As a family, we enjoy exploring Colorado’s mountains. Colorado has many wonderful mountain towns within a ~ 2 hour drive of Denver International Airport. Vail is consistently a favorite of ours because of its family-friendly amenities that tailor to the youngest visitors.
My husband and I enjoy many outdoor activities and sports. Depending on the activity, however, it can be challenging to keep the youngest ones entertained and interested. While our young kids will tolerate short hikes in carriers, they have yet to fully embrace hiking. There are so many other things they would rather do. Honestly, I didn’t start loving hiking until I was in my late teens. And while some families will start their kids on skis very young, many toddlers and early pre-schoolers aren’t quite ready for all the gear and a full day in the cold temperatures.
Here are some of the reasons we enjoy visiting Vail as a family with young children.
Note: Before we get started, I want to acknowledge that Vail is very expensive. Especially if you are staying overnight. One option is to stay elsewhere and visit Vail for the day. We will often visit Vail as a day trip as a way to save on accommodations.
1. So many fantastic playgrounds
Vail is full of fantastic playgrounds. The highlights are Pirate Ship Park at the base of Gondola One in Vail Village and the extensive climbing structures at Ford Park. You could easily spend half a day at Ford Park. The playground is massive. Have a picnic, play at the playground, and splash around in Gore Creek. But Vail also has a number of smaller playgrounds that are really well designed and a lot of fun for the little ones. You will also find several fountains throughout Vail Village and Lionshead Village that your kids can splash in on warm days.
2. Playing in Gore Creek
Speaking of splashing in water, Gore Creek is a great place to do just that. While the flow varies dramatically depending on the season, later into summer and in early fall the current is often gentle. Near Ford Park there is a wooden bridge that traverses a shallow, slower stretch of Gore Creek. This is a great place to dip your toes, skip rocks, and let your kids get wet. Always be aware of weather conditions and any flash flooding risks.
3. Cross country skiing
If your young child is not quite ready for the slopes, try cross-country skiing as a family! We really enjoy this option on a sunny winter day. The Vail Nordic Center at Vail Golf Club offers groomed tracks for skiers as well as marked trails for snowshoeing. The Nordic Center rents out equipment, including kid trailers so you can tow the little ones along. Our kids have taken some good naps in those trailers while we have enjoyed the scenery and the workout!
4. Gondola rides
At the time of this post, kids under 12 can ride the gondola free with a paying adult. Our children have really enjoyed riding the gondola up the mountain.
5. Plenty of Summer Activities for Young Kids
Vail offers a lot of summer activities for young kids. Mini tubing on the mountain for kids 3+ (ride the gondola up to Epic Discovery), Zipline, Mini-Golf, and more!
6. A sizable, yet walkable town
Vail is larger than many of its neighboring towns. This means there is more to do in town if you aren’t on the slopes or out hiking/biking all day. Some other resort towns are wonderful for skiing or a tranquil escape, but you see the whole town pretty quickly and can sometimes run out of things to do with little kids. That has never been a problem for us in Vail. Plus, Vail hosts many events, farmers markets, etc. that add to the entertainment.
7. Miles of paved trail for stroller walks
When we make Vail a day trip, we will often offer the little ones stroller naps while we soak in the scenery of the Gore Valley Trail. The walk from Lionshead to East Vail is particularly beautiful in late September when the aspen leaves are changing. If you find that you have walked farther than you intended or are running low on time, there are free buses connecting East Vail to Vail Village, Lionshead, and West Vail that you can hop on for the return journey.
7. A LOT of dining options, including many with outdoor seating
When we can, we like to find outdoor dining. Our kids do so much better outdoors. I chalk it up to the fresh air and more action/people watching to keep them entertained. Outdoor dining is an option year-round at many of Vail’s restaurants. While I have other personal favorites, Bully Ranch and Pepi’s are two casual options with outdoor seating and menus that our kids appreciate.
