Burlington Community Boathouse Marina is a beloved waterfront hub on Lake Champlain in Vermont, offering boat rentals, kayaking, and sweeping Adirondack views.
The Burlington Community Boathouse Marina has anchored Burlington's waterfront culture for decades, sitting at the terminus of College Street where the city's urban energy meets the calm expanse of Lake Champlain. The structure itself is a welcoming open pavilion, designed to keep the sightlines open and the atmosphere relaxed rather than purely functional.
On the water, visitors can rent kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards, or join organized sailing programs that have introduced generations of Vermonters to the sport. The marina sits within easy paddling distance of the Waterfront Park shoreline, and on clear days the view stretches uninterrupted to the peaks of New York's Adirondack range.
Back on shore, the surrounding area rewards a leisurely stroll. The Burlington Bike Path runs directly alongside the marina, connecting it to parks, beaches, and neighborhoods to the north and south. Nearby restaurants and cafes along the waterfront make it easy to extend the outing into a full afternoon in Burlington. The marina is a natural gathering point that captures what makes this city distinctive: an unhurried pace, genuine civic pride, and a deep relationship with the lake that defines daily life here.
Visit at golden hour for the most dramatic views of the Adirondack Mountains reflected across the lake.
Rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard directly from the boathouse for an easy, self-guided way to explore the shoreline.
Arrive early on summer weekends, as boat rentals and dock space fill up quickly by mid-morning.
Bring a light jacket even on warm days, since lake breezes can turn cool once you are out on the water.
Walk the adjacent Burlington Bike Path north or south before or after your time on the water for a fuller sense of the waterfront.
Sail a classic sloop for sunset views of Burlington and the Adirondacks
Bring your own picnic aboard a canopied boat for Lake Champlain views
Bring your own picnic aboard Buttercup for a relaxed sunset on Lake Champlain
Sail Lake Champlain at sunset aboard a classic wooden sloop
Build practical sailing skills toward taking Goldenrod out independently