchair accessible). See sights like Waterfront Park adjacent Lake Champlain, the Church Street Marketplace, the historic Greek Revival Follett House, City Hall Park, and the Burlington City Arts Center. Depending on your pace, it should take between 60 and 90 minutes to complete the tour.
The FRAME:
What is the skeleton of a 1950s coal-fired power plant doing on this travel guide? Well, as per its website, The FRAME at 1 Lake Street is "an ever-evolving public space that seeks to empower imagination through art, nature, and connection."
The FRAME is part of the city's transformation of the northern waterfront, which now sees the inclusion of a solar canopy, rain gardens, native vegetation, and public art. And while Phase 1 of The FRAME's construction resulted in an outdoor movie screen, soil remediation , and paved pathways to the Burlington Greenway, Phase 2 is expected to see the addition of a skating ribbon, an observation deck complete with stairs and an elevator, and an "an expanded wetland," which is said to become its "the primary stormwater-retaining feature."
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