Destination Guides: Vail, United States - Family Fun

Betty Ford Alpine Garden

970 476-0103

In Ford Park, 1/4 mile east of main village, next to Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater

Open before and after snow season: dawn to dusk

Admission free. Donation accepted

One of the highest alpine gardens in the world. Actually, it is three small gardens, each with a different theme. The gardens are filled with over 2,000 vividly blooming plants.

All are in walking distance from the Vail Nature Center.

Colorado Ski Museum/ Ski Hall of Fame

231 South Frontage Road East in the Vail Village Transportation Center

970 476-1876

Tues-Sun 10-5 by appointment only in May and October.

Admission Free.

The museum gives the history of transportation across areas of snow and ice. Snow sports began in Colorado in the 1800’s and this museum makes the journey forward both entertaining and enlightening. Children will be able to maintain interest at least long enough to enjoy the exhibits of early chairlifts and the former heavy equipment necessary to enjoy skiing.

Dobson Ice Arena

Across from the public library on West Meadow Drive

970 479-2270

Telephone for public skating schedule

Closed mid-May-mid-June. Skates available for rental

Admission charged

Skating is a popular activity in Vail. This indoor arena offers public skating in a large facility. Hockley games are also played here.

Ford Park and Gore Creek School

1/4 mile east of the main village, near the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater

Free admission

A public park in a beautiful setting wirh playground equipment that children love. A one room school house is on display at one end of the park.

Eagle Bahn Gondola and Adventure Ridge

970 476-9090

Memorial Day-mid-June, weekends only.

Mid-June-mid-Sept: daily.

Admission charged.

Each car holds up to 6 people. The gondola offers a pleasant way to ride to the top of the mountain to enjoy the view, or to bike or hike back down. The scenery is breathtaking, and children consider it to be like an amusement park ride - but with far more esthetic and educational value.

Other attractions at Adventure Ridge are:

The Vail Wildlife Center

Guided tours daily 11-noon and 1-2

Recommended for ages 6 with good attention span or 7 and up

Located in a small hut directly in front of the gondola exit. Features interactive displays of wildlife and local flowering plants. Guided tours are offered twice a day.

For the whole family: there are two self-guided tours at which children can go at their own pace. They are indicated by signs: Eagle’s View and Lower Fireweed.

Tubing is also offered at this location from noon-10pm. Fee is per hour, including tube. Reduced fee for ages 12 and under.

Ice skating: Noon - 10pm same rates as tubing; includes skates.

Sledding: Noon to 10pm

Snowboard park and half pipes: 8:30am-10pm equipment rental and lessons available.

Piney River Ranch

Take Interstate 70 to the main Vail exit 176 and N. Frontage Rd. west one mile to Red Sandstone Road. Turn right into Red Sandstone, go straight at the third switchback and straight into Forest Service Road 700. Follow signs to Piney Lake.

Or: Round trip from Vail Transportation Center: FREE, on Ranch bus.

Summer activities: 10-5

Closed: early Spring- mid-June

Some snowmobiling in winter; most activities are June-Labor Day

Archery, fishing, crafts each has a fee ; horseshoes, volleyball, playground, petting farm, fly casting clinics, forest service talks each is free

Thursday is Family night out: Western style barbecue, western story tellers, lively music.

Pirate Ship Park

At the base of Vista Bahn ski lift

Ages 2-10

The centerpiece is a structure made to look like an old ship, complete with watchtower. Located next to the shops in Vail Village. Great for a break from shopping.

Vail Nature Center

831 Vail Drive

Daily 9-5

Donation requested

Small museum displaying animal pelts, stuffed birds and butterfly displays. The highlight is watching birds at feeders near the windows and checking their identity on a wall chart. There are easy , short trails to hike outside along the river.

Vail Public Library

292 West Meadow Drive

970 479-2185

Mon-Thurs 10-8 Fri. 10-6; Sat and Sun 11-6

Toddler story hour Tues and Wed 10am Preschool story hour Tues and Wed. 11am

Good haven for rainy days or even on sunny ones to add variety.

Vail Library has a separate glass enclosed room with educational toys, including a train set for toddlers and a playhouse for reading enjoyment. Children also have the use of up to date computers with internet child approved sites only access. Special children’s programs such as puppet making are sometimes held. Call to check on hours.

Vista Bahn and Wildwood Express Chairlifts

Vista Bahn chairlift begins at the base of the mountain in Vail Village and the Wildwood begins mid-mountain near the top of the Vista Bahn lift.

970 476-9090

Daily 10-4:30

Fee per person

Bike transport extra.

Ages 4 and up

Vista Bahn offers a high speed ride up Vail Mountain. From there you can catch the Wildwood Express lift to the top. Hiking and biking in season.

Wildwood Restaurant and Smokehouse are at the top.