Waterfront Park Spray Fountain

Battery Park is the Burlington downtown family spot with Lake Champlain views that turn pink at sunset. The splash feature sits at the cliff edge of the park with the Adirondacks across the water and the Spirit of Ethan Allen cruise boat coming in and out. Burlington Parks runs the spray mid-June through Labor Day, daytime only, with the 70F threshold. It is free, with metered parking on Pearl Street, public restrooms, and Church Street Marketplace's food and ice cream is a five-minute walk uphill. October foliage with the lake and the Adirondack peaks is a Vermont postcard, even though the spray will be off by then.

Leddy Park is the Burlington north-end family anchor: Lake Champlain beach, splash pad, playground, ball fields, ice arena, and the Burlington Bike Path running through. Burlington Parks runs the spray late June through Labor Day, daytime only, with the standard 70F minimum. It is free, with abundant parking, restrooms at the beach house, and lifeguarded lake swimming. The bike path north toward Colchester is a great family ride. Pack water shoes for the rocky beach, and end the day with creemees (Vermont soft-serve) at the Beach Road stands. Easy access from North Avenue.

North Beach is the Burlington summer family staple: a real Lake Champlain beach with lifeguards, plus a splash pad and playground for the kids who burn out on sand. Burlington Parks runs the spray late June through Labor Day, daytime only, with the 70F+ activation. There is a small parking fee for nonresidents in summer (typically $5-10), restrooms at the bathhouse, and the campground next door means picnic tables are everywhere. The Burlington Bike Path runs right past for an easy car-free arrival from downtown. Bring water shoes for the rocky shoreline. October foliage with lake views is your fall return.

Hubbard Park is Montpelier's 185-acre treasure rising right above the State House, with hiking trails, a stone observation tower, and a splash feature near the lower entrance. Montpelier Parks runs the spray late June through Labor Day, daytime only, with the typical 70F threshold. It is free, with parking on Hubbard Park Drive, basic restrooms, and downtown Montpelier (smallest state capital in the country) is a 10-minute walk south for State Street's cafes and bookstores. The October foliage hike to the tower with the Green Mountains panorama is the legally required return trip. Trail map at the kiosk.

Battery Park is the Burlington downtown family spot with Lake Champlain views that turn pink at sunset. The splash feature sits at the cliff edge of the park with the Adirondacks across the water and the Spirit of Ethan Allen cruise boat coming in and out. Burlington Parks runs the spray mid-June through Labor Day, daytime only, with the 70F threshold. It is free, with metered parking on Pearl Street, public restrooms, and Church Street Marketplace's food and ice cream is a five-minute walk uphill. October foliage with the lake and the Adirondack peaks is a Vermont postcard, even though the spray will be off by then.

Leddy Park is the Burlington north-end family anchor: Lake Champlain beach, splash pad, playground, ball fields, ice arena, and the Burlington Bike Path running through. Burlington Parks runs the spray late June through Labor Day, daytime only, with the standard 70F minimum. It is free, with abundant parking, restrooms at the beach house, and lifeguarded lake swimming. The bike path north toward Colchester is a great family ride. Pack water shoes for the rocky beach, and end the day with creemees (Vermont soft-serve) at the Beach Road stands. Easy access from North Avenue.

Hubbard Park is Montpelier's 185-acre treasure rising right above the State House, with hiking trails, a stone observation tower, and a splash feature near the lower entrance. Montpelier Parks runs the spray late June through Labor Day, daytime only, with the typical 70F threshold. It is free, with parking on Hubbard Park Drive, basic restrooms, and downtown Montpelier (smallest state capital in the country) is a 10-minute walk south for State Street's cafes and bookstores. The October foliage hike to the tower with the Green Mountains panorama is the legally required return trip. Trail map at the kiosk.

North Beach is the Burlington summer family staple: a real Lake Champlain beach with lifeguards, plus a splash pad and playground for the kids who burn out on sand. Burlington Parks runs the spray late June through Labor Day, daytime only, with the 70F+ activation. There is a small parking fee for nonresidents in summer (typically $5-10), restrooms at the bathhouse, and the campground next door means picnic tables are everywhere. The Burlington Bike Path runs right past for an easy car-free arrival from downtown. Bring water shoes for the rocky shoreline. October foliage with lake views is your fall return.