Sick of seeing the same old “must-visit” lists that all recommend the Burlington Farmers Market and ECHO Leahy Center? Sure, theyโre greatโbut whereโs the weird?
If youโre on the hunt for offbeat, unusual, and downright quirky attractions, youโre not alone. Finding Burlingtonโs hidden gems can feel like searching for a needle in a haystackโuntil now…
This guide skips the obvious and dives straight into the weirdest, wackiest, and most unexpected things to do in Burlington.
From quirky museums and bizarre sculptures to exclusive snowboard factory tours and oddball landmarks, weโve rounded up the absolute strangest ways to explore the city.
Get ready for Weird Burlington Vermont Attractions that are anything but ordinary!
1 Watch One-Of-A-Kind Burton Snowboards Being Builtโ
Photo Credit: Craig's Prototype Facility
Step into the world of Burton Snowboards at Craigโs Prototype Facility, one of Burlingtonโs coolest hidden gems.
Tucked inside Burtonโs global headquarters, this spot is where snowboard innovation comes to life.
From the early days of the sport to cutting-edge designs, youโll get an up-close look at how Burtonโs boards are crafted, tested, and perfected.
Sign Up For a Free Guided Tour, to watch skilled craftspeople build prototype boards and learn the secrets behind some of the most advanced snowboard technology in the world.
Tours run Monday through Friday at 2 p.m. and are limited to 12 guests per session, so be sure to sign up in advance.
For snowboard lovers, this behind-the-scenes experience is a must.
2 Explore a Treehouse Built by DIY Network Stars โThe Treehouse Guysโ
Enjoy theย beautiful sceneryย from the enchanting Forever Young Treehouse at Oakledge Park, Burlington’s hidden gem for unusual and weird attractions!ย
Oakledge Park, on theย shores of Lake Champlain, is home to a unique and inclusive treehouse that welcomes families of all ages and abilities.
The treehouse was built by DIY Network’s Tree House Guys in 2004 and stands 15 feet above the ground. With a woven roof and spacious floor, it offers a playful environment and is aย great placeย for everyone to enjoy.
Explore this magical haven and let the Forever Young Treehouse transport you to a world where age is just a number.
3 Make Yourself a Moment in Time
Tucked inside Oakledge Park, the Burlington Earth Clock is part sundial, part calendar, and totally unique.
This 43 ยฝ-foot circle of 14 granite stones isnโt just for admiringโyou actually become part of the timepiece when you step into the center.
Watch as your shadow marks the time on the sundial, making it feel like a mini time-travel experience.
To find this hidden gem, park in the first lot on the left at Oakledge Park and follow the Burlington Bike Path north along the shores of Lake Champlain.
After a short walk, youโll arrive at this fascinating and slightly eerie stone circle.
4 Eat a Pizza Amongst Ghosts of Smugglers
Step into Burlingtonโs haunted past with a visit to American Flatbread Company, where ghost stories and gourmet flatbreads go hand in hand.
Set inside one of downtown Burlingtonโs oldest buildings, this spot has a spooky reputation, with reports of phantom voices, unexplained happenings, and even ghostly apparitions.
Some say it’s connected to other historic buildings by prohibition-era tunnels, only adding to the mystery.
5 Enjoy Your Ice Cream Inside a Vintage VW Bus
Photo Credit: Ben and Jerry's Church St.
Indulge your sweet tooth and experience the quirky charm of Ben & Jerry’s inย downtown Burlington Vermont!ย
Located withinย Church Street Marketplace, blocks from Burlingtonย Waterfront Park, this iconicย ice creamย scoop shopย offers more than just delicious treats.ย
Upon entering, you’ll find seating, Ben and Jerryโs merchandise and an old-fashioned VW bus for the kids to explore while they enjoy theirย ice cream.
And for the ultimate Vermont adventure, why not tackle the Vermonster? This colossal dessert masterpiece features 20 scoops of any flavor, topped with a delightful array of goodies.ย
For even more Ben and Jerry’s fun, visit the Waterbury Factory location, check out the Flavor Graveyard or take a Guided Factory Tour to see how the famous ice cream is made.
6 Walk the W73ยฐ 13โ Longitude Line
Take a walk through Burlingtonโs longitude at the Earth Line, a hidden gem tucked into Church Street Marketplace.
Look down, and youโll spot a gray brick line running through the center of Church Street.
This marks Burlingtonโs exact longitude at W73ยฐ 13′โa distinction no other city shares.
Along the way, plaques highlight cities around the world that align with Burlington, from Montreal to Phnom Penh, creating an unexpected global connection right under your feet.
Itโs a quirky, fun stop for families looking for something a little different while exploring downtown Burlington.
Want to expand your horizons beyond the city?
Looking to explore beyond Burlington?
Our Curated List of Day Trips from Burlington feature charming small towns, scenic parks, and must-visit cultural spotsโall within an easy drive.ย
7 Discover the Famous Fries Where Phish Found Its Groove
Photo Credit: Nectar's
Get a taste of Burlingtonโs music historyโand some seriously good gravy friesโat Nectarโs, the legendary venue where Phish got their start.
Since 1975, Nectarโs has been the heart of Burlingtonโs live music scene, hosting acts like Grace Potter, Twiddle, and, of course, Phish, who played over 46 shows here in their early days.
Whether you’re here for the music, the history, or just the fries, this spot is a must for anyone looking to experience Burlingtonโs quirky side.
8 Dress Up Like Ethan Allen and The Green Mountain Boys
Step into Vermontโs past at the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum, where history isnโt just something you read aboutโitโs something you experience.
Kids can dress up like Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys, play colonial games, and explore an 18th-century tavern and garden.
Take a guided tour of the 1787 homestead, watch films about Ethan Allenโs life, and check out a traditional Abenaki village with a Koasek earth oven and ceremonial dance grounds.
Just north of downtown in Ethan Allen Park, this hidden gem makes learning about Vermontโs history hands-on and fun for the whole family.
9 Watch the Sunset Over Lake Champlain from A Historic Stone Tower
Discover Burlington’s unparalleled charm by watching the sunset from the top of the historic Ethan Allen Tower, located in the heart of Ethan Allen Park.
Erected in 1905 to celebrate Vermont’s heritage, this 40-foot-tall tower is aย prominent landmarkย of Burlington and offers stunning views of the city and Lake Champlain’s sunsets.
With its unique blend ofย Revolutionary Warย history, nature, and breathtaking views, Ethan Allen Tower is a must-visit destination for families looking for a unique and weird adventure in Burlington.ย
The Ethan Allen Tower is open on a specific schedule.ย
From Mother’s Day to Memorial Day, it is open on weekends from 9 am until sunset.ย
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, it is open every day from 9 am. To sunset
From Labor Day to Indigenous People’s Day, it is open on weekends from 9 am until sunset.
10 Visit Burlingtonโs Tallest Protest to Bureaucracy
Discover the weird charm of Burlington, VT, with a visit to the Tallest Filing Cabinet, a quirky attraction sure to intrigue the whole family!ย
Located in a parking lot at 208 Flynn Ave, this towering structure stands over 40 feet tall and consists of 38 drawers welded together.
Each drawer symbolizes a year of bureaucratic delays in building the Southern Connector Road.ย
While it is not aย National Historic Landmark, it is a thought-provoking reminder of the challenges and frustrations inherent in large-scale public projects, making it a must-visit for families seeking offbeat attractions in Burlington.
Take a detour from the usualย outdoor activitiesย and marvel at this oversized filing cabinet, a true testament to creativity and satire in Burlington.
11 Watch a Live Cheesemaking Demonstration
Photo Credit: Chuck McDonald
Get a behind-the-scenes look at Vermont cheesemaking at Shelburne Farms, where families can watch fresh milk turn into award-winning cheddar.
Since 1980, this working farm has been crafting artisanal cheddar using just four simple ingredients and time-honored techniques.
Watch skilled cheesemakers transform milk from pasture-raised Brown Swiss cows into raw milk cheddar right before your eyes.
After the demo, head to the tasting room for a sample of their famous farmstead cheddarโbecause nothing beats cheese straight from the source.
Make a day of it by exploring the farmโs scenic grounds and visiting the interactive exhibits at the Farm Barn. Itโs a fun, hands-on way to experience Vermontโs dairy heritage.
13 Take a Hike to See Vermontโs Most Notorious Plane Crash Site
Hike to one of Vermontโs strangest hidden relicsโa WWII bomber crash site on Camelโs Hump.
Near the summit, youโll find the remains of a B-24 Liberator that crashed in 1944. While much of the plane has rusted away, parts of the wing still remain, offering a haunting glimpse into history.
To find it, park at the Burrows Trail lot, hike 2.1 miles up Burrows Trail, then take Alpine Trail toward the summit. About 0.4 miles from the top, look for a small herd path on the left leading to the wreckage.
The 4.7-mile round-trip hike is a moderate challenge and best done in good weather.
If your family loves exploring Vermontโs outdoors, check out our Guide to Horseback Riding near Stowe for more adventure.
15 Spot Burlingtonโs Rooftop Flying Monkeys
As you wander near Waterfront Park, keep your eyes on the rooftopsโyou just might spot a troop of mischievous metal monkeys frozen mid-air in playful leaps.
Once perched atop the Emerald City of Oz waterbed store, these quirky sculptures now call Burlingtonโs rooftops home. Start at Union Station on Main Street to catch a glimpse, then take a short walk to Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center to find the mama monkey with her newborn twins.
Itโs a weird, whimsical sight that adds a touch of unexpected magic to Burlingtonโs skyline!
16 Visit the Famed โFlying Diaperโ
Flying Diaper- University of Vermont
Discover a truly unique Burlington gem: the Flying Diaper statue on theย University of Vermont campus.
The Flying Diaper was built in 1968 by a graduating civil engineering class.
This quirky structure is officially known as a hyperbolic paraboloid or “hypar,” whose shape appears curved despite being made from straight lines.ย
Against all odds, the class bypassed university bureaucracy to build it on the Redstone Campus.
The easiest way to access it is by parking in the Parking Lot Next to the UVM Athletic Field. Today, students nap under its shadow in warm weather and ski down its slopes when it snows.ย
It’s a weird and whimsical piece of Burlington’s history that blends engineering with a touch of fun.
17 Explore One of Vermontโs Oldest Art Museums
Photo Credit: Fleming Museum of Art
Discover the unexpected at the Fleming Museum of Art, one of Vermontโs oldest and most fascinating museums, tucked away on the University of Vermont campus.
With free admission, you can explore works by Picasso, Rembrandt, and Rockwell, alongside an impressive collection of anthropological artifacts from around the world.
Home to over 24,000 objects, this hidden gem offers a unique mix of art, history, and culture, making it a perfect stop for curious minds of all ages.
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After a day of exploration, retreat to one of Vermont’s Cozy Airbnb Accommodations.
Whether nestled in the mountains or overlooking serene lakes, these stays provide the perfect blend of comfort and rustic charm for a memorable getaway.
What Weird Burlington Vermont Attractions Do You Want to See?
Burlington Vermont, epitomizes the spirit of “Keep Vermont Weird” through its collection of eccentric attractions that defy the ordinary.ย
Each stop offers a delightful glimpse into Burlington’s distinctive character, from the enigmatic Earth Line running downย Church Street Marketplaceย to the whimsical flying monkeys adorning downtownย historic buildings.
Whether you dress up like Ethan Allen at the Homestead Museum or marvel at the eclectic art collection at theย Fleming Museum of Art, Burlington’s weird attractions promise unforgettable experiences for families and adventurers alike.
So, the next time you find yourself inย Burlington Vermont, dare to explore its offbeat wonders and discover the magic of this charming city where weird is wonderful.
