Small city, big character
There’s a certain confidence that comes with knowing exactly what you are. Burlington isn’t trying to become the next booming convention city or compete with destinations several times its size. Instead, it leans into what it already does exceptionally well: creating a setting where attendees can spend less time in transit and more time connecting—with one another and with the destination itself.
After several days exploring Burlington with Hello Burlington, I left thinking that might be its greatest luxury.
Everything Within Reach
My introduction to the city began at Hotel Champlain Burlington, Curio Collection by Hilton, where floor-to-ceiling views of Lake Champlain immediately explain why the waterfront is Burlington’s centerpiece. Just a block from Waterfront Park and an easy walk to Church Street Marketplace, the hotel offers the kind of location planners dream about. It also delivers eight meeting spaces, including a ballroom, with capacities ranging from intimate gatherings to 680 attendees in its 5,459-square-foot event space.
What struck me most (aside from the stunning scenery) was how little time we spent getting from one experience to the next.
Within minutes we had wandered into Wilder Wines for an afternoon tasting before making our way to Trattoria Delia, where locally sourced ingredients, a crackling stone fireplace and more than 30 years of history made dinner feel unmistakably Vermont.
The following morning, a walk through Church Street Marketplace confirmed why locals speak about it with such affection. Four pedestrian-friendly blocks are packed with more than 100 independent shops, cafés and restaurants. It never feels manufactured or overly polished. Instead, it feels lived in, which is exactly what visitors hope to discover.
That same authenticity carries into the Flynn Center. While its beautifully restored 1,439-seat theater has anchored Vermont’s performing arts scene for decades, the venue also offers studios and rental spaces that give planners an unexpected option for receptions, presentations and private events.
Vermont on a Plate
One thing became abundantly clear over the course of the trip: Burlington takes enormous pride in what’s made here.
Breakfast at The Grey Jay showcased Vermont ingredients through Eastern Mediterranean flavors. Burlington Beer Company demonstrated that breweries have evolved well beyond tasting rooms, pairing inventive beers with chef-driven cuisine inside a 14,000-square-foot facility that also hosts private events.
Then there was Lake Champlain Chocolates, where I discovered that tasting chocolate can be every bit as nuanced as tasting wine. The guided experience was educational while keeping it light—a balance Burlington seems to have perfected.
Looking Forward
While Burlington feels deeply rooted in its identity, it’s also evolving. The Harborvale, a 161-room Autograph Collection hotel that debuted in July, will introduce thoughtfully designed event spaces, including the 1,500-square-foot Harbor Room for up to 125 guests. In neighboring Winooski, Sugar House Hotel is preparing to debut as Marriott’s first all-electric, net-zero energy and LEED Platinum property in the world, complete with a divisible 2,025-square-foot ballroom for receptions of up to 125 guests.
Meanwhile, the recently expanded DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington Vermont now offers 324 guest rooms and more than 30,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including a 12,480-square-foot exhibit hall accommodating up to 1,300 attendees.
Over breakfast one morning, the group discussed ongoing plans to repurpose Burlington’s former Macy’s department store into a downtown convention center. Listening to the vision, it was easy to see the potential. With hotels, restaurants, the waterfront and Church Street Marketplace all within easy walking distance, Burlington already has many of the ingredients planners look for.
This article appears in the July/August 2026 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.
