Step foot in Vail and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a quaint Bavarian village nestled at the base of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Walk the family-friendly streets here in the summer and listen to the crisp creek run through the town, or visit in the winter for famous ski slopes and a gondola ride through a snow-covered wonderland. Booking a Vail vacation rental is sure to make you feel even more cozy and at home during your visit. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Vail.
Soar Down the Hill at Vail Ski Resort and Beaver Creek
Vail is home to pristine skiing and 300 days of sunshine. Visitors come here from around the world to fly down mountains with an average of over 370 inches of snow per year. Vail Ski Resort is the heavyweight, with 5,289 skiable acres, while Beaver Creek Resort, with 1,800 acres, offers an accessible experience for all levels of skiers. Along with skiing, you find winter fun snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and even snow biking.
Find Your Outdoor Adventure in Vail
The Vail area lies within the White River National Forest in the Rocky Mountains — which means there are plenty of excellent hiking opportunities, from easy nature trails to multi-day backpacking excursions. Mountain trails lead you through deep forest and aspen meadows to roaring waterfalls, shimmering alpine lakes, and stunning views. Advanced hikers can make their way up Booth Falls Trail for picturesque waterfall views, and those newer to the climb can find easy and moderate trails right at Vail Mountain during the summer.
In the warmer months, you can climb a ropes course, ride an alpine roller coaster, fly down a zip line, or take a warm-weather tube ride down the mountain at Vail Mountain’s Epic Discovery park. For a peaceful panorama of the area, ride Vail Mountain’s Eagle Bahn Gondola and enjoy the Vail Valley from up high — which is especially breathtaking in the fall when the leaves turn. At the top of the mountain, the Nature Discovery Center offers guided hikes.
If you’d like to experience the scenery with some excitement thrown in, you can test your mettle on a mountain bike trail, plunge into rapids on a whitewater rafting trip on the Eagle, Arkansas or Colorado rivers, or go horseback riding (Vail Stables and Beaver Creek Stables both offer great options).
Vail-area rivers, creeks, and lakes also appeal to another group of adventurers — those who enjoy fishing. Fly-fishing guides can give the inside scoop for beginners and experts alike, or you can stop by a local fly shop to get tips.
Golfing enthusiasts will also find a unique experience in the Vail area. The high altitude makes balls fly farther, and the area’s several golf courses offer beautiful views — and, often, the chance to spot local wildlife!
Go Out on the Town in Vail Village
While magnificent nature is a big draw in Vail, eating and drinking are also a quintessential part of the experience. Get a taste of Colorado in the area’s many restaurants, which provide everything from quick skiing fuel to Michelin-starred fine dining establishments. Stop by Vintage Vail for a creative brunch fare like Huckleberry Bacon French Toast, or savor mulled wine, fondue, and unforgettable ambiance at Almresi.
When it comes to nightlife, après-ski is the name of the game in the winter, but Vail offers a lively and varied bar scene year round. You can also sip local microbrews like the Into the Wild Black IPA at Vail Brewing Company, or visit Vail’s iconic 10th Mountain Whiskey Tasting Room to try some locally made spirits, including moonshine.
Become a Part of Vail’s Rich History at a Festival
From Oktoberfest in the fall to alfresco concerts in the summer, Vail is home to several festivals and events every year. Well-known ones include the Vail Film Festival in the spring, the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater’s summer-long music series — featuring big-name acts such as Michael Franti — and the annual Burton U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships.
Rest Easy in Vail, CO with Evolve
The moment you book your vacation, you should start looking forward to your trip — not worrying about the little details. When you choose Evolve for your Vail vacation rental, you can feel confident that the home you book will live up to our standards.
Every Evolve vacation rental you book comes with a team of hospitality experts, and we’re here to help make your stay more comfortable 24/7. To help you feel even more confident, we created our Rest Easy Promise: if a stay doesn’t match our standards, we’ll make it right.