Vail, Colorado is a quaint city at the base of Vail Mountain. It’s home to the massive Vail Ski Resort.
It is one of the best and finest spots for travelers or tourists during summer with the world famed skiing, diverse shops, restaurants, sumptuous accommodations, friendly neighborhoods, and spectacular mountain views.
It is an excellent summer destination for families who wants and love to be outside when it is a sunny day and the weather is good and mild.
Here are the best things to do in Vail, Colorado during the summer:
Best Things to Do in Vail Colorado Summer ( Top Sights and Attractions)
1. Epic Discovery in Vail, Colorado
Epic Discovery – is one of the best things to do in Vail Colorado during summer. It is the utmost way to relish the beauty of the mountain during summertime where you can do all kinds of epic adventures by trying the zip lines for flying over the trees.
Enjoy a summer tubing on a 550-foot-long tubing hill, two rope adventure courses which are Holy Cross and Eagle’s Nest. There is a huge bungee trampoline in which you can do flips, and rock climbing for all ages on the Paramount Peak Climbing Wall.
The Forest Flyers is an alpine coaster with 3,400 feet down the mountain winds. You can see many trails for hiking and mountain biking with a beautiful gondola that will take riders 10,000 feet up above where you can appreciate the view of the Gore Mountains range and the mountains of Vail.
2. Treasure Hunt at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens (Vail, Colorado )
Treasure Hunt at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens – also one of the best things to do in Vail Colorado summer. It is the highest botanical garden in the entire world that bursts with magnificent flowers during summertime and it is located at 8,250 feet in the Rocky Mountains.
It has some different ways to relish the gorgeous collection of bizarre high elevation of flowers and plants which includes docent-led tours and mountain bikes.
You can hike or bike in the garden for several lovely scents and scenes. If you are with your children, visit and play in the Children’s Garden and pick up Treasure Hunt cards at the Education Center that will lead the family from the letterbox to the letterbox with clues that will please any mini private investigators.
3. Vail Village Shopping
Vail Village Shopping – it has precisely hundreds of shops to choose from in Vail
boasts a splendid village that is filled with it and alluring local restaurants.
Surely you will find something that you like or love in going there, whether it is jewelry, artwork, clothes, or an outdoor outfit.
Vail Village, Golden Peak, and Lions Head provide a variation of boutiques and shops as well as restaurants and nightlife. You can walk through the heated cobblestone streets of the area’s three pedestrian villages that will make you feel like you have just stepped into a postcard.
You can also find a toy store and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in the village which children love to go there and try on their chocolates.
Take a Gondola Ride – another best things to do in Vail Colorado. Discover spectacular views from the gondola up to 10,000 feet above sea level to the top of the mountain in which you can hike, mountain bike, and stop by Epic Discovery.
It has two unique gondolas to choose from, Gondola One in Vail Village and Eagle Bahn Gondola along Gore Creek. Most tourists or travelers prefer to go to the Eagle Bahn Gondola because of the magnificent view, it is amazing at sunset and it is surrounded by Rocky Mountain Peak.
Children ages 12 and under are free with of course you have to avail of an adult Scenic ride ticket. You will enjoy the scenic ride with the mouthwatering restaurants
and must try Yoga on the mountain.
5. Piney River Ranch in Vail
Piney River Ranch – it is cuddled up to the Gore Mountain Range that is ringed by thousands of acres of protected wilderness and it is situated at 10,000 feet of elevation.
It is also called Piney Lake, and is a perfect Rocky Mountain retreat for families and friends especially during June to early September.
You can try their summer mountain activities like flying- fishing, hiking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, biking, and their on-site restaurant which provides a very delicious BBQ.
6. Horseback Riding in Vail Colorado
Horseback Riding – it is a trail with Vail Stables that vary from 1.5-hour experiences to half-day rides and the secured assurance of the horses is very gentle.
It is open to all ages for the family that will test your horseback riding ability to immerse in the beauty of nature. They offer pony rides to children seven and younger.
For five to six years old they will be guided for their safety. Vail Stables provides perfect trail rides and a suitable location close to Vail Village.
7. Experience Fly Fishing in Vail Colorado
Fly Fishing – children love to go on fishing and they are ready to run a river through it. It is a half and full-day fishing trip that you can choose from either you are going to float on a raft or you can walk and wade trip.
If you go on fishing, the trips comprehend by a guide or instructor, local transportation, and all the necessary equipment needed that will help you through the entire process from cast to net. They also offer lunch, beverages, and a fly fishing camp for children.
8. White Water Rafting
White Water Rafting – it is the best river to raft during summertime for families and friends.
The river is carved in the Grand Canyon and the length of the river is tamer, surrounded by mountain scenery. You can course a day on a rafting tour near Vail and the river in the area with varying degrees of difficulty.
You will be guided by paddle through Class II, III, or IV rapids taking in the wonderful mountain surroundings.
It is a good spot to raft with children of all ages because the rapids are just Class II which means they aren’t challenging but still fun.
It is a white-knuckle adventure to experience rafters and fearless beginners.
9. Zip Line at Game Creek Aerial Adventure
Zip Line at Game Creek Aerial Adventure – is one of the most picturesque activities in which you witness sweeping Rocky Mountains views are going to view and the zips are thrilling.
It is the biggest string of ziplines in the United States that has 60 mph from platform to platform over the tree tops of Vail Mountains with incredible guides who make sure of your safety.
It is a 2.5-hour course that includes one aerial bridge and seven zip lines. It is also for children ages 10+ to experience the longest zippers that are elevated 2,700 feet above Vail’s magnificent mountain landscape.
10. Go for a Hike , Vail
Go for a Hike – it is one of the most famous things to do during summertime. You can hike at Booth Falls which is considered the most well-known hike.
It has an adventurous 4.2-mile trail where you can see gorgeous views surrounded by rivers, forests, and valleys.
It is 1300 feet which is best for older children who want to experience an incredible hike. The parking area is very limited at the trailhead of the town of Vail and you are going to ride on a bus from Vail Village to access the trail.
