Church Street Marketplace
4.5(6.9K)google
4.1(107)yelp
Downtown
Overview
Church Street Marketplace is the vibrant heartbeat of Burlington, functioning as an award-winning, open-air pedestrian mall that stretches over four bustling city blocks. Lined with historic brick architecture, local boutiques, national retailers, and an incredible array of outdoor dining options, it provides a lively atmosphere year-round. Visitors can enjoy talented street performers, seasonal festivals, and local farmer stalls, making it the perfect destination to experience Vermont's welcoming culture, artisanal shopping, and farm-to-table culinary scene.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tue10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sun11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-4 hours
Best TimeThis award-winning, historic brick-paved pedestrian marketplace commands downtown Burlington and runs year-round, peaking beautifully under winter holiday lights. Stroll the outdoor avenue on a weekend afternoon from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM; this lets you browse indie boutiques and local maple shops just as the low setting sun lights up the iconic church spire at the northern focus.
Getting TherePerfectly positioned in the absolute core of downtown Burlington across four central blocks. Because the avenue is restricted to pedestrians, driving directly onto Church Street is banned. Utilize the massive city municipal multi-level paid garages located just one block away at the Marketplace Garage or Cherry Street Garage for easy foot access.
Travel Tips
- The entire pedestrian mall bans motorized vehicles and cycling. Choose official Downtown or Marketplace Garages via the [Church Street Marketplace Parking Guide](https://churchstmarketplace.com/parking); the first two hours are free after registering your license plate on the ParkMobile App.
- Sundays and official holidays offer 100% free parking all day across all city-owned on-street spaces and municipal garages. No digital check-in or kiosk payment is required on these days.
- The open-air street is accessible 24/7, but major shops open 10 AM - 8 PM weekdays and 11 AM - 6 PM Sundays. Buskers operate on tips and now widely display digital QR codes or card readers for gratuities.
Reviews
Positive
- This is a vibrant pedestrian street with wonderful buskers and classic brick architecture on both sides, offering a great shopping atmosphere.
- The dining options here are incredibly rich, ranging from local specialty ice cream to open-air bistros, and the staff are mostly warm and friendly.
- Comfortable outdoor benches are scattered everywhere, trash cans are well-placed, and the overall sanitation is kept very clean and tidy.
- Access is highly convenient with several large public parking garages nearby, and clear pedestrian directional signs help you explore the city on foot.
Heads up
- On summer and autumn weekends, due to high concentrations of tourists and locals, it gets very crowded, and popular restaurants have long wait times.
- Parking rates in the nearby public garages are expensive, and spots can be hard to find during peak holidays, while street parking has tight time limits.
- With deepening commercialization, some major chain brands have gradually replaced old independent artisan shops, losing some original unique character.
- After dark, there are occasional gatherings of homeless individuals or panhandlers, which causes some visitors discomfort regarding order and nighttime safety.