COLORADO SUMMER: 16 THINGS TO DO IN VAIL BEYOND SKIING

You’d think a purpose-built destination like Vail, dreamed up and constructed to appease ski enthusiasts, wouldn’t have much else to do other than hit the slopes during the ski season.

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Before visiting for myself this summer, I also wasn’t sure you even could do anything else there besides ski; but, you can. And very easily so.

Sitting at 8,200 feet in the Rocky Mountains, the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens boasts being the world’s highest botanical gardens.

WANDER & MEDITATE IN THE BETTY FORD ALPINE GARDENS

On Tuesday nights from mid-June to mid-August, a number of free concerts take place at the beautiful Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater through the local Hot Summer Nights series.

SEE A SHOW AT THE GERALD R. FORD AMPHITHEATER

The complimentary activity is designed for children ages 5-12, with six education-filled boxes hidden throughout the garden.

GO ON A SCAVENGER HUNT IN VAIL’S CHILDREN’S GARDEN

I loved the playgrounds designed by artists and the many sculptures, like the giant works depicting four elements of nature in the Solaris complex of Vail Village.

ADMIRE PUBLIC ART IN VAIL (AND TRY TO FIND IT ALL)

The market runs from mid-June to early October, and features local food showcases, live jazz music, artisan wares, and farm-to-market dinners (on select evenings; $90 per person).

PERUSE THE VAIL FARMERS’ MARKET

Photo via Vail Farmers’ Market and Art Show

The Colorado Snowsports Museum & Hall Of Fame is a complimentary experience where you can peruse six galleries full of artifacts, documentaries and footage focused on topics like the beginnings of Vail, the Winter Olympics, Ski Patrol, notable athletes and more.

VISIT THE COLORADO SKI & SNOWBOARD MUSEUM

Via the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum

Wandering Vail Village and Lionshead is like wandering Tyrol, Austria. This makes sense, as the resort town was modeled after the ski villages the founders saw while serving in the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division during World War II.

PHOTOGRAPH VAIL’S ARCHITECTURE

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