Things to do nearLake Champlain

Lake Champlain has been a corridor of human activity for centuries. Samuel de Champlain, the French explorer for whom the lake is named, arrived in 1609, though Indigenous peoples had long relied on its waters. During the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, the lake served as a strategic military route, and the Battle of Plattsburgh in 1814 was a decisive naval engagement fought on its surface.

Today the lake draws visitors for its remarkable variety of outdoor pursuits. Anglers pursue bass, walleye, and lake trout year-round, and fishing charters operate out of several marinas along the Vermont and New York shores. Sailors and powerboaters share the broad main lake, while paddlers find calmer conditions in the northern islands and sheltered bays to the south.

The surrounding towns add cultural depth to any visit. Burlington, Vermont anchors the eastern shore with its waterfront park, local restaurants, and lively arts scene. Smaller communities like Vergennes and Plattsburgh offer historic downtowns within easy reach of the water. The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vergennes documents centuries of shipwrecks and seafaring heritage, making it a worthwhile stop for history-minded travelers.

Few freshwater lakes in the country match Lake Champlain for the combination of scenery, history, and accessible adventure it delivers across every season.