Chittenden between the waterfront, nature, and history

Chittenden can be explored through a range of travel interests: waterfront paths and activities on Lake Champlain sit alongside mountain landscapes and historic sites. You can plan your days around what you want to experience—whether that’s spending time outdoors, birdwatching, or learning about Vermont’s history.

Waterfront and paths along Lake Champlain

The Burlington Greenway is an eight-mile paved multi-use path along the shore of Lake Champlain. On a different scale is the Lake Champlain Byway: its official route is 184 miles long and follows U.S. Route 7 through Chittenden County. The lengths help put the two options into perspective: the Greenway is a waterfront path, while the Byway is a much longer route through the county.

The Burlington waterfront also offers different places to start. Water Works Park has a boardwalk, benches, and a fishing pier. The Community Sailing Center, meanwhile, offers groups of six to 60 people the chance to sail and paddle together on Lake Champlain. The specific group size may be useful when planning if you’re considering an activity on the water.

The shoreline of Niquette Bay State Park on Lake Champlain stretches for 4,700 feet and is rocky and sandy. This varied shoreline adds a different aspect of the lakeside landscape to the paved path at the Greenway.

Mountains, paths, and birdwatching

Mount Philo State Park is located on 968-foot Mount Philo. In 1924, it became Vermont’s first state park. These two details offer concrete points of reference: the park’s name refers to the mountain, while its history dates back to the early days of the state park system.

Underhill State Park is located within the 39,837-acre Mt. Mansfield State Forest. Four trails lead from there to the summit ridge of Mt. Mansfield. The mountain’s summit ridge also has alpine tundra with low, stunted vegetation that is rare in New England.

The Birds of Vermont Museum offers a different kind of nature observation. Visitors can watch live wild birds from feeding stations, a walk-in treehouse, or a birding blind. The museum’s trails are open to walkers of all ages from sunrise to sunset, with no reservation or admission fee required. The trail access is clearly described, while the viewing spots provide another way to experience birds.

Historic sites and culture

The Ethan Allen Homestead Museum offers a glimpse into early American life through its historic 1785 house. The house was the last residence of Vermont folk hero Ethan Allen. Its construction date and personal history make it a tangible way to connect with Vermont’s past.

Richmond’s Round Church is a 16-sided meetinghouse built in 1813 and recognized as a National Historic Landmark. In Colchester, the 1815 Log Schoolhouse serves as a visitor information center and a museum of local history. Both buildings combine a clear historical date with a public role as a meeting place or information center.

Jericho’s Old Red Mill is a National Historic Site, perched above a gorge on the Browns River. Its location above the gorge is as much a part of its description as its historic status. The Hall of Heroes at the Vermont Military Library & Museum displays uniforms and artifacts from Vermont residents, including examples from Wallace M. Greene Jr.

The Moran FRAME also has a former industrial use in its history: a former coal-fired power plant was transformed into a public park. Alongside the historic houses, mill, and museum exhibits, this site reveals another side of the region’s history.

Discover more destinations: South Burlington, Colchester, Underhill, Burlington, Essex Junction, Shelburne, Williston, Orleans County

For the broader travel overview: Vermont.