Burlington is the largest city in the US state of Vermont. Its history dates to 1763, when the colonial governor of New Hampshire granted land for a new settlement to Samuel Willis and 63 others. Settlers began clearing some forest to establish themselves in 1775, but the American Revolutionary War put an end to permanent settlement.

Years passed, and Burlington was established through 1783-1785. In the Anglo-American War of 1812, Burlington became home to a large garrison that had more soldiers than there were inhabitants of the city. At the time, there were approximately 2,000 citizens in Burlington. Throughout the 19th century, the city was expanded, and in 1900 the population had increased to 18,000.

It was not least forestry and sea transport that powered the growth of the city, and from 1823-1843 three canals had been built, which Burlington could profit from as a transport center. The development continued through the 20th century, when the number of inhabitants increased to over 40,000, and where the ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s was started in 1978 and later became a well-known national brand.

Today, Burlington is a pleasant city with a cozy downtown that is suitable for some strolling. Downtown is located between Maple Street and Pearl Street, and the pleasant City Hall Park forms the center of the city together with the beautifully paved pedestrian street Church Street. Around City Hall Park, there is a homogenous building mass from approximately 1880 to 1930. To the east is the city hall from 1928 and to the northwest the Burlington Savings Bank Building from 1930.

The fine town hall building in Burlington has its formal facade facing Church Street, which is also worth a walk. The pedestrian street is cozy and forms the center of many activities in the city such as festivals, and you will also find cafes, restaurants and shops here. Near Church Street is the Fletcher Free Library, whose fine building opened as one of four Carnegie libraries in Vermont.

From downtown Burlington, you can walk in minutes to the shores of Burlington Bay, part of Lake Champlain, which is located on the border between the states of Vermont and New York. There are several marinas along the shore, and you can enjoy a fine view of the lake from Waterfront Park and from Battery Park behind it, from which Rudyard Kipling reportedly described the sunset as one of the most beautiful in the world.