Board a boat: Take a narrated tour on the Northern Lights, a double-decker boat that departs from the King Street Dock (1-802-864-9669). The Spirit of Ethan Allen III also offers narrated sightseeing cruises, departing from the Burlington Boat House (1-802-862-8300). Both locations are in the heart of the revitalized waterfront.

RIDE A TRAIN: At the waterfront, you also can hop aboard a vintage train run by the Green Mountain Railroad. The route takes you through Champlain Valley, offering views of Lake Champlain and New York's Adirondack Mountains beyond, plus two of Vermont's tallest peaks (1-800-707-3530; www.rails-vt.com).

RENT A BIKE: Local Motion can hook you up with cycle and helmet. It's located on the waterfront adjacent to the biking trail that runs along Lake Champlain. Plus, it's a nonprofit dedicated to promoting cycling, walking, in-line skating and the kinds of trails that make such modes of travel easy and safe. Not a bad place to plop down a few dollars (1-802-652-2453; www.localmotionvt.org).

STROLL THROUGH CAMPUS: For an extra dose of New England charm, head to the University of Vermont. The school was founded in 1791 and is filled with red brick structures topped with steeples. Stop by the Robert Hull Fleming Museum on campus to see the works of a variety of artists, including several Vermonters (1-802-656-0750; www.flemingmuseum.org).

SHOP THE CHURCH STREET MARKETPLACE: Despite the Barnes & Noble, Old Navy and Ann Taylor, this four-block outdoor pedestrian mall lets Burlington's spirit shine. Witness these stores: Frog Hollow, which sells locally produced crafts; Dobra Tea, a laid-back teahouse, and Peace and Justice, a store that "supports community building, celebrates diversity and advocates for justice" by selling a selection of fair-trade clothing, books and bumper stickers to support social justice movements. Too much for you? Just head to Ben & Jerry's down the street. The ice cream conglomerate got its start in Burlington.

KERRI WESTENBERG