A Weekend in Vail, Colorado with a Toddler
Vail, Colorado is very family-friendly yet toddler activities are a bit more of a challenge. Vail offers families an outdoorsy
Baby Rentals
You fly into the mile-high city with your toddler for a weekend in Vail. You’re worried about the acclimation, time change…what about the car seat? Did you carry-on the stroller? The pack n play or a crib? There are companies out there today that rent baby equipment. I booked and arranged for the ladder via parent company Traveling Baby Company (Baby Stay Rentals in Denver).
Renting baby equipment through this company could not be easier. I selected a pack n play and a Britax car seat. You can get strollers, carriers, cribs, swings, and safety gates. Delivery and pick up are a breeze. Prices are very reasonable.
Spend Your First Night in Denver to Acclimate
Unless you are from an elevation similar to 5,800 feet, I recommend
If You’re Going to Spend a Weekend in Vail, Make Sure You Have Lots of Water and Snacks, Sunscreen & Hats.
Keep that baby hydrated. Fruit snacks are great for sucking. I always keep water readily available for Harper while in Colorado. For every 1,000 feet above sea level, ultraviolet exposure increases anywhere between 4-10%.
Dress your toddler in protective clothing and slather on sunscreen with zinc. Read more about protecting your child from the sun in Colorado here.
Rent a House or Stay at the Westin Hotel (Family & Dog-Friendly)
Not only does the Westin have breath-taking views, but they are also amazingly kid-friendly and pet-friendly. The
Lastly, in my opinion, it is hard to rival the rugged yet sophisticated architecture and layout of the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch in Avon, CO. As Ritz loyalists would expect, it does not disappoint. The hotel boasts beautiful panoramas of Eagle River Valley and Beaver Creek Mountain.
In the Summers, the beautiful grassy knoll can be, quite literally, the picture-perfect setting to enjoy a seasonal cocktail and appetizers while your children play.
On weekends, you can be sure to sip your Aperol Spritz to the delightfully melodic sounds of acoustic guitar and saxophone being played live on the rear patio. Summer resort fees include, but are not limited to, complimentary transportation to and from Beaver Creek Village with an optional transfer service to Arrowhead Village; tennis; gym access with daily fitness classes, Resort fees are assessed per room, per night. The property offers a year-round heated pool with whirlpools. The pool is located just off the rear patio of the resort. During ski season, the hotel offers ski-in/ski-out access to Beaver Creek Mountain.
The Ritz Kids programming – focused on offering kids (ages 5-12 ) an array of activities centered around adventure is offered year-round. During the winter, the resort additionally offers a Ski Nanny -a daylong class designed to ensure your children learn the mechanics of skiing, while you hit the slopes.
Facial? As with all Ritz Carlton properties, the spa rivals none. Choose from an array of full-service spa treatments by appointment.
Hungry? You’ll never need to leave the resort with their convenient display of 6 restaurants, certain to win over the faintest of hearts and sophisticated of palates.
This world-renowned property is a must for couple and family retreats alike. Whether you’re in the mood for sunny hikes, grassy knolls or snow-capped mountains – the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch won’t dissatisfy. Be sure to check rates here.
Enjoy the Vail Farmer’s Market
You and your toddler will absolutely enjoy the Vail Farmer’s Market. The farmers’ market is a lovely way to pass an hour or two on Sunday morning.
The vibes are a bit more street fair-like as opposed to a traditional farmers’ market, with the majority of vendors offering prepared food or products rather than produce – which is well suited to a large out-of-town crowd who might prefer items to bring home. Make sure you go hungry; there is an array of food
Hike Berry Picker Trail
There are plenty of gorgeous places to hike in and around Vail, but one of my family’s favorites is the 3.2 mile trip up the Berry Picker Trail. This hike is perfect because it takes you right up to the top of Lion’s Head where you can enjoy lunch while taking in breathtaking vistas, before descending by way of Gondola.
Another fabulous hike is the six-mile roundtrip hike to Piney River Falls. To access the upper Piney River Falls trailhead is an adventure in itself, as it is about a 45-minute drive on a rocky, dirt-covered
I strapped Harper in our Ergo carrier for the entire hike. The Ergo carrier has been one of my favorite baby purchases to date. I use it all the time. The Ergobaby Omni 360 offers every carrying position you need as your baby grows, from newborn to the toddler years. I highly recommend this investment for traveling purposes alone.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants
Bistro Fourteen– Named after the view of the fourteen-thousand-foot mountain of the Holy Cross, Bistro Fourteen offers casual, sit-down dining with a full bar. Perfect for lunch, après, or a post- hike appetite, Bistro Fourteen’s variety of menu items has something for the whole family, including a creative kid’s menu. They offered Harper grapes and carrots as a starter while we sipped on a well-deserved beer and bloody mary.
Ride the Gondola
Kids ride free with a paid adult ticket. Even better, if you hike up Berry Picker trail, you can ride down the gondola completely free. A ride up the gondola or a hike up Berry Picker is a short visit to “Vail’s Fun Zone” located at the top of the Lionshead Gondola. They have a variety of activities, like tubing, ski-biking and bungee trampolines for the kids. Ski lifts are not just for snowy months. They are fun all summer long.
Spend Time By the Pool
As we relaxed in the Westin pool, we overlooked the Eagle River. I soaked in the inviting whirlpool spa for a much-needed recharge for the next day’s adventure. Harper’s favorite pastime to date is swimming; needless to say we swam a lot. The Westin pool bar staff were attentive, making their rounds frequently.
Ride the Free Bus
Summertime makes for the perfect time to ride the bus; a convenient means to sightseeing and engaging with locals and tourists alike. The town’s bus service is considered to be among the largest free transportation systems in the country offering its residents and guests timely service to and from Vail Mountain and throughout the town.
North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, Australia—the world seems to converge in the Vail Valley. This is a great opportunity for your child to be around people from all over the world.
Eat a Great Meal Before Leaving Denver
From the latest chef-driven concepts, the flowing craft beer, and none of the stuffiness like big cities, Denver dining is a boundary breaker.
It’s important to know Denver’s “hoods” and the hot restaurants in each area. They’ve got Rino, LoHi, LoDo, Uptown, Cherry Creek, Stapleton, and probably even more since my departure in 2016. Once you know where you want to end, there are endless articles to guide you where your heart and stomach desire. Make reservations. Denver is a hopping town!
Stay tuned for my post on Where to Eat in Denver, Colorado.
If you liked this post, you will love to read Tips for Traveling on a Plane with a Toddler.
XOXO
Mackenzie