Welcome to Vail, Colorado — a mountain town like no other. If you’re looking for the best things to do in Vail, Colorado, I’ve got you covered. After spending five unforgettable days exploring this charming alpine town, all I can say is: book the trip.
It was my first time exploring this part of Colorado. Known for its world-class skiing and an incredible pedestrian village chock-full of bustling restaurants and boutiques, I didn’t quite know what to expect during the summer season during my visit with Discover Vail.
I may argue there is even more to do in Vail come the summer months. And the bigger beauty? You can do all of it from Vail Village, with no car required. The Vail Village is perfectly situated at the base of the mountain. Access the two gondolas (Gondola One in Vail Village and the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead Village, only 15 minutes walk away), and you can be up on
the mountain exploring endless hiking trails, mountain biking paths, and an entire adventure center at Vail’s Mountaintop.
The activities felt endless — think horseback riding, river rafting, golfing, and jeep tours that take you beyond the pedestrian village if you want to (most outfitters provide village transport as well). But you don’t have to leave if you don’t want to; there’s plenty to do right in the heart of the villages.
Couple all of the ease of a walkable village with the charm of Bavarian-inspired Alpine architecture, and you almost feel like you’ve taken a trip to the Swiss Alps. Vail has this incredible cozy European mountain town feel, with chalets, perfectly manicured flowers, and those timber-pitched roofs you find in the Alps.
Needless to say, if you’re considering an escape to Vail, do it. It’s great for a getaway with friends, family, and the little ones, as there are endless things to do, no matter how adventurous you’re feeling. Read on for a detailed guide to visiting Vail, Colorado.
Planning a Trip to Vail? Here Are My Top Picks for the Best Hotels in Vail:
Hotels
- Sonnenalp, for the best boutique luxury hotel
- Four Seasons, for the best luxury resort
Airbnbs
- 1 Bedroom Ski-in Ski-out with Hot Tub and Pool, for the best slope-side stay
- 2 Bedroom Condo by a Stream, for the best relaxing stay
- 2 Bedroom Condo with Mountain Views, for stunning mountain views
The Best Things to Do in Vail, Colorado
1. Stay at Sonnenalp Vail, a European-Inspired Getaway
When it comes to choosing accommodation in Vail, look no further than Sonnenalp Vail. Situated at the beginning of the pedestrian Vail Village, Sonnenalp is a luxury boutique hotel with 112 suites and 15 rooms. Either facing the Gore Creek or Vail Village, Sonnenalp feels like a taste of Bavaria with its chalet design.
My suite at Sonnenalp featured a spacious bedroom, separated from the bathroom, complete with a private patio and a fireplace. Each morning, I went down to one of the most amazing breakfast buffets I’ve had outside of Europe, with an abundance of choices and even fresh honeycomb. The service at Sonnenalp, combined with its proximity to the slopes and village, makes it a wonderful place to call home while visiting Vail. Book the best rates here.
2. Have a Fondue Night at Swiss Chalet
Right in Vail Village, one meal you can’t miss when visiting is having fondue at Swiss Chalet. You’ll want to book this in advance, as it is very popular; the fondues at Swiss Chalet are incredible. With its beautiful decor inside, you truly feel transported to the Swiss Alps. There was a handful of different fondue choices, and I loved the raclette one paired with bread, hot potatoes, and vegetables. And most certainly order the apple strudel for dessert!
3. Ride the Gondola to the Mountaintop For Hiking
The Scenic Gondola is open daily in the summer (mid-June to early-September and weekends through the end of September) to ride to the top of Vail Mountain, where there are endless hiking trails to embark on. Depending on how much time you have, you can ride the gondola up and then hike back down the mountain on trails like Berry Picker.
For my time on the mountain, I rode the scenic gondola, Gondola One, from Vail Village, and then hiked the 1-mile Fireweed Trail across the mountain to the Eagle Bahn Gondola, from which I rode back down to Lionshead Village. You have a strong chance of seeing wildlife while out here, like deer, bear, and even possibly moose.
4. Explore the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
As the world’s highest botanical gardens at 8,200 feet, the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Ford Park are a wonderful spot to explore. It’s at the end of Vail Village, so either take the Gore Creek River Meadow Trail or consider hopping on the complimentary bus shuttle that works through town. Once there, explore several gardens with different fauna and flora. For families, don’t miss the incredible kids’ park at the top of the hill!
5. Book a Jeep Tour to Piney Lake with Vail 4X4
One of my favorite excursions out of Vail Village was with Vail 4X4 on one of their Jeep tours. Vail 4X4 runs several guided Jeep tours on different trails that go far into the backcountry out of Vail. It’s a wonderful chance to take in incredible views of the surrounding mountain ranges, a chance to possibly see wildlife, and get out into nature.
For our tour, we went out to Piney River Ranch, where we made a pit stop for lunch and a chance to go canoeing on the lake. From there, we went four-wheeling on trails and had the chance to take in incredible views of Vail. This is such a wonderful activity, and their expert guides are knowledgeable — I feel like this gives the perfect lay of the land and a taste of Colorado’s untouched natural beauty.
6. Enjoy Vail’s Newest Fine Dining at Tavernetta
Set in the Four Seasons hotel, Tavernetta is one of the newest fine dining restaurants to open in Vail. This was an absolute standout meal during the trip, with the cuisine centered around Northern Italian fare. Think Dolomites with hearty pasta dishes, cured meats, and a fantastic wine list. The interiors are absolutely stunning as well. Be sure to book this in advance.
7. Shop in Vail Village or Lionshead Village
If you’re looking to go for a stroll and shop, you have endless choices in both villages. You’ll find everything from local boutiques, jewelry, to high-end fashion stores. One of my favorite stores that had a lovely curation was Perch, worth trying to stop in here while visiting.
8. Enjoy G.O.A.T. Happy Hour at Vail Stables
One of the more unique things I did this trip in Vail was goat happy hour at Vail Stables. They have about 20 baby goats, which you can feed in an outdoor beer garden. So grab yourself a beverage, buy a bucket of food, and feed and play with the goats. This is super fun for all ages and great to do before or after a horseback ride with Vail Stables (more information below).
9. Do a Guided Horseback Ride with Vail Stables
One afternoon, I did the guided 1.5-hour horseback ride with Vail Stables through the mountains. It was such a fantastic experience, set in the alpine meadows, and we even went through an aspen tree forest. Our guide was great at making us comfortable (most on the tour had not ridden a horse in some time). They took us up and down the landscape, soaked in views of Vail, and just got to unplug for some time in nature.
10. Book in For Wood-Fired Cuisine at Mountain Standard
A local’s favorite, Mountain Standard, is one of those institutional restaurants in Vail Village. Known for its wood-fired cuisine and open kitchen, I walked into a packed house with buzzing energy for dinner at Mountain Standard. I had the chance to work through most of the menu, and you absolutely can’t miss their hot pimento dip, the charred bone marrow, and order one of the proteins like the pork shank set over gooey, cheese mashed potatoes.
11. Walk the Vail Rec Path Along Gore Creek
For a lovely stroll (or even bike ride), follow the path along Gore Creek. The path goes for nearly 15 miles, encompassing most of Vail. You’ll find sections that are paved or gravel. It’s well worth a morning stroll, keep your eye out for wildlife!
12. Ride the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster
After a scenic gondola ride to Eagle’s Nest, you can ride your alpine coaster car at the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster. The 3,400-foot track winds through the forest, where you can control your speed. The Forest Flyer is a must-do activity in Vail’s Epic Discovery zone. I highly recommend pre-purchasing your tickets online so you’re ready to go.
13. Play Games at The Rabbit Hole at Chasing Rabbits
One evening, I headed over to The Rabbit Hole inside the Chasing Rabbits venue. It’s a super fun, arcade-inspired venue that hosts weekly events. For example, that night they had bingo. I played Pac-Man and Skee-ball, and you could also order drinks and bites from the bar.
14. Don’t Miss the Spritz Window at Tavernetta
I had to include this sweet little spritz window just outside Tavernetta Restaurant. Simply push the bell, and someone will come take your order for a spritz! There are also N/A spritz options.
15. Book A Fly Fishing Lesson
Vail has incredible fly fishing, so if this is something you’ve wanted to try out, book in with Gore Creek Fly Fishermen for a guided fishing trip. You have the choice between wade trips or float trips, depending on your group and desire.
16. Play a Round at Vail Golf Club
Tucked beneath the dramatic peaks of the Gore Range, Vail Golf Club offers an alpine golf experience. Just minutes from the heart of Vail Village, this 18-hole course is good for both seasoned players and casual golfers looking to get out for the day.
What to Know About Visiting Vail, Colorado
Is Vail, Colorado, worth visiting?
Whether it be winter or summer, Vail offers adventure, relaxation, and a wide range of experiences for all visitors. I think it’s a wonderful destination for a wide range of experiences, from relaxation to the outdoors.
Where to Fly Into to Visit Vail?
You have two choices for flying into Colorado to visit Vail: Denver Airport or Eagle County Regional Airport. For my trip, I flew into Denver and took an Epic Mountain Express shuttle from the airport directly to my hotel in Vail Village. Breakdown of both:
- EGE Airport: 30-35 miles to Vail (about 40-minute transfer)
- DEN Airport: 120 miles to Vail (about 2-2.5 hour transfer)
Do I Need a Rental Car When Visiting Vail?
No, you do not need a rental car to visit Vail, which is one of the best parts. Simply get a transfer by shuttle, like Epic or a private transfer to your hotel. Everything can be visited on foot or the free bus in Vail Village, and the majority of the adventure outfitters will pick you up for tours.
How do I spend a day at Vail?
If I had to pick the ideal day in Vail, it would look like this:
- Breakfast at Sonnenalp to start the day
- Ride the Scenic Gondola, Gondola One, and do a short hike on the mountain
- Lunch in the village at somewhere like Vintage
- Go on a Jeep Tour or Horseback Ride
- Dinner at Tavernetta
- Games and Drinks at The Rabbit Hole
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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
5. Get Cell Data for Your Trip
I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
