While most people know Vail because of its winter activities, there are tons of summer activities as well. In fact, of the 1.3 million people who visit Vail, they are about evenly split between the summer and winter seasons. Knowing a few of the best Vail Colorado summer activities can help you plan your family vacation.
Vail Colorado Summer Activities
There’s more to Vail than just skiing! The summer months make the mountains come alive with greenery and animal life. Restaurants and businesses are open for you to spend the evening, but during the day there are tons of ways to stay active.
Hiking
The best way to be active during the day at Vail is to go for a hike. There are hundreds of different paths crossing the various nearby mountains. Check with a local tour guide to find the one that is best suited for your skill level – some paths enter high elevations and are only for experienced hikers.
If you want to stay close to your hotel, you should check out the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. Named after the former first lady, these botanical gardens offer an easy path to walk through while still showing off some amazing plants and views.
Friendlier and more casual hiking trails can be found, especially since there are tons of ski hills without snow around you. If you want to do something a little different, there are llama hikes and tours that you can sign up for. This makes life a little easier for you, since llamas can carry all of your bags for you.
Alternatively, you can also choose to go horseback riding instead of hiking. These paths are not as difficult, and you have the added benefit of not walking yourself!
Bike Tours
Bike tours are a great way to spend the day in Vail, especially because you can spend most of the tour biking downhill. This is a great low-effort way to cover a lot of ground and see a ton of nature.
You can choose between paved trails and actual mountain biking down ski hills. This website is the best place to book bike tours in Vail – they’ll provide you with everything you need, including the bike!
Take a Trip Down the River
A number of different streams and rivers cut their way through Vail. You can choose the type of boating trip you want to take. Lazy rivers and kid-friendly tours exist, and allow you to float the day away. Some tours even allow you to try craft beers and wines as you meander your way downstream.
However, for the adrenaline junkies among us, you will want to check out white water rafting, which is much more intense. If you want to go on your own, you can always sign up to go in a kayak instead of a raft.
Go(ne) Fishing!
If you’d rather be by the river than in it, you can always try going fishing. Flyfishing tours are available for those who haven’t fished before, but you can also buy a fishing license online and head out on your own! You can even buy a license for only a day (or five days) if you’re not planning on staying too long.
Craft Beers and Wine Tours
Another thing that Vail is known for is its craft brewing scene. There are tons of local beers and wines to choose from. You can head to a local bar to try a few of your favorites, or sign up for a wine tasting or wine tour to go to local wineries.
Don’t forget about the food, either. There are tons of small restaurants to choose from, each of which offers a different cuisine and menu. You could easily spend an entire day hopping from meal to meal, stopping for craft drinks in-between.
Vail Farmers’ Market and Art Show
For more locally grown talent and food, you can check out the farmer’s market and art show. This runs for all 16 weekends of the summer, and is a way to connect with local artisans.
Tons of fresh food are available, and there is usually live music playing as well. This is the best place to go if you want to pick up a souvenir – there are tons of merchants selling jewelry, crafts, and artwork that you can take back with you.
Stop at a Spa
While most of the other activities on this list are outdoorsy, you can always choose to spend a day inside. There are a ton of spas throughout Vail, each offering a chance to fully relax and recharge. Some even have outdoor pools and hot tubs, allowing you to soak yourself as you soak in the view.
Many spas will offer yoga classes, with some even doing them outdoors. This is a great way to keep your muscles stretched and relaxed while on vacation – and if you’ve never tried yoga before, why not start while you’ve got the mountains in the background?
Book Your Trip Today!
The above list of Vail Colorado summer activities are only just the beginning. Vail is a bustling and active community throughout the year, and if none of the above piqued your interest, you’ll be sure to find something else while you’re there. And of course, if you’re not a fan of Vail in the summer, you can always come back in the winter months for a whole new set of activities to try!
For more information about different summer travel destinations, check out the Travel+Hotels section under Cool Vibes.