The Burton Blog

12 Must-Do’s within 12 Miles of Burton’s Vermont Headquarters

At Burton, we consider ourselves lucky to be based in the great state of Vermont. You may have heard that Vermont’s got the best snowboarding this side of the Rockies (and some would argue anywhere, depending on the day). But the Green Mountain State is a true four season gem. Our location in Burlington means we’re at the crossroads of so many fun things, from swimming to skateboarding to farms and micro breweries. We can hardly find enough hours in the day to take it all in. Here are 12 things you can enjoy during your next visit, all within 12 miles of our headquarters.

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The Burton Flagship Store, located at our headquarters.

1. the Burton Flagship Store

Let's start this tour off close to home. Whether you’re looking for a new setup, picking up some new clothes, or just doing some window shopping, our Flagship Store lives up to the name. Head there for advice from our expert staff, a massive selection of gear, and historical installments throughout the store and lobby.

Find the Burton Flagship Store at 80 Industrial Parkway in Burlington, or visit our College Street store just off of Church Street at 162 College st.

2. Craig’s Prototype Facility

Right next door to the flagship store you can check out Burton's in-house R&D center and even get up close and personal with snowboard history. Craig Kelly had a flair for pushing his product further, and a tour of his namesake prototype facility where we do our in-house research and development shows how we continue in that spirit. Our free tour gives you a chance to watch board builders at work and explore the museum of Burton history.

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Burton Archivist and tour guide, Todd Kohlman walking a few Burton Team riders through Craig's.
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Witness the board-building process in person at Craig's Prototype Facility.
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Red Rocks Park, a great place to wander in the woods.

3. Red Rocks Park

One of Burlington’s best parks is literally right across the street from us. Red Rocks Park features forested trails and a rocky shoreline with epic views of Lake Champlain and Shelburne Bay. A stroll through the park is as convenient as the views are beautiful, and the trails are extensive enough to satisfy all ages.

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Just one of many views.
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Seen from Red Rocks Park.

4. Church Street Marketplace

From clothes to food to outdoor concerts and Burton’s downtown store (right around the corner on College Street), there’s nowhere better to get your shop on and grab some grub than Church Street. Make sure you get a scoop of Phish Food from the shop of Vermont’s famous best buds, Ben and Jerry.

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Church Street. Possibly the best place to enjoy Ben & Jerry's.

5. The Waterfront

Lake Champlain just missed being considered one of the Great Lakes, but the Waterfront doesn’t disappoint. From cruising on a boat, keeping an eye out for Champ (our resident lake monster), to checking out the Echo Center, fishing the pier, or taking in an outdoor concert, we aren’t just a runner up.

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The Burlington Waterfront is your gateway to Lake Champlain.
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Boating, fishing, swimming, and everything in between.
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If there's one thing Lake Champlain is always good for, it's an epic sunset.

6. The New Skatepark

While you’re at the waterfront, check out the recently finished Andy "A-Dog" Williams Skatepark, a concrete gem featuring a massive bowl surrounded by all sorts of street transitions, a pump track, wallride, mini bowl and more.

World-renowned skater and friend of Burton, Tony Hawk recently made an appearance at the grand opening of the A-Dog Skatepark, throwing down alongside the locals and sharing the excitement. It just goes to show, this park means business.

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Forrest White, a local skater, enjoys a sunny session in the A-Dog Skatepark's world-class bowl.

7. The Bike Path

Eight miles of bike path connects the Burlington area waterfront, stretching from Oakledge Park to the Winooski River, and packed with epic views, swimming, picnic spots, the downtown waterfront, the skatepark, and multiple public parks. Not to mention Burton headquarters is just a few pedals off the path.

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Ride north to the causeway for views of the Green Mountains to the east, and Adirondacks to the west.
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Great for a stroll on a sunny afternoon, weekday commute, or a trek to any number of epic spots for a sunset.

8. Beaches

Of course, the most epic part of that iconic lake is all the swimming! Chill out at Burlington’s scenic beaches like Oak Ledge, Leddy Park, and North Beach. Do some laps or launch a SUP adventure – it’s all water.

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The beaches offer the perfect spot to soak in some views and enjoy the cool waters of Lake Champlain.

9. Shelburne Farms

Just south of town, Shelburne Farms is a vast 1,400-acre working farm where you can see firsthand Vermont’s commitment to quality agriculture, tour the trails, stop at the historical Shelburne Farms Inn, or take in an outdoor concert with a beautiful waterfront view as the a backdrop.

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A historic landmark that's open to the public.
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Shelburne Farms is 100% Vermont. Of course there are cows.

10. A Ten Pack of Craft Breweries

Vermont does beer like no other, so it’s no surprise that its biggest city is home to over 10 craft breweries, meaning no matter your preference, from IPA to Saison, you’ll find your fix just around the corner.

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Switchback brews right in Burlington and offers tastings and tours.
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Fiddlehead is a great spot to grab a pint and a slice.
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Zero Gravity, right down the road from Burton, offers a great variety.

11. Lake Champlain Chocolates

Must be something about those long, cold winters, but Vermonters love chocolate, and with this mecca of tasty and complex goodness just down the way from us, things couldn’t be sweeter. Lake Champlain Chocolates also offers tours and tastings for folks of all ages.

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Just down the road from Burton, Champlain Chocolates is a great stop for the whole family.
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Because who doesn't love chocolate?
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It may look small, but Mt. Philo is a nice little hike.

12. Mount Philo

Whether you hike or drive to the top, Mt. Philo may be petite (by Vermont standards), but it offers awesome views of the Champlain Valley and Adirondack Range, making our nearest “mountain” well worth the trip.

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The payoff for climbing Mt. Philo is the absolute best view of our backyard.

So if you’re not from around here, but would like to live like a local, just come say hello! The Champlain Valley is plentiful, and will provide all the adventure you need.∆


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