Yes Vail is known for it's abundance of snowy fun, but there is plenty to do all year round at this Colorado resort town.
Located 100 miles west of Denver, Colorado and 8,000 or so feet above sea level, the city of Vail has a great reputation for it’s amazing ski slopes and other snow related activities. But what if I told you that this resort town was also a vacation hot spot year round?
Well I learned that first hand when I recently visited this Eagle County town and took in some of the great outdoorsy fun that awaits travelers who are lucky enough to visit this unbelievably adorable piece of America’s 38th state.
Vail Cascade Resort & Spa
Due to Vail’s airport being shut down for renovations until September 1, I arrived in Denver International Airport and hopped aboard a comfy Colorado Mountain Express shuttle. It took about 2.5 hours to arrive in Vail (that included a 15 minute bathroom break along the way). If you are planning to visit Vail after September 1 however, then you will only have a 40 minute drive from their airport.
I booked two nights at the Vail Cascade Resort & Spa, which was about 1.5 miles from the center of town. The location was ideal since it was both secluded and extremely quick to get into the main part of Vail. You can either walk the scenic path (which takes about 20-25 minutes) or hop aboard the resort’s shuttle, which is right outside the lobby and takes about 4-5 minutes.
The resort was phenomenal…and huge! My room was located on the first floor, and while most first floor hotel rooms might sound like you will be sleeping right next to the front desk, not here my friends. Since the place was so massive, my room was a good two minute walk through some twist and turns down a few hallways. Upon opening the door I knew I had made the right choice in lodging. Take a look at some of the pics from my awesome room below.
Oh so comfy bed...with more pillows than my wife places on our bed at home.
Great living room area, complete with a soft couch, leather chair and other goodies to make you feel at home.
Ginormous flat screen? Um yes, thank you very much. Work desk off to the right and massive ego sized mirror.
His and her sinks outside of the bathroom area. Since I was lodging alone, it was mine and mine sinks.
A few Fat Tire beers to kick start my stay in Vail.
So after checking into my room, putting away some clothes, and downing a few Fat Tire beers, I was on my way to a massage appointment at Cascade’s Aria Spa.
Aria Spa is extraordinary to say the least. Upon entering the spa I was asked if I would like some wine, beer, water or tea. Being the true Irishman that I am, another Fat Tire was my drink of choice. After changing into something more comfortable in the locker room I was ready to be rubbed.
The waiting area at Aria Spa. Not a bad place to kill some time before receiving an insanely soothing massage.
I opted for the 50-minute custom massage that focused on my lower back. The woman that performed her magic on my aching traveling bones really did one hell of a job. I must admit that this was one my first massage. After 50-minutes of pure bliss, I left Aria Spa dizzy (in a good way) and on the phone back home in Brooklyn telling my wife that I want a massage for my next birthday. Truly a “must do” when visiting Vail Cascade!
It had been a long day with a super early 4am wake up call, airport hassles, and shuttle transfers. I was feeling pretty good after my massage, but the ol’ belly was a rumbling. Time for dinner at one of Vail’s best restaurants.
Terra Bistro serves up elegantly organic meals that are so beautifully plated that you will want to snap a picture before digging in! The vibrant and flavorful dishes reflected the Vail way of life. Terra Bistro’s menu was filled with just too many tasty options, so my friends and I decided to each order a different appetizer, entree, and dessert. We would sample our plate and then pass it around like a classic culinary carousel. Remember kids, sharing is caring.
Dining at Terra Bistro, which is located inside Vail Mountain Lodge & Spa.
Before indulging on Terra Bistro’s dinner menu, I ordered up one of their signature cocktails. The drink of choice for me tonight was the “Tequila Mockingbird”, which was a tangy and smooth combination of tequila, lemon, and creme de menthe. This drink was strong, but definitely something that I would order again…and again.
Some of the more memorable items that I inhaled at Terra Bistro included:
- Fried avocado and posole verde tomatillo salsa with coriander crema and pepitas (Never tasted avocado this way and absolutely loved it).
- Marinated beets, sunchokes, mixed berry balsamic, micro greens, roasted garlic, and goat cheese (I am a big beet fan, so I was in heaven devouring this goodness).
- Grilled pork tenderloin with tamarind glazed potatoes, fried asparagus, and apple cider jus (So tender and so gobbled up in seconds).
- Pine nut crusted king salmon with caramelized mirepoix, farfalle, and basil butter (Honestly the best salmon I have ever tasted…wish I had some right now).
Avocado artwork at Vail's Terra Bistro.
Oh and there will be dessert:
- Bittersweet chocolate molten (vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce that seriously was devilishly delectable).
- Creme Brulee (OMG…OMG…OMG!)
- Plus some sort of vanilla milkshake shot that you wash down with some super rich chocolate syrup shot (Insanely good!).
Hmm, should I try this vanilla milkshake and chocolate syrup double shot dessert?
...half a second later.
Now that believe it or not was just a sampling of what I tasted when I was lucky enough to check out Terra Bistro. I highly…HIGHLY recommend you give it a shot as well when in Vail. There is something truly special about a restaurant when you are still talking about both the meal and menu two days later.
After opening my belt buckle a new notches, I threw in the white flag…er napkin and called it a night. My first day in Vail was over and it left me filled with many relaxing and downright delicious memories.
The morning came quickly and it was time to start another eventful day in Vail. Luckily I was able to catch a few minutes of tranquility as I sat on my room’s terrace before meeting with friends. The sounds of Gore Creek splashing and various birds chirping definitely was a different way to enjoy the early hours of the day compared to the honking horns and car alarms that usually wake me up in New York.
To start the day I had signed up for a free fly fishing casting clinic at Gore Creek Fly Fisherman. So I hopped aboard a shuttle and arrived in the center of town within 4-5 minutes of departing from my lobby. Before I was to learn the art of fly fishing, I had the chance to wander around the center of Vail and take in the beauty and European essence that the town offers. I have been to Lucerne, Switzerland and mountain town of Zakopane, Poland.
The Covered Bridge in Vail, Colorado
Walking around Vail early on a Thursday morning. So peaceful and enjoyable.
Switzerland? Nope, this is just another amazing walkway in Vail! Brilliant!
This is the Hotel Gasthof Gramshammer, which has been owned and operated by the same Austrian couple since 1964.
This beautiful piece of architecture is home to Lancelot Restaurant, which has been serving up excellent Prime Rib in Vail since 1969.
With just a few minutes until my fly fishing clinic, I made my way over to Gore Creek Fly Fisherman. I was one of the three students this morning (the other two were from New Jersey…small world). I attempted to follow along with the instructor, but this whole fly fishing thing just was not working out for me. I have fished before back home in New York, but fly fishing is just a tad bit different.
Yeah, my line looked pretty lonely that day...not a single bite. I guess it will be pizza for dinner tonight.
Instead of relying on the reel to pull in your dinner, you must tug on the string yourself if something bites. Also you must figure out what kind of bugs the fish are eating that day or else they will not be nibbling on your hook. No worms used here my friends. I think this New Yorker, while loving every minute of trying to fly fish, will just use my local Whole Foods when I need some seafood.
After a few hours of looking silly and trying to fish with experts, I made my way back to my resort and headed to lunch at Atwater on Gore Creek. As you might already have imagined by the restaurant’s name, Gore Creek plays a role in the luxurious yet laid back atmosphere that is Atwater. My group and I grabbed a table inside, but with a perfect view of that great creek outside. The fresh mountain air blowing onto us from outside truly made for a special dining experience.
After last night’s amazing dinner full of fancy plates and chic cuisine, I felt like chowing down on some traditional American comfort food. So that is exactly what I ordered to my belly’s delight. How about an Atwater burger on a brioche bun, crammed with melted American cheese, crisp lettuce and fresh tomatoes. Oh and a side of salty fries as well and a Stella Artois to wash it all down. God Bless America.
Contemplating whether or not I should order a second burger. Oh so good!
Atwater on Gore Creek at Vail Cascade Resort & Spa offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with dining inside, outside, and even poolside.
Lunch was superb, but after an early wake up and fishing, I needed some rest before a big night ahead of me. After a brief afternoon nap that felt more like a three minute daydream, I was ready to check out my first rodeo. Yeah oddly enough they do not have these kind of events in the New York City area.
The Beaver Creek Wine and Spirits Festival is held annually in the town of Beaver Creek, which is about a 15-minute car ride from Vail. New for this year, the event also hosted a barbecue event at the Beaver Creek Rodeo. I was lucky enough to be able to sample some goodies from the likes of renowned chefs Richard Sandoval of Modern Mexican Restaurants and Waldy Malouf of Beacon Restaurant in New York.
BBQ and tequila. What's not to love about a rodeo!?
Ride 'em cowboy!
After devouring some steak, salad, shrimp, and lots of tequila, it was time to go to the ro-de-o! I have to admit that as a city guy some of this was hard to watch, but most of it was pretty fun and enjoyable. This was not your run of the mill rodeo – some of the events included a dance contest that had blindfolded people shaking their backsides to the likes of Soulja Boy’s “Superman” and little kids hanging on for dear life as they rode sheep in some sort of timed competition. They eventually got around to some bull riding and the event ended as the sun was setting over the hills of Beaver Creek.
The night found me drinking a few more beers and then hitting the pillow before midnight. After a good seven hour sleep, it was time to get in just one more activity before catching the shuttle back to Denver. That activity? Yoga. Yes this was something planned for me and I was excited to give it a shot. I am not a gym rat nor do I ever run, stretch, or walk if I don’t have to. As a New Yorker with a car, I either get around via train ride or my wheels.
As with fly fishing, I attempted to become a yoga master, but unfortunately for me this class was a little too advanced for me. I forced myself into positions that even I thought was impossible and after 30-minutes or so, decided it was better to watch the class than to participate. However I must say that this class opened my eyes to just how out of shape I am…time to hit the gym…or not.
The entrance to the absolutely stunning Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. This is where I tried to find my inner zen...unfortunately my zen left my body years ago.
The view from my yoga class. This shot alone was worth the 8am wake up call.
The scene of the crime. Where I attempted to perform yoga.
After two days of living the good life in Vail, Colorado it was time to head home. My shuttle was scheduled for an 11:05am pick up, which would then bring me back 2.5 hours to Denver. Now while many of you reading might have though of this resort town as just another “winter ski destination,” I hope that after reading about my trip, it opens your eyes to Vail as an “all the time destination.”
Another reason why you should choose to visit Vail during the “other seasons” is that you will wind up saving some serious cash. Rooms that go for upwards of $600 per night in certain luxury resorts come down to earth when there is no snow in sight and can be as low as $200 per night.
Gore Creek in Vail, Colorado.
This is a spectacular piece of America that should be on all traveler’s “must see” list. Skip the usual vacation destinations like Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami. Yes all of those cities are amazing and full of fun things to do. But Vail is something special and I guarantee you will not be disappointed. How sure am I of this? Well I am planning my next trip to Vail already!
I would like to thank Katie Coakley and the great people at Peeples Ink for hosting me during my stay in Vail. I also have to give some love to Paulette Phlipot, a great photographer out of Sun Valley, Idaho who assisted me with some of the great shots of Vail and yours truly throughout this piece.
