Exploring Burlington, Vermont in 24 hours

As I mentioned in my Blog Brûlée recap, I fell in love with Vermont. While the majority of the four day trip was spent at Smugglers’ Notch for the event/conference/food-blogger-sleepover, I also spent 24 hours in Burlington, along Lake Champlain.

So what does 24 hours in Burlington look like and what healthy eats did I find?

Where I Stayed
Courtyard Marriott Burlington Harbor
25 Cherry Street, Burlington, Vermont

The Courtyard Marriott is a lovely hotel in downtown Burlington that sits across from Battery Park and is just a 5 minute walk to the lakefront! The downtown area is very walk-able, with Church Street Marketplace just a 5-10 minute walk from the Courtyard Marriott. The staff was very helpful and friendly, helping to set up taxi transportation and giving insight on things to see and do.

What I Ate
–Juice Box
Soooo I ended up here twice in my 24-hour visit. The first time was with a few of the other Blog Brûlée ladies before they had flew back home. A few of us ordered the seasonal juice made with pumpkin, sweet potato, apple, ginger, & cinnamon.  OH. MY. HOLY. PIE. That’s exactly what it tasted like….pie. No wonder I found myself back the very next day for more. I was really in the mood for pear, so I created a concoction of pear, apple, kale, cucumber, and ginger. Love me some green juice! They have plenty of cleverly-named juices & “blendies” for whatever ails you!

–Bleu Northeast Seafood
A week before I left for Vermont, I had already scoped out the restaurants and found a place to feast on some lobstah. Because that’s what you do in the Northeast, of course. Bleu Northeast Seafood looked like the best option–I was salivating while reading the dinner menu at home, so that’s always a good sign. What I didn’t realize was the restaurant was in the hotel where we stayed. How convenient is that?!

Sticking to the plan, I ordered the Lobster Roll and opted for salad rather than fries as a side. Fresh Maine lobster on a buttery roll…definitely worth it 🙂 I’m not sure what dressing was on the salad, possibly a Champagne Vinaigrette, but it was the perfect balance to the sandwich.

I’m really kicking myself for not eating breakfast there the next morning. I am all over that Lobster Frittata next time!

–Uncommon Grounds
Any time I visit a new city, I’m on the hunt for the coolest locally owned coffee shop in town. I just love the vibes at a local shop and enjoy taking in the culture (aka people watching). While wandering down Church Street on Sunday, I spotted Uncommon Grounds and decided that would be my breakfast/work spot for Monday morning.

I arrived early and scored a seat at the window to watch all the activity in the Marketplace and enjoyed a toasted wheat bagel with fresh ground peanut butter and jam along with a latte. Besides a great coffee selection, they also carry a wide variety of teas. It’s a cozy little place that was really hopping for a Monday morning so it must be a local fave!

Where I Wandered
There’s absolutely no way you can miss taking in Lake Champlain while in Burlington. It would be a disgrace. Waterfront Park is at the end of College Street and there’s the Waterfront Bike Path, a 7.5-mile path perfect for a stroll or bike ride. I could hang out along the lake all day and take in the views. Just gorgeous!

The only thing that could make the whole experience even better is having some Lake Champlain Chocolates to nosh on. We sampled several varieties at Blog Brulee, like Dark Spicy Aztec, Peppermint, and my favorite, Toffee Almond Crunch. They have so many other chocolate bars I want to try! If you’re in need of holiday gift ideas, consider Lake Champlain Chocolates gift sets. Who doesn’t enjoy the gift of chocolate?

The Lake Champlain Chocolate store is located in the Church Street Marketplace, an open air mall in downtown Burlington. This is where all the action is in Burlington so don’t miss it! You’ll find restaurants, gift shops, clothing stores, and one of the best boot stores EVER, Dear Lucy. I wanted to buy ALL the boots.

The University of Vermont is in Burlington and I hear the campus is beautiful so it’s on the “must-see” list for next time. Although my time in Burlington was short, it was wonderful! I can’t wait to get back to Vermont to explore more of the beautiful state!

Happy Travels & Healthy Regards!