About this Location

Facility Overview

The Merrill Lynch Parking Lot, located at 102 Lake Street in Burlington, Vermont, is an open-air surface parking facility situated in the heart of the scenic Lake Champlain waterfront district. Serving the commercial offices at 102 Lake Street—including Merrill Lynch Wealth Management—as well as visitors to the bustling shoreline, the lot provides level, paved parking with clearly marked stalls and straightforward circulation lanes. Because it is a surface lot without overhead decks or structural height restrictions, the facility easily accommodates standard passenger sedans, crossovers, full-size SUVs, pickup trucks, and vehicles carrying rooftop cargo boxes or bicycle racks that might not fit into Burlington\'s multi-level downtown garages.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated directly along the waterfront corridor, this parking location puts visitors steps away from some of Burlington’s most beloved cultural, recreational, and dining destinations:

Burlington Waterfront Park: Located directly across Lake Street, offering sweeping views of Lake Champlain, the Adirondack Mountains, expansive lawns, and host to major seasonal events like the Lake Champlain Maritime Festival and Vermont Brewers Festival (1-minute walk).
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain: Burlington’s premier science and nature center and aquarium, situated just south on College Street (3-minute walk).
Burlington Community Boathouse Marina: Access point for scenic boat charters, water taxi services, sailing rentals, and casual dockside dining at Splash at the Boathouse (2-minute walk).
Burlington Greenway (Island Line Trail): The paved pedestrian and cycling path running directly behind and adjacent to the waterfront, perfect for runners and cyclists heading north toward the Colchester Causeway (1-minute walk).
Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center: Home to local theater productions, independent film screenings, and galleries (3-minute walk).
Church Street Marketplace: Burlington’s iconic four-block pedestrian shopping and dining mall, easily accessible by walking uphill along College Street or Main Street (approx. 8–10 minute walk or 0.4 miles).

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress to the lot are located directly on Lake Street, which runs parallel to the shoreline and links directly to Main Street and College Street. Approaching drivers arriving via Interstate 89 can take Exit 14W onto Main Street (US Route 2) and follow it straight down the hill to the waterfront. While Lake Street traffic moves at a leisurely pace, congestion can increase during summer weekends, sunset hours, and lakefront festival days. Public transit is readily available nearby, with Green Mountain Transit (GMT) routes stopping nearby along Main Street and College Street, and the Burlington Downtown Transit Center located approximately half a mile east.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Sky Clearance: High-profile pickup trucks, vans, and vehicles with rooftop sports equipment park without vertical clearance concerns.
Contactless Mobile Payments: Equipped with on-site payment signage supporting mobile parking apps (such as ParkMobile) and automated pay stations accepting major credit cards.
Designated Accessible Spaces: Marked ADA-compliant parking stalls located convenient to pedestrian walkways and building entrances.
Nighttime Illumination: Pole-mounted lighting across the lot provides nighttime visibility for evening strolls and late-night waterfront dining.

Ideal For

Waterfront Explorers: Visitors spending an afternoon at Waterfront Park, taking a cruise on Lake Champlain, or visiting the ECHO Center.
Office & Business Visitors: Clients and professionals attending appointments at 102 Lake Street and surrounding commercial suites.
Outdoor Enthusiasts: Cyclists, joggers, and walkers utilizing the Burlington Greenway / Island Line Rail Trail.
Dining & Sunset Gatherings: Diners visiting shoreline eateries like The Spot on the Dock, Foam Brewers, and Burlington Boathouse without parking in the uphill garage district.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Check Signage & Reserved Stalls: During weekday business hours, portions of the lot may be designated specifically for tenants, staff, or clients of 102 Lake Street; carefully review posted signage upon parking to ensure public pay-and-display stalls are used.
Prepare for Event Congestion: During major lakefront events, such as the July 3rd Independence Day fireworks or music festivals, waterfront lots fill exceptionally fast; arrive early or consider walking down from Church Street garages.
Uphill Return Walk: If you plan to visit the Church Street Marketplace, note that returning from the lakefront involves a modest uphill walk along College or Main Street.