Ripley's Believe It or Not has designated Snake Alley as "Unbelievably Crooked" and the #1 Odd Spot in Ripley's Guide to the Curious Corners of America. Perhaps Burlington's most famous landmark, Snake Alley is located between Columbia and Washington Streets North 6th Street and consists of five half-curves and two quarter-curves. The street is reminiscent of vineyard paths in France and Germany.
The alley is composed of limestone and blue clay bricks. The constantly changing slant from one curve to the next necessitated a complicated construction technique to keep the high grade to the outside. Snake Alley curves over a distance of 275 feet (83.8 m), rising 58.3 ft (17.8 m), a 21% grade, from Washington Street to Columbia Street.
The street is the site of an annual uphill bike race, the Snake Alley Criterium, held each Memorial Day weekend.
The Snake Alley Art Fair, sponsored by the Art Guild of Burlington, is held annually on Father's Day.
Snake Alley is maintained by Burlington Parks Department.
