Vail Village

Vail Village was designed from the ground up as a European-style ski village when the resort opened in 1962. Unlike historic mining towns like Breckenridge, every cobblestone street, Bavarian-inspired building, and pedestrian plaza was intentionally created to capture Alpine charm.

The result is Colorado's most polished ski village. Pedestrian-only streets wind between luxury boutiques, art galleries, and world-class restaurants. No cars intrude—the only vehicles you'll see are the occasional delivery truck in early morning. Skiers can glide to within steps of their hotel, click off their boots, and walk directly to après ski.

Vail Village connects to Lionshead Village via a scenic walking path and free shuttle. Together they form the base area for Vail Mountain, one of the largest ski resorts in North America. Even if you're not skiing, the village offers shopping, dining, and people-watching worth the trip.

Sweet Basil: Vail's most celebrated restaurant since 1977. Contemporary American with a wine list to match. Reservations essential, especially weekends.

Mountain Standard: Casual gastropub with elevated bar food. Great burgers, craft cocktails, and lively atmosphere. Good for groups who can't agree on fancy vs. casual.

The Red Lion: Classic Vail après ski dive. Cheap beer, bar food, live music, and authentically rowdy atmosphere. Not fancy—intentionally.

Matsuhisa: Nobu Matsuhisa's Vail outpost for upscale Japanese. Fresh sushi, creative rolls, and signature dishes. Splurge-worthy special occasion dining.

La Bottega: Italian deli and market by day, intimate restaurant by night. House-made pasta and imported cheeses. Grab sandwiches for a picnic on the mountain.

Parking: The Vail Village parking structure charges by the hour. Free parking in West Vail with shuttle service. On busy ski days, arrive early—the structure fills by mid-morning.

Getting There: Vail is 100 miles from Denver on I-70. Shuttles run from Denver International Airport. The town is compact—no car needed once you arrive.

Summer vs. Winter: Winter is ski season with maximum energy and prices. Summer offers hiking, festivals, and mountain biking with lower rates. The village is charming year-round.

Dress Code: Ski town casual. Even upscale restaurants welcome nice jeans. No one dresses up for dinner in Vail—it's mountain chic, not Manhattan.

Main Street Breckenridge: Victorian storefronts at 9,600 feet. Colorado's quintessential ski town main drag with 150+ shops, galleries, and restaurants.

Elkhorn Avenue, Estes Park: Mountain town main street with taffy shops, galleries, and elk wandering through. Gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Old Town Fort Collins: College-town charm meets craft beer capital. Historic buildings, local shops, and Colorado's best brewery scene.

Manitou Springs: Quirky artist community at the base of Pikes Peak. Mineral springs, indie shops, and authentic Colorado character.