Vail Summer Travel Guide + What I Wore + Packing Tips

Hi friends! Last week, I had the honor to visit Vail, CO, through an exclusive invite from Lexus and got to drive their new 2023 Lexus ES 300h F Sport in the Rocky Mountains and spend three days with a beautiful group of ladies. Here’s a recap of the agenda, what I wore/packed, and some packing tips since I managed to bring only a carry-on and personal item (a very rare occasion!!)

Day 1

I flew to Denver and was welcomed by the Lexus team with my Lexus ES 300h F Sport to drive to the hotel.

We stayed at The Hythe. Since arriving early, I could explore Denver (which has my favorite mall – Cherry Creek!!) or go up the mountains and make a few scenic stops. I opted to go up. If you plan to travel to Vail, don’t be intimidated by the 2-hour drive from the airport to the valley. It’s one of the most beautiful drives you’ll ever do. Guaranteed!!

DRIVING OVERVIEW –

You’ll take I-70E from the airport to The Hythe in Vail, Colorado. Take it leisurely and enjoy the
spectacular mountain views along the way. Feel free to stop for photos, a coffee, and a bite. Towns along the way to check out:

Georgetown – Exit 228 – Quaint little mountain town abutting Georgetown Lake. Take a
stroll on the Tom Bennhoff Lake Trail or stop in at Cooper’s on the Creek, or
Georgetown Coffee and Tea to refuel.

Loveland Pass (U.S. Hwy 6) – Exit 216 – Winding mountain road with scenic views and
overlooks; Adds 30 minutes – 1 hour onto the drive, depending on how many stops you
take! Once departing U.S. 70 at exit 216, you’ll drive approximately 20 miles along U.S. Hwy 6
before getting back onto U.S. 70 at exit 205.

Frisco – Exit 203 – Stroll Frisco’s charming Main Street and pop into one of the art galleries or
find a spot on a patio of the many restaurants and coffeehouses to take in the local scenery. If
you’re feeling adventurous, drive five miles to Sapphire Point Overlook, a short 0.6-mile hiking
loop with dramatic views of Dillon Reservoir, Gore Range, and Tenmile Range.

Vail Village – 1.5 miles from the hotel – Wander the cobblestone streets of Vail Village, where
you’ll find high-end boutiques, outdoor gear, and more. Just down the road, visit the
picturesque Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, the highest-elevation botanical garden in the world.

The hotel is stunning and has lots to do inside. I took the day to relax and enjoy some quiet time. I ordered room service and got ready for our group dinner leisurely!

Dinner at Tavern on the Square (The Arrabelle)

The Arrabelle is located in Lionshead, another lift in Vail just a mile from the Village. It looks like a European fairytale! It is just a short walk from our hotel. At the Tavern on the Square, I had the Tuna Poke Bowl, and it was delish!!

Day 2

Horseback Riding at the Beaver Creek Stables in the morning. It was the coolest experience despite the rain and scary, slippery trails. This was very challenging for the horses, and some of us did get frightened because what started as a drizzle became a pouring rain that wouldn’t stop, and eventually, we all wanted to go home!! The trails are insanely gorgeous, leading you to the top of the mountain with stunning views. However, the path was narrow and super steep, and as the rain fell, it became muddy, and our horses struggled. It was indeed a true Western Adventure and not the best activity for the faint of heart!! You’ve been warned!!

After our eventful morning, we returned to the hotel to warm up, change, and check out my beloved Vail Village! The outfit:

We stopped for a quick lunch at the cutest little Alpenrose. A true delight serving German and Austrian foods and with the cutest corners for the folks who love to snap a pic!!

After lunch, we strolled through the Vail village, which offers an array of shopping, including luxury shopping, ice skating (in the winter), coffee shops, and restaurants, some with live music! It’s always lively in season and lovely even when it’s raining, with flowers everywhere and the sound of the creek as background noise!

In the afternoon, you can take the Gondola up the mountain and Hike Along Meadow’s Loop. It was raining on and off, so we stayed put! The Hythe offers whiskey tasting and s’mores from 3-5 PM, which was a sweet treat at the latest. We grabbed some caffeine and returned to our rooms to prepare for dinner.

For dinner, we went to the popular Mountain Standard. It is a yummy comfort food place with delicious dishes and a tough spot to get a table. Make sure you make reservations!!

Day 3

Some of us did Yoga on the Après Deck on the last day. Booking a place w lots of activities makes it easy to plan, but Vail and its surrounding towns offer so many activities and beautiful views that just walking along and visiting towns is perfect! I had to leave early for my flight, so I drove in my gorgeous Lexus and saw the sun rising in the mountains. Priceless!!

See THIS POST for a quick packing tip on how I managed to pack all of these outfits plus more in a carry-on and personal items bag!