The Church Street Marketplace is an exciting, thriving downtown shopping and dining district that spans four blocks and is fully self-contained in a brick-lined pedestrian throughway.

You might suspect you are in Colorado or Washington state, but this is Northern Vermont—Burlington is a liberal, cultured, youthful academic community with a rustic, artistic, organic flair. The Church Street Marketplace serves a central gathering point for this city and is the easiest and fastest way to get a sense of this highly desirable destination. As part of the downtown scene, you will see college kids, farmers, professionals, and families. It offers fabulous people watching, with a wide range of outdoor cafes, benches, boulders and seating options. You can see skaters, grunge, punk, and earthy crunchy types hanging out playing hackeysack or strumming guitars. At the same time, you may stumble across street performers that range from mimes to a barbershop quartet. There are also sculptures and street art in this pedestrian downtown district

The shopping is good, with a solid collection of the standard brand name shops (Gap, Laura Ashley, Old Navy), plus many local galleries and boutiques. A large underground mall located right on the marketplace provides comfortable indoor shopping during snow or rain. The mall contains typical mall stores, with a few more unique and local stores. There are two other malls in Burlington if your shopping needs are not met on Church Street.

Plan on enjoying at least one meal at one of the many cafes, restaurants, and bakeries in the downtown area. Also don't forget to wander off the brick walkway, as this is a safe, welcoming city (day or night) and there are many shops, restaurants, and clubs that are not located directly on Church Street.

802-863-1648
www.churchstmarketplace.com.