Vail Valley and Aspen: Activities and Dining

Colorado Avidgolfer

Activities//Dining

Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping. Happiness awaits in Vail’s two base villages, Lionshead and Vail Village, where attractive, pedestrian-friendly outdoor shopping areas lead to hundreds of shops, boutiques, restaurants, galleries and more. Men and women can find unique apparel, jewelry, sporting goods, kid stuff, souvenirs and art. Convenient in-town bus routes allow you to explore both base villages within a matter of minutes.

One Up
This marks the first summer of Gondola One, Vail’s 10-passenger, WiFi-enabled replacement for the aging Vista Bahn quad. The One whisks you from Vail Village to Mid-Vail in 7.5 minutes. Bike or hike the latticework of wildflower-lined trails—some of which lead to the convivial Eagle’s Nest and kid-friendly Adventure Ridge at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola, which connects to Lionshead—or linger in Mid-Vail and enjoy a drink at the Tenth or a burger hot off the outdoor grill at Sarge’s Shelter BBQ.

Local Knowledge

• Lakota Guides does river sports right. The outfitter can get you whitewater rafting, kayaking and standing up on a paddleboard in a matter of minutes. Bonus: a coupon for a free beer next door at Crazy Mountain Brewery. lakotaguides.com
• VISTA at Arrowhead is one way to get “inside the gates” at the Country Club of the Rockies. Just make a reservation at the posh restaurant. It’s open to the public and as good as it gets. vista-arrowhead.com
• Nova Guides is a one-stop shop for mountain biking, ATV riding, whitewater rafting fly fishing and much more. Based at Camp Hale, Nova displays 10th Mountain Division memorabilia throughout its lodge and restaurant. novaguides.com

Vail Valley | Aspen

FEATURED ACTIVITIES

Bravo! Vail Summer Music Festival
Gerald Ford Amphitheater, other locations
bravovail.org; 877-812-5700
Minturn Farmer’s Market
(Saturdays only)
minturnmarket.org
Riverwalk at Edwards
(Shopping/Dining)
edwardsriverwalk.com
Bol
(bowling alley/restaurant)
141 E. Meadow Dr, Vail
970-476-5300; bolvail.com
Restaurant Kelly Liken
12 Vail Rd #100, Vail
970-479-0175;
kellyliken.com
Crazy Mountain Brewing Company
439 Edwards Access Rd, Edwards
970-926-3009;
crazymountainbrewery.com
Sweet Basil/ Mountain Standard
193 E. Gore Creek Dr, Vail
970-476-0125/970-476-0123
sweetbasilvail.com   mtnstandard.com

RESOURCES
visitvailvalley.com
vail.com
hubofaspen.com
stayaspensnowmass.com

Ride and Dine
Horse, shuttle or tractor-pulled wagon—any of these transportation methods will deliver you to Beano’s Cabin in the White River National Forest. While the restaurant is remote, it’s certainly not unknown. So be sure to reserve early (reservations are required) for the stellar 5-course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Bill Greenwood, live musical entertainment and an unforgettable culinary experience. 970-754-3463; beanoscabinbeavercreek.com

Morning Dos

Northside Coffee and Kitchen in Avon serves superb breakfast, lunch and dinner—and the best java in the Vail Valley. It’s Blue Bottle Coffee, it’s roasted daily, flown in from San Francisco and goes perfectly with Northside’s fresh baked pastries, breads and donuts. 970-949-1423; northsidecoffeekitchen.com

Westside Cafe hides behind a Holiday Inn on the north side of I-70, but that doesn’t keep the crowds from coming for the Cap N’ Crunch French Toast, awesome Egg Benedicts and what locals have voted the top Bloody Mary in Vail. The lunch and dinner is pretty awesome too. 970-476-7890; westsidecafe.net

ASPEN EATS

Cache Cache
205 S. Mill St.
970-385-2100;
cachecache.com
Matsuhisa
303 E. Main St, Aspen
970-544-6628
matsuhisaaspen.com
Syzygy
308 E. Hopkins Ave.
970-925-3700;
syzygyrestaurant.com

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