COME TO LIFE / Playing & Pampering 3 SIDETRIPS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: VAIL VILLAGE, VAIL RESORTS/JACK AFFLECK; STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING, DISCOVER AVON; HOT SUMMER NIGHTS CONCERT SERIES, JOHN-RYAN LOCKMAN. 4 Eagle is growing in popularity as a homebase in the valley. Town Park is a hub of activity in Eagle, with yoga, a playground, cottonwood-shaded picnic areas, summer concerts and other events. The Eagle Pool & Ice Rink is another hot spot and the launching point for the town’s main trailheads for mountain bikers, trail runners and hikers. There’s also a pump track, BMX track, MHOR R/C Raceway radio-controlled car track and new whitewater park. Brush Creek and the Eagle River run through town and provide excellent fishing opportunities. Stop in to Batsons Corner Store to get the inside scoop on conditions. Avon ’s a treat with meandering trails and Harry A. Nottingham Park, home to the state’s largest Fourth of July celebration, pad-dle boats, stand-up paddleboards, fishing and picnic spots. In winter Nottingham Lake opens for old-fashioned ice skating and hockey. The West Avon Preserve, just north of I-70, offers winding trails of all levels of difficulty. There’s also the Walking Mountains Science Center, an innovative natural science learning campus with a stream, wetlands, pond, aspen forest and National Forest access, which provides the valley with a special place for learning and discovery through guided hikes, camps and other family activities. The Zagster bike-share program provides an easy way for residents and guests to get around town. Gypsum has a shooting range, fishing ponds right in town limits, a championship golf course that’s usually one of the first to open in the mountain region for the summer, the new Dry Lake motocross track and access to BLM lands. For rock crawlers with off-road vehicles, the Middle Middle rock-crawling trail north of town looms with large boulders, undercut ledges and waterfall climbs. Farmers’ Market Fridays starting in June bring local flavors and 18 town parks are perfect for picnics. Minturn ’s galleries, antique shops and summer farmers’ markets are worth a gander; Red Cliff is a jumping-off point to mountain biking, cross-country skiing, wildflower hikes and more; Edwards ’ Riverwalk shopping district has a relaxed feel and several mountain boutiques. In any season the region’s 10th Mountain Division Huts provide backcountry stopovers for showshoers/skiers and hikers. Book early — these unique stopovers get snatched up fast by those looking to live in relative backcountry comfort. Stroll Vail Village (3) or nearby Beaver Creek Village for world-class shopping — fur coat shops, glitzy jewelry dealers and couture clothing outlets as well as more down-to-earth T-shirt shops, art galleries, home decor shops and more — bustling year-round. Wind down your afternoon with an alpine-inspired treatment at one of the valley’s premier resort spas, including Bloom Spa , Spa Anjali , Spa at the Arrabelle and Aria Spa . You’ll be refreshed and ready for an unforgettable night in the Vail Valley. Less luxurious, but equally delightful options abound, as well: Goat Yoga at Vail Stables brings together the Zen of yoga with the adorable energy of kids (the goat kind)! Paragon Guides ’ Take a Llama to Lunch hikes pair you with a llama and guide you into evergreen forests and aspen groves. EVENING Treat yourself to the delight of gourmet dining at 10,000 feet at Game Creek Restaurant , whose location on Vail Mountain provides unmatched views. Beaver Creek offers another unique restaurant option at Beano’s Cabin , a grand yet rustic on-mountain epicurean experi-ence. Getting to either restaurant is half the fun, with transportation choices ranging from a gondola, wagon or horseback ride. Be sure to check the schedules for summertime special perform-ing arts events such as the Hot Summer Nights Concert Series (4) , the Vail Jazz Festival , the Bravo! Music Festival and the Vail Dance Festival , which brings dancers from top companies all over the world to a gorgeous outdoor stage. STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Avon (page 191), Beaver Creek , Eagle (page 196), Edwards (page 196), Gypsum , Minturn , Red Cliff , Vail (page 206) 174 / 1-800-COLORADO
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2019: Page 174
