Shelburne is a small town packed with amenities near Burlington
Shelburne, 7 miles south of Burlington, is a quiet town with a tight-knit community in the Vermont countryside. “We have lots of amenities for everyone,” says Susan Elliot, assistant to the town manager and resident of over 40 years. “We have Lake Champlain, great schools and a great sense of community.” There’s also a charming locally owned business scene, including fine dining options. “You don’t have to leave Shelburne to get anything,” Elliot says. Key amenities like the Shelburne Museum and Shelburne Vineyard draw in tourists throughout the year, but the area is particularly popular in the summer. “Everyone wants to be close to the lake in the summer,” Elliot says. Due to the town’s sought-after amenities, single-family homes are generally priced higher than those in Burlington. “Our prices are high because people are attracted to the outdoor lifestyle, whether that be hiking, biking, fishing, swimming or boating,” Elliot says.
Waterfront estates, single-family homes and manufactured homes
The median home price in Shelburne is around $730,000, compared to $500,000 in Burlington. Housing is diverse, ranging from modest townhomes to waterfront retreats. “It’s very charming, very New England traditional,” Elliot says. Most homes were built from the late 20th century through today, though a handful of historic properties remain. “Just like everywhere in New England, we love our old stuff,” Elliot says. Many single-family homes are in planned subdivisions lined with sidewalks and manicured lawns. Depending on size and features, most townhomes and mid-sized houses sell for $300,000 to $1 million.
Older homes are often set on larger lots outside of town, offering more privacy. Larger properties, especially those on the lake, may include desirable features like private docks, hot tubs, and multi-car garages; their prices range from $1 million to $3 million. A handful of manufactured homes are also available, priced between $50,000 and $150,000.
Lake Champlain, parks and youth programs
Shelburne has many parks and green spaces to explore, but Lake Champlain might be the town's best-known feature. Shelburne Town Beach provides resident-only access to the lake for swimming, boating and bass fishing. “It’s a grassy park with picnic areas, swing sets and a beautiful beach,” Elliot says. “There’s also a volleyball net, and you can kayak or paddleboard.” LaPlatte Nature Park offers a handful of trails for hiking and mountain biking, as well as a community garden. Other highlights include tennis courts at Davis Park and seasonal ice skating at Hullcrest Park. The town also has lots of youth programs throughout the year. “They do Little League, lacrosse and soccer on the weekends,” Elliot says. “There are also summer camps and other things for kids to do.”
Shelburne’s tourist attractions
Shelburne isn’t a typical small town; the community is well-known for some of its landmarks. “Three of the biggest tourist attractions are the Shelburne Museum, Vermont Teddy Bear Factory and the Shelburne Vineyard,” Elliot says. Established in 1947, the Shelburne Museum is beloved for its wide range of artworks, curios and historic buildings spread across an extensive outdoor campus. “In the winter, they do a beautiful thing called ‘Winter Lights,’” Elliot says. “They light the whole museum up, and it’s a magical time.” The Vermont Teddy Bear Factory is open for tours and hosts children’s events throughout the year, like teddy bear workshops and Face Paint Fridays. Shelburne Vineyard offers a scenic countryside setting to enjoy Vermont-made wine with occasional live music. “It’s a beautiful place to walk or have a meal,” Elliot says. “They also do a bunch of sustainability classes.”
Small-town shopping and fine dining
Most of Shelburne’s shopping and dining are set around U.S. Route 7. “We have a beautiful supermarket,” Elliot says. Shelburne Market has pantry staples, fresh produce and a deli menu. “They also have plants, cut flowers and a selection of wine and beer,” Elliot says. The Shelburne Country Store is another community staple, offering household items, souvenir gifts and craft candies. “They have been continuously running since the 1800s and have all sorts of lovely things,” Elliot says. There are a few specialty shops, too, including the Flying Pig Bookstore and Willow’s House with antique furniture and secondhand treasures.
For a morning pick-me-up, Le Marche has freshly baked pastries, including chocolate croissants and pecan sticky buns, as well as elevated breakfast fare, like Portuguese egg sandwiches, granola parfaits and mini Dutch pancakes served with pure Vermont maple syrup. Village Wine and Coffee is another morning go-to (or an evening stop, depending on the day’s mood). “They have coffee on one side and wine on the other, so all of the things you need in a day,” Elliot says. For dinner or drinks, Electra’s is a date-night restaurant with New American fare and nightcap flights.
Athletic and academic opportunities at Champlain Valley Union High
Shelburne is part of the Champlain Valley Unified School District, which serves about 4,000 students. Kids in kindergarten through Grade 8 may attend Shelburne Community School, before moving to Champlain Valley Union High — both rated A-minus by Niche. Champlain Valley Union High boasts a robust athletic department, with the boys’ lacrosse team winning 11 Division 1 championships in the past 12 seasons, from 2013 to 2025. “It’s not one sport, but a whole bunch of sports,” Elliot says. “Parents really do support their children and the community children.” Through the Vermont Dual Enrollment program, juniors and seniors may take two free college courses at any Vermont college.
The nearest highway, hospital and airport
U.S. Route 7 passes through Shelburne, providing a direct route to Burlington. “There might be traffic at certain times of the year, but it’s not anything unbearable,” Elliot says. Residents generally drive to get around, but the town center is walkable, and Green Mountain Transit buses also stop in town. University of Vermont Medical Center is 8 miles away, and the Burlington International Airport is 9 miles away.
Annual snowfall
Shelburne receives 72 inches of snowfall on average, compared to the U.S. average of 28 inches. Snowfall can cause road closures and travel delays, especially in February, when snow is at its heaviest.
