What We Love About Vail Co
Like many Colorado resort destinations, Vail Valley also offers visitors unlimited year-round activities. From shopping, dining, and breweries to hiking, golfing, music festivals, and white-water rafting, the City of Vail is truly one of the best destinations in Colorado.
Some of the most popular activities in Vail Co include –
Ski or Snowboard: Vail Ski Resort is one of the largest ski resorts in North America, with over 5,000 acres of skiable terrain and 195 runs.
Explore Vail Village: The charming pedestrian village of Vail offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and art galleries to explore.
Hiking: In the summer months, Vail offers many hiking trails with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Biking: Vail has an extensive network of bike paths, as well as downhill mountain biking trails for the more adventurous.
Visit Betty Ford Alpine Gardens: This beautiful garden is the highest botanical garden in the United States and offers a variety of alpine flora and fauna.
Go Fishing: Vail has many streams and rivers that offer excellent fly fishing opportunities.
Take a Scenic Drive: The scenic highways around Vail offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Enjoy the Vail Farmers Market: From June through October, the Vail Farmers Market offers fresh produce, artisanal foods, and handmade crafts from local vendors.
Visit the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum: Learn about the history of skiing in Colorado and the development of the Vail Ski Resort at this fascinating museum.
Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride: Get a bird’s eye view of the stunning scenery around Vail on a hot air balloon ride.
Vail Colorado History
In the mid-1800s, Vail Colorado was primarily a cattle ranching community along the Colorado River. It wasn’t until 1962 that Vail Valley was founded as a future ski resort and became an incorporated town in 1966. Because of its direct access to Denver along I-70, the new ski town grew quickly becoming one of Colorado’s top and most popular ski resorts.
Fun Things To Do Near Vail Colorado
Vail Colorado Festivals and Events
Vail Film Festival: This festival takes place in late March or early April and showcases independent films from around the world.
GoPro Mountain Games: The GoPro Mountain Games take place in early June and feature a variety of outdoor sports competitions, including kayaking, mountain biking, and trail running.
Vail Craft Beer Classic: This festival in mid-June celebrates craft beer with tastings, workshops, and seminars.
Vail Jazz Festival: This festival runs from late June through September and features a lineup of world-renowned jazz musicians.
Bravo! Vail Music Festival: This summer music festival features performances by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and other acclaimed ensembles.
Vail Farmers Market and Art Show: This market takes place every Sunday from June through October and features fresh produce, artisanal foods, and handmade crafts from local vendors.
Vail Dance Festival: This two-week festival in late July and early August features performances by world-class dancers and choreographers.
Vail Oktoberfest: This festival in mid-September celebrates the town’s German heritage with traditional food, music, and beer.
Vail Snow Days: This winter festival in early December features live music, parties, and free concerts on Vail Mountain.
These are just a few of the events and festivals that take place in Vail. Whether you’re interested in music, sports, or food and drink, Vail offers a diverse range of events throughout the year.
Best Hiking Trails Near Vail Co
Booth Falls Trail: This 3.9-mile trail offers stunning views of the Booth Creek Falls and is rated as moderate difficulty.
Berry Picker Trail: This 3.2-mile trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in Vail, offering panoramic views of the town and the Gore Range.
Gore Creek Trail: This 8.2-mile trail follows the Gore Creek through meadows and aspen groves and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Lost Lake Trail: This 8.4-mile trail offers a moderate hike through pine forests and meadows to a serene alpine lake.
Piney River Trail: This 6.4-mile trail offers a scenic hike to Piney Lake, with stunning views of the Gore Range and the Sawatch Range.
Missouri Lakes Trail: This 7.5-mile trail offers a moderate hike through wildflower-filled meadows and past several alpine lakes.
Booth Lake Trail: This 8.3-mile trail offers a challenging hike through aspen forests and meadows to a beautiful alpine lake.
North Trail: This 9.5-mile trail offers a moderate hike through pine forests and meadows with stunning views of the Gore Range and Vail Mountain.
Pitkin Lake Trail: This 8.4-mile trail offers a challenging hike through aspen groves and meadows to a stunning alpine lake.
These are just a few of the many hiking trails near Vail, Colorado. Whether you’re looking for an easy stroll or a challenging hike, Vail has something for every level of hiker.
Directions To Vail Colorado
Denver to Vail Co (1 Hr 40 Min)
Colorado Springs to Vail Co (2 Hr 36 Min)
Breckenridge to Vail Co (45 Min)
Avon Co to Vail Co (10 Min)
Aspen Co to Vail Co (1 Hr 50 Min)
Dillon to Vail Co (34 Min)
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