Two men really define the flavor -- in the literal sense -- of Burlington, Vermont. Their names are Ben and Jerry - as in Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, the environment- and family-friendly company that cranks out wild varieties like Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Holy Cannoli, Chubby Hubby, Dastardly Mash (recently resurrected from the "Flavor Graveyard"), and (my personal favorite) Apple Pie. Burlington has a laid-back appeal that stems not only from its revered ice cream factory, but also from the nearby University of Vermont, where Birkenstocks, flannel, and long hair reign supreme.

Burlington, once a port in the 19th century, has a full-time population of approximately 40,000 (making it the state's largest city), but far more populous are the tourists, who travel here from far and wide -- some of them merely to stroll through the Ben and Jerry's factory and sample its sweet treats right off the assembly line, and others just to soak up the beautiful and peaceful green scenery. Nearby Lake Champlain, the natural boundary between Vermont and upstate New York, draws curious tourists, as well; a mysterious creature called "Champ" has been spotted here some 400 times since 1609. Those who aren't particularly impressed by Champ elect to participate in such activities as fishing, sailing, and scuba diving; and in the winter, ice skating, ice fishing, and ice boating -- not to mention sleigh rides and cross country and downhill skiing at resorts within an hour's drive. Montreal, an hour's drive to the north, offers a taste of Europe right across the border.

The Burlington Free Press, in a May 1993 report, called Burlington the country's least stressful metropolitan area for children. The report actually was the culmination of a study of 828 U.S. cities and metropolitan areas. Some might charge that the study's findings are somewhat biased, given the source; yet, following a visit here, you'll be convinced that if Burlington isn't the country's number-one least stressful metro region, it certainly ranks in the top 10. The city is bordered on the east by the spectacular Green Mountains and faces the Adirondacks, which sit across Lake Champlain, the country's largest fresh water lake (after the Great Lakes). When the autumn months arrive, the trees lining the mountains turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow -- a breathtaking display.

In addition to Lake Champlain, Burlington is situated near three bays: Mallets Bay in nearby Colchester, Burlington Bay, and Shelburne Bay in the nearby town of Shelburne. And the Lamoille and Winooski rivers enter Lake Champlain, making Burlington a water sport-oriented city throughout both the summer and winter months. Because winters here tend to be long and somewhat harsh, Vermonters have adapted. Life goes on, and locals remain active in their sporting activities.

Burlington was incorporated into a city in 1864 by the Legislature and was split into two cities at that time -- Burlington and South Burlington. Burlington proper is home to several major corporations. The list includes IBM Microelectronics, IBM Burlington, Rossignol Ski Company, IDX Systems Corporation, Lockheed Martin Armament Systems, and Orvis.

Along with history comes renovation, a responsibility the city has assumed in recent years. The historic buildings that line Battery Street have been converted for commercial and industrial use, and more than 200 residential properties have been restored in Burlington's King Street Neighborhood Historic District.

Part of Burlington's central business district was converted in the late 1970s to the Church Street Marketplace, a pedestrian mall filled with restaurants and specialty shops. The mall's arrival didn't signal an abandonment of history, however; the Church Street Historic District also is home to a still-vibrant 19th century department store as well as a historic Unitarian church and Masonic temple.

Historic residential properties also are in abundance in Burlington, in the city's Pearl Street District -- once home to a wealthy mercantile class in the mid-19th century -- and in the city's "Hill Section," which contains Queen Anne-style, Colonial Revival, and Italian-style homes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries built by deep-pocketed industrialists. Today, many of these homes are either divided into apartments, or they serve as sorority or fraternity houses for the University of Vermont.

For an insider's look at the charm of Burlington and the rest of Vermont, head to Virtual Vermont. It's packed with local information, along with a few photographs to tempt you. Log on, and find out why Burlington is enough to tempt all of us into telecommuting. Burlington's wealth of cultural, sporting, and entertainment resources -- along with its laid-back lifestyle -- offer a pleasant change from the comparatively higher stress level of other U.S. cities. And -- as Ben and Jerry so wonderfully illustrate -- the city doesn't take itself too seriously, either. That's a refreshing alternative many of us appreciate.

Published: September 14, 1998

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