One mention of the word, “Vail,” and world-class skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling come to mind, but when the snow melts, this mountain town completely transforms. The temps warm up in the Spring, Summer and Fall, making the perfect time to visit, especially for those looking to escape the oppressive heat and humidity many of us deal with all summer long.
There are plenty of outdoor activities to choose from when there’s no snow on the ground from hiking with llamas (my fave!) to visiting Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, the highest-elevation botanical garden in the world, to white-water rafting, and of course Michelin-recommended dining.
Vail has something for everyone - from families traveling with little ones to couples looking for a romantic getaway.
Discover Vail invited me out to find my own special #VailMoment – and I found too many to mention thanks to this amazing resource that’s the virtual tour guide everyone needs in their back pocket. Discover Vail has everything you need to plan your trip: what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in Vail.
Here, I’ve put together the perfect 3-day itinerary (But stay longer if you can!):
Day 1
Must Do: Vail Pass Biking Experience
Venture Sports picked me up at my hotel with bikes and helmets in tow and drove our group to the top of Vail Pass. We started at an altitude of 10,500 feet, and headed downhill – READ: the only type of bike tour I would ever sign up for – for a scenic 15-mile ride that meandered past waterfalls, rivers, breathtaking scenery, some of the most posh neighborhoods, a beautiful golf course, and 350,000 acres of National Forest.
Yes, I had to get off the bike 3 or 4 times to walk it up a small hill, but I blame the fact that I was wheezing like I needed an inhaler on the high altitude -- not the fact that I had a baby 16 months ago and haven’t had time to get back into shape or stay in it for that matter.
Must Dine: Alpen Rose
This family-owned restaurant conveniently located in Vail Village is unlike anywhere I have eaten both in the U.S. and abroad. With dishes like Schweizer Rosti - smoked salmon with Swiss potato pancakes, sour cream and horseradish cream – and their fresh baked German pretzels with Obazda dip (a typical Bavarian cheese specialty), the food alone is reason to reserve a table at Alpen Rose.
The experience gives “transported to Europe” vibes with the place settings, server uniforms and small touches like floral straws and baby’s breath drink garnishes, and don’t skip the drinks list featuring various Austrian and Bavarian beers and my personal favorite – the Schlederer Schnaps shot board. Served in tiny glass hiking boot shot glasses in flavors like Williams Pear, cherry and raspberry, these shots are meant for sipping and are a taste of the Black Forest, according to the menu.
Day 2
Must Do: Hike with Llamas
Paragon Guides picked us up at the Four Seasons with two llamas, Roberto and Trace, in the back of the truck. It was love at first sight for me. Initially, I assumed I fell hard for them because I was missing my two kids back at home, but as the hike continued into the White River National Forest and as I led Roberto by my side past Colorado Blue Columbines, the state flower, and meandering streams, I realized my kids had nothing to do with it. These two sweet llamas were so friendly and cuddly, you couldn’t help but fall in love.
Along the way, our group learned so much about conservation, enjoyed a delicious picnic lunch set up by our amazing guide at a breathtaking viewpoint, and we even paused on our way back for a 5-minute mini-session of Qigong, the ancient Chinese breathwork and movement practice.
Must Dine: Chasing Rabbits
There is so much going on at Chasing Rabbits, which looks like any other restaurant when you are seated at your table, only to find out – like Alice did in the famed Lewis Carroll book, 'Alice in Wonderland' - that all kinds of surprises are around every corner. The Rabbit Hole is a separate room down a long hallway of mirrors with a giant-sized magenta bunny statue at the end of it that spills out to a large bar with a dance floor, skeeball, classic arcade games like Super Mario Bros., pinball, air hockey and more. Then there’s Moon Rabbit, a speakeasy with a long line of people waiting to enter, tucked away behind what appears to be a bookcase, serving cocktails like the $100 Oligarch Martini made with ultimate premium Russian vodka, caviar and truffle oil.
The whimsical décor makes Chasing Rabbits a must-see, but the food makes it a must for dining. I’m still dreaming of the Crispy Smashed Fingerlings with pecorino garlic aioli and black truffle as well as the Loup de Mer A La Greque, a grilled whole branzino with marinated fennel and slow roasted tomatoes, which just may be the best Branzino I have ever eaten. Anywhere. Full stop.
Day 3
Must Do: Goat Yoga
Goat Yoga at Vail Stables offers sweeping morning views of the mountains in the distance and plenty of cuddles and photo ops with the cutest, tiniest goats who strut out of their caged area and into the outdoor yoga “studio” like they own the place – and they practically do. Holly, the enthusiastic, effusive yoga instructor, led the crowd through some mindful breathing and poses like Downward Dog and Warrior 1 – all the while sharing each one of their adorable names and educating attendees about the sweet little animals she lovingly calls her “babies.” At the end of the class, yogis have the chance to get into plank position one-by-one and snap a photo with one lucky goat on his or her back.
Goat yoga is partly about the yoga practice and partly about the hilarity of the goats, and this serious yogi right here was forced to breathe, to let go and to go with the flow during this magical morning that taught me a valuable lesson about expectations. Goats, as Holly so nicely reminded the crowd, are barnyard animals and they are not potty-trained. As long as you watch where you step, you should be alright.
For more about Goat Yoga, I shared my entire laugh-out-loud experience – the good, the bad, the smelly, the messy and the inspiration of it all - on a recent episode of my podcast, That Greenwich Life.
Must Dine: Remedy East
Remedy East is located within The Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail and has a lively bar scene with exquisite mountain modern cuisine to match.
I’m still thinking about one of the most imaginative cocktails I’ve ever had at this restaurant. The “Just Add Balsamic” with Burrata Vodka – two of my favorite things made into one – features tomato-basil water, Cava vinegar and a fresh basil leaf garnish. Followed by Whipped Burrata (because one can never have too much burrata in life), the Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Crispy Truffle Fries and the famous 'Haute' Chocolate with a house-made marshmallow, chocolate tuille, Chantilly Creme and Bailey’s, this was maybe my favorite meal in Vail.
To plan your perfect Vail getaway this summer - or Fall - visit https://discovervail.com/
