Church Street Marketplace Named ‘Best Public Square’ in U.S. by USA Today

Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger announced this month that Burlington’s Church Street Marketplace — just a five-minute walk from Champlain College — has been named as the “Best Public Square” in the United States for 2022, according to USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

“The Church Street Marketplace is the ‘Best Public Square’ in the country because of a great design and more than 40 years of vigilant work by the street’s merchants, outstanding directors, the Commission, and the City to make it a welcoming and safe place for the public to live, work and play,” Mayor Weinberger said. “This distinction is a reminder of how beloved and treasured Church Street is, and it comes at a great time as we gear up for a summer of markets, festivals, events, and more.”

Among the thousands of college students who call Burlington home each year, Champlain students boast bragging rights for their proximity to the hometown hotspot and surrounding downtown area. Coffee, ramen (and not the instant variety), bagels, and shopping are just a few of the things our students say they love most.

As described by USA Today, “Burlington’s Church Street Marketplace comprises the length of Church Street between Pearl [Street] and Main [Street]. It’s a designated National Register Historic District that welcomes 1.5 million visitors a year to shop, dine, and mingle.”

“We are thrilled to have a national outlet recognize what a valuable and beloved gathering space the Church Street Marketplace is, especially as we prepare a full summer season of events,” said Kara Alnasrawi, Director of Church Street Marketplace.

Burlington was nominated by USA Today’s panel of judges, and the final ranking of the top 10 public squares was selected by readers after four weeks of voting. Nominees for all categories are chosen by a panel of experts which include a combination of editors from USA TODAY, editors from 10Best.com, and other relevant expert contributors.

To read about the full list of honored public squares, click here.