Across the bridge from Burlington is town of Winooski. The town name comes from the native American Abenaki word for 'wild onions' which grew abundantly along the river that skirts it.

Settled in 1722 by Ira Allen (who eventually founded the college up the hill... the University of Vermont), the town's river was first used to power saw mills, then, years later, textile mills. Employment opportunities at these mills attracted thousands of workers from the surrounding region, including a large number of French Canadians. However, during the 1950's the mills closed, and the vibrant community declined.

Early in the 1980's the town saw a revitalization as three of the riverside mills were restored and converted to attractive apartments, business and retail spaces. North of the river, quaint residential neighborhoods branch off the town's Main Street. Though barely more than one square mile in size, the town boasts 13 parks, from small, quiet greens to larger public recreational fields.