5 Summer Days in Vail
Description:
Vail is every bit as fun in the summer as in winter. Nature lovers can find adventure in the mountains, rivers, lakes and deep woods. Those looking for fine dining, art and elegance are in luck too--Vail has it all in abundance.
Author: James Dziezynski
Day 1 - Vail
A week in Vail gives you a chance to absorb the wild, wonderful culture of Vail while taking in the best natural beauty the area holds. Deciding where to stay is largely a matter of how much you want to spend. Rates are lower in the summer than in the winter but it's still a pricey endeavor if you aren't brining your own tent! However, affordable lodging can be found: Comfort Inn, the Vail Marriot and Park Meadows Lodge are all great places to crash if you'll be spending more time out of your room than in it. Those seeking high-end luxury can check in at the Ritz Carlton, Lion Square Lodge or Mariott's Streamside for fancy accomodations and exceptional service. Since there's so much to see and do in Vail, a modest start is a good place to begin. Walking the streets of Vail offers up a host of galleries and museums. The Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum and Hall of Fame are always in season. The Gore Range Nature Discovery Center and the Vail Nature Center offer a glimpse at the natural history of the area. Fine art enthusiasts can find several studios and galleries in town, including the J. Cotter Gallery. Just walking around town will help you get the vibe of Vail--and help you get used to the altitude!When you're ready to eat, why my start out with the fine dining at Sweet Basil, where the food and service are excellent. When you're done, head over to the The Red Lion for cool live music and a nice blend of locals and tourists in a laid back setting.
1
Marriott's StreamSide at Vail-Evergreen
Location:
view in google maps2284 S Frontage Rd W
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970 476-60002
J. Cotter Gallery
Location:
view in google maps234 Wall Street
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970 476 31313
The Red Lion
Location:
view in google maps304 Bridge St
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970-476-76765
Sweet Basil
Location:
view in google maps193 E Gore Creek Drive
Suite 201
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
97047601256
Gore Range Nature Discovery Center
Location:
view in google mapsVail Mountain
(next to Eagle Bahn Gondola)
Vail, CO 81620
Phone:
970 476 46758
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort
Location:
view in google maps715 West Lionshead Circle
81657 Vail, US
Phone:
970 476 4444/ 800 648 072010
Red Lion (The)
Location:
view in google maps304 Bridge Street
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970 476 767611
Park Meadows Lodge
Location:
view in google maps1472 Matterhorn Circle
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970 476 559812
Vail Nature Center
Location:
view in google maps601 Vail Valley Drive
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970 479 229113
D.J.'s Classic Diner
Location:
view in google maps616 West Lionshead Circle
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970 476 233614
Lion Square Lodge
Location:
view in google maps660 W Lionshead Pl
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970 476 2281Day 2 - Vail
Your second day in Vail--there's so much to see, where to start? If you like golf you're in luck. The Vail Golf Club offers 18 incredible holes in a unique mountain setting--not to mention the thin air will tack a few yard onto your drives! History buffs will enjoy the Evergreen Cemetary Tour, a trip worth taking for those interested in the humant element in Vail's past. Combine this with any museums you may have missed on day 1 to get a good idea of how Vail came to be, both geologically and culturally. Nileguide's extensive dining list gives you the skinny on the best of Vail, but some of our favorites for a classy night out: Grouse Mountain Grill for it's unique setting and solid meals, the Blue Tiger for exotic Asian cuisine, Bully Ranch for quality southwestern food, Foxnut for all-around good eats and service and La Tour for French dishes that won't break the bank.
1
Bully Ranch
Location:
view in google mapsSonnenalp Resort of Vail
20 Vail Road
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970 479 54602
Samana Lounge
Location:
view in google maps228 Bridge Street
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970-476-34333
La Tour
Location:
view in google maps122 East Meadow Drive
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970 476 44034
Blue Tiger
Location:
view in google maps1310 Westhaven Drive
Cascade Village
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970 476 11158
Vail Golf Club
Location:
view in google maps1778 Vail Valley Drive
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970 479 2260Day 3 - Vail
Day 3 is a great time to get some new views of Vail--why not try a Balloon Tour with Balloon America? They offer both simple packages and more romantic packages. If you'd like to raft, paddle or fish in the beautiful rivers, Colorado River Runs and Piney River Adventures can set you up with wild, water tours. When it comes time to eat, the river theme is nicely met with tongue-in-cheek fun at nearby Wolcott Yacht Club Grill. The Larkspur and The Wildflower are both more high-end if you'd like an elegant meal in Vail village. Da Vinci Restaurant is tops with wine lovers. Finally, Pepi's Bar and Restaurant is an affordable eatery that is popular with the locals.
1
Piney River Adventures
Location:
view in google maps700 Red Sandstone Road
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970 477 11712
Pepi's Bar & Restaurant
Location:
view in google maps231 East Gore Creek Drive
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970 476 56263
Da Vinci Restaurant
Location:
view in google maps16 Vail Road
Vail Plaza Hotel & Club
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970 477 80504
Wildflower (The)
Location:
view in google maps174 East Gore Creek Drive
Lodge-at-Vail Rock Resort
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970 476 5011, 877 528 76256
Wolcott Yacht Club Grill
Location:
view in google maps27190 Highway 6, Wolcott
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970 926 34447
Larkspur Restaurant
Location:
view in google maps458 Vail Valley Drive
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970 479 80508
Colorado River Runs
Location:
view in google mapsStar Route, Box 32
Vail, CO 80423
Phone:
800 826 1081Day 4 - Vail
At some point, you owe it to yourself to see the natural beauty of Vail close up. A day biking on Vail Pass is a great tour that you can make as long or as short as you like--from 8 miles of all down hill riding (thanks to any of the several shuttles that drop you and your bike off at the top of the pass) to an epic 64 mile out and back to the town of Frisco. There is also fantastic hiking starting at the Piney Lake Lodge and the Deluge Lake/Gore Creek Trailhead. These trailheads all wind into the incredible Gore Range, one of Colorado's most colorful and rugged mountain chains. If you're still feeling sporty at the end of the day, the Gore Range Brewery and Sandbar Sports Grill have high energy, causal atmospheres with great food. The Back Bowl, a few miles outside of Vail, is a posh bowling alley where the food and bar rival that of luxury hotels (yes, you have to see it to believe it). If you'd rather go for a more relaxed sit down meal, Montauk Seafood Grill is a good choice for great seafood, despite being 2,000 miles from the nearest ocean!
2
Montauk Seafood Grill
Location:
view in google maps549 E Lionhead Circle
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970 476 26013
Sandbar Sports Grill
Location:
view in google maps2161 N. Frontage Rd
Vail, CO 81657
Phone:
970-476-4314Day 5 - Minturn
By day 5 you're practically a local! You can contniue to indulge whatever aspect of Vail suits your style: more museums, more golf, perhaps some more hikes around town or perhaps getting on your mountain bike and hitting up the sweet singletrack on Vail Mountain. You'll also have sampled a good deal of the dining in Vail, so pick your favorite and go for it (or try new cuisine at one of the restaurants you've missed). If you don't have a full day but still want to enjoy one more piece of Vail, the lifts on Vail Mountain offer one more scenic overview of the whole lovely area. For those who have only seen the wintery side of Vail, the green summer landscape is a beautiful contrast. And if you're lucky, you'll get to come back in the winter for another round of Vail--but for those who discover Vail's summer side, the trip is just as worthy.
1
Minturn Saloon
Location:
view in google maps146 N Main Street
Minturn, CO 81645
Phone:
970 827 5954