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South Burlington, Vermont is the second-most populous city in the state with approximately 20,000 residents. Located in Chittenden County along the western shores of Lake Champlain, South Burlington sits just south of its larger neighbor, Burlington, and shares much of the same natural beauty and cultural amenities.
The city is perhaps best known as the corporate home of Ben and Jerrys, the iconic ice cream company founded in Burlington in 1978. South Burlington is also home to the University Mall, Vermonts largest shopping center, making it a retail hub for the entire metropolitan area.
The area that would become South Burlington was first granted in 1763 as part of Burlington township by the Province of New Hampshire, though organized settlement did not begin until around 1785. For decades, the area remained a rural part of the larger town of Burlington, primarily used for farming and agriculture due to its fertile lands along Lake Champlain.
In 1865, the State of Vermont chartered South Burlington as a separate town, officially establishing it as its own municipality. The town continued to grow gradually through the early 20th century, remaining largely residential and agricultural in character. The post-World War II period brought dramatic changes, with the population more than tripling between 1950 and 1970 as the Burlington metropolitan area expanded and suburban development accelerated. In 1971, South Burlington was incorporated as a city, becoming one of Vermonts smallest but fastest-growing urban centers.
Today, South Burlington continues to evolve through its City Center Initiative, a long-term effort to create a walkable downtown with mixed-use development, public spaces, and improved mobility infrastructure. The city balances its role as a commercial and retail hub for the region with its commitment to preserving green spaces and community character.
The University Mall is the primary shopping destination in South Burlington and across Vermont, hosting over 100 stores and serving as a major regional retail center. Next door, Orchard Bowl provides one of the few public swimming areas along the Lake Champlain shoreline in the immediate South Burlington area, offering residents and visitors direct access to the lake for swimming and boating.
The city has invested significantly in parks and green spaces, with several trail systems weaving through urban areas and natural habitats. The Red Rocks Park area, though technically in the neighboring town of Stowe, is easily accessible from South Burlington and offers scenic hiking with panoramic views of the lake and Adirondacks beyond.
The downtown City Center area has seen new development in recent years as the City Center Initiative takes shape, bringing walkable streets, public plazas, and a growing restaurant and cafe scene to the previously auto-oriented commercial corridor.
Summer brings the warmest weather and longest days, perfect for enjoying Lake Champlain and the regions outdoor recreation. The Burlington area summer calendar includes numerous festivals, farmers markets, and outdoor concerts that draw visitors from across Vermont and beyond.
Fall transforms the surrounding hillsides into brilliant displays of orange, red, and gold, creating picture-perfect scenery for leaf peepers and hikers alike. Winter is quieter but offers its own appeal, with nearby ski areas making South Burlington a convenient base for winter sports enthusiasts.
Here are some of our recommended things to do near South Burlington. Choose your favorite!
Higher Ground stands as Vermont’s premier music venue , delivering live performances nearly every night of the year from its location at 1214 Williston Road in South Burlington. First opened in 1998 in Winooski before relocating to its current South…