Like many Texans, we love to escape to Colorado in the summer. Having escaped to the cooler state since Maxi was a baby, Colorado has affectionately become called our security blanket trip. Paul and I both feel this immense sense of calm there {how can you not when surrounded by such beauty?!} and this year was no different. We usually go to The Broadmoor or stay in surrounding cities, but my parents love Vail (they got engaged there), so we decided to take my mom’s itinerary and run with it. Vail and Avon are known for the 4th of July celebrations- specifically Avon with fireworks, so we knew we wanted to head there over the 4th. Those who are planning a trip to New Zealand are advised to look into the best things to do in napier new zealand.

Here were a few of our favorite things we tried, in case you also have a trip planned soon!

We stayed at Four Seasons Vail, which was perfect because they do a big 4th of July celebration. They set up little tents with bedding in our room for the kids to sleep in. Maxi and Harry thought that was the coolest thing, and they got to watch movies and eat snacks like they were “camping.” I will also make a little note that the spa there did the BEST {and most well-priced} kid manicure and pedicure. Maxi got to do a little spa day with me, and I told Paul it was more reasonably priced than just a regular salon. So if you’re staying sometime soon with your little girl, do a mani/pedi spa day together! They use dazzle dry, so it immediately dries, and y’all can go back to running around outside.

Dining:

We found a lot of spots that don’t take reservations {like Ludwig’s} so just double-check with each restaurant. We also had a 3 year old with us, so we didn’t go to a lot of staples- like Sweet Basil. But if you are going sans kids, let me know how they are. 😉 

• Ludwig’s: This was my favorite spot for breakfast and I wish we would have gone twice! It’s at the Sonnenalp Hotel and you don’t need reservations. It’s first come, first serve, and kids eat free. Dining overlooks Gore Creek and it’s quite easily the most beautiful breakfast buffet I’ve ever seen. You know how when you’re traveling and it’s a little hard on toddlers because they aren’t able to eat their “usual” meals, Harry loved this brunch because they had multiple options of everything! Multiple flavors of yogurt, multiple types of pastries, eggs, etc. You and your little one will be thrilled.
• Bully Ranch: Hitting all the high notes, first. 😉 This was also our favorite kid-friendly dinner spot. You do need reservations here and we asked to sit outside to enjoy the weather. It felt similar to Hotel Drover if you are from Texas and they have truffle tater tots!
• El Segundo: Toward the end of the trip, my tiny Texans just wanted some Tex-Mex. El Segundo is by a candy shop, so we did dinner and treats next door. We all split nachos that were HUGE. If you can stand to wait for a patio table, that is well worth it.
• Mountain Standard and Sweet Basil: Mountain Standard and Sweet Basil are sister restaurants and both widely praised. I didn’t take Harry to those spots just because I was a little unsure what he would eat, but Maxi and I would stroll by Sweet Basil each day and I saw people bring their kids for Happy Hour and snacks. If you are there kid-free or can sneak a date night, you must! They were both the top recommendations from readers and friends.
• Alpenrose: This was Maxi’s favorite restaurant in Vail! We went a few times for breakfast and afternoon snacks. Eat brunch on the patio during their Sunday farmer’s market, and you can watch all the shoppers go by. I loved the quiche for breakfast, Maxi got Nutella crepes, and we both went back numerous times for the pretzel during lunch.
• Pizza: After a morning on the gondola, we went to Alpine Pizza. You can grab and go and walk around the village. On the 4th of July, we grabbed a quick dinner at Pazzo’s Pizza– which was Harry’s favorite! Alpine is a more deep-dish style.
• The Remedy Bar: This is the hotel bar/casual restaurant at the Four Seasons. You can dine outside around their year-round fire pits and enjoy dinner overlooking the pool. I loved the tomato basil soup and my kids loved the fried pickles! Paul and Harry also went to brunch their while Maxi and I were at the spa. It’s a great spot for toddlers and they have live music. We found they were extremely accommodating with picky eaters. 😉 After our travel day we had dinner there and {a tired} Harry wanted something specific, and our waiter was more than happy to get him that. So if you are staying there and have little ones, dine there a few times. I usually wouldn’t recommend a hotel restaurant on repeat, but this one was a favorite.

Shops:

• Perch: Perch reminds me a lot of a local spot in Fort Worth, You Are Here. I purchased some emerald green hoops there, but they have everything from embroidered sweaters to Veronica Beard. Kids can pop in Kid Sports next door while you shop, too!
• Lady Jones: Lady Jones is a destination for neutrals. I got some AGOLDE shorts, and their jewelry is not only gorgeous but reasonably priced.
• Gorsuch: There is one in Vail Village and one at the Four Seasons, but we loved popping in to look at the gifts and hat selection. I ended up getting a Juliet Dunn coverup I wore the whole trip.
• Skipper & Scout: Think our love of Limited Too combined with more on-trend clothing for little ones. I think Maxi asked to go in here at least a dozen times during the trip. I wish we had one in Texas- it’s precious!
• Jewelry: It’s worth popping in The Squash Blossom if you love looking at Brent Neale pieces. We also went in LaNae Fine Jewelry a few times, they have a nice range of pieces, so you can see anything from Julie Vos to diamonds.

Parks:

We have Dream Park in Fort Worth, but nothing quite as charming as these below! My kids especially loved running over to Pirateshop Park after dinner to burn off energy before bed.

• Pirateship Park
• Ford Park
• Red Sandstone Park

Gondolas:

• Gondola One in Vail Village and Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead Village
  • At the summit, there is Epic Discovery, where they have the forest flying mountain coaster, paramount peak climbing wall, bungee trampoline {Maxi loved!}, and Eagle’s nest tubing.
  • There are hiking trails and one that connects the two gondolas. It is about a 1-mile flat hike between the two.
  • Food offerings on the mountain are The Mid Vail Grill, Talon’s Deck at Eagle’s Nest and B14 Bar at Eagle’s Nest. Paul thought there were more food options on the Beaver Creek Gondola, FYI!
• Centennial Express Lift on Beaver Creek Mountain
  • Purchase and pick up tickets at the Summer Adventure Center located at the base. Maxi and I stayed back to play putt-putt at the base, which you can do.
  • Lunch and games at Spruce Saddle restaurant at the top

Outfits:

dress | sweater | maxi’s dress | sneakers | bag | stroller

harry’s jacket

my jacket | sunglasses

dress | sweater 

hat | sunglasses

dress | sneakers

sweater set | maxi’s nightgown

swimsuit

flag sweater | mushroom necklace | sunglasses | sweater dress | belt | red and white dress | cropped leggings | hat | travel set | light jacket | sweater skirt | green sneakers | leggings | raffia bag

We hope to go back again and enjoy more wonderful spots! Everything y’all recommended was 10/10 and we didn’t even get to scratch the surface of all Vail offers.