Burlington VT (South Burlington, Springfield, Shelburne: appointed, theatre, college)

[meltinjohn]

I have a question to some of you Vermonters about how you feel about Burlington. I come from MA, but am just asking generally if Burlington has a good amount of things like concerts or good bars.
I ask because I was just in Manchester NH today, and was thinking to myself Gee, could Burlington VT be this overrated as well?
Manchester is the biggest city in New England populationwise after Providence, Springfield, Worcester, and Boston and it seemed rather disappointing. I just ask some of you if Burlington lives up to its hype.

[68vette]

It depends on how you look at it. As far as concert venues it's only Higher Ground in South Burlington. It's not a large place and they don't get major acts. We have to go to Mass, Ct, or Montreal for those. There was talk of putting in a real concert venue a few years ago, but I think that has been put on the back burner. The bars are ok. They don't compare to bigger towns, but if you are going out for a beer with a few freinds they are great. If you go out and hit the bars a few nights a week then you will be disappointed.

[quickdraw]

Depends what kind of concerts you are looking for. As mentioned, Higher Ground has some nice shows - mainly bands on the rise and more well known bands near the end of their career. The Flynn Theatre also gets some nice shows. For big concerts though, you have to go to Montreal (90 minutes)
Albany and Manchester (2.5 hrs). The Champlain Valley expo offers daily shows for a couple of weeks in August, this year's line-up is the worst I can recall.

I love Burlington and wouldn't want to live in Manchester, for what that's worth.

Burlington is much smaller, with more of a college and bohemian feel.

[vter]

Burlington and Manchester are different animals. Manchester is larger and is an old industrial city. Burlington is a lively college town. The scenery in Burlington beats Manchester hands down. Burlington has a lively downtown-lots of bars/restaurants (many with outdoor seating during warmer months) and lots of shops. I've been in downtown Manchester numerous times (on weekends) and it seams "dead" to me compared to Burlington. Burlington is a destination, Manchester really isnt.
Folks above nailed down the concert info although didnt mention Shelburne Museum which hosts 4-5 fairly big shows a year.
Burlington has the waterfront with ECHO, boat rides, the awesome bike path where you can ride for miles (literally).
I think you'll need to come up and see for yourself.

[PeePaw]

I prefer Manchester over Burlington, thats just my opinion though. I am sure some will differ.