Looking for sunny days, cool nights, fresh mountain air, beautiful scenery, outdoor adventure and bountiful cultural events? Vail has it all. From the internationally known cultural events – many of them free and enjoyed in the open air – to family-friendly hikes among wildflowers to more challenging backcountry adventure and the dining and shopping experiences available in town, it’s hard to limit our reasons to visit Vail this summer to just 10 favorites. So we suggest you use this list as a jumping off point – and if you need help creating a more personalized plan for your visit, just ask us!
Here, in no particular order, are our Top 10 picks for this summer:
Wildflowers abound during Vail Summer and there are plenty of fun ways to view them — biking, hiking horseback riding or even a ride on the gondola.
Vail on 2 Wheels. Vail Resort is home to all levels of mountain biking and road biking trails for every kind of biker. Eagle County offers a stunning 58 miles of paved recreational paths for biking. To sample portions of the Vail bike path, or for a quick ride to a local restaurant or other summer activities, the Antlers at Vail provides a selection of complimentary cruiser bikes for guests to use.
Bravo! Vail. Held this summer from July 1 – Aug. 6, Bravo! Vail is the only festival in North America to host three of the world’s finest orchestras in a single season. An unparalleled live musical experience in beautiful mountain scenery, this is a highly anticipated event with a rich schedule of complimentary and ticketed events. And for an “insider” experience of the festival, Antlers at Vail guests can take advantage of the hotel’s Bravo! Like a Local package.
The breathtaking outdoor Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater is home to both Bravo! Vail and Vail International Dance Festival events.
Take a Hike! Vail offers miles and miles of scenic mountain terrain for hikers of all levels where wildflowers abound and wildlife is often spotted. Visit Vail.com for a list of trails and hiking options. Bring Fido along for your trek and then cozy up with him back at the Antlers at Vail, with a well-known pet friendly policy that includes being named the official dog friendly lodge of the GoPro Mountain Games each June.
Just Dance. Now in its 26th year, the Vail International Dance Festival is a two-week celebration featuring both performance and educational elements in the art of dance. The Festival, scheduled July 27 – Aug. 10, features many “boldface dance world names” and “has championed the intermingling of dancers across companies and genres, often encouraging them to perform works they wouldn’t have the chance to do with their home companies,” according to The New York Times, while taking advantage of a variety of venues including the breathtaking outdoor Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, the intimate Vilar Performing Arts Center and Solaris in Vail Village.
Vail Golf Club is just one of the many stunning high-altitude golf courses where your ball can fly farther in Vail this summer.
Hit the Club. The Golf Club! With 17 championship golf courses within a 38-mile radius, half of them open to the public, Vail Valley is a links-lover’s dream. To help create the perfect golfing getaway, Antlers at Vail’s expert staff – including Antlers GM Rob LeVine, an avid golfer with firsthand experience of legendary courses from Carnoustie to Pebble Beach – can recommend the perfect course, as well as arranging tee times.
All that Jazz. Jazz lovers delight in Vail’s Summer Jazz performances from July 2 through Sept. 3. A total of 10 performances will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays under the jazz tent at Vail Square in Lionshead Village just outside the Antlers’ front door. Additional Vail Valley venues also host performances, including the free music at the Vail farmer’s market on Sundays. For the complete Vail Jazz Festival schedule, visit http://www.vailjazz.org/.
Iconic Colorado fishing with Fly Fishing Outfitters and the Antlers at Vail hotel
Gone Fishing. Vail offers a variety of opportunities for anglers to enjoy the region’s many lakes and rivers for a scenic fishing float trip or for fly fishing. Those interested in a guided fly fishing trip with professionals can check out services from Fly Fishing Outfitters, who have also partnered with Antlers for a “Flights & Flies” stay-and-play package for fall. Or for an ad hoc “fish with a local” opportunity take advantage of the several Antlers staff members who love to share their knowledge of fishing – recently mentioned in a Denver Post article on experiential travel.
Rise to New Heights. Take a scenic Gondola ride to the top of Vail’s Eagle Bahn where Vail Mountain Resort’s Adventure Ridge offers an array of outdoor activities such as zip lining, challenges courses and motor tours, as well as dining with a view.
Go from Farm to Table. Enjoy summer Sundays at the outdoor Vail Farmers Market, which features over 135 tents with vendors offering deliciously unique prepared food, fresh produce, clothing and accessories along with live entertainment and more. And Antlers at Vail guests can pick up the fixing’s for a DIY meal cooked in the condominium hotel’s fully equipped kitchens.
Many of Vail’s best restaurants have picturesque patios for peak people watching and fresh air dining and drinking. Photo courtesy Jack Affleck, VLMD.
Dine Outdoors. Vail is loaded with fantastic restaurant options during the summer months, and many of the area’s best offerings have picturesque patios for peak people watching and fresh air dining and drinking. Some of the Antlers’ staff’s favorite Vail patios include the Alpenrose Restaurant, Pepi’s Bar and Mountain Standard.
