Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Vail?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Vail?
Most people spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in Vail during their visit. The vibrant ski town offers amazing highlights such as the snow skiing, the small town charm, the quaint atmosphere, and the hiking.
Vail is a world-class ski destination and a small resort town in the state of Colorado. The town offers easy access to many winter sports including skiing and snowboarding. It is credited with producing a number of Olympic athletes. During the warmer months visitors can enjoy hiking, golf, fly fishing, and exploring the charming town.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Vail? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Vail?
Given only three days, you will likely find yourself hurrying to ski down the slopes, soak up the small town charm, admire the quaint setting, and get out into nature. To truly savor all that the ski town boasts, a more generous amount of time is advisable. After all, the skiing and other winter activities shouldn't be missed. Many travelers opt for at least 3 or as many as 7 days to make the most of their vacation. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to get started.
How to spend 3 days in Vail
When visiting Vail, you absolutely can't miss the Vail Ski Resort as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience it.
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. Happy Hours start early, and then the partying can go late into the night. There are bars, lounges, breweries and live music that keep the atmosphere light and offer entertainment after your long day on the slopes. Do keep in mind that many places close or dramatically reduce their hours during the off-peak fall and spring months.
Vail is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the ski town, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The main downtown is pedestrian-only and perfect for popping in shops and restaurants.
Snow skiing takes the spotlight during the winter season, so set aside at least a day to hit the slopes. This ski town has produced its share of Olympians. Vail is the third largest ski resort in the US and it has 31 lifts and 195 runs. There are five different bowls that offer beautiful views.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Eagle County Regional Airport to Snowmass Aspen Ski Resort ($132)
Vail is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. It is a beautiful town that has stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Eagle County Airport(EGE) to Steamboat - Arrival Private Transfer ($77)
- Eagle County Regional (EGE) to Steamboat Springs-Arrival Transfer ($121)
- Eagle County Airport to Steamboat - Round-Trip Private Transfer ($154)
The public transit in Vail is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the ski town quite easily and affordably. There is a free bus service through the area.
The small-town atmosphere of Vail is one of the main reasons that visitors come here. Spend at least part of your day exploring the town to see the many sights and attractions. The ski town is divided into two villages - Vail Village and Lionshead Village. It's one of the more lively ski towns and it was designed specifically as a ski town, with cobblestone streets and quaint shops.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Vail Segway Tour from Vail Village ($89)
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. The town has a diverse sampling of restaurants that include different ethnic options as well as taverns with comfort food. It's easy to find mountain-friendly restaurants where you can refuel during your ski vacation.
Is 4 days enough time in Vail?
With only four days, you might feel a bit pressed for time to take in the snow skiing, the small town charm, the quaint atmosphere, and the hiking. To fully embrace Vail, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to plan at least 3 or as many as 7 days to experience the mountains and beautiful scenery. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.
Vail, Colorado
How to spend 4 days in Vail
Having 4 days in Vail will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the ski town.
Vail offers a charming atmosphere that's hard to find anywhere else. Spend part of the day exploring the scenery. Inspired by European ski towns, it is both quaint and charming.
Live music is very popular in Vail, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. You can often find live music at Shakedown Bar, Bridge Street Bar, and the Red Lion.
Is 5 days enough time in Vail?
Five days in Vail is often considered ideal, as many vacationers spend approximately three to seven days for their trip to the mountains. This amount of time is perfect for the snow skiing, the small town charm, the quaint atmosphere, and the hiking. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your winter mountain adventure.
How to spend 5 days in Vail
With 5 days in Vail, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the ski town has to offer.
Known for it's hiking, Vail sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. During the warmer months, this resort town is surrounded by world-class hiking trails. You can enjoy the wildflowers, search for wildlife, or take in the sweeping mountain views. Popular hikes near Vail include Booth Falls, Davos Trail, and Shrine Ridge.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Vail, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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