Burlington, Vermont

• Burlington is Vermont's largest city, a small college town on Lake Champlain with the Adirondacks across the water and the Green Mountains behind it. Most of what visitors go for is within a few miles of each other: the pedestrian Church Street Marketplace, the waterfront and its bike path, the South End arts district and the University of Vermont campus on the hill.
• It's an easy place to be on your own. Violent crime is low, the city is small enough to figure out in a day, and eating alone at a cafe, brewery or restaurant bar is completely ordinary. Locals are friendly without being pushy, and the outdoor culture means there's plenty to do solo, including paddleboarding, cycling, hiking and farmers markets.
• The problems are mostly minor. Unlocked bikes and cars get stolen from, and downtown has visible street homelessness and some drug use, especially on the blocks around Church Street late at night. It's usually more uncomfortable than dangerous, but after the bars close stay on lit, busy streets and take a ride or a main road rather than cutting through parks or the railyard area.
• You can get by without a car. Downtown, the waterfront, the Old North End and the South End are walkable or bikeable, and Green Mountain Transit buses cover the rest. A car helps for day trips to Stowe, Shelburne or the islands of Lake Champlain.

English is the main language. Dial 911 for police, fire or ambulance; operators can connect interpreters if you don't speak English. The Burlington area also has a French-speaking minority and many Nepali, Bosnian, Vietnamese and Somali speakers, so you may hear several languages in the Old North End.

• Vermonters are informal and low-key. Casual and outdoor clothing is normal almost everywhere, including nicer restaurants, so there's no need to dress up or down.
• Tipping is expected in the United States: about 18-20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a dollar or two at counters and cafes. Menu prices don't include tax or tip.
• Local food and craft beer matter here, and many restaurants have vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Bartenders and servers are used to solo guests and often chat if you sit at the bar.
• Cannabis is legal for adults in Vermont but can only be bought at licensed shops. It can't be used in public places or taken across state or national borders.
• Bars and breweries check ID, so carry your passport or driver's licence if you look under 30. The legal drinking age is 21.

The first hour after landing is when you're tired, carrying everything, and easiest to take advantage of. Three things to sort before you fly:

• Your ride from the airport. A driver who meets you in arrivals, at a price fixed before you fly — no haggling at the taxi rank.

  Book an airport pickup

• Data the moment you land. Maps, ride apps and a way to call for help as soon as you switch your phone on. An eSIM installs at home.

  Get a good eSIM

• The emergency number. Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 911. Save it in your phone, not just on this page.

  All emergency contacts

• Downtown, the waterfront, the Hill Section and the South End are all walkable. The Burlington Bike Path runs along the lake and is lit and busy by day. Bikes are easy to rent in season, but use a good lock every time, since bike theft is the most common property crime.
• Green Mountain Transit runs buses around Burlington and out to Winooski, South Burlington and Essex, with the downtown transit center at Cherry Street and Church Street. Service thins out in the evening and on Sundays, so check the last bus before heading out.
• Burlington International Airport (BTV) is in South Burlington, a short drive from downtown. Taxis and rideshare are available, but there are fewer drivers late at night than in a big city, so book ahead for early flights. Vermont Translines coaches and Amtrak's Vermonter, which stops at Essex Junction, link the area to other towns and cities.
• A rental car is useful for Stowe, the Champlain Islands, Shelburne Museum and mountain trailheads. Don't leave bags visible in a parked car, trailheads included.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.

Explore Burlington with local guides and curated experiences.