When our amazing August Sanibel Island, Florida vacation with my husband’s family (which we had been planning for 6 months or more), was obviously cancelled, we knew we had to make other plans to still be together. We don’t get the chance very often, and arranging everyone’s schedules can be difficult. Since we live in Colorado and have the small children, our family agreed to all meet here for a shorter getaway.
We’ve taken my mother-in-law to several mountain towns in the past, but never to Vail. We also felt it would give the best mix of outdoor activities, shopping, and restaurants for everyone in our group.
Where We Stayed
There are plenty of amazing AirBnB options in Vail! We were lucky to find an incredible four bedroom right behind the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead Village. We liked staying here (instead of in main Vail Village) because it was quieter, there were less people, there was still plenty to do, and it was walking distance to the bus and the playground. There was also a private heated pool that was empty for our whole stay. If you’d like to check out the condo we rented, you can do so HERE!
What We Did
Of course, due to Covid, there were several stores, restaurants, and activities that were closed. But there was still a ton to do and lucky for us, we also had the pool to fall back on. The playground in Lionshead Village was a big hit and is conveniently located next to a candy shop.
Our favorite activity was riding the Eagle Bahn Gondola to the top for an adventure day. While many of the activities were closed at the Summit, there is plenty of nature to explore. Ella and Connor also got to ride the mountain coaster! Cole could have ridden the gondola up and down all day long, and luckily your day ticket includes unlimited rides.
Another favorite activity was taking the bus into Vail Village to shop and play in the creek. The creek was FREEZING, but super fun to splash in and jump from rock to rock. If you are feeling brave (and maybe a bit older than my kids) you can also tube down the creek. Vail Village offers so many amazing shops and great snack places. We found a few adorable toy shops and the best vintage Christmas shop. There are also small parks tucked in among the shops. Of course, masks are necessary everywhere and there are plenty of people out and about in the Village. We did feel safe everywhere we went.
The girls were also able to sneak in a half day at the Sonnenalp Spa! While the amenities were closed, the treatments and atmosphere did not disappoint.
Where We Ate
Some of Colorado’s best restaurants are located in Vail. However, with the kids, we opted for eating out at the family friendly joints and cooking in quite a bit. My brother-in-law is an excellent cook and was nice enough to make us fabulous meals two of the nights. We ate leftovers and snacks for lunch and also brought our own breakfast food. There was a small market conveniently located right next to our condo.
The first night we ate out, we simply went downstairs from our condo to Garfinkle’s. This restaurant is a Vail staple located in Lionshead Village. Super delicious sports bar type food including wings with endless sauce options. It also has an amazing view in the Summer and Winter (hello best apres’ ski spot!).
The last night of our stay we ate at the Bully Ranch in Vail Village at the Sonnenalp. The staff was super kind and the food was delicious! If you go, you must order a Mud Slide and definitely check out the appetizers.