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Vail’s claim to fame is its ski slopes, making this one of the most popular ski destinations in the US. In fact, most people know this little Colorado town as a winter sports haven, which is true. However, it would be unfair to pigeonhole Vail to just this one activity; there are many other things to do that visitors ought to try. For starters, Vail’s mountain position endows it with some of the most beautiful scenery in the region. Therefore, outdoor enthusiasts have some interesting terrain as their playground. Hikers and mountain bikers, in particular, have much to do here in the warmer months. And, thrill seekers can get their adrenaline pumping by ziplining down the famous slopes of Vail.

Outdoor enthusiasts are certainly spoiled for choice when visiting this town that's just two hours from the city of Denver. To make things easier when planning a trip, this ultimate guide to Vail has a list of the top things to do as well as recommendations on where to stay and so much more.

Best Time To Visit Vail

Drone shot of Vail, Colorado
Via: Unsplash
Drone shot of Vail, Colorado

Best Time For Skiing: December to March

Vail is primarily a winter destination, with some of the best slopes in the country. Naturally, those who love winter sports can visit between December and March. During this time, temperatures could drop to lows of 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-15 degrees Celsius).

Winter is Vail’s peak tourist season, so those who choose to visit at this time get high hotel rates and large crowds.

Best Time For Warmer Weather: June to September

Summer temperatures in Vail are mild and pleasant, perfect for outdoor activities without the snow. Highs at this time get to around 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) in the height of summer.

This is also a busy time in the town, but the largest crowds are witnessed in Winter, so rates aren’t as high.

Related: These 10 US States Are Most Attractive During The Winter Season

Best Time For The Lowest Rates: October to November

Temperatures at this time have started dropping to below the 50s Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) as winter approaches. However, the weather is still good enough for activities like hiking, biking, and ziplining.

At this time, visitors are very few, so hotel rates are at their lowest. Those who want to visit Vail on a budget may consider this time, but they should prepare for chilly weather.

April and May are characterized by soggy ground since the snow has just started thawing as summer approaches. These aren’t good months for visiting Vail.

How To Get Around Vail

Vail City Bus along the main street
Via: Shutterstock
Vail City Bus along the main street

By Bus

Eagle County operates buses in the valley, with routes connecting Vail to the Eagle County Regional Airport, which is about 35 miles away. Fares cost $4 for a single ride, but visitors can get an unlimited day pass for $8.

The unlimited option is ideal for tourists who want to explore other towns in the valley, like Avon and Beaver Creek.

There’s a free bus service within Vail, operated by the town’s transit department. These buses have routes all over the town, including a route that reaches Vail Mountain. Thankfully, the free shuttles operate every day from around 6 am to after midnight, making it the best way to get around Vail.

Related: 10 Things You Can't Miss Seeing When You're In Colorado

On Foot

Vail is a small town that’s easy to explore on foot. Plus, this is the best way to fully experience the stunning scenery around this destination, especially for those who visit in warmer months.

By Car

This option is ideal for visitors who want to visit other destinations in the valley at their own convenience. Car rental services are available in the city, but their rates are hiked in peak travel months.

Visitors planning to simply stay within Vail don’t need to get a car since public transport is reliable and free.

Where To Eat In Vail

Breakfast: The Little Diner

All american breakfast
Wikimedia Commons
All american breakfast

The Little Diner is an unassuming spot that arguably serves the best breakfast in Vail. At least this is according to the thousands of rave reviews. The diner has an elaborate breakfast menu with classics like eggs, bacon, and pancakes.

There are also more filling options for those with a large appetite, like pork chops, hash browns, and, breakfast burritos. The best part is that breakfast is served all day.

  • Address: 616 W Lionshead Cir, Vail, CO 81657, United States
  • Hours: 7 am - 2 pm (daily)

Lunch: Mountain Standard

Steak with fries
Photo by Tim Toomey on Unsplash
Sliced steak with fries served on a white plate waiting for a glass of wine 

Mountain Standard is a vibrant restaurant with a quaint interior. This is the place to go for a stylish dining experience and excellent service. The restaurant has a variety of lunch menu items, from salads to grilled lamb and so much more.

Their popular dishes include Steak Frites, which is steak served with fries and vegetables. Mountain Standard also serves oysters and sandwiches like Turkey Club and Rotisserie Pork Shoulder Porchetta.

  • Address: 193 Gore Creek Dr, Vail, CO 81657, United States
  • Hours: 11:30 am - 9 pm (daily)

Dinner: Sweet Basil

A serving of beed with asparagus and carrots
Via: Unsplash
A serving of beed with asparagus and carrots

Since 1977, Sweet Basil has been offering Vail’s residents and visitors a top-class dining experience. This fancy restaurant has an extensive food and wine menu, with dishes like Angus Beef, Colorado Lamb, and Seafood Tagliolini among fan favorites. They also have mouthwatering dessert options, including their own house-made ice cream.

For drinks, guests can enjoy cocktails, beer, and a variety of wines; happy hour starts from 3 pm to 5 pm.

  • Address: 193 Gore Creek Dr, Vail, CO 81657, United States
  • Hours: 12 pm - 9 pm (daily)

Drinks: The Remedy Bar

Cocktail options
Via: Unsplash
Cocktail options at a bar

This bar is found within the Four Seasons Resort in Vail, so visitors can be sure that the ambiance is as swanky as the resort itself. And it certainly is, with fire pits on their patio and, of course, stunning mountain views.

Visitors can enjoy an evening of drinks, with cleverly named cocktails like Purple Majesty, Exit 119, High Desert Sunrise, and Rum With It. There are also draft beers and wines. Remedy also serves meals like burgers, oysters, and chicken wings.

  • Address: 1 Vail Rd, Vail, CO 81657, United States
  • Hours: 11 am - 11 pm (daily)

Top Things To Do In Vail: Attractions & Activities

Vail is a must-visit destination in Colorado with a lot of things to do. Here are the top activities and attractions.

Go Skiing At Vail Ski Resort

People alpine downhill skiing on trail at Vail Ski Resort
Via: Shutterstock
People alpine downhill skiing on trail at Vail Ski Resort

The Vail Ski Resort boasts over 5000 acres of skiing terrain, which makes it among the world’s largest ski resorts. This vast real estate has an equally impressive 193 ski trails for anyone from beginners to pros.

The resort is less than a mile from Vail town proper, with a number of ski lifts that take skiers to the different ski runs.

  • Address: Vail, CO 81657, United States
  • Hours: 9 am - 5 pm (daily)

There are hundreds of ski runs at the Vail Ski Resort, so tourists are spoiled for choice. Here’s a list of the top ski trails;

Flap Jack Trail

  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Trail length: 1.28 miles (2 km)
  • Access: Highline Express Lift

Sourdough Trail

  • Difficulty: Beginner
  • Access: Sourdough Express Lift

Simba Trail

  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Access: Pride Express Lift, Eagle Bahn Gondola

Riva Ridge Trail

  • Difficulty: Expert
  • Trail length: 4 miles (6.4 km)
  • Access: Gondola One

Poppyfields Trail

  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Access: Orient Express Lift

Related: 10 Cheapest Ski Slopes To Enjoy In North America

Shop at Vail Farmers’ Market

Vail Farmers Market signage
Via: Shutterstock
Vail Farmers Market signage

Those who visit Vail in summer may head to the Vail Farmer’s Market, which is held every Sunday from June to early October. The market presently has close to 150 vendors, selling cool art, jewelry, clothing, and fresh food.

This is a good place to buy souvenirs, meet locals, and support the region’s businesses. Plus, there’s always an art show at the venue, and live music is also common, making this a fun way to spend a Sunday in Vail.

  • Address: Meadow Drive, Vail Village, Colorado
  • Hours: Sundays from June to October: 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Tour Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Vail, CO
Via: Wikimedia Commons
A bridge in Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Vail

This botanical garden is unlike others because it sits at an elevation of 8,200 feet. This makes it the highest garden in the world. Visitors can explore this unique attraction in Vail, located less than a mile from Vail town.

Visitors get to see a variety of plants in the outdoor gardens and in the Alpine House, which is a cold greenhouse with living alpine plants. There are both self-guided and guided tours of the site, although self-guided tours are only available in summer and from mid-December to March.

  • Address: 522 S Frontage Rd E, Vail, CO 81657, United States
  • Hours: 10 am - 4 pm (daily)
  • Fees: Free admission

Experience a Zipline Tour

Ziplining adventure in Colorado
Via: Wikimedia Commons
A man ziplining in Colorado

Adrenaline junkies can enjoy the thrill of ziplining in Vail. The Game Creek Zipline Tour offers an excellent zipline experience from the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead. Adventurers get to zip over tree cover at speeds as high as 60 mph (96 kph).

Those who wish to try this out must be over 10 years old and cannot be more than 250 lbs or less than 90 lbs.

  • Address: Vail, CO 81657, United States
  • Hours: 10 am - 6 pm
  • Fees: $199

Hike in Vail Nature Center

The Vail Nature Center is located just a mile from the town center, close to Betty Ford Alpine Garden listed above. This nature center is a serene destination that acted as a homestead in the 1940s.

There are trails that weave around the 7 acres of nature, some of which run along Gore Creek. Other than hiking, visitors can go on birding tours or wildflower viewing.

  • Address: 601 Vail Valley Dr, Vail, CO 81657, United States
  • Hours: Mon - Sat: 9 am - 4 pm (closed on Sun)
  • Fees: Free admission

Where To Stay In Vail: Top Accommodation Options

Vail Swiss style resort town apartments
Via: Shutterstock
Vail Swiss-style resort town apartments next to a river

Since Vail is a popular tourist destination, it boasts a wealth of accommodations at different price points. Below is a list of some top accommodation options for tourists with different budgets. Some of the recommendations below are a few minutes outside Vail in towns like Avon and Minturn.

Luxury Accommodations (Over $1,000)

The Hythe, a Luxury Collection Resort, Vail

Luxury Chalet In Vail

  • Address: Vail, Colorado
  • Price: $6,459 for up to 10 guests
  • Amenities: 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, private hot tub, outdoor fire pit, fireplaces, full kitchen, parking garage, study room

Condo In Vail

  • Address: Vail, Colorado
  • Price: $6,459 for up to 10 guests
  • Amenities: 5 bedrooms, private deck, spa, pool, fitness facilities, ski lockers, bowling alley, movie theater

Mid-Range Accommodations ($500 - $1,000)

LiftView Living

  • Address: Avon, Colorado
  • Price: From $568
  • Amenities: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, queen bed, WiFi, washer/dryer, smart TV, full kitchen, fireplace, dishwasher

Downtown Vail Village Condo

  • Address: Vail, Colorado
  • Price: From $703
  • Amenities: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, fireplace, full kitchen, WiFi, ski lifts, public parking

The Arrabelle at Vail Square

Affordable Accommodations (Below $500)

Evergreen Lodge at Vail

Guesthaus Vail

  • Address: 1417 Vail Valley Dr, Vail, CO 81657, United States
  • Price: From $489
  • Amenities: King bed, private bathroom, mini-fridge, toaster, WiFi, TV

Hotel Minturn

Tips To Know When Visiting Vail

Piney River Ranch, Red Sandstone Rd, Vail, CO, USA
Via: Unsplash
Piney River Ranch, Red Sandstone Rd, Vail, CO, USA
  • Vail is a popular winter and summer travel destination, so prices will be higher during this time. Visitors can still get good rates if they book months in advance.
  • It’s not necessary to rent a car in Vail as public transport is reliable and free. Parking rates are also quite high in Vail making it more inconvenient to bring a private car.
  • April and May aren’t good times to visit Vail as the snow has just thawed, leaving the ground soggy, which is inappropriate for outdoor activities.

How To Spend The Perfect Day In Vail

Start the day with a filling breakfast at a restaurant in Vail’s town center. Then, hike in the Vail Nature Center before heading to Ford Park for a picnic lunch and a tour of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.

After the meal, head to the Vail Ski Resort for a skiing adventure or a hike on the trails. This is also a good time to enjoy some ziplining.

Once the fun ends, get cleaned up and head for dinner at one of the local restaurants. The top recommendations are Mountain Standard or Sweet Basil.

Then, take a nighttime stroll through the streets of Vail and end the night with some drinks at a local bar, for instance, The Remedy Bar.

FAQ

Q: What is there to do in Vail if you don't ski?

Vail has a vibrant foodie culture with bars, restaurants, and breweries in the town. There are also venues that host live music on various days of the week. For non-skiers, there are also snow play areas, hikes in the snow, spas, and of course, day trips to nearby towns in Colorado.

Q: Why is Vail so popular?

Vail is popular because it boasts one of the largest ski resorts in the world, with over 5000 skiable terrain and close to 200 ski trails.

Q: What is Vail Colorado known for?

Vail is known primarily as a ski destination, with tons of ski resorts full of slopes from beginner-level to expert-only.