Photo: Thais Soares
Photo: debraj ghosal
Photo: PAUL RATHA YEM
Battery Park
★4.5(1,007 reviews)FreePark
🕑 2-4 hours👶 Best for all ages. Toddlers love the open grassy areas for playing and gentle beach access, while older kids enjoy the walking paths for biking and scootering, plus the lakeside rocks for exploring.🧡 Saved by 200+ families
About
Battery Park is Burlington's crown jewel waterfront destination, offering families a perfect blend of natural beauty and active play along Lake Champlain. Kids can run freely on expansive grassy lawns, explore the sandy beach areas, and enjoy stunning views of the Adirondack Mountains while parents relax in one of Vermont's most picturesque settings.
Highlights
- ✓Sandy beach areas with gentle Lake Champlain access perfect for wading and sandcastle building
- ✓Wide open grassy lawns ideal for frisbee, soccer, kite flying, and picnics
- ✓Scenic lakefront promenade with mountain views and benches for resting
- ✓Connection to the 8-mile Burlington Bike Path for extended family adventures
- ✓Historic naval battery cannons that kids love to explore and photograph
Pro Tips
- 1.Arrive early on summer weekends to snag shaded picnic spots near the waterfront and avoid the midday crowds
- 2.Bring bikes, scooters, or rollerblades,the paved paths are perfect for young riders and connect to Burlington's scenic bike path
- 3.Pack water shoes for the rocky beach areas, making it easier and safer for kids to explore the shoreline
- 4.The sunset views over the Adirondacks are spectacular,consider an evening picnic dinner for a memorable family experience
- 5.Free parking can be challenging in peak season; try the nearby parking garage on College Street or arrive via the bike path
Best Time to Visit
Visit on weekday mornings or early evenings during summer for the best weather with fewer crowds. Fall offers stunning foliage views and cooler temperatures perfect for active play without the peak tourist season bustle.
What to Know
The park is free and open 24/7 with accessible paved paths throughout. Nearby Church Street Marketplace (5-minute walk) offers plenty of dining options, public restrooms, and family-friendly shops.
Seasonal Notes
While open year-round, the park is most popular May through October. Summer offers beach activities and warm weather fun, while fall provides gorgeous foliage. Winter visits are possible but limited to walking; the beach areas are less accessible when frozen.
Nearby Eats
Head to Penny Cluse Café (5-minute walk) for family-friendly brunch with creative pancakes kids love, or try Bluebird Barbecue on the waterfront for casual outdoor dining with lake views and kid-approved BBQ favorites.
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