Burlington, Vermont Tennis Guide

Quick Start Guide for Visitors & New Residents

Need courts now? Head to Leddy Park (4 lighted courts, free) or Calahan Park (119 Locust St, 4 courts, free). First-come, first-served.

Indoor tennis? The EDGE Sports & Fitness (edgevt.com) has indoor courts in Essex (4 Gauthier Dr., 802-951-2320) and South Burlington (142 W Twin Oaks Terrace, 802-658-0001).

Finding partners? Join Vermont Tennis Scene (facebook.com) on Facebook or try PlayYourCourt Burlington (playyourcourt.com) for skill-matched play.

Want lessons? Contact MyTennisLessons (mytennislessons.com) or PlayYourCourt coaches (playyourcourt.com) for certified instructors.

Need equipment? Drop the Racquet (droptheracquet.com) at 142 W Twin Oaks Terrace offers stringing, sales, and repairs (802-951-2344, Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 10am-2pm).

Why Burlington for Tennis Travelers

Burlington offers a unique tennis experience combining scenic lakefront courts, a welcoming community, and year-round play options. The city's compact size makes it easy to access multiple facilities, from free public courts with stunning Lake Champlain views to premium clay court facilities nestled in wooded settings.

The local tennis community is notably inclusive and active, with USTA Vermont leagues, regular tournaments, and social meetups. Summer visitors enjoy playing on eight pristine HarTru clay courts at the historic Burlington Tennis Club, while winter players find excellent indoor facilities at The EDGE. The city's vibrant downtown, craft beer scene, and outdoor recreation opportunities make it an ideal destination for tennis enthusiasts who appreciate a balanced, active lifestyle.

Burlington's location in the Champlain Valley provides four distinct seasons of tennis, with dedicated players enjoying the sport from April through October outdoors, and year-round at indoor facilities. The strong coaching community and variety of skill levels ensure visitors and newcomers can quickly find competitive matches and friendly rallies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find hitting partners?

For residents and visitors alike, the best options are:

Best court access for week-long visits?

For a 7-day visit, combine these options:

How do I join private or group lessons?

Connecting with players at my skill level (NTRP 2.0-4.0)?

For beginner to intermediate players:

Tennis Community & Organizations

Burlington Tennis Club

Member-owned, non-profit club since 1957 - Burlington's premier clay court facility with approximately 500 members

Facilities: 8 HarTru clay courts, 2 paddle tennis courts (year-round with additional fee), hard surface practice area with backboard, 8-lane 25-yard heated pool, pool house, picnic area, children's play area, clubhouse

Location: South Burlington, VT 05403 - approximately 8 beautifully landscaped acres with spectacular wooded views near UVM Medical Center

Membership types: Tennis Only, Pool Only, Tennis & Pool package, Winter Membership (paddle tennis)

Activities: Scheduled summer activities to help members connect, top-tier tennis professional instruction

Contact: 802-863-3439 | membership@burlingtontennis.com
Website: burlingtontennis.com

USTA Vermont District

One of seven State Associations in the USTA New England Section - volunteer-run organization providing tennis opportunities for kids and adults statewide

Vermont USTA League: Recreational match play for adults 18+, offering social yet competitive play with similar skill levels throughout the state in singles or doubles

Cost: $42 active USTA membership + $23 team registration + $12 per match played

Online Tennis Communities

Vermont Tennis Scene: Facebook group connecting local players - facebook.com/groups/4050649922

PlayYourCourt Burlington: Skill-matched league with no commitments - playyourcourt.com/tennis-community/burlington-vt

Global Tennis Network: Burlington directory shows 9 tournaments, 3 networks, 1 league, 132 players, 24 courts - globaltennisnetwork.com Burlington page

Tennis Courts

Public Courts (Free)

Leddy Park

Location: Leddy Park Road, Burlington's New North End

Courts: 4 lighted tennis courts

Cost: Free

Access: First-come, first-served. Lights available for evening play

Best for: Evening play, visitors, casual rallies

Calahan Park

Location: 119 Locust St, Burlington, VT 05401 (between Shelburne Road and Pine Street, South End)

Courts: 4 public tennis courts (not lighted)

Cost: Free

Access: First-come, first-served

Resources: tennisround.com Calahan Park details | pickleplay.com court info

Indoor/Year-Round Facilities

The EDGE Sports & Fitness

Premier indoor and outdoor tennis facility serving Burlington area with multiple locations

South Burlington Tennis Center:

Essex Location:

Eastwood Drive (S. Burlington):

Programs: Private lessons with professional instructors, beginner programs, clinics, junior programs, leagues, tournaments

University of Vermont (UVM) Tennis Courts

Patrick-Forbush-Gutterson Athletic Complex (PFG): 6 indoor tennis courts plus outdoor courts

Location: PFG Road, Burlington, VT

Access: Court reservations available for UVM Students, Faculty, or Full-Time (benefited) Staff

Additional facilities: Multipurpose Tennis/Turf facility used by various groups throughout the year

Private Club Courts

Burlington Tennis Club Courts

Surface: 8 HarTru clay courts (members only)

Additional: 2 paddle tennis courts (winter play available), hard surface practice area with backboard

Setting: Nestled in beautiful Burlington woods with spectacular views

Membership required - Contact 802-863-3439 for information

Lessons & Coaching

Certified Coaching Services

PlayYourCourt - Burlington Coaches

Vetted, certified instructors working with all ages and ability levels

Pricing: Each additional person only $10 more per hour for group lessons

Featured coach - Robert: Former New England junior champion, high-ranking men's doubles and singles player, Director of Tennis at private Burlington country club, prep-school coach

Featured coach - Collin Vero-Casavant: USPTA Certified with 10 years coaching experience, offers lessons for all ages and levels

The EDGE Tennis Programs

Professional instructors offering comprehensive tennis education

Programs: Private lessons, beginner programs, clinics (organized by skill level), junior programs, competitive leagues, tournament preparation

Facilities: Indoor and outdoor courts at Essex and South Burlington locations

Contact: 802-658-0001 (South Burlington) | 802-951-2320 (Essex)
Website: edgevt.com/sports-fitness-3/sports/tennis

MyTennisLessons - Burlington

Platform connecting students with local instructors for all ages and skill levels

Services: Kids lessons, beginner instruction, adult coaching, private lessons

Athletes Untapped - Burlington

Find vetted tennis coaches and book private, group, or team tennis lessons

Notable Local Tennis Professionals

Jake - South Burlington HS Girls' Tennis Coach

Professional tennis instructor since 1972, became South Burlington High School Girls' Tennis coach in 1984. Nearly four decades later, still leading the Wolves to state championships with 16 titles. Coached adults and juniors at an indoor tennis facility for nearly forty years.

Burlington Tennis Club Professionals

Top-tier tennis professionals provide instruction throughout the summer season for club members. Contact the club at 802-863-3439 or membership@burlingtontennis.com for program details.

Shops & Services

Drop the Racquet

Burlington area's premier racquet sports specialty shop - Retail shop and professional stringing service

Location: 142 W Twin Oaks Terrace, South Burlington, VT (Inside The EDGE fitness center) - Plenty of free parking

Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 10am-2pm

Services:

Products:

Expertise: Owner Tom Twitchell is a Certified Racquet Technician and Member of the U.S. Racquet Stringers Association - exceptional product knowledge and high level of customer service

Phone: 802-951-2344
Website: droptheracquet.com
Retail shop: droptheracquet.com/retail-shop
Facebook: facebook.com/droptheracquet

Additional Resources

Tennis Directories & Tools

Getting Started Checklist

  1. Try the free courts: Visit Leddy Park or Calahan Park with your racquet
  2. Join online communities: Connect via Vermont Tennis Scene Facebook group or PlayYourCourt
  3. Assess your needs: Looking for casual play, competitive leagues, or coaching?
  4. Consider USTA membership: $42 opens access to leagues and tournaments statewide
  5. Visit Drop the Racquet: Get your racquet professionally strung and talk to Tom about local scene
  6. Explore membership options: Burlington Tennis Club for clay courts, The EDGE for year-round indoor play
  7. Book a lesson: Start with a pro to improve your game and meet the coaching community