Vail Summer Vacation
The Vail Valley offers a variety of summer vacation options for the entire family!
Need help planning the perfect vacation to Vail? Wouldn’t it be great is you could find an expert who’s visited Vail hundreds of times, was born and raised there, and runs a travel site giving advice on the best hotels, restaurants, and things to do in Vail?
If you’re looking for summer vacation ideas, you’ve come to the right place. This year I spent some time with my family in Vail, Colorado. It’s a beautiful city filled with natural beauty and plenty of things to do.
Vail is a ski town within the state of Colorado in the United States of America. The city features various winter and summer sports, such as skiing and hiking. There are a few things to do while you’re there including visiting the Vail International Dance Festival. If you enjoy listening to live music, you may want to pay an evening visit to Belly Up Aspen.
An amazing vacation awaits with the perfect combination of sweet summer fun and breathtaking views. Explore amazing venues like cute little shops and restaurants, the Colorado’s quiet winding roads, and stunning nature resorts.
Vail is a great summer destination for families who love to be outside. The weather is mild, days are sunny, the scenery is gorgeous, and there are so many great things to do in Vail in summer!
There is always something fun going on in the charming town of Vail and lodging is typically less expensive than during the winter months. Foodies will also feel right at home in Vail, which has several amazing restaurants.
Vail Summer Vacation
Discover why we think Vail is just as great of a summer destination as it is in the winter.
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Things to do in Vail in Summer
1. Take a Gondola Ride
There are two different gondolas you can ride in Vail in summer. Choose from Gondola One in Vail Village or the Eagle Bahn Gondola along Gore Creek.
Both offer magnificent views as the carry you up above 10,000 feet. From the top you can hike, mountain bike, visit Epic Discovery, or enjoy a meal.
Best of all, kids 12 and under are free with the purchase of an adult Scenic Ride Ticket.
Explore more of the state! Here are the Top 10 Things to do in Colorado with Kids.
2. Enjoy a Day of Play at Epic Discovery
Fun, play, and adventure are the key elements of Epic Discovery at Vail Mountain. This outdoorsy mountain playland atop Vail Mountain is one of the best things to do in Vail in summer, and has something for everyone.
Highlights of this fun park include ropes courses for little kids as well as teens and adults, rock walls, bungee trampolines, a zipline for kids, tubing, and the Forest Flyer alpine coaster. Discounted passes are available for younger guests.
2. Zip Line at Game Creek Aerial Adventure
The zip line course is one of the most scenic around. The views of the Rocky Mountains are sweeping and the zips are exhilarating.
Game Creek Aerial Aventure is one of the longest string of ziplines in the United States and it is thrilling! Fly 60 mph from platform to platform over the tree tops of Vail Mountain with enthusiastic guides who make safety the first priority.
3. Hike with a Llama
Paragon Guides offers many different experiences, including multi-day cross country skiing expeditions, but we think casual-but-oh-so-fun “Take a Llama to Lunch” program is perfect for families.
After an extensive safety talk and thorough introduction to some adorable llamas, guides take guests on a hike that is suitable for your group’s needs and provide lunch which has been packed in by your new llama friends.
The llamas are gentle, easy to lead, and exceptionally charming. Expect to fall in love. Hikers are able to take the llamas lead and guide them on the trail as they climb into alpine paradise.
Pace and destination is determined by your group’s ability level, making this activity great for families with children of all ages. It is honestly one of my favorite things to do in Vail in summer.
4. Go Horseback Riding
What better way to take in that beautiful mountain scenery than on horseback? 4 Eagle Ranch considers itself to be the best in all of Vail Valley and offers up one and two-hour horseback rides to folks seven and up.
Families with young kids will be happy to know they also offer pony rides to children seven and younger.
Vail Stables offers great trail rides and has a convenient location close to Vail Village. Five and six-year-olds can ride here but they will be led by guides to add an extra layer of safety.
5. Find Your Zen During Goat Yoga
Looking for unique things to do in Vail in summer? Families with kids ages eight and older will love the goat yoga program. The atmosphere is light and fun and the goats are so adorable and entertaining.
Yoga mats are set up outdoors on a lovely hillside within view of the goat pen. A bell is rung and the goats come running up the hill and into the yoga area. It is definitely one of the cutest things I have ever seen.
All the goats are hand-raised Nigerian dwarfs so they are tiny and friendly. They are willing to sit in your lap and might even hop on your back when you are downward facing dog.
The yoga instructor is aware that she will never get your full attention and doesn’t try to compete with the goats. She takes you through yoga poses but doesn’t get offended if you skip a pose or two to pay attention to the adorable little guy who decided to pay you a visit.