Situated at the foot of the Berkshires and bordering the Farmington River, it is a scenic hill town, rural in nature, located 20 miles (32 km) west of Hartford.

[5] Cottage industries flourished in the early decades of the town, including multiple clock-making operations.

[7] Almost half of the land in the town is owned by three public water supply companies and the State of Connecticut.

Burlington is home to the State of Connecticut Fish Hatchery, the Nepaug Reservoir, and Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area.

Regional School District #10 serves the Connecticut towns of Burlington and Harwinton and was established in 1962.