Video - short walking tour of Vail, CO

[dougp26364]

We normally spend a week each year in Breckenridge but decided to spend a long weekend in Vail to see what it was all about. Vail is more or less a manufactured town built around the ski industry. There was the two large outdoor resort/shopping areas of Vail Villages and Lions Head and a bunch of high end resorts. It might be a great ski town but otherwise there are better places to stay in CO if you’re there in any other season. On the plus side it had a really nice location for day trips and in October was laid back and relaxing.

Will we go back? I’m sure we will. We enjoyed staying at the Ritz property, it wasn’t crowded and it’s a good location for Colorado day trips.

 

[rickandcindy23]

We stopped by Westin Riverfront to see the resort (we have an exchange for late spring of next year) and were shocked at how packed-in everything was. Still pretty with the fall colors. But I believe that is Avon where Westin is located.

There are some crazy nice houses in that area with acreage between. Must be some rich people up in them thar hills. I have to do my western slang sometimes.

 

[The Colorado Kid]

Thanks for the video! Vail is one of our top happy places. We typically stay several weeks each summer in the Westin at the foot of Beaver Creek. Walking distance to Nottingham Lake for paddle boarding while free concerts are going on in the pavilion. Grandkids love the swim beach and playground including a wading creek. Free shuttles up to Beaver Creek or walk up for a wonderful morning hike along aspen and flower lined paved trail.

Free summer parking in Vail/Lionshead makes zipping in and out so easy. Vail Village is unique in Colorado for its covered bridge, cobblestone pedestrian village along picturesque Gore Creek. Splash fountains for the kiddos and live music spilling out from almost every restaurant.

Gerald Ford Ampitheater (The Amp) for free summer concerts in the cool summer evenings.

Betty Ford Alpine Garden world renowned for different species of plants and flowers.

Hiking galore to several waterfalls including Piney Lake which is stunning.

Adult kids over the moon mountain biking using the gondola bike haul and designated mountain bike trails system for descents through aspen meadows with stunning views of the Gore Range.