We are heading to Vail for a quick 4-day visit next week. Any suggestions for
restaurants, activities, and what not to miss would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I always enjoy Sweet Basil--especially for lunch--http://www.sweetbasil-vail.com/

And the Betty Ford Botanic Gardens should be glorious-we've had lots of rain this summer http://www.bettyfordalpinegardens.org/

We were in vail last July and loved it. Don't know what day you will be there but the Sunday Farmer's Market was great. We also had a wonderful time riding the gondola up Vail Mountain and riding mountain bikes back down the trails. The younger kids in our group rode the gondola up and down the mountain all day long! There is a restaurant (sports bar type) at the base of the mountain near where you catch the gondola and we had a great time sitting on their patio watching others come down the mountain on bikes.

Two moderately priced restaurants we enjoy:

Blu's which is on the creek side of the same building as Sweet Basil.

Bart & Yeti's in Lionshead near the gondola.

There are seats still available for Savion Glover (amazing tap dancer) at the Ford Amphitheater on 7/27 and the Vilar Center on 7/28.

Another vote for Sweet Basil. Also, Left Bank and The Wildflower.

Don't miss any activity outside -- get out and enjoy canoeing, horseback riding, kayaking, going on a cattle drive (for the day). Really, this time of year offers so many outdoor activities.

Enjoy!

The wildflowers are glorious right now. For a nice wildflower hike, take I-70 east from Vail for about 14 miles to exit 190 at the top of Vail Pass. Get off at this exit. There is a rest area here. Before heading into the parking area of the rest stop, there will be a road on your right. This is Shrine Pass Road - a dirt road that eventually ends at U.S. Hwy 24 near the hamlet of Redcilff and is easily passable in a regular passenger car.

From the rest area at exit 190, Shrine Pass Road will gradually and quickly crest Shrine Pass itself, then head downhill. Shortly after beginning the descent there will be a parking lot on your left (approx GPS coordinates of 39 degrees, 32 minutes, 45.94 seconds NORTH/ 106 degrees, 14 minutes, 29.10 seconds WEST). You can see this parking area easily on the "aerial view" on Mapquest. There is a trail on the eastern edge of this parking area that leads off toward the south into the woods and through some meadows that are filthy with wildflowers.

After your wildflower hike, continue down Shrine Pass Road. About halfway to Red Cliff you should be privy to a sight in front of you that most people don't get to see because it is relatively well hidden from the major highways - the upper half of the 14,001 foot Mount of the Holy Cross. If you're lucky there will still be some snow in the couloirs on the face of this mountain that give it its name.

At Red Cliff, turn right onto Hwy 24 and take it back to I-70. You are now just west of Vail. Turn onto I-70 east and you'll shortly be back in Vail.

furledleader, that sounds like a great drive-and-hike. We'll be there in a month, and although the flowers will probably have faded away by then I think we'll do this outing anyway. Thanks!

Thank you all so much. Some wonderful suggestions. Can't wait to get there!!