
Public Daytime Picnic Boat Cruise
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Public Daytime Picnic Boat Cruise worth booking?
Public Daytime Picnic Boat Cruise is a 2-hour experience in Burlington, United States, from $85 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (4)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $85 per person
Discover the beauty of Lake Champlain aboard Buttercup, where every cruise offers a blend of stunning views and captivating stories about the lake's rich history. Enjoy a leisurely outing on the water, perfect for famili
What you get
About this experience
Discover the beauty of Lake Champlain aboard Buttercup, where every cruise offers a blend of stunning views and captivating stories about the lake's rich history. Enjoy a leisurely outing on the water, perfect for families, couples, or anyone looking to immerse themselves in the scenic landscapes of Vermont. Choose from regular cruises or arrange a private charter for a more personalized experience. Departing from the Burlington Community Boathouse, this is a great way to relax and take in the sights of one of America’s most beautiful lakes. - Scenic cruises showcasing the stunning landscapes of Lake Champlain - Hear engaging stories about the lake's history and significance - Options for private charters or regular cruises available - Convenient departures from the Burlington Community Boathouse
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- BYO food and drinks. Finger-food is encouraged.
What you'll see and do
Lake Champlain
No two cruises are alike, but we do love to go check out certain parts of Lake Champlain and share stories. Some of the highlights could include: • The world-famous geological feature 'Champlain Thrust Fault' • A few of the *over 70* named islands • Marked shipwrecks from the 1800's • The first lighthouse ever built on Champlain in 1825 • Breathtaking views of the Adirondack and Green Mountains • Cliff-jumpers at Lone Rock Point and Red Rocks • Champ!!!
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Burlington
Please arrive to the waterfront with plenty of time to find our dock. Check out our cruise location page at https://www.whistlingman.com/cruise-location. If arriving by car we recommend 20 minutes to find parking.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please arrive to the waterfront with plenty of time to find our dock. Check out our cruise location page at https://www.whistlingman.com/cruise-location. If arriving by car we recommend 20 minutes to find parking.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Whistling Man Schooner Co.
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
1 mentionTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for Public Daytime Picnic Boat Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Relaxing afternoon sailing
Relaxing two-hour boat ride with great boat captains. Friendly, informative, and accommodating. Perfect afternoon sail.
via Tripadvisor
Picnic boat cruise
Great cruise and views. Corey was an excellent captain and the company was awesome too. Highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Buttercup on Lake Champlain = 2 hours of Fun!
I wanted to do something fun for my sister who was visiting from the West Coast, so a cruise on beautiful Lake Champlain was the plan. So glad I chose Whistling Man Schooner Co! It was just my party of 3 and Captain Cory. “Buttercup” was our boat and she the perfect vessel for our excursion; comfortable, clean, quiet and just a good vibe. Besides the incredible natural beauty of Lake Champlain, it was Captain Cory who made the whole trip memorable! Versed with facts, trivia and jokes plus an obvious passion for what he does, Captain Cory made the whole adventure an amazing 2 hours! So bring some yourself some food, drinks, and whatever else you need, then kickback and enjoy!
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful 2 hrs on lake
Corey was absolutely amazing! Very knowledgeable and, always with safety first approach. It was worth the time and money spent. He showed us great sights and shared a lot lake Champlain history and geographic knowledge. Highly recommend.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Public Daytime Picnic Boat Cruise: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Burlington.
How much does Public Daytime Picnic Boat Cruise cost?
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Prices start at $85 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Burlington usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Public Daytime Picnic Boat Cruise take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Burlington is not rushed.
Is Public Daytime Picnic Boat Cruise worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 4 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Burlington, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Public Daytime Picnic Boat Cruise?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Public Daytime Picnic Boat Cruise suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Public Daytime Picnic Boat Cruise?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Burlington can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Burlington and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Public Daytime Picnic Boat Cruise start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Burlington within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Burlington?
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Burlington, VT packs its best experiences into walkable neighborhoods, local food, and day trips nearby. Outty ranks every bookable tour and activity in Burlington by rating quality, review depth, booking demand and value, so you can see the standouts before you book. On Outty we rank every Burlington experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Burlington Signature Guided Brewery Tour, Public Daytime Sailing Cruise, Small Group 5-Day Tour Vacation Package in Vermont. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Burlington?
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Spring and fall bring the best weather and lighter crowds in Burlington, while summer has the widest choice of tours and evening activities. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Burlington?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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