FULL DAY

Family Adventures

Photo courtesy Jack Affleck

Walking Mountain Science Center

Walking Mountain Science Center offers an array of fun programs for families, children and adults. Explore their three facilities in Avon and Vail and discover your curious side. Programs include Bug Safari, Earth Explorers, Morning Bird Walks, S’mores, Photo Safari, and other exciting options.

Families visiting the Vail Valley should definitely learn about the incredible mountain ecology around us by going on a guided hike with Naturalists from Walking Mountain Science Center at either the campus in Avon or from he Nature Discovery Center on the top of Vail Mountain at Adventure Ridge!

Photo courtesy Jack Affleck

Glenwood

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is a unique attraction that has thrill rides, cave tours, laser tag and so much more. Bring out your inner scientist as you study stunning caverns and formations in Colorado’s largest show cave. Or, bring out your wild side as you fly down the mountain on Colorado’s first alpine coaster. Whatever your family enjoys, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is sure to please everyone. The Adventure park closes at the end of October. Make sure to check their schedule before going.

End your adventurous day at Iron Mountain Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs. This all-natural hot springs destination is located right next to the gondola for the Adventure Park and Colorado River. Choose your preference of temperature, relax and enjoy food and beverages inside

Photo courtesy Jack Affleck

Piney River Ranch

Piney River Ranch is located right below the Gore Range and is Vail, Colorado’s most breathtaking destination for weddings, retreats, and day-trips. They offer a variety of activities that guarantee fun for the entire family like, horseback riding, fly-fishing, hiking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking to beautiful waterfalls or simply relaxing by the fire pit. If one day isn’t enough for you to take in all that Piney has to offer,there is lodging for our overnight guests.

Piney is open until the last weekend of September!

Photo courtesy Jack Affleck

Epic Discovery

Vail’s Epic Discovery is an adventure park at the top of Lionshead Gondola. This is an adventure HQ with activities for adults & kids of all ages such as a mountain coaster, summer tubing, zip lining, ropes course, bungee trampoline, climbing wall and so much more! This is guaranteed fun!

Epic Discovery is only open Friday-Sunday during the month of September due to the gondola’s fall schedule.

Photo courtesy 4 Eagle Ranch

4 Eagle Ranch

When you visit 4 Eagle Ranch you can choose to kick back and take in the beautiful scenery, or you can get out and have some extraordinary experiences…of course, you can do both! The ranch gives guests an authentic Colorado experience by offering an abundance of activities such as ranch menagerie, horseshoes, volleyball, steer head roping and The Trading Post. You can also book a stay in 4 Eagle Ranch’s beautiful Homestead House, originally built in 1925 (remodeled in 2011)… Which makes enjoying all the ranch has to offer that much easier

Zip line with Zip Adventures : 6 different zip lines ranging from 300-1000 feet in length and 75 to 200 feet high over canyons and rivers

Activity Providers

Sure, Vail is world-renowned for its skiing and snowboarding, but the Vail Valley offers plenty beyond vast bowls of bluebird powder days and grippin' groomers. Whether you prefer your adventure water-drenched, iced, air-borne, cliff-side, cycled, motorized or snowy out mountain recreation covers it- and much, much more.

Restaurants & Bars

In the Vail Valley, eating isn't merely sustenance - it's an important part of the lifestyle. From fine dining hotspots to casual comforts, it's not hard to find great food. Colorado is known for their locals breweries, distilleries and even wineries. Come sample a taste of Colorado and even international spirit favorites.

Vail Valley Events

Ski terrain and wonderful snow put the Vail Valley on the map, but it's more than just a ski resort. The calendar is packed with events that are a big part of the Vail Valley's culture. From outdoor concerts at the Ford Amphitheater to bull riding at the rodeo, it's easy to stay busy.