Why you should visit Vail, Colorado with kids! Along with a full list of what to do and see to make your family vacation amazing!
While Vail, Colorado is considered a winter vacation destination with its phenomenal skiing/snowboarding it is also a breathtaking summer vacation spot. This travel destination is nestled in the mountains within the White River National Forest and looks like it was plopped straight out of Austria and it’s full of charm.
Located side by side in Vail is Vail Village and Lionshead Village. It is easy to walk between the two villages to explore.
What to See and Do with Kids in Vail
Horseback Ride
Going horseback riding is my daughter’s favorite vacation activity and a requirement if there are stables nearby especially rides with stunning views. Piney River Ranch offers 1 hour and 2-hour trail rides. We had a fantastic 2-hour scenic trail ride with views of aspens, wildflowers, and surrounding mountains. If you have never done a 2 hour horseback ride before, I recommend starting with the shorter 1-hour trail ride. We had one of the best horseback ride experiences ever with Piney River Ranch – I highly recommend them!
Epic Discovery
This adventure park at the top of Vail Mountain has something for the whole family. There is a mountain coaster, climbing wall, tubing, kids ziplining, bungee trampoline, and mini-golf (at the bottom of the mountain). You will pick up your tickets at the ticket office in Lionhead Village and then take the gondola up the mountain for a full day of fun.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens are located along Gore Creek in Vail Village. It is the highest botanical garden in the United States. The gardens are a beautiful spot for kids to run around and has a children’s garden.
Playgrounds
There are several beautiful playgrounds in Vail giving kids the opportunity to have fun enjoying the wonderful outside. Located in the middle of Lionhead Village is Sunbird Park while it is small it has a lot to offer including a small fountain area. In Vail Village near Gondola One is Pirate Ship Playground with well a large, beautiful wooden pirate ship to explore.
Hiking
If you have older kids, the Upper Piney Lake trail is a great option. The entire trail is 14 miles round trip, however, you can hike to the waterfall which is 3 miles from the trailhead. You will also pass Piney Lake which is beautiful and the trail follows along Piney River.
If you are looking for other hiking options:
- Gore Creek Trail – The section through Vail Village and Lionshead Village is “improved gravel” with some paved sections. Try the trail from Covered Bridge to Ford Park or Vail Library to Lionshead.
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Shrine Ridge Trail off Vail Pass is a 4.3 mile round trip, out and back hike with 1,000 foot elevation gain. It passes through lush pine meadows and two small ponds to the top of Shrine Mountain. This is a must-see in mid-to-late summer because of the stunning fields of wildflowers. You will also have amazing panoramic views of Copper Mountain, Mount of the Holy Cross, the Gore Range, and Vail’s Back Bowls.
Have you visited Vail before?
