Destination: Vail, Colorado
We don’t remember days… we remember moments. And for 3 days, the boys and I reveled in experiencing one of the loveliest Colorado gems: Vail.
Known for being a wonderland in the winter, Vail is also stunning in the summer, spring and fall. Here’s where to stay and play when visiting Vail, located in the central Rocky Mountains, under 100 miles west of Denver.
Where to Stay
Book a luxe condo from East West Hospitality, an A-list company that offers top notch vacation rentals. We stayed in Altus 302, a flawless abode flaunting 3 bedrooms, exquisite bathrooms, a fully stocked kitchen, dining area, and the most gorgeous décor and hi-tech features. For families, there’s nothing better than having a beautiful space to really feel on vacation and enjoy the amenities of a real home. In fact, we preferred eating in the condo over eating out, and was able to do things like laundry (such a plus). The East West Hospitality staff is in-town and available to assist with the check in/check out process, and they truly have the best selection of properties to stay in. Bringing in over 35 years of experience, the company is reliable, trustworthy, and legit. And trust me: you won’t want to leave your temporary digs.
The best part? Our condo was in the heart of Vail, making it super convenient to walk to the charming village and surrounding attractions. And the view from our balcony… priceless.
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Where to Play
I’m all for “free entertainment,” so I love spotlighting local gems that won’t cost you a penny. Located steps from our condo at Altus, are the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, the world’s highest botanical gardens. Open year-round, visitors will enjoy picturesque views of the Rocky Mountains while strolling through brightly colored flowerbeds, streams, and waterfalls. It’s an ideal hot spot for photo opps. Next to the gardens sit a massive playground- it’s seriously amazing. And if you prefer picnicking or a football catch, there’s a huge, lush lawn.
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Nearby are the adorable villages of Vail. Lined with cobblestone streets that mimic a European façade, you’ll find an array of shops and restaurants. There are two main “downtowns:” Vail Village and Lionshead, both connected with pedestrian streets following the whimsical, winding Gore Creek. For a fee, you can ride the gondola to the top of the mountain; just note there are seasonal months of operation.
A Final Must-Do
Vail will forever be dear to my heart because it gifted me one of the fondest memories I created with my kids.
Zip Adventures is an absolute must-do. About 20 minutes from the village, you’ll find Zip Adventures, the best ground-to-ground ziplines in the country. The unique tour provides an unbelievable outdoor recreation adventure that challenges your mind as well as your senses: fragrant sagebrush, pinyon pine and Colorado fresh air surround you in this special slice of rustic Western landscape.
The 6 unique ziplines give you a graduating progression of excitement and adventure, as well as amazing views. Ages 2+ can experience the thrill.
Instill in your kids that fear is a useless emotion. (Ask my oldest… he’ll suggest taking the leap upside down.)
Together with my boys, we conquered the array of zips soaring 200 feet over rivers and trees, in addition to braving the tallest natural cliff jump in the country. The guides were also fantastic. Living on the edge isn’t always safe, but the view is always better.
