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Top 30 Things to do in Vail in the Summer with Your Family

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I absolutely LOVE visiting Vail, Colorado. I have to admit that despite my many visits, I’ve never experienced Vail in the wintertime.

I am definitely a summertime Vail girl as I love all of the hiking, biking, and other summertime activities Vail has to offer.

Black stenciled metal sign that says Vail in the middle and Elevation 8250 on top and Founded 1962 below.

My husband and I started coming to Vail over 12 years ago, before having kids. Since then, we’ve visited four more times with our children and I plan to increase that number in the coming years.

When my oldest son arrived in Vail after not being there since he was little, the first words out of his mouth were “I feel like we are in Disney World!”

He wasn’t referring to the crowds or the rides, but to the grandeur of Vail Village and Lionshead Village, the magical Gore Creek flowing next to the bike trail, and the beauty of the mountains in the background. 

I couldn’t agree with him more. 

Vail is an incredible summer vacation spot for families. A vacation to Vail can be filled with adventure and activity, a relaxing getaway, or the perfect blend of both.

Discover the top things to do in Vail in the summer below!

1. Bike Along the Gore Creek Trail

A family bike ride along the Gore Creek Trail is an absolute blast. The scenery along Gore Creek is simply stunning.

Both Lionshead and Vail Village offer numerous places to rent bikes.

We rented our bikes and a pull-behind trailer from Charter Sports and received a 30% discount because we were staying at Lions Square Lodge.

Our family rented the bikes for half of a day and rode from Lionshead towards Vail Village on the Gore Creek Trail. We made a stop at the Pirate Ship Playground near Gondola One, then continued on to Ford Park.

There, we enjoyed a picnic by the creek and played at the playground before heading back.

This adventure took us about 3 hours, including time spent at the 2 parks and having lunch.

2. Play at Ford Park

Ford Park is an incredible place for kids to run, climb, swing, and slide. The playground is unique, featuring bridges, rock structures, towers, and climbing elements.

What I love most about Ford Park are the stunning mountain views.

There’s also a huge greenspace if you wanted to bring a ball to toss around. 

This greenspace is also a great place to get some pictures of the kids with the mountains in the background.

For park is great for both older kids and younger kids. 

3. Visit the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is right next to Ford Park, making it a perfect spot to visit while you’re there.

We love meandering through the stone walkways, admiring the gorgeous plants and flowers, as well as the waterfalls.

There are many benches scattered throughout the gardens where you can sit and enjoy the scenery and soothing sounds of the waterfalls.

4. Have a Picnic (My Favorite Place is Along Gore Creek)

Vail has many great spots to enjoy a picnic, but my favorite is anywhere along Gore Creek. 

You’ll find picnic tables scattered near the creek as you walk along the trail.

It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy a meal while listening to the rushing water of Gore Creek and taking in the nature’s beauty . 

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5. Ride the Eagle Bahn Gondola 

The Eagle Bahn Gondola, located in Lionshead Village, offers a fantastic summer experience. During the summer, kids ages 12 and under ride free with a paying adult, which is a great money saver!

Children under 5 always ride free.

An adult ticket is priced at $59. 

You can purchase tickets for the gondola online and redeem them at the Lionshead Ticket Office.

6. Play at Sunbird Park

Sunbird Park is a charming art-inspired park located in Lionshead Village near the Arrabelle. 

If you’re walking through Vail Square (where there’s a large ice rink in the winter), this park is right up the stairs.

Sunbird Park features interactive water elements and play structures resembling nests. These “nests” are connected by bridges and ropes, and you can get down from them using ladders or slides. 

My boys loved pretending that each “nest” was one of their “houses.”

This art-inspired playground really sparks kids’ imaginations and is a blast to play on. 

7. Explore Lionshead Village

Lionshead is a Bavarian-inspired village that is smaller and quieter than Vail Village. 

It is filled with restaurants and shops for visitors to enjoy. 

Sunbird Park and the Eagle Bahn Gondola are also located here. 

With no vehicles allowed, Lionshead is the perfect spot to walk around and soak in the surroundings. 

Be sure to take a walk through Lionshead and admire the amazing architecture of the buildings. 

Being in Lionshead is truly magical. 

8. Visit the Education Center at the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens 

The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens has an education center that is fun for the kids to explore.

Currently the center features a dinosaur exhibit called Dinosaurs Among Us. 

Kids can color, play with dinosaur toys and nature replicas such as logs, and even dig for dinosaur fossils in the sand outside. 

There’s also a dinosaur scavenger hunt for families. 

The Education Center offers a few small gifts or souvenirs available for purchase.

The Betty Ford Alpine Garden Education Center is located right next to the basketball courts and shelter at Ford Park. 

The Education Center is small so you will likely not spend more than 20 to 30 minutes here, but it is a fantastic spot to stop in while visiting Ford Park or the Gardens.

9. Walk Through the Children’s Garden and Play at Betty’s Market

The Children’s Garden and Betty’s Market is right across from the main entrance of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.

Here, kids can learn how vegetables grow, and often enjoy a daily learning activity from the Discovery Cart.

The kids will also LOVE playing in Betty’s Market, an imaginative farmer’s market for kids. 

Parents can relax on the rocking chairs and benches facing Gore Creek while the kids play and learn in the Children’s Garden and Betty’s Market. 

Expert Tip

There are a few snacks available for purchase in the gift shop, and sometimes ice cream is available. If you plan to spend significant time here– which is a great area comprising Ford Park, the Betty Alpine Gardens and Education Center, Children’s Garden, Betty’s Market, and the Ford Amphitheater– I recommend bringing lunch or snacks and plenty to drink. We had a picnic right by Gore Creek in the nature area here.

10. Play at the Pirate Ship Park

Pirate Ship Park, located next to Gondola One in Vail Village, is a favorite among kids!

This enormous pirate ship features a crow’s nest, plank to walk, and even a dragon to keep at bay.

Situated right next to Gore Creek, the park offers easy access to the creek where kids can walk on the rocks, so be prepared for some water fun.

Pirate Ship Park is also a great place for a picnic or a morning coffee.

11. Run Through the Fountains in Lionshead and Vail Village

Both Lionshead and Vail Village boast numerous fountains and water features for kids to run through and play in.

Some of our favorites include the water features at Sunbird Park in Lionshead and the Children’s Fountain in Vail Village, located right outside of Fuzziwig’s Candy Shop.

12. Pick Out Some Unique Candy and Soda at Rocket Fizz

Located in Lionshead near Sunbird Park, Rocket Fizz is a candy and soda shop with an intriguing selection of sweets and unique soda flavors. 

My son enjoyed the chocolate band-aids while I indulged in a Hammond’s sea salt caramel bar.

Even if you aren’t in the mood for sweets, it’s worth stopping by Rocket Fizz to see all the unique items they have. 

13. Do Some Shopping

Lionshead and Vail Village are fantastic shopping destinations with stores like Patagonia, Helly Hanson, The North Face, Salomon, and lululemon.

Kids will love Wishes Toy Store, Fuzziwig’s Candy Factory, Rocket Fizz, and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

Plus, you can’t forget to look for some Vail souvenirs! We love Charlie’s T-shirts. I recommend checking out their biggest store in Lionshead.

14. Ride the Free Shuttle Bus

Vail offers a free shuttle bus within the town, which is super convenient if you have younger kids who get tired of walking.

We frequently used the bus to travel quickly between Lionshead and Vail although it is easy to walk this as well! 

Each bus stop has a digital schedule indicating when the next shuttle bus will arrive. 

My kids don’t often get to ride city buses, so it is super fun for them to get to do so in Vail!

15. Enjoy a Concert at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater (The Amp)

The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, nicknamed The Amp, is an amazing outdoor concert venue located next to Ford Park and the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.

The Amp hosts free summer concerts as well as a summer concert series.

Even if you don’t attend a concert here, it’s worth taking a peek at this incredible venue.

16. Play on the Lawn at the Solaris Plaza in Vail Village

The sprawling lawn at the Solaris Plaza is a favorite among kids for running and playing. It’s a phenomenal spot to relax, enjoy a cup of coffee, and soak in the heart of Vail. 

Solaris Plaza lawn often hosts various events including farmer’s markets and live music . 

During our visit, there were numerous cornhole games set up and a ping pong table, along with plenty of Adirondack chairs to relax in. 

In addition to the lawn, Solaris Plaza is home to Yeti’s Grind coffee shop, Vail Brewing Company, bol bowling venue, and more.

17. Visit the Vail Nature Center

The Vail Nature Center offers both wildlife exhibits as well as guided hikes and walks.

To get to the Vail Nature Center, take the free shuttle bus and get off at the stop for the Soccer Fields on Vail Valley Drive.

You can also visit the Nature Discovery Center which is at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola. 

The Nature Discovery Center is located in a yurt which makes for its own unique experience.

Inside, explore wildlife exhibits and enjoy hands-on activities. 

We had fun learning about antlers versus horns, touching different animal furs, and even exploring the humorous topic of animal scat.

There are blocks to build with and animal puppets to play with as well!

Expert Tip

Check the days and hours of operation for both the Vail Nature Center and the Nature Discovery Center, as they have specific days that they are closed.

18. Eat at Blue Moose Pizza in Lionshead

Blue Moose Pizza is a fantastic dining choice for families located in the heart of Lionshead, right next to the ice skating rink (which transforms into a lively spot with live music and events during the summer).

It’s an affordable option with a family-friendly atmosphere and offers kids’ meals as well!

Overall, Blue Moose has a great vibe and good food too!

19. Enjoy Some Incredible Adventures at Epic Discovery on Vail Mountain

If you ask my kids, this was the highlight of our Vail vacation. 

You will need to take the Eagle Bahn Gondola up the Mountain to reach all of the thrilling adventures at Epic Discovery

Your best bet is to purchase the Adventure Pass for the day for each member of your family that wants to participate in the activities. This will give each person 3 rides on the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster and unlimited participation on all of the other activities. 

These activities include the Bungee Trampoline, Zipline, Climbing Wall, Tubing, and Miniature Golf which is located at the bottom of the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead. 

We expected to only spend a couple of hours here, but ended up staying over 5 hours because the kids loved it so much!

20. See All of the Sculptures and Art in Vail Village and Lionshead

Both Vail Village and Lionshead boast numerous gorgeous sculptures and works of art that are perfect for seeing and photographing.

My kids particularly enjoyed spotting all of the animal sculptures.

You could make it a fun scavenger hunt to see how many different sculptures you can find!

21. Dip Your Toes in Gore Creek

Gore Creek, running along the base of Vail Mountain, is one of my absolute favorite aspects of Vail. 

I love watching its rushing waters and hearing its soothing sounds.

The kids love dipping their toes in Gore Creek and wading in some spots.

A great spot to access Gore Creek is near the Pirate Ship Park. You can also access it easily near Ford Park. 

There are many other easy spots to get in the creek along the trail as well!

22. Go Tubing at Epic Discovery at the Top of Eagle Bahn Gondola

Eagle’s Nest Tubing is one of the most exhilarating activities at Epic Discovery. You ride in your tube up the lift and then zoom down the 550 feet hill.

Younger kids can participate on the Marmot Mini Kids Tubing hill. 

Both activities are included in the Adventure Pass, allowing unlimited rides for each child that has the pass.

23. Go Horseback Riding

Vail Stables offers a variety of guided horseback riding trails suitable for riders of all abilities. 

Trail durations range from 1 hour to up to 4 hours.

Most trails require children to be at least 5 years old. 

Taking a trail ride with Vail Stables promises a magical experience that your family will cherish forever!

24. Visit Fuzziwig’s Candy Factory

Located in Vail Village near the Children’s Fountain, Fuzziwig’s Candy Factory is a paradise for kids. 

They will LOVE picking out candy here!

Fuzziwig’s offers both bulk and packaged candy options, as well as fudge, caramel apples, and even ice cream!

This is your one-stop shop for everything sweet!

25. Ride the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster

The Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster, atop Vail Mountain, is a must-experience ride.

As with most activities at Epic Discovery, you will need to take the Eagle Bahn Gondola up the mountain.

I highly recommend riding this coaster–it’s an exhilarating experience! My kids had a blast.

My 8 and 10-year-old each rode on their own, while I rode with my 4-year-old. 

The Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster is available to ride 3 times with the Adventure Pass.

If you prefer to ride the coaster without purchasing the Adventure Pass, it’s $39 for one ride and $55 for two rides. 

Expert Tip

If you’re purchasing the Adventure Pass for a child who cannot ride the coaster alone, you can pay an additional $19 to ride along with them. This meant that I got to ride the coaster three times for $19- a great deal!

26.  Ride or Walk Across the Covered Bridges in Vail

Vail has a few charming covered bridges that cross Gore Creek.

I love taking pictures near these covered bridges and walking or biking across them. 

They are scenic spots and make excellent photo opportunities. 

27.  Mini Golf at Gore Creek

Have I mentioned yet that I am obsessed with Gore Creek?! There’s also a miniature golf course along Gore Creek.

While the course itself isn’t overly creative or challenging, the views of the mountains and Gore Creek are unbeatable!

If you purchase the Adventure Pass for the Epic Discovery activities, miniature golf is included. 

Must Know Information

The Gore Creek Miniature Golf Course is only open until 4pm, so make sure to get there early enough to play!

28. Play or Picnic at Donovan Park

Donovan Park is another fantastic spot in Vail for playing on the playground or enjoying a picnic. 

This was one of the kids’ favorite playgrounds, as it was well-maintained and had some unique elements about it.

There is also a large field where the kids can play soccer or football. 

29. Get Some Ice Cream at One of Vail’s Speciality Ice Cream Shops

One thing that the kids (and I) love doing in Vail is getting ice cream.

Luckily there are a couple of amazing options. 

One is Sundae Ice Cream, which offers delicious hand-crafted small-batch ice cream with a variety of flavors. 

It is located near the Vail Transportation Center and one of my favorite covered bridges in Vail. 

Another fantastic option is Joe’s Homemade Deli and Homemade Ice Cream, located in the heart of Vail Village. Its storefront is down some steps, so look out for the sign.

Joe’s offers 24 flavors of homemade ice cream.

You can also find a Haagen-Dazs in Lionshead. 

30.  Take a Hike

No trip to Vail is complete without taking a hike.

Vail offers an abundance of trails for all skill levels.

The breathtaking mountain views, fresh air, and opportunity to explore nature make hiking a must-do activity.

Some popular trails include Booth Falls, Berry Picker Trail, and Gore Creek Trail.

My Berry Picker Trail Experience

I chose to hike the Berry Picker Trail on my own. This trail, just over 3 miles up the mountain, is challenging but incredibly rewarding. The view from Eagle’s Nest at the end of the trail are breathtaking. As an added bonus, I got to ride the scenic gondola back down the mountain for free. Unless you have older kids who are seasoned hikers, I would not choose to do the Berry Picker Trail as a family.

Best Vail Hikes for Kids

Gore Creek Trail: A mostly paved trail running alongside Gore Creek. You can go as far as you want on it, up to 1.8 miles one way. Stroller-friendly

Eagle’s Loop Trailhead: A .2 mile crushed rock trail located on Vail Mountain. To access this trail, you will need to ride the gondola up the mountain. The views along the trail are incredible, and there are educational signs providing interesting information for hikers. The kids will enjoy reading them too! Stroller-friendly

Why We Love Vail

Vail, Colorado, is an extraordinary summer destination for families, offering a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable experiences.

From biking along the scenic Gore Creek Trail to enjoying the thrilling activities at Epic Discovery- like tubing, the mountain coaster, and ziplining- there’s no shortage of activities to keep everyone entertained.

Whether you’re riding the Eagle Bahn Gondola, playing at the many parks, or indulging in some delicious ice cream, Vail provides so many opportunities to create lasting memories with your family.

So get ready to pack your bags, bring your sense of adventure, and get ready to discover the magic of Vail in the summertime. Your family will thank you for it!

Download our free travel itinerary planner to help you plan your Vail vacation or wherever your next adventure may take you.

May you love your adventure. KW

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