If you’re craving a mountain getaway with the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and that unbeatable Colorado charm, Vail should be at the top of your list.
I recently had the opportunity to spend a week in Vail in August, and you’ll have to trust me: this place totally lives up to the hype! The scenery is jaw-dropping, the food is mouthwatering, and the outdoor adventures are epic!
Vail truly has it all, and if you’re here to figure out what to do in Vail during the summer, I’ve got you covered with all the details. So, get ready as I walk you through some of the best things to do in Vail, Colorado in summer.
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Quick Travel Guide to Vail Colorado in Summer
- Best Time to Go: May through September (however, go December through March if you want to be in town for the winter season)
- Visit For: 3 to 5 Days
- Getting Around: Walk, free bus, guided tours
- Where to Stay: Tivoli Lodge in Vail Village
- What to Do: Explore Vail Village and Lionshead Village, hiking, gondola ride, rafting, goat yoga, bike riding the Vail Pass, the Betty Ford Alpine Garden, Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum
- Where to Eat and Drink: Fall Line Kitchen and Cocktails, Mountain Standard, El Segundo, Garfinkel’s, Big Bear Bistro, Sundae Ice Cream
Before sharing all the fun things to do in Vail in the summer, I wanted to provide additional information to make your trip planning easier!
Logistics of Visiting Vail in the Summer
Where is Vail, Colorado
Vail, Colorado, is a small mountain town in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, about 90 miles west of Denver, Colorado. It’s known for its world-class ski slopes, hiking, and stunning alpine scenery. Vail is easily accessible via I-70.
How to get to Vail, Colorado
Getting to Vail is relatively easy, depending on your origin. If you decide to fly, I recommend the Denver International Airport (DEN). It’s the closest major airport, about one hour and 40 mins drive away.
From there, you can rent a car or, for a stress-free option, hop on the Epic Mountain Express shuttle. My husband and I did this, and it was super easy. We realized you don’t really need a car in Vail in the summer because of their free bus system.
Another great option is to fly to the closest (although a bit smaller) airport, EGE – Vail/Eagle County Airport. They have daily, non-stop flights from Denver in the summer and service from Chicago, Houston, Dallas, etc. This way, you’ll skip the I-70 drive!
How to get around Vail in the summer
Getting around Vail in the summer is easy. I don’t think you need a car at all unless you want to do more off-the-beaten-path exploring. Vail Village and Lionshead areas are pedestrian-only, so exploring on foot is easy.
The free Vail bus system was our go-to for longer distances—it runs frequently and connects all the major spots around town. If you want to go further, you could rent a bike and explore Vail’s extensive network of scenic trails. And, if you need a lift, most hotels and excursion companies offer shuttle services, making it a breeze to get around without a car.
Also, if you want to check out some of Vail’s more difficult backcountry, you can visit the Bus It to Hike It page for more info on trailhead drop-offs during the summertime.
Weather in Vail in Summer
Summer in Vail is a mountain lover’s dream! I felt so refreshed once I arrived. It was so nice to come after the stifling heat (100s) and fires in Denver and Boise. Daytime temperatures typically range from the mid-60s to low 80s°F, making it perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and exploring the town.
Evenings get pretty cool, dropping to the 40s or 50s, so I recommend packing layers.
You can expect plenty of sunshine, but afternoon thunderstorms are common. This is especially true in July and August (it rained every day from 2-3ish PM for us. Having a light rain jacket on hand is always a smart move.
Overall, the summer weather in Vail is ideal if you want to escape the heat and get some fresh air!
Where to Stay in Vail in Summer
Vail Village
When staying in Vail, I recommend staying in Vail Village or Lionshead Village. We stayed at Tivoli Lodge, a family-run hotel that is a 2-minute or less walk from Vail Village. The location was excellent, and we loved the hotel’s mountain charm. It has a nice hot tub, bar, and breakfast area, and the rooms have kitchenettes, fireplaces, comfy beds, and great views off the balcony. I would stay there again! See current prices here.
Other options in Vail Village are Sonnenalp Vail ($$$), The Sebastian-Vail ($$), The Lodge at Vail ($$), and Christiania Lodge ($).
Lionshead Village
Lionshead is another village in Vail that is equally as nice as Vail Village, and only a short, free bus ride away. A few recommended spots in this area are The Arrabelle at Vail Square ($$) and Antlers at Vail ($$).
What to pack for Vail in Summer
Vail in the summer is the PERFECT weather, in my opinion. That being said, there are significant temperature swings, and layering is key! Plus, you’ll want to be prepared for any outdoor activities you decide to do. Vail is pretty casual, and mountain casual is the way to go here, so no need to bring stilettos.
Here are my summer weather recommendations for what to pack for Vail in the summer:
Leggings: If you do goat yoga and/or go hiking, you might want to pack a few pairs of leggings! My favorite pair is here. These also come highly recommended.
Hiking shorts or biker shorts: I lived in these, and most of the time, I was in Vail. Here are some of my favorite hiking athletic shorts and my favorite biker shorts.
Light rain jacket: I forgot mine and wish I had my rain jacket. It would be great if you’re hiking and get caught in a summer thunderstorm.
Umbrella: Most hotels in the area have umbrellas you can borrow, but if you want to be prepared while hiking or biking, you might want to pack your own. This is a great umbrella for travel.
Swimwear: Pack a bathing suit if you want to dip in the river while rafting or in your hotel pool or hot tub.
Jackets: I bought a jean jacket and a heavier quilted jacket, and they were perfect for chillier evenings!
Packable puffer jacket: I always bring my packable puffer just in case. This is similar to the one I have!
Waterproof bag: This is a great item to bring if you’re doing anything on the river or near the water. I loved having this for our raft trip!
Hiking boots: A trip to Vail is not complete without a hike, and these are my favorite hiking boots!
Hat and sunglasses: The sun can be hot at this altitude, so I highly recommend bringing a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
Other FAQs and Info about Vail in the Summer
- You’ll want to make dinner reservations. Not every restaurant requires reservations, and they typically aren’t needed at most places on weekdays in the summer. However, you’ll definitely want a reservation in advance for popular spots like Mountain Standard or if you’re visiting on the weekend!
- Vail’s unofficial dress code is mountain casual. Vail is a pretty casual place in general, and you’ll see a lot of athleisure, leggings, and hiking clothing around. People are still stylish, and some dress up slightly for dinner. However, it’s not necessary, even for some fancier spots.
- How long do you need in Vail in the summer? To fully experience Vail in the summer, I’d recommend spending at least three to four days. This gives you enough time to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and rafting while also exploring Vail Village and the local dining scene.
- Remember you’re at elevation. In fact, you are at 8,150 feet above sea level, and at the summit, you can be up to 11.5K feet above sea level. Be sure to drink plenty of water and bring snacks to avoid altitude sickness.
- Prepare for afternoon thunderstorms in the summer. We checked the weather quite a bit before our trip, but it never said we’d see thunderstorms. Once we got to Vail, it rained every day at around 2 pm and lasted about an hour or so! Because of this, I’d highly suggest going out on hikes and activities earlier in the day. I loved the afternoon thunderstorms, but you won’t want to be caught up on the mountain in one without the proper gear, so be sure to pack a rain jacket and umbrella.
Our Vail Summer Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive on the Epic Mountain Express. Check into the Tivoli Lodge, dinner at Fall Line Kitchen and Cocktails in Vail Village, ice cream at Sundae.
- Day 2: Breakfast at Tivoli Lodge, bike through Vail Pass with Venture Sports, shop at Vail Village, lunch at Up the Creek, visit the Colorado Snowsports Museum, and dinner at Pazzo’s Pizzeria.
- Day 3: Breakfast at Big Bear Bistro, Lionshead Gondola ride to Eagles Nest, mountain coaster, mini golf, Ridge Route hike, lunch at Garfinkel’s, beers at Vail Brewing and Bart and Yeti’s, Mountain Standard for dinner.
- Day 4: Breakfast at Tivoli Lodge, raft the Upper Colorado River with Timberline Tours, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, dinner at El Segundo.
- Day 5: Goat yoga at Vail Stables, grab the Epic Mountain Express, and return to Denver International Airport.
Things to do in Vail in Summer
There is SO much to do in Vail in the summer! I was most excited to enjoy the gorgeous weather, hike, and stunning Rocky Mountain scenery.
Vail Pass Bike Ride
I honestly didn’t know what to expect with this experience, but I was SO glad we did it. This was booked in advance, and Venture Sports met us at Tivoli Lodge with our bikes ready for us. We drove up a bit to the top of Vail Pass, and from there, we got on our bikes and biked down! This bike ride is 15 miles and all downhill. It was GORGEOUS!
We saw a few lakes, lots of wildflowers, and, of course, different mountains throughout the Rockies. The weather could not have been better, and it was an excellent way to get a feel for the area. We also loved Venture Sports—an excellent company for bike excursions!
Epic Discovery Gondola Ride
While in Vail in the summer, I highly recommend taking the gondola to the top of Vail Mountain. We rode from Lionshead Village on the Eagle Bahn Gondola and heard there’s plenty to do on top of this gondola.
At the top, there are restaurants, a mountain coaster, summer tubing, and lots of different hikes! We rode the mountain coaster and may have been the only adults without kids in tow. But hey, we’re young at heart!
We also did the short kid-friendly walk at the top called Eagle’s Loop and then opted for the Ridge Route hike afterward. This is a 1.4-mile hike one way—the scenery and wildflowers were gorgeous!
There are TONS of hikes up here and all over the Vail area, so be sure to check out your options on Discover Vail’s best bucket list hike list.
Stroll Vail Village and Lionshead Village
The shopping in Vail is incredible! They have really fun stores that we enjoyed strolling through. Some of my favorites were Wild Bill’s, Golden Bear (the symbol of Vail), Perch, Luca Bruno, Aviator Nation, and Kemo Sabe. You can take the free bus from Vail to Lionshead Village and back, and it’s super easy! Plus, both villages have many bars and restaurants, so you could wander for hours and not get bored.
Goat Yoga at Vail Stables
I have ALWAYS wanted to do goat yoga (or GOGA) and was so excited to find out that Vail Stables offers yoga with baby goats! My husband and I loved our experience. The class is 45 minutes long, and then you spend about 15 minutes at the end taking photos with the goats.
They provide mats for you, but you’ll want to bring a water bottle and wear yoga clothes that you don’t mind goats nibbling or getting a little poop on. I forgot that one detail: they will poop on your mat, lol. They were so cute that it all didn’t matter in the end!
Raft the Upper Colorado River
As someone who lives in Idaho, I’m a big fan of rafting, so of course, I had to go rafting on the Colorado River! We went through Timberline Tours for a raft trip on the Upper Colorado River, and it was an adventure!
It’s not the most thrilling section of the river because it’s known for its Class I and II rapids, but it’s great for a leisurely float with beautiful scenery and perfect for families! Timberline Tours is an excellent company with all sorts of rafting options for beginners to advanced.
Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum
It started raining one afternoon, and we thought it would be the perfect time to head to the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum. It’s open daily until 6 pm and is inside the Vail Transportation Center. Plus, it’s free for everyone. Inside, we learned all about Camp Hale, where the 10th Mountain Division soldiers on skis trained during WWII, and it was fascinating!
I recommend watching the videos they show throughout the day. You’ll also see vintage gear, equipment, and stories about Olympic champions. It’s a must-visit if you’re a skier or snowboarder.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
This alpine garden is said to be the highest botanical garden in North America! Its purpose is to protect the alpine environment through sustainability, conservation, and education. Inside, you can wander through beautifully maintained trails surrounded by colorful wildflowers, waterfalls, and natural beauty. Nearby is Vail Nature Center, a 7-acre learning center along the banks of Gore Creek with trails through mountain meadows.
Where to Eat in Vail
I was shocked by how great the food in Vail is! Honestly, I should have known it would be good since this is a resort town, but the area has such delicious restaurants and great chefs. I was truly blown away! Here are some of my favorite places we ate:
- Fall Line Kitchen and Cocktails: A trendy spot with creative dishes and cocktails that are perfect after a day of exploring Vail. This and Mountain Standard were my two favorite places we ate in Vail!
- Mountain Standard: A stylish creekside restaurant where rustic vibes meet delicious comfort food. You’ll want to make a reservation here!
- El Segundo: The perfect fun taqueria with killer tacos and margaritas!
- Up the Creek: Fresh dishes served right by the creek—perfect for a relaxing lunch with a view.
- Pazzo’s Pizzeria: A casual, no-frills spot where you can grab pizza and salads.
- Garfinkel’s: A classic Vail hangout with a huge deck, pub food, and a lively après-ski (or hike) scene.
- Vail Brewing: The perfect stop for craft beer lovers. It has a chill atmosphere and a great selection of brews.
- Bart & Yeti’s: A laid-back, local favorite with burgers and a fun, beer-drinking vibe!
- Big Bear Bistro: A cozy little spot with excellent breakfast and sandwiches—perfect to take with you on your outdoor adventures.
- Sundae Ice Cream: The go-to place for handmade ice cream
And that’s it! I hope this Vail in the summer guide helped you out! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments, and have a blast visiting Vail!
This guide perfectly captures the essence of summer in Vail, Colorado, showcasing a range of exciting activities. From scenic hikes to vibrant festivals, it highlights why Vail is a top summer destination. The recommendations offer something for every type of traveler, ensuring an unforgettable experience. A fantastic resource for planning your summer getaway