Burlington in November
Good time to visit
November's gray skies and bare trees make it Burlington's least appealing month for sightseeing. But cozy restaurants and cheap hotel rates offer their own rewards.
Weather
November turns gray and raw with increasing rain and the first snow flurries. Temperatures drop steadily through the month, and Lake Champlain takes on a steel-gray color. Days get noticeably shorter.
9°C high0°C low10 rain days
Crowds & Cost
low crowds
~$105/day average
Events & Festivals
- •Holiday Market at City Hall Park
November Tips
- •Perfect time to explore Burlington's indoor attractions like breweries and museums
- •Hotel rates drop significantly after leaf season ends
- •Thanksgiving weekend can be surprisingly busy with college families visiting UVM
All Months
May through October gives you the full Burlington experience. Lake Champlain warms up enough for swimming by late June, and the waterfront comes alive with festivals and outdoor dining.
Summer means peak crowds and prices, especially during UVM graduation in mid-May and the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival in early June. But you get 14-hour days and perfect weather for lake activities.
Fall foliage peaks in late September to early October. The drive from Burlington to Stowe becomes a parade of leaf-peepers, but the colors are genuinely spectacular. Book accommodations months ahead for foliage season.
Winter has its charms if you ski. Smugglers' Notch and Stowe are both under an hour away. But half the restaurants close or reduce hours, and lake activities shut down completely. The city feels like it's hibernating.
Here's the sweet spot: late May or early September. You get great weather, fewer crowds, and everything's open. Plus, local ingredients are at their peak.
Burlington Scores
Solo
7/10
Couples
7/10
Families
8/10
Adventure
6/10
Budget
6/10
Luxury
5/10
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