SUMMER IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS

COLORADO SUMMER 2022

I have been to Colorado countless times for weddings, vacations, skiing. Have been during all four seasons but it has been a long time since I was here during the summer. It was such a great trip, as CO always is for me. I tend to spend most of my time in the Denver, Boulder, and the Vail area. This trip I added on Crested Butte which I hadn’t been to in years. I would say the two places I really want visit in CO that I have yet to see are Telluride and Steamboat. I will make it there at some point but those are on my CO must list. But for the places I know and visit the most here are my favorite must see and do:

Vail & Breckenridge:

I will start by saying while I have skied and spent a fair amount of time in Breck I have only ever stayed there once, and it was a very long time ago! So, I can offer some activity and food options but when it comes to places to stay I am afraid I don’t have much to offer.

Vail

Vail is divided into two sides. Vail Village and Lion’s Gate. They are both right next two each other. For food and shopping I like Vail Village better.

Great places to Stay/Spa:

Sonnanalp
Four Seasons
Sebastian
Lodge at Vail (make sure to ask for an updated room)

Dining (be sure to make reservations!)

Vail:

Sweet Basil
Le Tour
Fall Line
Mountain Standard
La Nonna
Remedy Bar

Breckenridge:

Fatty’s Pizza
Downstairs at Eric’s
Tin Plate
Hearthstone
Amazing Grace
Sanchos Tacos
Bird & Cow

Coffee/Sweet Treats:

Vail:

Yeti’s Grind (also great for a quick breakfast)
Gorsuch (favorite coffee/après ski spot; the smaller of the two locations)
Two Arrows

Breckenridge:

Mimi & Pin Churros & Waffles
Mountain Top Cookie Shop
Clint’s
La Francaise
Breckenridge Coffee Roasters/ Cuppa Joe Cafe

Shopping (Vail)

Squash Blossom (jewelry)
Perch
Gorsuch
Lady Jones
Blitz

Activities:

Fun Park at the top of the mountain on the Lions Gate side. There is also a fun bar and grill at the top as well. Great for kids!
Gold Runner Alpine Coaster
White Water Rafting
Zip Lining

Hiking:

Berry Picker (Vail; I would suggest hiking up and taking the gondola down)
Booth Falls (Vail)
Upper Piney River Falls (Vail)
Peaks Trail (15 miles if you do out and back this train goes from Frisco to Breckenridge, or you can do the revers. My suggestion would be to hike from Frisco to Breck and hike all the way into town or hike to the gondola and take that down and have lunch in Breck)
Mayflower Lakes (Breck)
McCullough Trails (Breck; this is a hard hike)

BOULDER:

When I’m in Boulder I always stay with friends so here I am not able to offer options but definitely can for food and shopping!

Shopping:

Cedar & Hyde
Haven

Dining:

Oak
Pasta Jay’s
The Buff
Blackbelly
Spruce Farm & Fish

Activities:

Every outdoor activity you could want is in Boulder. I usually spend time hiking or biking while I am here or just being outside and active. You can’t go wrong!

CRESTED BUTTE

Shopping:

This is none of those towns where you just want to walk up and down, the main street and stop in all the shops.

Great t-shirts, souvenirs, galleries, a few cute clothing stores, specialty hats. Lots to explore so just take an afternoon and do a little meandering.

Dining:

Sunflower
Secret Stash
Elk Avenue Prime
Paradise Café
BreaderyCB
Public House

Coffee/Treats:

Camp 4 Coffee
Rumors
Coffee Lab
Tin Cup

Activities:

Horseback riding
White water rafting
Sunsets are amazing
Hiking Highlights (Snodgrass, Oh Be Joyful (13 mile hike), Maroon Pass (hike from CB to Aspen)

*** I have never been to CB in the winter but if I ever do go there is one experience, I know I want to have and that is to do fine dining in a Yurt in the mountain with the Crested Butte Nordic Center. They only do this in the winter months, and it is a whole evening experience of fine dining. It looks super cool!

Even though this blog is geared towards summer in Colorado, I will say a quick word about skiing. My favorite place to ski in Colorado (not that I have skied everywhere) is Vail. It would be my recommendation if coming to ski. Although Telluride is high on my list to try! I also really like skiing in Breckenridge but since Vail is my favorite town and place to stay, I is also my favorite ski spot It is also very easy if staying in the Vail/Breck area to ski both during the same visit or add another mountain like Copper. They are all relatively close together.

On another side note all the restaurants I mentioned are open in winter and excellent any time of year!

Happy Adventuring!