Road Trip! Ten Things to Do in Vail This Summer

According to a recent Bankrate survey, more than 70 percent of Americans’ vacations will take place in domestic destinations this summer, largely due to international travel costs. But you don’t need to break the bank or even renew your passport to visit this Bavarian(-inspired) getaway.

Though famed for its winter slopes, Vail offers a whole host of warm-weather activities, from outdoor adventures and cultural attractions to exciting signature events. Plus, through June 30, Colorado residents receive a $100 gift card when booking at least a two-night stay via DiscoverVail.com. Plan a road trip and start building your itinerary with these ten things to do in Vail this summer.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
522 South Frontage Road East
Enjoy a scenic stroll through the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, the highest-elevation botanical garden in the world. Its four living collections showcase more than 3,000 high-altitude plant species from the Rocky Mountains and global regions. In partnership with the Smithsonian Gardens, it will debut a new exhibit titled “Habitats” this summer, which will explore the importance and preservation of interconnected ecosystems. Admission is free, although a $20 donation is suggested.
GoPro Mountain Games
Multiple locations
June 5 to 8
During the annual GoPro Mountain Games from June 5 to 8, professional athletes from around the world will compete in nearly fifty adventure sports, including freestyle kayaking, whitewater rafting, climbing, slacklining, mountain biking and more. In addition to athletic competitions, spectators can watch pups long jump in the DockDogs Big Air events, admire public art and attend free daytime music sets. Ticketed evening concerts will also take place at The Amp, with headliners like The California Honeydrops and Mike Posner set to perform.
Piney River Ranch
700 Red Sandstone Road
Take a day trip or plan a weekend getaway to Piney River Ranch, a private forty-acre retreat surrounded by the White River National Forest. Starting June 21, visitors can enjoy a range of activities, including canoeing and stand-up paddle boarding (rentals cost $40 per hour), fly fishing and hiking to Piney Falls, as well as dining at the ranch’s barbecue restaurant. Six lakefront cabins and three glamping tents are also located on-site, with rates starting at $349 per night.
Paragon Guides
210 Edwards Village Boulevard, Edwards
July 1 to September 30
Join Paragon Guides and its friendly llamas on a leisurely hike through the Vail Valley’s backcountry. From July 1 to September 30, this local outfitter offers four-hour guided tours for all abilities, with rates starting at $625 for two people. Journey through aspen groves, evergreen forests and vibrant wildflowers while the curious pack animals carry your picnic lunch, complete with a classic red checkered blanket. Full-day tours and even multi-day llama treks along the Colorado Trail are also available for booking.
Sage Outdoor Adventures
1700 Horn Ranch Road, Wolcott
This local outfitter offers several exciting summertime activities, including whitewater rafting excursions, wade fly fishing and float trips, ATV tours and horseback riding on a historic homestead. This season, Sage Outdoor Adventures will also debut a new tubing experience featuring a mellow float down the Colorado River, as well as a guided e-mountain biking tour through its private 6,000-acre ranch. Rates vary by activity and reservations are required; visit its website or call to book.
Sweet Basil
193 Gore Creek Drive
Not only is New American restaurant Sweet Basil Michelin-recommended, but the acclaimed guide also recently presented an “exceptional cocktails award” to its managing partner of operations, Jessenia Sanabria. When visiting, order its gin-based Garden Nectar made with dill aquavit, aloe liqueur, beet and lemon, or pair another seasonal cocktail with menu favorites like its whipped feta with ginger hibiscus honey, French onion lasagna and Colorado striped bass. Along with indoor and outdoor seating beside Gore Creek, the eatery will welcome guests into its wine cellar during exclusive wine-pairing meals, available on select dates this summer.
Tavernetta Vail
1 Vail Road
In December, beloved Italian eatery Tavernetta became one of several Denver-based dining concepts to debut in Vail. Like its flagship restaurant, the new location at the Four Seasons Resort offers an all-Italian wine list (with the exception of Champagne), along with a menu that explores regional cuisines throughout Italy. Diners will notice an emphasis on the northern Italian Alps, with dishes like canederli di speck and a charming spritz window featured. Order a round by tapping the buzzer between 3 and 9:30 p.m. daily, then sip your aperitif in chic ambiance. Multiple indoor and outdoor spaces with mountain views are available to guests.
Vail Ski Resort
241 East Meadow Drive
Once the snow melts, the slopes at Vail Ski Resort become a summer playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Ride the gondolas to scenic hikes and mountain bike trails, outdoor yoga classes and on-mountain eateries, as well as the family-friendly adventure center, Epic Discovery. Attractions include its climbing wall, a bungee trampoline and a thrilling mountain coaster that winds 3,400 feet down Vail Mountain. The resort’s gondolas re-open on June 7, with rides priced at $64 per adult; children under thirteen are free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Epic Discovery attractions cost an additional fee, with all-inclusive passes available for $154.
Vail Stables
915 Spraddle Creek Road
New riders and even children as young as five are welcome at Vail Stables, which offers horseback rides for all experience levels. Trot through wildflower meadows and peaceful forests during guided tours, which range from one to three hours in length and start at $130 per person. For an additional $10, guests can interact with the stables’ curious and playful baby goats, which join happy hours in its beer garden and $40 outdoor yoga sessions on select summer dates.
Vail Wine Classic
Multiple locations
August 7 to 10
From August 7 to 10, the annual Vail Wine Classic will showcase more than 100 global wineries through expert-led tastings, gourmet pairings at top local restaurants, sommelier seminars and guided wine hikes. Activities are available à la carte, with its “best of fest” event at the Vail Nordic Center priced at $235 and its signature grand tastings starting at $119. Colorado-based jam band The String Cheese Incident will be performing at The Amp that same Saturday and Sunday. Book lodging promptly so you don’t miss this highly anticipated “wine and cheese weekend.”