How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Burlington, Vermont

Burlington, Vt., with its picture-perfect setting on the banks of Lake Champlain, is undoubtedly one of the most attractive small cities in America. Offering plenty to do, as well-from outdoor excitement to superb shopping and museums-this is a destination where the only downside is leaving.

Instructions

1. Visit the downtown Church Street Marketplace, a four-block pedestrian zone of old brick buildings peddling everything from antiques to New England handicrafts to fruit smoothies. During warm weather, sidewalk vendors and outdoor dining add to the liveliness.

2. Stop by Leddy Park, a flourishing center of activity with a little beach, indoor ice rinks, bike path and more. You won't find many better places to watch a sunset in Vermont.

3. Glide over Lake Champlain. Burlington and its surrounding mountains are even more beguiling when seen from the water, so take the one-hour ferry ride to nearby Port Kent, N.Y.-or splurge on a special dinner outing aboard The Spirit of Ethan Allen III, a tri-level luxury cruise liner.

4. Visit the Ethan Allen Homestead, open for tours with a day's advance notice from May through October (the grounds are open daily year-round). Just a short drive north from downtown in some splendid countryside, this rustic homestead is a touching tribute to Vermont's beloved patriot.

5. See a show at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, an art deco palace showcasing everything from big-time magic acts to pop stars to author readings.

6. Spend some time on the sprawling 460-acre University of Vermont campus, with its hillside views of downtown and Lake Champlain. Art and history lovers should definitely see the Robert Hull Fleming Museum, showcasing more than 20,000 works spanning back to early Mesopotamian days.

7. For families with kids, a worthwhile stop is the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, with countless fish and amphibians, hands-on fun and the multi-sensory Awesome Forces theater.

Tips & Warnings

• Those making the drive to Burlington during the heart of autumn will see some of the most vivid foliage anywhere.

• Bring a camera, as the city and its surroundings are remarkably photogenic.