With the cool mountain breeze over the mountains and stunning vistas around every corner, summer in the Vail Valley is an opportunity to explore the outdoors and relax in this charming mountain town.
We’ve culminated some of our favorite summer Vail activities perfect for a weekend trip.
1. Catch a concert
From pop headliners to world-class orchestras to local artists, Vail has several concert series for everyone to enjoy.
- The Amp” concert venue offers music and views in a unique outdoor venue. Experience the stunning scenery of the Gore Range, as you enjoy a Hot Summer Nights series performance, Vail’s Dance Festival, Bravo! Vail (orchestra performances), or community concerts.
- Free concerts: Lionshead Live is a free concert series throughout the summer at Lionshead Village near Vail Mountain. Additionally, keep an eye out for pop-up concerts throughout the town of Vail.
2. Enjoy dinner or drinks on an outdoor patio
- With a location right in the Vail Village, Vail Brewing offers sunny patio space to enjoy their 12 unique beers on tap.
- Sweet Basil is said to have some of the best food in Vail, along with an outdoor patio. At this upscale American restaurant, choose from a variety of appetizers and entrees, with a particular emphasis on unique seafood dishes.
- The Fitz Bar and Restaurant is in Manor Vail Lodge with a comfortable patio overlooking the creek. The restaurant serves “elevated comfort food,” including sandwiches, salads, chicken and pork dishes, pasta, and desserts.
- Garfinkel’s is a sports bar in Lionshead Village with a deck offering mountain views. Grab a drink, some wings or nachos, and enjoy the Vail sunshine.
3. Get outside with an adventure
- Whitewater rafting is a fun way to cool down in the summer and enjoy Colorado’s great outdoors. Some of the best whitewater rafting in the state is just an hour from Vail on the Arkansas River. Choose from class III-V whitewater adventures, and even raft through iconic Browns Canyon National Monument.
- Ziplining and Via Ferrata adventures are another way to escape the heat and explore Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Get up high on an aerial adventure and zip through the trees or conquer the cliffside on a unique Via Ferrata, assisted climbing adventure. These adventures are also only an hour away from Vail in Buena Vista, Colorado.
- Mountain Biking in Vail is another way to explore the area’s mountains and terrain. Vail Mountain offers a bike haul for riders to enjoy a variety of downhill riding trails. For those looking to explore away from the resort, the surrounding area hosts cross country trails for beginner through advanced riders.
4. Explore botanical gardens
Vail’s Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is home to varied alpine plants and is the highest in North America. The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is also dedicated to the conservation of alpine plants and animals with programs focused on data collection, other research, and education.
5. Go wildflower spotting
With the area’s easy access to the mountains, hiking trails abound, making it easy to enjoy colorful Colorado’s flowers.
- Grand Escape Trail: This 1.4-mile trail (point to point) on Vail Mountain can be found at the top of the Wildwood Express Lift
- Shrine Ridge Trail: A 4.3 mile easy to moderate trail with a little over 1,000 feet elevation gain.
- Upper Piney River Falls Trail: This 5.9-mile trail takes visitors through alpine meadows and past waterfalls.
- Pitkin Lake Trail: A more challenging 9.5-mile trail il with almost 3,000 feet elevation gain. This is an out and back trail to stunning Pitkin Lake with high alpine views for much of the trek.
6. Play at Epic Discovery
Vail Resort’s Epic Discovery has exciting activities both adults and kids will enjoy. Fly on the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster, try out a bungee trampoline, ride on the gondola, try your hand at mini golf, and explore the Nature Discovery Center.
7. Refuel with brunch
Gear up for another day of exploring the Vail Valley or relax and enjoy the late morning sunshine with a delicious brunch.
- Westside Cafe & Market offers traditional brunch options, including omelets, egg dishes, and biscuits.
- Margie’s Haas serves a breakfast buffet to satisfy every craving.
- At Big Bear Bistro, choose from French toast, burritos, bagels, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches and more, all at affordable prices.
With so many weekend activities in Vail, it may be hard to choose what to fit into your busy schedule. Peak 1 Express is here to get you to Vail on your timeframe, so you have plenty of time to enjoy the area. We offer the most trip times of any mountain shuttle provider, so you don’t have to wait around for the fun to start! View Vail shuttle schedules and get your trip started.
Written by Rosa Canales, Copywriting Marketing Specialist
