BURLINGTON TO WILLSBORO BAY

August 23, 2023

Willsboro Bay is a gorgeous 4-mile-long fjord.

But before we get to that, I want to say a final word about Burlington.  This morning, I came to the realization that it is arguably the most beautiful waterfront of all our travels.  And I am including Maine to Florida, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, and Florida’s west coast. Even the Bahamas!

The marina itself is adorable: it’s called the Burlington Boatyard, and it harkens back to the days when most of the waterfront was dedicated to shipping and commerce.  Now, it features a terrific restaurant with a spectacular lakefront view, and the friendliest marina staff in our experience.

The marina and restaurant are on the far side of this cute building.

Moving toward shore, the lake is bordered by a half mile of parks and flowers and swings and benches, highlighted by a “boardwalk” featuring granite pillars, Ipe planking, and “interesting facts” historical placards.  All immaculately clean and inviting.

A walk along the water with parks on both sides.

Above the shoreline, the streets climb steeply toward Church Street, a pedestrian mall that features dozens of shops and restaurants.

Church Street Mall

And of course (not to make too fine a point of it), the entire scene focuses outward onto the lake and the dramatic silhouette of the Adirondacks towering above it on the New York side.

View from the marina

I am so grateful to our friends Tony and Sigy for urging us to come to Lake Champlain last year.  And I’m grateful to Lynn for her interest in returning.  This year, it has taken us 6 weeks and around 90 locks to get here, but it’s worth it.  

Today, in Willsboro Sound, is a perfect example of why we enjoy it.  It was 65* when we awoke: clear and sunny, with a deep blue color to the lake.  We made a leisurely start and cruised through Shelburne Bay (just south of Burlington) and then due east to Willsboro Sound.

We are less than 100 feet from the cliffs in over 100 feet of water.

It’s sometimes called a fjord, because the water is so deep – about 200 feet – and the cliffs rise over 1,000 feet above it.

The train tracks run along the shore – this trestle bridge looks like something you’d see in Colorado.

We’re tied up with a spectacular view of the Bay and the mountains.  It’s 80* with very low humidity.  Heaven.

Just relaxing!