Vail Valley Reviews

This is a beautifully laid out village. The landscaping and sculptures are amazing. There was free parking in the fall so it was worth a stop. The shops were very pricey and definitely catering to skiing visitors. The ice cream and cupcake shops had tasty treats.

So pretty and different! Loved the landscaping, flowers and architecture! Very quaint! Easy to get around walking and biking. My favorite ski village! A must see!

We stopped at the Vail Ski resort and Vail Village in the Vail Valley. We walked along the pedestrian streets and looked in a few of the shops. We had lunch at one of the restaurants. It has a German style appearance that is attractive. A beautiful river flows through the complex.

Beautiful all year round. Amazing skiing, golf, hiking, rafting, etc, etc.

Vail Mountain has some of the best ski runs in the world. The Village has ever amenity possible. What is best is the cleanliness of the Village and the high standard of maintenance. It is unbelievably pretty. It is also pricey

Walking, window shopping, just roaming is fun here. You don't need to spend money -- although retailers would disagree. It's so different from the real world outside the mountains. One can even find Starbucks for a taste of the familiar, or Yeti's for coffee with locals. Ride the local bus too. It's free.

OK, so as you drive by on I-70, Vail just looks like a very expensive ditch along I-70.....But there are so many amazing and beautiful things about this place that you cannot see just driving by. It is truly a treasure trove of vast expanse of mountain for skiing in winter, hiking and off roading in the summer as well as almost any other activity you could possibly dream up!
So, get off the highway, pull in and spend some time finding it's hidden and not so hidden treasures of what is Vail Valley!

Stopping in Vail is a must. This is a great place to visit and you don't have to be a skier but it helps of you like the winter season. Great shops and eateries. We were lucky as parking was free.

The town promotes it free bus service but it sucks if you are not in the village. Service is every 1/2 hour but then it randomly drops to every hour. So if you miss the bus wait an hour. VAIL TOWN SUCKS IF YOU ARE NOT IN THE Main village..
Rent a car because the bus service sucks.

This was my first time in Vail and enjoyed being there in the summer. Plenty of shopping and restaurants to chose from. Place was not overly crowded making it very enjoyable. A plus was that parking was free.

Summers in Vail are hard to beat! Week of fun with the kids! Biking, Fishing, ATV riding, Adventure Ridge, Great Food, unbeatable weather....

Vail is a MUST to visit and experience. It has many outdoor activities, excellent concerts and great places to eat in the summer with beautiful villages along the Gore Creek. There is something for everyone, weather usually great. Hiking, biking, fishing, rafting, community involvement that is welcoming both in Vail and Beaver Creek, it has it all. somewhat expensive in the Villages. Buy your groceries prior as the down side is they have a 20 cent bag fee to rip off the tourists. Great bus system to get around, free in the Villages.

We spent a lovely day walking around Vail Village. Parking was a surprise, but well organized and efficient, even though it was the largest parking ramp I have ever used. You won't be able to take your car into the village. All-in-all, a great summer day of fun. Ride the tram, shop, eat, have a great cup of coffee, and more. There were plenty of people but not overcrowded. Shopping was leisurely and enjoyable. I would love to come back here again.

Equally fun in summer and winter. Great for families. Lots to do --- skiing, ice skating, great trails for running and hiking, biking, massages, great restaurants, golf, tennis and so much more. In summer, prices are very reasonable for both lodging and restaurants. There's a fabulous music season at Ford Ampitheater, including the New York Symphony. Then, there's a wonderful international dance festival. The best!

Have been to Vail a couple times and have not been impressed. Firstly ensure when going that stores and shops are open. When we've gone during non-ski season, most of the stores and restaurants were closed. Yes the European architecture is nice but that's the one good thing. Paid over $60 for sandwiches and $22 in parking for a quick stop. Subway sandwiches would have been better and cheaper. When considering booking your next mountain vacation, go to Breckenridge instead. Stores in Breck are open year-round and has a nicer downtown to stroll around.

Vail village is adorable. However, parking is a hassle. 0-2 hours is free but 3-4 hours is $15. So we walked around then moved the car after 1.75 hours. Parked for free the entire day! Standard shops you would expect in a ski village. Repetitive t-shirt shops... Some really cool boutique shops like glass and hand made knick knacks. Good restaurants and plenty of walking space. If parking wasn't such a mess, I would rate this place better.

There is a serious parking problem in the vail valley and in the spring, the whole valley stinks of exhaust fumes

A must "be there" Vails Sunday Market. What a fabulous selection of vendors. From Clothing to Food... plan on a few hours of walking around sit and listen to the music and then venture into the shops. Take a walk to Liionshead to walk off the food you just ate. The path along the river is fabulous.

Town is easy to get around. High prices but lots of great shopping and places to eat. Least busy shopping is during the Sunday farmers market.

Lovely place for couples and family as well. Not crowded. Nice small bridges in the village with fast flowing river. There are shops and souvenir stores. Plenty of restaurants. Friendly people. Nice and different ambiance

Visiting Vail is something spectacular in the winter. It's a really magical town filled with nice cosy shops and restaurants - you just have to check it out!
There are also some really cool accommodations as well as 1 or 2 grocery stores.
The only thing to be aware of is that food, articles of clothing, meals, and souvenirs are quite expensive, in comparison to Denver, but that's just how things are in the Mountains!
Enjoy!

Thoroughly enjoyed Vail Valley in September. The cool mornings and pleasant afternoons were a welcome respite from the heat and humidity of South Georgia. Vail Village and Lionshead offered quite a few shops and a variety of restaurants. The area also provides many options for outdoor activities. My husband and I went hiking, took a jeep tour and used Vail Valley Anglers to book a half day of fly fishing - all equipment included and a great guide. The mountains are amazing, the clear, rocky rivers are beautiful, and the weather was delightful.

We came here for summer holiday not knowing what it would be like but decided it was good place, lots going on even though most of the chair lifts are closed. Parking is free at the moment though I was informed it would cost $25 per day during winter season, most restaurants offer good discounts on food. Good bargains on all clothes as well, if you also come for skiing now good time to get cheap ski gear

Vail is where skiers come to enjoy Vail,& Beaver Creek skiing. It's also reasonably close to Copper & Breckenrdge. Aspen is a 2 hour drive. Vail itself is a 3 hour drive from Denver International Airport (direct BA flight to Heathrow). Another option would be to fly to Eagle Airport (no drect flight) - only 45 minutes away but Eagle can easily be affected by bad weather so wouldn't be my first choice.
Vail itself has sprawled from the original concept. It began as a small fake Austrian village at the base of the main ski lift. But this is Colorado fake - not Disney fake ie lots of solid wooden buildings, no plastic. Vail Village now has 2 separate parts, linked by a free bus - the Village and Lionshead. The Village is home to the older shops and hotels; Lionshead was once the poor relation but in recent years has benefitted from massive investment and is now home to several swish 5* establishments. Vail is a destination in it's own right, aside from a ski town. There are dozens of gourmet restaurants, fancy shops, galleries - if you a have a flexible credit card, this is the place to come. Though perhaps not as arty as Aspen. Development in Vail has it's downside - there is no longer a supermarket in town for example and the Movie Theatre is gone (but you can still see a movie at Cine Bistro)
Vail is now surrounded by various sattellites - principally East Vail and West Vail. These offer accomodation to visitors at a lower price than Vail Village, but beware - transport in and out of the satellites is normally by buses which can be erratic/full/annoying and begin & end their journeys at the Transportation Centre which is an uncomfortable distance from the ski slopes.
Overall, if you afford it, stay in Vail Village.

Sensational Concerts at the Gerald R Ford Amphitheater. Go early and take in the Village flowers, families enjoying the river and the Farmers market with a huge number of vendors . Eat and drink at the first class restaurants and if time allows take the Gondola to the top for views and wildflowers blooming.

Most people come to Vail to ski in this fabulous winter wonderland. The varied ski runs, gondola and chair facilities, with fantastic choices of runs are truly the best! The world class facilities from slope side to mountain top, restaurants and activities such as ice skating,horse drawn sleigh rides, toboggan, all add to the experience. My European family marvels at the pleasant, courteous way people manage even long lift lines. The huge terrain is amazing and the friendliness of skiers well worth noting. Hotels, Inns, restaurants are all excellent and the choices accommodate every taste and budget.
Ah, and the you come to visit in the Summer and that's when I guarantee you fall in love with Vail forever!! The mountains are alive with music of all varieties in several venues. The flowers dress the hills in glorious colors, hiking trails will charm you and make you want for more. The village is in bloom wherever you look, outdoor dining beckons, flora and fauna invite you to enjoy. You name it and sports activities of all kinds are there for your participation. And for quiet enjoyment, there are the spas and retreats and lovely public places just for your choosing - come and stay!

Whether its winter or summer, Vail Valley offers something for everyone.. from an incredible array of winter pastimes to numerous golf courses, hike and bike trails, fishing or rafting in the summer, you will never run out of things to do in Vail

This is such a cute quaint village on the side of mountain in Vail.
I loved walking up and down the streets and seeing the stores.
Also. Bridge street was a big highlight. Unfortunately the gondola had
not opened; therefore we were unable to go on it.
Had really looked forward to going to top.

This is a beautiful little spot, it really got warmer than I thought it would, however very cool in the evenings. Great place to walk around, bike, enjoy mountain trails - low or high. We had some great hiking adventures and the views from the trails at the top of the mountain are incredible. Great news is you can take the Gondola up and hike the trails from the drop off. It is a great place to visit in the Mountains. People of all ages will enjoy this spot.

This is a great place to walk downtown of the city, this is in fact a small city and you can walk it in about 30 to 45 minutes they have plenty of stores were you can shop from oxygen to the desserts and walking with the family it’s a fun and nice tradition specially at night. In December you can observe a lot of lights welcome to Christmas time and it is very family oriented.

come here and bring your apres ski finery as well as several hi limit credit cards. Sweet Basil or Campo di Fiori?
Or happy hr at the George? Perhaps a beer at the Arrabelle bar, or and elegant glass and snack in front of the 4 seasons fireplace. Vail is a must (at least) annual pilgrimage for those looking for upscale POW, night life, and shopping.

This magic little town just perfect complement the Ski Resort. We did not expect this beauty, it was an pleasant surprise.

numrous and different types of shops. There are some of the same shops here as in Lionshead Village bit the same item in Vail Valley was more exspensive than at Lionshead

We rented bike the first day and was worn out by the altitude and the steep hills. We saw other people riding electric bikes and went to Christy Sports in West Vail. They have 3 different sizes and rented two of them for a few days. You have to pedal to make the battery kick in, So you still get a work out and get to travel 25-30 mile around Vail to see the everything. This is the most well kept town that I have seen in Colorado. The flowers, the paths are always in great condition.

The family has been coming to the Valley for more than 25 years. No matter the season, the entire area is some of the most beautiful places on earth. Whether it’s the golden aspen leaves shimmering in the fall to the roaring rivers in the spring as the snow melts to start the cycle again, the trip is well worth it.

Vail Valley is beautiful and has something for everyone. It is a great location for vacation or for an educational conference.

We spent the last few days of September and early October in Vail. The weather this time of year is the best, warm days, cool nights, light, dry air effortless to breath. All outdoor activities are pleasant in the warm sunshine with cool breezes that are refreshing. The hiking trails wind through the aspens that are turning gold in color and surrounded by mountain peaks covered with the first early snowfall, providing spectacular scenery.

The crowns of summer are gone and walking through Lionshead and Vail Village is at a slower pace and restaurants are not crowed with friendly service and excellent cuisine.

For those looking for a Fall get away in a pleasant, relaxing environment offering excellent weather and a variety of activities, the Vail Valley is the place to go.

The Vail Valley has it all, but it can be a bit much, since the valley tends to be not only upper end, but beyond the means of even the top one percenters. Nevertheless, if you can afford the valley, there are fewer places in the world better for both out door sports and the arts ( believe it or not) .

The best for skiing get away... easy ride from eagle airport, although the airport is overdue for some major upgrades...
SPECTACULAR VIEWS, SKIING, ACCOMMODATIONS AND DINING
we have been skiing here for about 20 years, personally, I prefer Beaver Creek to Vail.
The beaver creek offers more for the advanced skier, but also has extensive and easy to get to and from selection of green runs... the ski schools for adults and kids are excellent..
The village at beaver creek is more compact and relaxing then the happening vail village, but there is more to do at vail especially for the younger crowd... many options for fine dining at both places , but in vail one can walk to and from the restaurants, while in beaver creek, one has to take a ride on the complimentary shuttle

Vail Village is a wealth of eclectic shops and restaurants and provides a fun day! We enjoyed some unique, upscale shops and galleries as well as fun favorites such as Crazy Shirts. Vail Style was a great shop for t-shirts and souvenirs. Pepi's Restaurant, with authentic German food, was a great lunch stop. The only disappointment for us during our first Vail visit was the cost of parking. We expected the parking to be expensive, but not as much as it was! When you enter Vail Village, the first parking garage advertises "public parking." We entered the garage and parked there for about 3 hours. As we shopped and dined, we asked if the restaurant/shops could validate parking for us. All said they couldn't. We stopped in the Visitor Center/Chamber of Commerce Office and asked the same question. We were told there is free public parking in Lionshead and another city owned parking garage which are located on the same street but further past the Solaris parking garage where we parked.. Solaris is a privately owned garage with free parking for 10 minutes. After that, the rates are high. Our fee for 3 hours would've been $24 for self parking! Yeti's Grind, coffee shop, near the pedestrian entrance from the plaza to Solaris, provided one hour of complimentary parking, thus, reducing our parking fee to $17. Lesson learned for us, if we return to Vail, is to drive past the first parking garage and drive to one farther down the street. The sign for "free public parking" is located inside the garage so you have to look inside to determine that you're in the "free" garage.

The Vail Valley (which is really the Eagle River Valley) has all the features any vacationer might want. In the winter there is skiing at two premium resorts, Vail and Beaver Creek, ice skating at 4 different rinks, cross country skiing, dog sledding, 3 movie theaters and and almost infinite number of high end restaurants and hotels. In the summer there is hiking, horseback riding, festivals, music and arguably the best classical music (Bravo) and dance (International dance festival) in Colorado, or maybe even west of the Mississippi. In fact, the things to do in either Summer or Winter are too numerous to count.
The downside is that the "Vail Valley" is much more expensive to visit that either Summit County to its east, or Glenwood Springs to its west. One simple sign of this is gas is $.25 a gallon cheaper the moment one drives over Vail Pass into Summit County or drives through Glennwood Canyon to the "Springs". Hotels, restaurants, medical care, and other prices tend to follow suit with the price of gas.
If price is of no concern, or one wants the experience of visiting ultra-high end resorts, the this valley is an awesome place to visit!!!

Beautiful and the flowers are breath taking in the summer with loads of stuff to see and do but do not like it in the winter because of the snooty, obnoxious, and rood people that come up.

We enjoyed walking around during the day & night. So many shops and loved watching the ice skating at night. The Village was decorated for Christmas. The Village reminded me of the Hallmark Christmas movies you see on tv.

My family had about 4 hours to stop and take in all the Vail Valley has to offer. Not near enough time in this wonderful town! There is so much to see, so much to do and so much to eat! I gave Vail an excellent rating and I look forward to the time that we can go back!

Absolutely stunning area. Everything was well taken care of and beautiful. I have heard a lot of people talk about how great a place it is in the winter, but the middle of summer is where it is at. Lots of things to do, eat, drink and see.

They really have it together. Yes, it is not the cheapest, but then again with the free bus around the town, and clean and friendly place. Beautiful surroundings, lots of activities. Ready to go back!

We went to vail village after couple of days of hiking in and around Aspen during 3rd week of july. So, it was a different experience to walk around the shops, hotels and restaurants. Vail Valley is an imitation of a Swiss town, there is also a water stream going through the middle of the valley, where kids can play. valley is not great. but ok . I am glad they provided free parking. walked to Betty Ford Alpine Gardens which was 0.6 miles from the valley.

One of the great things about visiting Vail in the summer is the free parking in the Vail Village Parking Building or the Lionshead lot. When you exit the freeway into Vail Village, the Lionshead lot is to the right and Vail Village Free Parking is to the left. But beware: as you take the roundabout to the left for the Vail Village parking, you will probably see a flashing sign advising you it is just down the road. Do NOT be deceived in turning right at the big blue P sign and driving 100' to turn into the Public Parking garage. That one will cost you $20 for two hours, but there are no signs warning you or indicating it is not the free parking. Instead, proceed another 100 yards along the road and you will see a huge parking garage entrance right on the road. That's the free one.

Even older persons can find your winter inner self in Vail. With so many wonderful choice to dine and the wonderful shopping you can fly into Vail Eagle and take the shuttle and never need your vehicle. Should you decide to leave the area for some sight seeing there are other options. We did a couple of excursions with a private driver that didn't break the bank.

We enjoyed walking around to the wonderful shops, restaurants, etc. Plenty of places to stop for rest and relaxation. My boys found a spot to put their feet in the freezing Gore Creek.

Bike, hike, raft, horseback ride, dine, wonderful scenery. Flowers everywhere. What more can you do? Great summer vacation fun.

Vail Valley is a really great place to visit either in the winter or the summer. I haven't been to Vail in ages.

We were in Breckenridge so we made the short drive to Vail and glad we did. It was a fun day. Vail Valley is really a great development. In the summer, there is no fee to park in the parking garages and there is plenty of parking.

Around the area there are lots of water fountains for the kids to play in. There are some statues and monuments that are great to take photos with. Great little cafes, restaurants and places for snacks and ice cream. Also, there are plenty of places to rent bicycles including those with trailers to pull toddlers.

Just a gorgeous area that makes for a fun day, especially if you have young kids.

We've been coming to Vail for about 40 years and always enjoy seeing the changes, summer and winter. This time with the COVID restrictions, there was more outside seating at restaurants and also 'open containers' allowed in some areas of the Village and Lionshead. Lots of galleries and speciality shops for browsing.

I love all the cute shops and restaurants. It's fun to walk around or ride bikes. There are plenty of restaurants with outdoor seating and boutique shops. There is something for everyone!

If you want a great place to go as a couple or family, there isn't a much better place than Vail. There is so much to do in both summer and winter months for everyone including biking, kayaking, rafting, jeep tours, hiking. eating. shopping, movies, bowling, great jazz and more.

Really fabulous little village to walk around. They were having the Vail Octoberfest while we were there. If you like an outdoor environment with clean air. You will find this to be an awesome little village. Summer or Winter you can not go wrong. Just beautiful.

Visited Dec 25, 2017. Village architecture was awesome. Lots of shopping. The skating rink was terrible as it was covered with snow - it should have been cleared. The xmas lights were pathetic - SO DISAPPOINTED. DO NOT GO FOR XMAS atmosphere. You can park for 1.5 hours for free in two different parking lots - after that, you must pay. City of Vail had employees standing around and SO NICE. They gave us a coupon for a free coffee, tea or hot chocolate from Starbucks. Starbucks was super crowded and not setup for good traffic flow of people.

Vail never disappoints . Great snow terrain and variety matched with sky blue warm temps
Stayed in vail village
Must say lift tickets are very pricey try to buy esrly onnepic pass

Vail is known for its skiing, but don’t miss visiting in the summer. Hike, bike, golf, or just relax. It is beautiful and relaxing!

5 day ski vacation, good snow, great breakfast at Manor Vail, lots of shops and snow daze so music and entertainment. Just fun!

It's the perfect place to dine, shop, people watch and ice skate.
I love the heated streets when it's cold, and dinning outside when the sun is out. Fabulous one of a kind shops as well.

Very well planned resort area with great restaurants. Loved the shuttle system, so convenient! Lots to see and do at Vail Village apart from skiing.

Vail is so much more charming, authentic, hospitable and cozier than Aspen. Don't buy into all the hype of Aspen spend your money and time inVail.

I come here every year for the past 25 years. This is a great family place. Even non-skiers will love it here with its great European atmosphere.

Great ski community with nice eateries and attractions..If your and old ski bum from long ago..I think you would consider this the " Disney" version of a ski village..probably fantastic for the millennials with deep pockets..don't get me wrong..it was very nice and planned.

Vail is our favorite mountain town in Colorado. It is always beautiful and the Village is special. I have been visiting Vail for over 50 years and have owned property there. Always special.

My family recently traveled to the Vail Valley for a wedding/ski trip. In Vail Village you can not find any resort/store/restaurant etc that is not first rate. Expertly managed and maintained this small village is like a high end European ski village. Skiing was fabulous with well maintained equipment and groomed runs, all in all it was a magical week. We will be back.

Staying at Vail Village is convenient but comes at a steep price for lodging.

Stayed nearby and walked through Vail Village. Beautiful shops and restaurants with the look of a quaint town in Europe. We went for a whiskey tasting at 10th Mountain and it was superb. It was off season so we took advantage of a few sales.

Probably what you would expect: quaint & cozy; Swiss chalet environment with lots of shopping and restaurants with living on site available in abundance for strollers, eaters, shoppers and skiing and other winter sports depending on when you are there!
Cover bridge good photo opportunities available. Great German restaurant. Rate it: 9 put 10!

If you wish to experience the utmost in ski resorts, check out Vail Valley. This community defines the luxurious end of this market in North America. In addition to the shops and restaurants, hotels in VV help define how this business can be conducted. Certainly lunch and a walk through if you are in the area is a great way to spend an afternoon.

From hiking up to biking around, and from golfing games to tennis matches, then to shopping sprees onto dining at ease topped off by a concert at night or sipping cocktails by firelight...do it all this summer in Vail!

Wes was our guide for an outstanding ATV adventure ride! This was our second trip with Sage (our first was a snowmobiling excursion) and we will definitely be back! Thanks for helping us make great family memories!
The McLain Family

Back in the 1960's Vail seemed contrived: Aspen's poor cousin. But how things have changed! Now the Village has grown to be a complete destination: wonderful sports, dining, shopping, you name it. It is pedestrian friendly-- you can walk almost anywhere and if you choose not to, there is a free bus service which runs every five minutes. The restaurants are world class. The hotels are world class. The views are world class. You can come here, summer or winter, and really relax and enjoy.

Vail Valley Village is very Beautiful. Tons of shops and restaurants. It was in walking distance from Manor Vail Lodge.

Visited In June, cool place lots of shops ! it was a nice time of year to go
Alot of the shops are selling the same items....but that is to be expected in that type of enviorment

No question that the summer in Vail beats the winter. We were astonished by the Jazz Festival and the BravoVail music Festival, which rival the great summer festivals of the world. The Jazz Festival offers free concerts by performers of the highest level and the BravoVail offers concerts by the New York Phil, the Philadelphia Orchestra AND the Dallas Symphony. Where on earth could one enjoy all this in one little mountain town. The restaurants we really enjoyed were Larkspur, Sweet Basil, Terra Bistro and Kelly Liken.
And of course our family did it all. Hiking, biking, golf, tennis. Some even went camping overnight. For sure we had the nicest weather in the US during our time in July and August.

We stopped in Vail for the day in late May. It is an absolutely gorgeous town! I was worried it would be unaffordable for us to shop or eat there, but they have a nice range of stores and restaurants for all income levels. I thought everyone was so nice and friendly. I loved walking the streets without any traffic, and their free shuttle service is fabulous. Their visitor center is amazing! There are gorgeous fountains and flower displays everywhere. I can't recommend visiting this town enough...they even offer free parking during the off season!

Vail Valley is a nice walking town. Just love the back drop of the mountains. A couple of creeks run through town to further add to the charm. Otherwise, the usual mix of restaurants, shops, bars, etc.

We came to Vail for our anniversary and we loved every minute of our visit. This little town is absolutely stunning. Can't wait to come back soon!

There is so much to do in Vail Valley. If you can think it up...you can do it here. It is now just about skiing. The rest of the year you have more to do than you can ever get done in a week long stay. You should visit for 2 weeks minimum. And the food is fantastic too.

Incredible views at every turn. We took day trip from Vail to historic Leadville then over Independent Pass to Aspen and home through the awesome Glennwood Springs Canyon.

Hubby is a frustrated fisherman, doesn't really have the patience and persistence to do it well. Fortunately, our Minturn Anglers guide had plenty of both, not to mention knowledge and professionalism. These guys know where the fish are and how to get them, even though we thought conditions weren't ideal.

Since we were there a night in the summer when a concert was taking place at Gerald Ford Amphitheater, the parking fees were extended to this area as well. I understand that in the summers, they usually have free parking, but there was none to be had. We ended walking in from our hotel but it was so worth it. This town is adorable. Very Alpine type feel and lots of water features, only pedestrians in this down town area and many charming restaurants and shops. You can't go to Vail without checking out this cute area.

I had a chance to stay in Vail while working on a business trip. The valley is beautiful and the area is great. It is a small , narrow valley jammed between breath-taking scenery. There isn't a whole lot of choice when it comes to a resort town as there is really only a Safeway grocery store and one hardware store. There were several reasonable hotels and resorts to stay at for the travellers.
I ate at Elways which is a tough restaurant to get reservations in Denver, but was able to be seated easily and had an excellent meal. Actually everywhere I ate was excellent! i would like to spend more time in the summer with the RV. Parking was a problem and might be also for the RV. Not very RV friendly to scope it out!

Looking to hike, site see and explore the area in the future!

The Vail Valley has several areas of interest. Beaver Creek and Avon as well as Vail Village and West Vail with shops and hotels and restaurants.

Lots of activities that you can enjoy in the Vail Valley. Hiking in summer is a lot of fun and different level trails to choose from.

Hike, bike (summer and fall activities), ski, snowshoe (winter and spring). Swim, fish, view arts, enjoy flowers, fine dining, adventure sports and activities for the kids! All this in a beautiful setting of one of the prettiest mountain valleys in Colorado. Worth a visit -- or many visits -- to enjoy all there is to offer.

Park your car and stroll the village. Feels like you are in the quaint European ski villages with beautiful gardens and architecture. Shoppers paradise with everything from the shirt stores to jewelry to art and anything else you can desire. Restaurants and bistros to bars and coffee houses pepper the village. You won't leave hungry. Surprisingly everyone was very friendly and without attitude. A very pleasant destination. Stop by the ski museum as well for an insight to the history of skiing.

Several good restaurants and shops. Fun to walk around and shop, eat or people watch. They have several different events during the year.

My first trip to Vail won't be my last! It was so much fun and absolutely beautiful! We loved the gondola to Mid Vail and the chair lift to Wildwood was very comfortable. The slopes were varied and fun. It was breathtaking! People from all over the world were skiing and dancing and laughing and having a great time. The Alpine village was so lovely, filled with shops, restaurants, an Ice rink and so much more. We are already planning a return visit for this summer, I can't wait!

We have now visited the Vail Valley for several years. We have taken many friends and family with us. It's become a yearly vacation. There is something for everyone. Hiking, fishing, biking, some great golf courses, many fabulous restaurants, spas, shopping and great outdoor/indoor concerts and events. The Vail Valley is different from many of the mountain resort areas in that it caters to all income levels and is visited by people from all over the world. There are many free outdoor concerts in the summer months that are family friendly. Take the Gondola up to the top of the mountain for great family activities. The adults and kids can participate in zip lining, obstacle courses, bike riding, hiking and eating at some casual, but good, outdoor restaurants.

No better pace for skiing and my wife and I skied for many years but the best in the sommer. In the winter we snowshoe and hike the trails with cleats. But the summer is over the top with hiking and biking. But don't forget the golf, rafting, and enjoying the great outdoors. Just remembered if coming from Denver don't go up,the mountain on Frday or down the mountain towards Denver on Sunday.

Amazing Swiss architecture, each time I am in Downtown Vail I have a great experience. We had time to shop and eat on a nice summer evening and it was a true beauty of design and function. Lots of high end stores to shop though not my taste, but a great experience none the less.

When in CO one must take the time to explore Vail.

The thing I noticed and loved most about this little slice of heaven was that everyone is friendly, outdoorsy and healthy looking. It's a joy to walk around where people are so friendly...everyone says hi. The gardens and flower boxes are just bursting with color and they are lovely. There is a lot of public art and numerous fountains spread throughout. The shopping is typical for a resort town...nice boutiques and shops. Many restaurants and eateries. They have a few good restaurants, but nothing spectacular.

Drop dead gorgeous scenery and charming exteriors, but yikes. I prefer to hang out where I don't feel I'm being looked down on because I'm wearing the wrong shoes. Surprised to see that others had a hospitable experience, but glad others did.

This is unique town with English looks, Vehicle free Main Street with free public transport. One enjoy its special character

Ahhhhh! Heaven on Earth! So sad that so many have explored what has been my true haven for 40 years, but so glad that it is still going strong!! There's no place like it on Earth!

Vail pass and the Vail area are absolutely gorgeous! I love the area and look forward to the drive each time I am there.

Vail Village is a wonderful unique dining & shopping experience, everything so close by each other, fine dining, patio lunches & shops. we totally enjoyed the convenience of strolling & enjoying all the beautiful architect of the buildings and water streams & seating spots with lots of trees & shade. Great appetizers at Eways before venturing to the concert we had tickets for. The easy access to the Ford Amphiltheater by the Vail bus system made for a smooth transition from the Christiania at Vail to the Amphiltheater. Everyone was so helpful and accommodating. We will be back.

We did the RZR ATV tour with Sage last week and had a great time. Brandon was our tour guide and he was very nice. It was a blast driving the ATV and it felt very safe. My favorite part was the fantastic property....the views were spectacular. When my husband first said ATV tour, I thought of a bunch of idiots tearing up the terrain. Actually, you ride on designated trails as a group so very little of the property is touched by your vehicle. We had a great time and my teenage son was very happy. Warning: prepare to get dirty....you will, but it is definitely worth it.

I70 is a mess of a highway but once you get to the valley you can find respite. My family likes hiking and fly fishing, both good activities to do in the Minturn area. Vail itself is pleasant at any time of the year (besides May).

Every turn in the road presented us with yet another great scene to photograph. Really beautiful scenes.

Everyone is always talking about Vail, so we thought we'd take a trip to check it out. What a disappointment. Lots of one way streets with no parking and very few shops or things to do. Boring.

So well organized, so nice and clean, filled with great friendly and helpful peolpe , I sam most impresed and will be back asp !! There were 25 of us and they had something for all !! The little parks,water fountains, settings and views, no nedd to go to Zwitzerland !!!

Family friendly, incredibly fun. Lots to do, make reservations, the best places are tough to get into. A little pre planning goes a long way towards making your time better. Thank goodness for a fantastic wife that handles these things!

To say that Vail is huge and has tons of lifts and runs for skiers of all abilities is a major understatement. The snow is always plentiful with light fluffy powder. They groom various runs on different days so you can ski on packed snow or the bumps, whatever you fancy. They have just replaced the main chair lift with a high speed gondola so you can get to the top of the mountain even faster and warmer.

If you love to ski this is the place to go. The town has something for everyone from fly fishing, golfing hiking to skiing.We were travelling with 2 kids and they enjoyed the trails.

We visited the village in 6/2017 (off season). Tip - drive into the little village and look for the free parking to avoid paying $30 for 2 hours! Many shops were closed for the season but there are several shops and restaurants to visit. The flowers were beautiful, river was flowing through the village, weather was great, there was still enough snow on the mountain to play in, etc. If you're not afraid of heights, take the gondola ride to the top of the mountain!

Beautiful background. Luxury hotels. World Class shopping and dining. The best "back country skiing in the Rockies, all easily accessible.

My wife and I visited the village in summer time and had a great time walking around, enjoying the nature and food! Totally recommend for a day trip from Denver.

I was SO lucky! March 31st: 9 inches fresh snow and no crowds. April 1st: slightly overcast and no crowds. April 2nd: Beautiful gorgeous, sunny, bluebird day. A little crowded, but it was a Saturday! Spring skiing is ALWAYS great any time you can get it!

Wonderful time just walking along the creek and enjoying the wonderful flowers. Be sure to take the bus rides thru Vail to see what there is to see. (They are free!0

It's always like a vacation to visit Vail, even if I am only there for a short time.

Yes it’s spring
Snow is melting
It is sunny
We can spling forward for a weeks vacation
And put a brake on work and
Take a break but no kids
We liked it and there is still lots to do and great food and without kids you can have long lunches!

Yep, everything was expensive in Vail, though I have to admit that we got some decently priced T-shirts and baseball caps. If you're interested in boutique shops, you'll find it here, but the pricing is high-end. Also, parking is a bit tricky - just make sure you park in one of the garages instead of thinking you can drive into the pedestrian zone. When we visited, there was a great little festival with a wide variety of local goods and foods. You can also stroll along the creek and just enjoy the scenery and the bustle of families and dogs. The weather was awesome, and we enjoyed our short visit.

A Quaint collection of shops catering to the luxurious traveler. Lovely restaurants with great food at reasonable prices.

Beautiful downtown- GREAT BREWERY!!!! Shops are fabulous and the store keepers were very nice! We will be back!!

This little village in the heart of Vail is a wonderful place to visit while in town, I've only been here in the summer so I cant really recommend any winter activities, but from what I've seen and heard is a great place to go skiing/snowboarding. The design and style of most of the buildings and even the surrounding mountainous area here makes me feel as though I was in Switzerland or Sweden, rather than Colorado.

This place has a very homey feeling to it and is a great place to walk around. Not only is there many name brand places to shop and eat, but there are also nature trails that take you into the wilderness of Colorado. There's even a nice skate park in the middle of the main parking lot. I got good vibes from here for sure

I really enjoyed strolling though this little downtown village and I would recommend it to anyone while visiting the city of Vail.

we took a trip to vail from denver a friend said it was a nice place, but they were wrong it was fantastic words cannot explain how nice it is , art work everywhere, the people there so friendly and happy to help with any questions that we had , clean and tidy everywhere, a little gem in the mountains a trip worth making . Beautiful town .

Family trip to vail was wonderful. We stayed at the Enzian and it was a perfect location, close to shopping, restaurants, and the gondola. Everything was so convenient. Walking was easy and the free bus to vail village was great. Our ski instructor with vail ski school was fantastic. We rented equipment from vail ski tech and the were great to work with and had great prices. Appreciated all of the nice people on trip advisor who gave such great help when we were planning our trip.

Sometimes a long walk can leave you dreading that last trek to your hotel. Not to worry...Jake to the rescue! He is not just fun giving you a comfy bike ride back, but a great human being. He plays lively upbeat music and engages in great conversation. Take my advice and jump in the pedicab for a ride.

More and more of the affordable stores and restaurants are closing. We've been coming to Vail for years, but can't afford to ski there anymore and almost can't afford to come during the summer or off-season either. We miss the Moose Caboose and the Hub Cap brewery. What's next?

While we love our two week summer activity of Vail and especially the Swiss Chalet restaurant we relish the quiet and ambiance of nearby Beaver Creek. I agree with most all other comments made that it is a wonderful family place to visit (but not cheap) however there are surrounding towns like Avon, Edwards or Glenwood Springs that are much more moderately priced and fun to visit. Vail has a ride to the mountain top that you need to do at least once.

My wife and I wanted to drive to Vail for the day while on vacation. Little did we know that we would be heading into the Market Day that happens on Sunday's. What a treat! There was food and clothing and arts & crafts...something for everyone. We walked around "town" and were amazed at how European everything looked. Plenty of things to see and do while awaiting the season that makes this area famous. And...free parking!

The downtown area is full of shops, art galleries and restaurants. It was designed with a Swiss Alps village in mind. It is truly quaint and special. It is on the pricey side, so wallet beware. There are no cars allowed, so walking is a pleasure without being hassled with cars. Parking can be challenge.

We stayed in Vail Village for our wedding weekend. So beautiful and so fun! Restaurants and bars are great! Very relaxing weekend! Can't wait to come back!

Vail makes you feel like you`re in some Swiss mountain resort. Luxurious and expensive, but there`s cheaper options if you know where to look.

Vail is a great city with a lot to do, great restaurants, and a convenient free bus system to get around. A very well planned town.

I have been visiting the Vail Valley for many years and the experience just keeps getting better each year ! Besides the wonderful shops and restaurants, the valley provides excellent opportunities for everyone to get in touch with nature. There are numerous walking and biking paths, a wonderful library offering programming for children and families, access to Vail Mountain via the gondola that transports visitors up to the top of Vail Mountaiin to enjoy the vistas and family activites available up there. In addition , Vail offers continual music and dance throughout the summer , with the Vail Valley Music festival offering a month of music provided by the Dallas Symphony, the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. The Vail Dance Festival in August offers the visitors the opportunity to enjoy world class dancers from around the world, and the Vail Jazz Festival provides exceptional opportunities throughout the summer to hear some of the best musicians in the country and abroad.
Many of the music events are free to the public and the cost of accomodations is a fraction of the prices in the winter. so, if you are looking for a unique ans wonderful vacation experience for the whole family, plan a trip to Vail !

We have been fortunate to enjoy the Valley for many years - one thing is for sure - each time you visit it will be different than the time before. A World Class Hangout are in both summer and winter : although we now only visit in the summer. You won't regret your visit to the Vail Valley!

We have loved Vail for over 40 years, and in spite of how much it has grown, it is always a side trip for us whenever we go to Denver. With great restaurants, shops, and hotels, as well as outdoor activities in all seasons, it is truly a treat to visit.

Recreationally unparalleled. Abundant dining options and spectacular views. You will not be disappointed!

Vail Valley is an experience in itself. Don't expect anything like you will find anywhere else in the US. This is as close to Europe as you'll get on home turf.

The village is only accessible on foot although there is plenty of free parking available in summer. It is just a pleasure walking around and exploring what is around every corner with little piazzas like in Europe. The style of the buildings fits the picture perfectly and all the restaurants and shops are fitting the same style for a very enjoyable experience.

Definitely one of my new favorite places to visit in the US of A!

Charming and don't miss the Gondola Ride up the mountain. Friendly and little parks throughout to enjoy.

Vail is perfect--just as Disney Land is perfect. Everything is fresh, well taken care of, modern and every amenity is there. Most importantly, it's a skiers paradise with incredible Rocky Mountain views. Families and groups will love it here in the winter AND summer.

Of course, Vail is expensive--no, make that very expensive. From the most upscale of hotels, to condo rentals, to the local Holiday Inn, you will pay top dollar and more.

But people love Vail. We didn't love it quite so much. Unlike many other places in Colorado and other states, Vail must be understood as a modern resort--not a ski town with interesting architecture, old theaters, shops, or even a history beyond most of our lifetimes. While beautiful and 'perfect' it feels like a place with no real soul. Maybe 100 years from now, it will acquire the patina and history that will make this resort begin to feel like a truly special place.

So I'm not a skier or snowboarder, I don't come to Colorado over winter. But I love it in Summer. I just adore Vail. I love the atmosphere and architecture of the buildings. You feel like you're not in Colorado. And it's so nice, because it's such a walkable town. There's a beautiful river that runs through it, and it was so hot when we were there, that i went down and sat on a rock and put my feet in the water. Theres a lot of shopping, restaurants and desserts. If you've always wanted to see Vail, but thought it was too expensive, summer is a lot cheaper than winter to stay, and I just think its more enjoyable to walk around and indulge during summer.

If you want to break up your ski vacation and try something different, a couple of attractions nearby (hour or less) are dog sledding and cowboy dinner/open sleigh ride at 4 Eagle Ranch. Both experiences were well worth the price and an extraordinary activity where you and your family can learn and have fun at the same time -

We love visiting Vail...since I am from Bavaria it reminds me so much of home and yet it's Colorado...just beautiful and something to do all day and every day...GO VISiT

We stopped in for a few hours and had a great time walking around. I can only imagine what it looks like in the wintertime. The parking was free do that was a plus, not sure how much it normally cost. If you are within 2 hours of here make the trip.

We have been going to Vail for the past 15 years. Incredible beauty, so much to do. 5200 acres of skiable terrain. Great restaurants..views each way you turn. Some of our Best family memories are in Vail!

Vail with its three Villages offers all summer- and winter activities for everybody, young and old, singles and families. If you love to bike, this is your place. Seeing mountains and valleys from the top of a mountain, this is the place, trails are everywhere and very well marked. Plenty of adventures for Kids.
Winter is a different chapter altogether.
We loved it there!

We never miss a chance to visit Vail when in the area. The day we visited it was market day. Lots of vendors and people.

This was my second ski trip to Vail, and I can guarantee this is the best ski resort in the USA. Great snow, scenic views, great town and apres ski, top notch restaurants, amazing spas, Vail has it all! Yes, it is more expensive than most ski resorts, but in my opinion, it is worth it! The ski school is well structured, there are many activities for non skiers like ice skating, snow shoeing, bowling, going to the museum or the theatre, they have the best ski patrol system I have ever seen and Vail is home to an impressive hospital for any ski emergencies!
I'll be back!

I'm reminded this month of a trip my wife and I took to Vail, Colorado, last October 2017. We also went to Aspen that same month. Of the two, we preferred Vail the most. (We also enjoyed Aspen). Vail was easier to get to from Denver (although we did enjoy our trip over the Continental Divide to Aspen), the cost of gas was much cheaper, you were immersed in the surrounding mountains, a stream bisected the village with picturesque bridges, lots of boutique and ski shops, intimate gathering spots, magnificent hotel resorts with outside dining, and the European feel throughout the village was wunderbar. At night, we enjoyed the twinkling lights surrounding some of the hotels. As October is off peak, the ski gondolas weren't running, but we saw a number of people hiking up and down the mountain trails. It was not crowded with people when we were there, but we could easily imagine the international crowds during ski season. Hotel room rates were discounted in October from their normal peak time rates. (We loved our room and meals at Pepi's). Free parking can be a challenge but check the Town of Vail website for specific parking info as it differs during the year.

Items of Note:
1) Vail is at a 8000+ elevation while Denver is at a 5000+ elevation. Drink plenty of water and get acclimated to the elevation before exerting yourself.
2) Interstate 70 has signs posted regarding use of snow chains (9/1-5/31 for commercial vehicles).
3) You are in a Resort area. Expect to pay more (and enjoy more).

My wife and I will be going back to Vail. It is one of our special get aways.

The town was fairly quiet during our short stay but was very enjoyable. We made a short stop for some shopping and relaxation. Lots of food options and shopping for all tastes. Want to come back for ski season.

Crowded, no parking, traffic - hardly the ingredients for a vacation. We staying a a AirBnB rental in West Vail which was Ok. I'd not stay in West Vail again, though.

The opening week gives excitement among the visitors and welcoming presents are given. You really feel welcome and sincere thanks are given to the season starting visitors.

Vail is beautiful. But if you aren't up for spending $$$... Go to Glennwood Springs about an hour further into the Mountains from Vail. But Vail Valley and all of Vail is Beautiful.

While driving from Denver to Salt Lake, had to stop and see Vail, for gas. Even a few minutes is worth the stop. Beautiful mountain side and people very friendly with information. It must be something in winter, but I will stick to summer time. Visitor information center people are very helpful.

Vail valley is just the best, whether you visit in the winter during ski season or in the summer with all the great outdoor activities. The village itself is mostly pedestrian friendly with great hotels, condos, restaurants and shopping. It has a very European flair. It also has the most wonderful art galleries, As far as outdoor activities in the summer there are numerous things to do such as hiking, zip-lining, canoeing, horseback riding, fishing, etc. The weather is just perfect with sunny days in the 70's and cool nights in the 50's - 60's. Lionshead is another village that connects to Vail Village by either walking or taking the shuttle that runs continuously between the 2 villages. If that isn't enough for you, Beaver Creek is just a 10 minute car ride away and has the same things to offer. Even though the village isn't as large, it does have restaurants and hotels. The mountain is right there and has the same outdoor activities. I love it here. I could stay in the valley for the entire summer.

No matter where you stay you must walk around Vail Valley. On the weekend it is much more lively than during the week. Saturday night in the Valley was a lot of fun. Sunday is the farmers market. Great little area with tons of shops and restaurants.

We were there this past week..We are not skiers so knew it was going to be quiet.Loved the village!!

This ski village is much nicer and more integrated compared to Aspen. Parking is difficult as the village is auto free. Also their is lots of construction going on along I-70 and you need to get creative in your routes. This is my third visit and it was more quiet this time. It seemed like most stores were closed by 7 pm.
Prices in the shops reflect resort prices.

Vail Town Center is an easy walk with nice shops and eateries. The scenery and people watching is amazing!

There's so many neat little shops and places to eat. It has a fun atmosphere and it's really pretty with the neat arcitecture.

My husband grew up in Colorado and showed me around the areas of Vail, Boulder and Eire.
It was gorgeous. The Vail area reminded me of the Swiss Alps a bit.
It was very cold in Vail but gorgeous.
I was surprised that we have such beautiful mountains in our own country.
Vail really is beautiful.

If you are only going to take the time to really look around at one valley in Colorado, Vail is a real good candidate. And if you're from sea level, pay attention to those warnings about altitude sickness.

Lot's to see here in Vail Valley. If you want to eat and shop be sure to go to Vail Village and Lionshead. It's very picteresque. Many overpriced dining options that don't live up the hype so read your reviews before you go out to eat! The best things to do in Vail is see all the natural beauty, do some hikes and check out the festivals- not to mention ooh and ahh at the uber lux real estate!

We had a day visit from Avon to Vail
Was ok town a bit crowded not a homely feel like Avon however if you want good ski and night like here is your place which is bustling

This village is nice. There is free parking is a multi storey car park as you are not allowed to drive through the village. We went in the summer so the place wasn't full. All the buildings are in the Austrian style which is nice. However the shops are very expensive especially clothes shops where they are asking for over £150 for a little summer dress. Way to much. Good to visit for up to 2 hours.

Vail Village looks like it would be a winter wonderland in December, but it was a dud in October. We stopped to ask one of the Information counters about the things to do for just a few hours in Vail. She rudely said, "Nothing." And she was right. It appears that October is the month to service everything. Workers were everywhere. Very few shops or restaurants were open. The gondolas were also closed. Even though it was a sunny day with temperatures in the upper 60's, no one was around. All of the plants and trees had already lost their leaves/color. The drive from Denver was long with many altitude changes, and I would think twice about making the drive during this time of year again.

As a family we enjoyed walking around downtown Vail. The city did a great job decorating and making the downtown area welcoming. Unlike Breckenridge where we found service personnel unfriendly, Vail village’s restaurants and stores were welcoming and friendly. Saturday night’s live music created a lively fun atmosphere.

Love the international feel of the community. The Farmers Market on Sunday is a must. Be sure and check out the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

You feel as though you are transported to a lovely European Mountain town. Really interesting to walk around and visit good shops and restaurants.

I am in Vail Valley every year during SnowDaze. They always have good entertainment with a variety of groups and outdoor concerts. Great way to cap off a day of skiing early season. I enjoy visting yhe valley in the summer too.

There was a great variety of shops and restaurants in Vail Valley. Take a great stroll along Gore Creek or within the village.

Vail Valley is indeed a beautiful place filled with well maintained grounds and buildings that make it a wonderful place to stroll around. There are multiple shops that offer assorted goods most of which are overpriced for their value. If however you enjoy browsing and need a place to spend some time, it is a worthwhile trip to make. They had several bands playing during the 4th of July weekend but the sound was too loud to hear the words of their songs and their voices were mediocre at best.

The village walk next to my hotel was so unreal. The scenery, the path the stores where just amazing to look at. The employees at the stores that I visit where very nice and kind

This is the place to be for the days that you may not ski. Lots to do - hang out, shop, dine inside or outside, shop or visit the many art galleries. Want adventure - its here, you can snowmobile in the winter or river raft in the summer. This is a world class destination for family, business or couples.

Plenty of shops. Tons of great places to eat delicious food and drinks. Views are beautiful. Overall, it's a nice place to spend the day.

Vail is a great ski resort however I feel that the City of Vail is compressed along Highway 70 and has a claustrophobic feel to it until you get to the Avon area and the valley opens up.

My friends and I stayed in Vail for a couple of weeks. Funnntastic! Tons of lifts, beautiful mountains.
I was blown away and wasn't expecting having so much fun. People from everywhere in the world, great restaurants, great bars, good shopping.
Loved it!

Vail is pretty, with creeks, covered bridge, small lanes with plenty of restaurants, bars, shops. And the ski area is just above the town. Fun place for both summer and winter.

After much renovations in recent years, the Village is even better than b4. Plenty of food establishments as well as lots of retailers, both inexpensive to $$$

I understand Vail Valley is a ski area so there is much to be desired if you visit in the off season. I was here in the area on business and it is a good thing that I was busy with trainings or I would have been board out of my mind. Don't get me wrong I love the out doors; however when is is 30 degrees outside; it isn't enjoyable to be out hiking or biking in the cold. Most of the shops in the area were closed or operating on very limited hours (I understand I manage a hotel in a tourist area). But I wish I could have come in season where their more thing to do.

We go so often I can’t say how many times we’ve been. Bring money. The mountain tax is pretty high. Beautiful Winter and Summer.

The Vail valley has many activities year round for every type of visitor. For the adventurers there is cross country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, ski mobile riding, hiking, biking and much more. For those more inclined to relaxation there are food and wine events, music and art festivals and just relaxing at the pool and taking in the wonderful surroundings. There are numerous web sites that can inform you of all the great things to do there year round. I have been visiting the Vail Valley for many years and I still fall deeper in love with it each time I am there. This is a year round spot that will please young and old.

If you like to ski this is an amazing winter playground. If you don't like to ski, or in the 'off winter' season the valley offers lots. Fishing is huge, along with horseback riding & hiking. Along with every other imaginable outdoor activity. It's a beautiful state, a great valley & definitely worthy of your consideration!

We have fallen in love with Vail, mostly because of the Village. The buildings are charming and quaint, so many restaurant and shopping choices, just something for everyone! We have visited several times and will definitely be back.

This manufactured, artificial "village" is not of Colorado. The faux "European" architecture, like everything else here, is a flight of someone's imagination that is true to no aesthetic or historical tradition. The "village" sanitizes and cannibalizes the beautiful setting of Gore Creek, making it into a shopping destination. It's an incredible turn off for anyone who values the natural beauty of Colorado. Some may say that it's wrong to knock the commerce that a "resort" area creates, but that's all you'll find in Vail Village. Too many people, too many shops and way too many pretentious shoppers. If it wasn't for the great skiing in winter and the incredible summer dance festival, we'd never set foot in the "village" again.

This is a lovely town to walk around for the day. It has a European design like you are in a Swiss village. There are many beautiful art shops with beautiful pieces. Most of the shops are way overpriced but here and there you can find a good deal. It's a good half day trip to check out.

We drove into town and found a parking garage where we could park for free. It's pretty easy to find your way around.

This place is an adventurers dream. Great for families of all ages. Do your research cause a week isn't enough time. But then again, it is a great reason to return. There are things to do in every season! Rafting, hiking, golf, festivals, art and farmers markets, amazing restaurants, biking, I haven't even mentioned winter stuff yet.

Vail valley has it all entertainment, food , lodging shopping and more. From the top of the line restaurants to a slice of pizza. You can find anything here that fits your budget.

Nice layout, ample parking, lots of free parking in the summer (avoid the Solaris parking garage which charges high hourly fees) and beautiful views. Plenty of restaurant choices although as to be expected in a resort area, a bit on the expensive side. Farmers market on Sunday's.

Enjoy ourselves just taking a walk in Vail Valley. Window shopping with variety of shops. Love the designs of the buildings, definitely a European feel to Vail Valley and some of the surrounding hotels. Parking is limited on the streets close to Vail Valley, but they do have parking garages close by. At night the soft glow of the white lights makes it a wonderful romantic place to take a scroll with a love one, handing hands.

Vail, including Vail Village and environs is perfectly charming. There must be a competitive spirit to plant flowers and plants, as all of the public and private properties are adorned with every kind of blooming flower and plant. Restaurants galore to meet every taste satisfy the visitor, and walking trails provide ample opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Fall is a great time to visit!

Everything in the Vail Village shouts expensive shops. Restaurant and shops are pricey but it's Vail. But bargains can be found if you do your searching. It snowed almost a foot last night but the walks are dry (as you can see in the pictures) - that's 'cause they're heated. How cool is that? - no pun intended. That's not a very "green" approach to keeping the walks ice-free but it's certainly effective.

Parking is expensive during ski season but bus transportation around town is free. We were here during the low season in mid-November so lots of places were closed. Still, the good part of that is many restaurants offer great discounts. Some of the shops have pre-season sales, too. If you don't ski it's a great time to visit. Parking at the Transportation Center, at the entrance to Vail Village, is free until ski season starts. And the fresh snow gives great winter scenery.

So many to choose from, it's easy to satisfy everyone's tastes and budget. Lots of outdoor dining to enjoy people watching.

the Valley stretches quite a ways and there are many different communities from ultra chic with lots of second home owners to wonderful year round communities like Edwards. Edwards offers all the services of a small town plus more. It is just 15 minutes from Vail and even closer to 2 other ski areas. Great activities all over, fabulous restaurants in this small town, great place to live.

Vail valley is really amazing. The mountains are all around you and the air is crisp. One of my favorite things to do is ride fro Avon to Vail Village and back. It's about a 22 mile ride, but it's beautiful all the way there and back. Vail Village is really nice. The stores are upscale, but still fun to shop. Restaurants are great and always coffee shops are available.

We enjoyed visiting both Vail and Lionshead. We were in town off season so it wasn't overly crowded and the parking was free! The one thing that I really enjoyed was how pedestrian friendly the villages are. You can park your car and walk everywhere. There is a nice view all around. It is a bit more laid back than some other places that I have visited. Also, it is really easy to get to from Denver.

There is something just magical about Vail Village in December! The Christmas Cheer and lots of happy families and young people enjoying the start of the Holiday and ski season! It was especially wonderful to have arrived after a mega snowstorm that had the Rockies looking absolutely majestic!!

As for Vail, it is a lovely place to stroll! You will hear a multitude of languages spoken as you meander your way through the Village since this is truly a world class skiing destination and draws people from all over the world. If you are not skiing, the gondolas are still open for spectacular views at mid-Vail and at Lionshead. I was wowed by the skiers down below as the gondola drifted upwards towards the lodges at each location. The shops are wonderful to browse through, and the dining options are varied and whole foods oriented! Transportation on the Vail buses is regular and timely, but the trail way through the Village connecting the east and west regions of the Village is well prepared for foot travel, and that is the way to really enjoy your time there! Nothing but winter paradise there! Enjoy!

We went to Vail with a group of friends and had an amazing time. The views of the mountains are amazing. The village has it all, restaurants, shops and bars. Excellent to take pictures and walk around the village which looks so much like a German little town.

We were there in the fall just to see Vail. We were not particularly impresses. Of course we were not there to ski. Breckenridge was a much more interesting town given not skiing.

You have to go there to experience all the beauty and incredible mountain views. It's fabulous all year long.

Nothing like it on earth...the town is nice the mountain is EPIC. It is massive and if mother nature in in sync with your time on the slopes then the good times with flow on the slopes. If you know where to go you can find the terrain on Vail it is over seven miles wide and goes on for ever. If you really want to be impressed come ti the valley in summer time. Go hiking, biking, fishing, or wander through the village or lionshead it is all so special.

We went to the suggested zip line spot at Glenwood Spgs which was about an hour drive. What a disappointment! We were a party of 8 and if we were on the zip line more than 3 minutes I'd be surprised. It was basically across the river and back. We were not allowed to have our cameras on the deck and at the end I understood why. The only choice to purchase photos taken by the company photographer would have cost $100.00. Ridiculous and a total waste of a precious vacation day

Vail Village is an enchanting place to visit, shop, eat, drink, and ski. It recreates an old world Swiss mountain village - a Disneyland for adults and kids with the matching price tag. All that’s missing is a castle. There is a covered bridge that welcomes every visitor. It’s a great place for Apres Ski after a long day on the slopes. It’s pedestrian friendly - no cars. There is a free shuttle bus that travels from one side of the village to the other - to different parking garages throughout the village. Public parking is expensive - $30 all day, but free after 3 pm, which is the best time to visit. The lights at night create another enchanting atmosphere and the skiers have mostly gone for the day. The village resumes its peaceful splendor.

Vail....Where the rich and famous come to play. We visited in the Summer and even then the place is still a buzz with mountain bikers and hikers up on the mountains.
Vail Village is mostly pedestrian only with the exception of the local village shuttle bus.
Town Center is made up of beautiful chalet style luxury resorts and quaint little boutique stores. The River flows right through the center of town and provides great photo op's.
There are lots of little laneways to get lost amongst and stumble across great places to eat and gifts and souvenirs to bring home with you. Vail is a tad expensive but than again most ski resorts are.

A place for family and for couples. The Vail Valley is a nice place to listen to music, observe families and kids having fun or have a good meal. Better after an adventure to lower your adrenaline levels.

Even that it is a relative new town, its amazing, great city scape all year round, bad is the lack of parking lots

We have skied for 4 entire ski seasons on Vail Mountain and think it is great. The skiing is terrific. Vail Club 50 (costs $35 pp per year) for skiing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, hiking, mountain biking and socializing has been terrific for us. The culture (Bravo and the Dance and Jazz Festivals) is first rate. The medical facilities are super. The restaurants and shopping are excellent. Oh yes, and BTW, it's beautiful, even with an interstate running through it!

Vail village has a great selection of ski wear but not enough shopping variety. There are several wonderful restaurants.

What a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon in the valley. Lots of great shopping with summer sales galore. Live music with delicious temporary food kiosks will satisfy any kind of palate. Lots of play areas for kids and dogs. Bowling spot is fun too.

I like that it was close to the hotel but there weren't many stores that were unique. Also, since it was off season, many of the restaurants were closed.

While driving through the Rockies from monument Valley to Denver we just had to stop at Vail to admire the beauty. We live in Australia so dont see snow and being April there was still a lot of snow on the mountains. We walked through the village and climbed up onto the snow for a walk and thought we were in heaven. Vail captured our imagination and we are now planning a winter return. JUST GO!

This entire place is so inviting. Shops, dining, nightlife, it's got it all. Even an outdoor ice skating rink. The complementary busses are a great touch, and excellent for families. Spend time here, indulge yourself.

The towns have tons of things to do, any season. Was there in July, any summer activity you want you can find. Even just strolling through the towns, always busy. Many companies offering rafting, bike rentals. we went with Sage for rafting[ very good company]. There were many families with children of all ages, just running and playing, everything is basically enclosed with the town. Gore creek was there for cooling off. The Sunday market draws a lot of extra people to town, but worth the walk. This could be a great place for any type of vacation, family to party.

Everything about Vail, in every season, intrigues me and pleases me! This was our first midsummer visit, and the flowers and landscaping could not be more beautiful. The whole Vail area is kept so neat and clean, and everywhere we went, we were snapping pics of the gorgeous Alpine gardens and foliage and beauty.

We enjoyed the Farmer's Market, biking and wildlife viewing all in and around town. It's a great summer destination.

Vail is a cool place to see, winter or summer. Lot's of shopping and awesome restaurants. There is a local free bus system too if you need it.

Pricey and cheesey. Why stay in a place that is in a valley wedged between a great mountain and a busy, city-like interestate? I want to feel like I'm truly in the back country and not in a big-city, expensive environment. Spend your money in Aspen or enjoy your money at many other CO locations.

Was really looking forward on visiting vail village, but they had the gopro summer games there at the same time, so everything was crowded. The village looked nice though. Just too much people in a pretty small village does not work.

So when I lived in Denver I would come up to the mountain towns but I never understood Vail or it's lay out. Unlike most of the mountain towns they have no real Main Street, it's not an easy town to get around in by car, streets are tight and it is packed in between the mountain and the highway. So I spent time in other towns, but this time I think I understood it, it's a walking town. Unless you're staying at a hotel with parking or renting a place .. it's better to park at the big garage off the highway and walk in, especially on a beautiful sunny June day we were there. Once I did that I figures out between going from one gondola to the other.. that it's a walking town so the design is perfect for keeping it that way. It's a very pretty if commercial town, though this time if felt less so than Breckenridge which felt very commercial. The town area here even has some walking only streets and it's so pretty what a joy it must be to grow up amoungst this but probably taken for granted if one did. All that being said i came to quite like Vail this time and hope to be back. Enjoyed walking around and the shops and all the town had to offer.

Nestled on a high valley along I-70, this 8,000' community is built outward from its very Swiss-like village.

It is very narrow with homes, apartments and condos continuing to pop up.

Skiing of course is the hub of all activities.

Nice place. It was modeled after St. Anton am Arlberg in Austria and that is a pedestrian village that works real well. I’ve been skiing there, too. But Vail is in the US, and it doesn’t work as well; did you take the bus to get to Vail? I doubt it. Why do you have to walk everywhere or take a BUS when you get there? This isn’t Europe, it’s the Rocky Mountains and people need a car but they don’t allow them here…still!

Visitors can park in one of the large parking structures at the bottom of the hill and walk uphill to the slopes…yuk! With all your heavy equipment!

The shops are nice…but aren’t we all from big cities with designer shops galore? It’s a little fakey and not necessary these days to blow your horn that you’ve got money. If you can afford a ski vacation, you are doing all right. Tone it down a little!

The slopes are the best part of the entire Resort. But is everyone in your group expert skiers?? If not, rethink this place. It’s for great skiers, but aren’t the Baby Boomers getting up in the years now? Do they bounce off the moguls like they did 20 or 30 years ago? Are they all still doing double black diamond slopes?? I don’t think so…and if you’re a beginner or haven’t skied in a few years, getting off the Mountains steep front face is a nightmare. It’s better to take the lift down to the base, but who does that? No one does and it’s steep and icy and sometimes patchy snow. Rethink, regroup and be real. There are other places closer to the airport, too!

And if you like to sleep in peace and quiet, forget it! With a mega-major US Interstate splitting the middle of the town, going up a huge Pass, and a huge turn right as you enter West Vail, 18 wheelers downshift to tackle the climb and the noise reverberates and bounces off the Mountains even in the middle of the night. It sometimes will wake you up it’s so loud. I’d rather be in an airport; and this is supposed to be nature??

It’s just not what it used to be. And since the passes are what most of the locals use, Vail has the best skiing for their skills and they crowd up the place, don’t buy anything, take the best parking spots, cut in line, wear nasty clothes and bring their brown bag lunches and take the best seats in the lunch facilities on the Mountains, buy a coke and sit forever until their friends finally arrive; and make the uninformed tourists have to sit at the bar and eat their lunch. No thanks!

One word words sums it up: Overrated! (And over-priced, too!)

Known as a winter wonderland, Vail is not to be missed during the early fall. The leaves are changing, the evening air is crisp and cool, and the crowds are thinning out. While some features are more limited (I.e. the gondolas only run Fri, Sat, & Sun after Labor Day) the relaxed pace is inviting. The weather is perfect for strolling along Gore Creek or hiking to the summit of Vail Mountain. The Sunday Farmer’s Market runs through October.

Off season so no crowd. Such a peaceful walk in the village next to the Gore Creek. Stop in the Welcome Center for an overview of the area. Mark was very helpful.

The aspens were changing when we visited adding to the scenic views. There are several "villages" along the Vail Valley with the emphasis on keeping cars away from them (parking is at a distance, but there are buses running between them). The architecture is overwhelmingly influenced by European Alpine town squares, sometime cloyingly so. There's almost even a Disney-esque quality to them.

September is very much an off-season so things are quiet and uncrowded. There are innumerable shops but they are overwhelmingly focused on skiing-related products and, of course, lots of restaurants as well. Just about everything is upscale and pricey. No surprise there.

I loved this quaint, clean, walkable town! I loved that all the walkways are heated - no slush, snow or ice. That makes it so nice to walk around! So many cute shops to look in and places to eat and drink. Even for a non-skier, I loved the town. It's the perfect size to explore for a relaxing long weekend.

It's fun just to walk around in this little town, go in some shops, buy something, eat at a restaurant. We stayed at a hotel a block away. There is a paved trail that follows along a rushing stream that is also fun to walk along. We were there is September and you could get a ride up the mountain but they were closing by the time we found it.

It was fun for a short visit, and the air is clean and crisp, the water clear and sparkling, with beautiful mountains and scenery and good food, but I generally found it too elitist for me (for others, that's part of the appeal, of course).

We loved walking this beautiful area full of shops and resturants, close to the ski area.They have boot shops, hat shops, delis and food foods to be found. There is plenty of parking and a shuttle. You will love your visit there in the summer as well as for skiing.

We're here every year for Oktoberfest and EVERY year it is so fun! The town is charming and there is so much to take in and do! Walking or biking along the Gore, take the gondola to the top for fun at Adventure Ridge or for lunch, shopping...EATING...all kinds of fun!

there is one of the most beautiful resorts in the word, like they said Vail, like nothing in the earth and it's complete true

Vail valley is a must see if you are visiting Colorado. Beautiful in all seasons. The hotels and dining are world class.

Vail is a very beautiful place where you can jog in the morning, shop and dine in the afternoon or have an evening stroll around the village. It's a perfect place to relax, unwind and enjoy the beautiful scenery and clean air. Also, there's lots of friendly people around.

Vail village has a nice assortment of shops, restaurants and places to stay. They also host the best trick or treat event that we have ever attended and it is free!

This is where we got to stay for our honeymoon, not some po-dunk town. Many choices for cuisine and sights to see everywhere. A variety of life with food, shopping and people.

Vibrant village with great offerings and activities. Some minor bad experiences. We are very happy overall and will return in the near future.

WE love Vail Valley. This year we stayed at Lionshead. Everything was within walking distance from our condo. 50 yards you are at shops, great restaurants, the slopes. The kids loved the ice skating. Ski School for the kids was 2 minutes away from the condo. PERFECT. And, of course, we love Vail Village. Caught the bus right ourside the condo, the Village is within 5 minutes (you could walk if you wanted too, but why?). Restaurants galore. Stores and shopping. The bowling alley and movie theatre was were awesome. Both Lionshead and Vail Village have gondolas to start a great skiing day. LOVE VAIL, CO.

I feel like Vail is an American version of Alps. You see many German/Swiss influence. I visited during the summer so I was not able to ski nor see snow, but the decoration of the village was good enough to feel Alps vibe.

This is the second year that we have visited beautiful Vail Valley in the Fall. It is absolutely delightful on these crisp Fall days, and the mountains are alit with the gorgeous yellow Aspen Trees. We love the accommodations, the restaurants, the shopping, but especially the hiking/nature trails of Vail Valley.

We decided to fit in one more hike before heading home! Berry Picker Trail might not have been a wise choice. LOL. It was gorgeous but...10,000+ elevation at the top, with a 2,300 elevation gain. 3 hours of uphill, strenuous hiking & 1.45 down & 30,000 steps for the day, 8 miles round trip, with more miles tacked on to get to trailhead!! We were exhausted, but would highly recommend BerryPicker Trail. The memories of the beautiful hike will last a lifetime!

We have visited Vail Valley several times but this was our first visit in May. Turns out it is "mud season" and many restaurants and attractions are closed as well as many shops. We stayed at the Vail Marriott and enjoyed it very much, despite a resort fee in an off-season and that did not include parking. Great service there, though!

Vail Village is full of quaint shops and great restaurants. It is easy to get to and the free parking (during the summer) is a plus. The Intown Bus (free) is great when traveling with one who walks with a cane.

We would love to come back again and again!

I really enjoyed walking around Lionshead Village! The village is fairly small, but full of life. I was really impressed by the amount staff walking around and helping people out. There are lots of souvenir shops and restaurants that are decently priced. Lionshead Village is defiantly worth a visit, even if you are just walking around or exploring! There are lots of friendly staff that are willing to help and stores to explore. I would also recommend walking over to Vail Village which is even bigger! For those who like to take the scenic route, the walk to Vail Village is only about fifteen minutes, if not less. Otherwise, there is a bus that takes you there for free which I found was very helpful! Both of these villages offered an amazing and unique mountain experience! I greatly enjoyed my time here, and I would recommend at least a day to explore these two spots!

We were in Vail visiting friends, and came into town from Texas to experience the fun Fourth of July parade, (always an interesting day, as we are Brits!!) My favourite performers were the men with the folding lawn chair routine - excellent fun! Plenty of little shops, restaurants and watering holes to cool off in on a hot summer's day.

Well, it is not quite Suisse, but it is close. We enjoyed a long stroll through the pedestrian friendly town - lots of shops, covered bridges, flowers, good restaurants, tumbling river, the Betty Ford Garden, town fountains, a free shuttle bus back and forth through town, nice statues, great photo opportunities, beautiful alpine architecture. Restaurants are good, benches are plentiful; people are friendly.
But watch out!!!! Beware the town recommended underground parking!!! $40 for 4 hours!! Clearly it is convenient and was expensive to build, but come on people! That was worse than downtown Washington DC!! Try to find somewhere else to park and patronize a nice local restaurant for drinks instead!!

While I have been to Vail countless times for skiing in the winter it is only the last two years I have been coming in the summer. If you have never been here in summer you need to come. There is far more to do and see in the summer than there is winter. Biking, hiking, golf, river rafting, gondola rides, zip lines, outdoor music fests and so much more!!

A few of my favorite activities are the bike ride from the top of Vail Pass back to Vail village, the gondola ride to view sunset at the top of Lionshead and just strolling the pedestrian only streets of old Vail Village over to the newer Lionshead area. Great food, excellent people watching, live music, etc. Vail valley is nothing short of a spectacular vacation destination.

all right; so I don't like snow. but that does not keep me from Vail in the summertime. believe it or not, Vail is not just white; the leaves on the trees, the flowers along paths; the colorful buildings - and visitors - all lead to a very relaxing time along the shores of the stream in the summertime.

There is something for everyone in Vail Valley, whether you ski, shop, hike, dine, bike, snowshoe, tube, or want to relax with your friends.

It is a laid back place. Try staying in Lions Square Lodge if you want to be close in to the Village. Wait until the last minute to book or get on their list serve to get great deals. Free bus system means you don't need a car. Fly in/out of Eagle/Vail airport and take Colorado Mountain Express to the Lodge.

Vail is just a beautiful town in a very beautiful valley that is easily accessed from the highway 70. Very handsome down town area with upscale shops and restaurants, all surrounded by magnificent and majestic mountains. Definitely a place to visit.

Vail Valley has a nice collection of shops & restaurants catering to year-round tourists. Much of the main shopping & entertainment district is a series of pedestrian-only streets, so it's easy to walk around seeing the sights. Since Vail is a relatively new resort, all of these buildings are of a recent vintage and attempt to capture the "Swiss Chalet" look (mostly successfully). Much of this district stays open until ~2:00 AM (including the free bus service throughout Vail), so you don't have to use your car much after its parked.

Little Switcherland in the states. Great little town worth walking around, eat, drink and just enjoy people watching. We took the gondola up from Vail and down to Lionshead and then the free bus back to vail.

Loved visiting Vail Village. Lots of shopping options and the ice rink right in the middle was super cute.

I usually visit Vail Valley in the winter to ski, but summer is awesome as well. I love riding my bike from Vail over Vail Pass.

We have been enjoying Vail since its "birth" and come as often as we can. Winter and Summer, Fall and Spring, the ever changing seasons with their special joys - can't ever get enough!

The village and town has lots of pedestrian walkways and shopping. Dining is scattered throughout the town and a river runs through it. There are places for the value diner and high end gourmet is also available. The town has heated sidewalks to assure that during the winters snow shoveling will not be necessary. No one ever slips on ice as the snow will melt when it lands. Unlike other resort areas that have double diamond shopping, this is a groomed green circle experience when walking in town..

Pretty area. Quite a bit to do and see even in the in between season (May/Early June). Easy to navigate especially with free bus service. Wish the parking capacity on the Vail app was more accurate but it tends not to be during busy events. Seems to be made for bikes and dogs.

Don't expect Vail in summer to be like Vail in winter. No crowds, no skiers, just beautiful scenery.
Very laid back and relaxing. Still those great restaurants and the bonhomie and great hospitality of the people. We stayed with family, so cannot speak to hotels/lodging. Plenty of activity, hiking, biking, white water rafting. One day we had missed the local bus, which runs every hour or 2, as we were standing at the bus stop a car pulls up and the woman told us the bus wouldn't be back for another hour and offered us a ride into town.. Turns out she had been born and raised in Vail. I like to say she represents all that we found good in Vail. Highly recommend it for a summer getaway.

We love that most all of the parking is underground & the town is a walking community. It has a charm you don't see in many US cities. There is lots art, good food, great views & skiing. What more could you ask for?

Shopping was fun, Almost felt as if you were in a different country. Ate at Vendetta for lunch... YUMMY and reasonable.

We went in the off season and I expected a lot to be closed. I was right. I'd say about half of the places were open. The weather (in October) was perfect for browsing and walking around the town. Would have preferred more options as far as shops, bars, and restaurants go but I knew going into it that not everything would be open.

Vail is one of those places you must experience in person. It's incredible! Every detail is immaculate, from the buildings, to the heated sidewalks and more.
We love coming here to ski and eat (Mountain Standard is definitely the favorite) For breakfast we always head to the French Deli, one of the last dinosaurs among all the new constructions. Vail is stunning during all seasons but it definitely turns magic with a coat of snow.

Fun shops and restaurants. The farmer's market was fun, alot of yummy food, art, and people watching!

I love everything about Vail - convenience getting there from Houston, TX, their village, stores and restaurants and, of course, slopes. Will try to return every year:-))

Both Vail and Lionshead provide beautiful, interesting areas to stroll through shops and restaurants. A stream runs through beautifully landscaped areas with bridges, water features, and stunning landscaping. Free parking is available if you choose the right garage and a free bus runs between the two villages and even has a stop near the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. Gondolas are located in both villages to wisk you high into the beautiful mountains.

Lots of restaurants right off the mountain. Beautiful little town and great public transportation running throughout Vail.

Have visited Vail over the years, it is my favorite ski resort to visit in summer. Vail has a lot of character and a wide variety of shops--some over the top upscale and those for the average customer. I have found that the area is getting increasingly snobbish and felt like visitors were not wanted. Aspen is the same way (only worse). Breckenridge is more family friendly and makes a person feel like they welcome the visitors. I still think Vail is worth going to as it is very different than the usual ski places and very beautiful. The parking charges are outrageous and misleading so be very, very careful as it may cost you and arm and a leg to get out of a parking ramp. We were there 1 hour 45 minutes and were charged $17! I'm pretty sure the sign said first 1/2 hour free, 1 hour $7 and 2 hours $12 which is still expensive given that you are only getting a nice view for the price.

super friendly people. skiing was AMAZING! the mountain is gigantic. Tons of places to eat and the nightlife was so much better than we expected.

Made our first trip to Vail this June. The weather was perfect! We wandered around the village and enjoyed the beautiful scenery, landscaping, and the river running through the town. Many restaurants offer outdoor seating, and this was the perfect time to take advantage! The shops are fun and unique, but there are a few that are laughably expensive. (I don't know many folks who can or will spend $500 on a shirt.). It would be nice if those stores had an indicator on the outside so you didn't even waste your time going in. Several of the restaurants and bars had deals going on as it was apparently still the "slow" season. We were told things were starting to gear back up. Everything was open as far as I could determine, but it wasn't crowded, so perhaps it was the perfect time to visit. Hope to return someday! I loved it.

Vail, with it's two main villages - Vail Village and Lionshead Village- make for an amazing trip. From a romantic couples getaway to a family trip with kids, there is so much to do all conveniently located to most accommodations. Only 2-3 hours out of Denver, it is an amazing beautiful outdoor playground!!

very nice confortable,intersting,magic and friendly
good shopping,dinner,candies,souvenir ,icecreams

Fell in love with this place. Plentty of free parking and the village is so pretty with numerous restaurants and shops. It just has a good vibe, what with streams, with the surrounding mountains and the very relaxed atmosephere. It's awesome.

The faux "European" architecture feels a bit too much well-groomed. Unlike other ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains, Vail is not an old gold mining town. V first arose as the ski lifts and slopes were built in the 60's. Therefore, a visit to Vail something completely different, and the city is in the Bavarian coulisse style.It is mainly Vail Village and Lionshead, you should head to if you are in search of bars, shops and restaurants. There is free shuttle bus in the city.

I loved the Vail Valley!!! It has lots of shops and restaurants. It has such a European feel. It was very clean and just beautiful!!

The drive from Denver was a little over an hour long. But it was a beautiful drive. Lots of green mountains, windy roads, and two tunnels that go straight through the mountains which are pretty cool. One of the tunnels is longer than the other. I visited the last week of August and driving conditions were fine, plenty of sunshine for days. Weather was very warm about low 80's high 70's. Parked in Lionshead parking which is free during the summer months and is the parking to get right in to the center of Vail village. Stroll through the cobble stone village and enjoy one of their many fabulous restaurants and shops. If you need a pick me up for the drive back they have a Starbucks in the village, huge plus for me! You can also take the ski lift up to the top of the mountain which has amazing views . Stay up there for as long as you'd like as long as the weather conditions are good. I really enjoyed watching the chipmunks run around and play, they are so cute. This is also a great opportunity to take a panorama picture of the entire village, absolutely breathtaking. At the top they also have fun obstacle courses you can buy tickets for that look challenging, but like a lot of fun. They do have a restaurant and bar up there as well. A must see if you have a free day and are not too far away from Vail.

There are so many things to do in Vail Village. Parking was free on our visit. We walked up and down the streets and window shopped, let out kids get their feet wet in the creek, and let them run around in an open fountain. They had a wonderful time. We watched people ride bikes, shop, dance, and generally enjoy themselves. Althought we only enjoyed this in summer I would love to see it in the winter.

There isn't a bad time to visit vail valley. Winter - skiing and Christmas. Spring - more skiing and great hiking. Summer - Markets and river, Fall - foliage and hiking.

Due to the COVID pandemic we could not travel to Our home country in Europe this Summer, se we decided to spend 2 weeks in Colorado. The experienced surpassed our expectations! Awesome setting and organization. It is amazing to see what they have been able to accomplish in less than 60 years from the creation of this resort. The Alpine, typical of South Tyrol, style of the buildings is so beautiful that competes with the originals. We visited the town several times during the day, at night and on Sundays Market day, always enjoying the beauty and the impeccable organization.

Amazing destination for ski. Great snow, lifts equipments and trails are top. The hotels and resorts are 5+ stars but you can also find fair priced hotels to stay. All the ski equipments stores that you can need to have the latest fashion and tech stuff. Prices are high but the quality of the restaurants, hotels, town area and of course snow are totally worth it.

Really fabulous!
A dreamscape.
Beautiful tracks to spend the day
Order cleaning modernity friendliness...
Everything is absolutely wonderful!

Wonderful for family fun...there are bike trails all over the mountain. Fly fishing in the Colorado River. Adventure ridge has zip lines and mountain activities..there are all levels of white water rafting. Just relaxing in the beautiful town of Vail is a treat.

Went to Vail for the day - we were told there was a great farmer's market on Saturdays, well it is actually on Sundays! Still we had a good time wondering around the shops and restaurants in this very overpriced area. You can find deals if you look really hard!

Walkable, shops, restaurants, people watching! Some of the stores/restaurants are closed or close early during off season, so be aware of that.

Beautiful German influenced town with excellent restaurants, cute shops and gorgeous scenery. A wonderful place to spend the day

Winter or Summer you can't go wrong with this destination. If you love the outdoors, great dining and lots of activities, this is the place for you.

We have been to Vail in both winter and summer times and absolutely love it. The town is great with lots of nice stores, there are plenty of restaurant options and the mountain resort is very nice. Lots of ski options in the winter and for the summer there are a few hiking options and lots of activities for the family.

You can walk from one side of vail to the other side. There are so many interesting shops and wonderful restaurants it is a wonderful time.

We just had a lovely long weekend in Vail Village and it was wonderful. The shops were varied and there were so many choices. The restaurants were charming. Those with outdoor seating were ideal for sharing a bottle of wine in the fall sunshine with friends. It is charming there!

Beautiful but too expensive. It is a good place for having an almost surreal place. Pea eful and was not too crowded at the time

Must enjoy the beauty in any season. Look at one of the skiing place just on the way to Aspen. On the road in the village of Vail there is a big parking lot with restaurants near ski resorts. Very nice to relax and enjoy on the way to Aspen from Denver. There is very nice Mexican restaurant in the Parking lot.

Surprisingly , for a ski station, Vail village provides an interesting summer experience.
Staying at a hotel in the village allows one to wander through trhe village streets to do some shopping or dining while being able to hike along the recreation path, through the Betty Ford gardens or down the ski slopes trail after taking the gondola ($$). Very well maintained streets, beautiful flower beds, intersting but exclusive shops...
Pedestrian only streets will allow a car to the hotel or even better one can park at the municipal structures and take the free bus.

We love Vail for a cool escape from Phoenix in the summer. The people are very friendly and we can get in some great hiking on the ski slopes.

Just walking around the village is a wonderful pastime..... full of stores and nice views complemented by a number of good places for a drink or lunch or dinner.

Love visiting Vail Valley. so quaint. so much to see and great place to people watch. Winter or summer, doesn't matter.

Great people, plenty of dining, shopping, music, and things to do. Fab for families. Brilliant skiing and fantastic in summer too.

Go when its not crowded and the deals abound. The mountains and skiiing are exceptional, great restaurants and hotels and Shopping!. Watch the traffic alerts from the Co Dept of Transportation and it helps get you there. Just as wonderful in the summer as winter. Clay tennis courts everywhere, hiking , mountain biking, dining, you name it!

We stopped here on July 3rd and fell in love with this place. Not only was the alpine garden gorgeous about a mile away from Vail Valley, but the walk around the shops, hotels and restaurants was beautiful. Vail Valley appeared to be patterned over what I would imagine a Swiss town would look like. I almost felt like I was in another country. They had many vendors there while we visited, probably because of the 4th of July weekend, so it was crowded.

Vail proper is quite pleasant because the main center is a walking area with cars safely stowed in municipal parking lots throughout the city. There are a lot of interesting shopping and dining opportunities (take the platinum card) as well as pleasant resting areas just to stop and rest. The surrounding valley offers unlimited opportunities for active individuals - biking, hiking, skiiig, white water rafting,camping, fishing and climbing. And, if you're a little older or laid back, there is plenty of just plain old sightseeing no matter what direction you choose.
Despite the "elite" status of the area, the shop owners and service staff are friendly and helpful.
Restaurants are expensive but fascinating, and the portions are more than generous, so plan on sharing with a friend.

We were here on business. What a lovely spot. Great views, hiking, rafting and biking. Village easy to walk around. Great restaurants and shops. Pricey.

The walk around Vail Valley consisted of shopping and art. Sculptures are everywhere and easily accessable. Surprises and variety are all around. Enjoy the walk. The lego car (full size)had my son attached to it for over 15 minutes. Loved it.

My two sons and I spent a week at Vail, a repeat visit as we've skied there for years. The snow was excellent, as usual, and there was an absence of visitors which wasn't expected as we were there over spring break. For the most part, the weather was clear, sunny and warm. Lift lines were nonexistent due to the lack of crowds making for a pleasant and fun vacation.
We ate lunch at Joe's Famous Deli and I recommend it to those who enjoy deli sandwiches and at other restaurants, all very good.

We often go to call at Christmas time. The ski slopes usually have v good coverage. Breathtaking views around the mountains. The valley offers a variety of restaurants and shops. The shops vary from touristic to very expensive - think furs(!) The restaurants however are nice and it's a pleasant walk looking at the lights and the huge Christmas tree. The outdoor ice rink is also a fun experience

Makes me want to move to Vail. This place is so pretty in spring. I can only imagine what winter looks like. Guess we will have to come back and find out. Love love love this place.

Vail Valley is well worth the visit. It is a beautiful area with a lot to do. There are many places to eat, hike, bike and shop. We spent the day there and would definitely go back. There were a lot of things for kids to do if you are traveling with a family. If you are in Colorado, go to Vail. You will not be disappointed.

We went on the spring, only locals.
I love to chat to them, know differents points of view.
There are moses walking on the village, the people take their dogd=s to work - I love that!!!

One of the best valley villages I have seen. Great achitecture, free public transportation, nice shops. Hey, there are even heated sidewalks and pedestrian plazas.

Vail Valley is comprised of 3 separate but interconnected areas: Golden Peak, Vail Village, and Lionshead. Each of these has its own shops and restaurants and lifts up the mountain. Once on the Mountain, you can ski down to any of those areas and take lifts back up. The valley extends to East and West Vail where there are many supermarkets (West Vail) shops restaurants and hotels. The whole provides many services and retail establishments to serve skiers.