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Colorado, United States

Vail

Alpine-style village under a huge mountain; 2 nights for the Back Bowls and Bridge Street. We have mapped 3 sights, 2 activities and 2 places to eat here, each with a reason to go.

Plan Vail with friendsBrowse 8 places
Vail, Colorado, United States
Places
8

3 See · 2 Do · 2 Eat · 1 Stay

Curated routes
1

Breckenridge, Vail & Aspen

Best season
Dec – Mar

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

26°C / 78°F avg high

Coolest month
January

-2°C / 28°F avg high

Wettest month
April

about 64 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Vail

8 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Vail across Vail Village and Lionshead. All 3 are free to visit.

  • See

    Bridge Street

    Vail Village's pedestrian main street, running from the covered bridge over Gore Creek up to the lifts.

    Tip Walk it in the evening when the village is lit for the holidays.

    • Vail Village
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • After dark
  • See

    Lionshead Village

    Vail's second base village, west of Vail Village, with the Eagle Bahn Gondola, shops and an outdoor ice rink.

    Tip Usually quieter than Vail Village for lunch and après.

    • Lionshead
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Afternoon
  • See

    Colorado Snowsports Museum

    Museum and hall of fame for Colorado skiing, including the 10th Mountain Division soldiers who later helped found Vail.

    • Vail Village
    • Free
    • 45 min
    • Afternoon

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Vail in Vail Village.

  • Do

    Vail Ski Resort

    One of North America's largest ski areas, with groomed front-side runs, the open Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin.

    Tip Head to the Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin on a powder day; the front side gets crowded first.

    • Vail Village
    • $$$$
    • 6 hr
    • Morning
  • Do

    Gondola One

    High-speed gondola from Vail Village to Mid-Vail, the main way onto the mountain from the village.

    Tip Lines are shortest before 9 am and after lunch.

    • Vail Village
    • $$$$
    • 20 min
    • Morning

Eat

2 places to eat in Vail Village, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Eat

    Pepi's

    Austrian restaurant and bar in the Gasthof Gramshammer, opened by ski racer Pepi Gramshammer in 1964.

    Tip The deck is the classic après spot on Bridge Street; come early to get a seat.

    • Vail Village
    • $$$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Après-ski
  • Eat

    Sweet Basil

    Vail Village restaurant on Gore Creek Drive, serving modern American food since 1977.

    Tip Reserve weeks ahead for holiday dinners.

    • Vail Village
    • $$$$
    • 2 hr
    • Dinner

Stay

Places to stay in Vail in Vail Village.

  • Stay

    Sonnenalp Hotel

    Family-run Bavarian-style hotel in Vail Village with fireplaces in the rooms and a spa.

    Tip Walk to Gondola One in about ten minutes, or take the free town bus.

    • Vail Village
    • $$$$

How to fit Vail into a trip

Vail is stop 2 of 3 on our Breckenridge, Vail & Aspen route. Follow it as-is or lift Vail into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Vail month by month

Average daily highs run from -2°C / 28°F in January to 26°C / 78°F in July. April is the wettest month, with about 64 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Vail weather and the best time to visit →

Near Vail

8 other destinations from our guides within about 350 km (217 mi), measured in a straight line.

Vail questions, answered

How many days do you need in Vail?

Our route notes suggest 2 nights in Vail. On our Breckenridge, Vail & Aspen route it is stop 2 of 3 in a 7-day trip. The listed visit times for our 8 places add up to roughly 13 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Vail best known for?

Alpine-style village under a huge mountain; 2 nights for the Back Bowls and Bridge Street. Standouts on our list: Bridge Street (Vail Village's pedestrian main street, running from the covered bridge over Gore Creek up to the lifts); Lionshead Village (Vail's second base village, west of Vail Village, with the Eagle Bahn Gondola, shops and an outdoor ice rink); Colorado Snowsports Museum (Museum and hall of fame for Colorado skiing, including the 10th Mountain Division soldiers who later helped found Vail).

When is the best time to visit Vail?

Our Breckenridge, Vail & Aspen route is best Dec – Mar. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (26°C / 78°F), the coolest in January (-2°C / 28°F) and the most rain in April (about 64 mm).

What are the best things to do in Vail?

Start with Vail Ski Resort, Gondola One, Bridge Street, Lionshead Village and Colorado Snowsports Museum. Our guide lists 8 places in all, from 3 sights, 2 activities, 2 places to eat and 1 place to stay.

Where should a group eat in Vail?

Our picks: Pepi's (Vail Village); Sweet Basil (Vail Village). The deck is the classic après spot on Bridge Street; come early to get a seat (Pepi's).

What is near Vail?

The closest destinations in our guides are Breckenridge (about 33 km / 20 mi), Aspen (about 63 km / 39 mi) and Rocky Mountain NP (about 97 km / 60 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Vail with your crew

Open the Breckenridge, Vail & Aspen route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 8 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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