Vail or Boulder
 

Family of 4 (2-17/20yr.old girls).Which city would be of more interest? We've never been to Colorado - we will also spend sometime in Denver&Colorado Springs can't decide to head over to Vail or Boulder.

Boulder is a very eclectic town which lies at the base of the Flat Irons (front range mts.) Pearl Street has some interesting shops and restaurants and nearby Boulder Creek offers great opportunities for running, roller-blading and biking.There is nearby hiking, or you can go gliding over the mts. Butterfly Pavillion is worthy of a visit also.The Shakespeare Festival in August is world renown.

Vail is a first class, very upscale resort in the mountains. There is a plethora of exzcellent restuarants and boutique shops all very nice and all very expensive. There are also the usual mountain activities---hiking, biking, rafting etc. Vail also has a summer concert series and ballet.

Both places have a lot to offer, it's really a matter of have much you want to spend and where your interests lie.

I vote for Boulder.

You can tube down Boulder Creek.

Fish in Nederland, a short drive from Boulder.

Eat, drink and enjoy music at a variety of fabulous restaurants and clubs all within walking distance of each other on the Pearl Street Mall. My favorite is Conor O'Neills.

Gamble in Black Hawk and Central City.

Thanks for your help. Any suggestions on rafting while in Colorao Springs - need very easy flow - all novices!

If you really want to get into the mts, definitely go to the Vail area. It's a beautiful drive from Denver. Another suggestion would be Breckenridge. It's a real town, as opposed to Vail which is a manufactured resort. It was a silver mining town years ago and has great architecture. It's a bit closer to Denver than Vail, about 1 1/2 hrs, and would have a more diversified range of accommodations. Take a chairlift ride for the views.

I live in Boulder. Go to Vail. A real mountain setting, tons of stuff to do, esp. on the mountain. Boulder is nice, but can be pricey, and all those things mentioned need to be driven to (butterfly pavilion? thats closer to Denver and great if your 5 yr old). Accommodation choices are better in Vail for a family, too (condos).

We were in Vail last July - LOVED it. The drive from Denver Airport was great and we also enjoyed a drive from Vail to Glenwood Springs - beautiful. We stayed in Vail Village at the Sonnenalp and could walk to all the nice shops and restaurants. We also went to a concert at the Gerald Ford Amphitheater. It was a great trip. We also enjoyed a day in Breckenridge. Walked around the town and had lunch. Beaver Creek is nice too. Anyway, we enjoyed Vail and hope to go back again soon (maybe next summer). The weather was fabulous when we were there. It was between 75 and 80 everyday!

I'd suggest you swap Colorado Springs for Boulder, then add Breckenridge instead of Vail.

Visiting Denver-Boulder-Breckenridge would give you an excellent mix of activities. Definitely stay at a mountain town if you've never been to Colorado, but I agree that Vail is a Disney-manicured version of one so I wouldn't recommend it. You could stay in Breckenridge and easily visit Vail for the day if you must see it.

Your 17/20 year old daughters will like Boulder's hip atmosphere. Visit the CU campus-- its impressive architecture and fun atmosphere make it worth a walk-through. Lots to do in and near Boulder-- hike at Chatauqua Park and dine at their wonderful, historic Dining Hall overlooking the view from the porch, stroll on Pearl Street mall to shop and dine and see the buskers, drive into a canyon, etc.

Personally, I don't see the attraction of Colorado Springs. A rather plain town, it's just close to Pike's Peak, which you'll see the likes of if you drive to Breckenridge.

Enjoy Colorado. You won't be disappointed!

I think historytraveler has captured the vail/boulder comparison very well. I also agree on the comments on Colorado Springs - it never quite turns me on. I would spend time in Boulder, Denver (Lodo), and a mountain town (Keystone is my favorite in the summer - or Breckenridge).

Listen to Maureen--she's right on the money. Your girls will love Boulder's funky atmosphere but will also enjoy the mountains of Vail. Colorado Springs is okay but not where I'd take this age of girls. If you're committed to C. Springs, consider staying in Boulder but taking a day trip (or overnight) in nearby Estes Park.

Boulder is a wondeful town, but for a vacation DEFINITELY go to Vail. It is beautiful, and it has an absolutely charming pedestrian village with a European feel. There is a lot to do, a lot of energy in the village, its very easy to get around on foot, and there are flowers and music everywhere.

I think Vail is a lot nicer than Breckenridge in the summer. Vail is more relaxing and easy to get around b/c of its pedestrian-only village. Also, it is just more charming than Breckenridge, although I do agree that Breckenridge is very nice. (It is not as easy to walk around Breckenridge).

Of course, this assume you are going in the summer. If you are going in October or November, Boulder would probably be better.

Wow... I've never heard Vail called charming. It's a bit like calling Disney World charming. Don't get me wrong, my husband works for Vail and I think its the best ski mountain in the state... But charming - not to my definition.

Just got back from Vail this morning. You have to get into the mountains when you come to Colorado, no matter where you go. Denver is flat, with mountains in the distance. Boulder is a hipper place, and worth seeing IN ADDITION to the mountains, but certainly not instead of the mountains.
I personally recommend to visitors the loop from Denver to Estes Park, across Trail Ridge Road, down to Dillon/Breckenridge/Vail (with a longer loop and stop in Steamboat if you have time) and back to Denver. Denver will be the least impressive part of your trip.

IF you are planning to go in July or August- go to Vail, not Boulder. While Boulder is great, it has been very, very HOT!! Today is 95 degrees. The past two weeks have mostly been in the 90's and 100's. Everyone in Boulder is going to the moutains to get away from the heat! Vail will be a good 20 degrees cooler than Boulder.

I respectfully disagree with Julie. I don't think of Vail at all as having Disney-world charm. I think it is sophisticated little town. Clearly, it is a resort town and built around tourism, but that is true of all the resort towns in the mountains (yes, Breckenridge was a mining town once, but most of what is there now was built around tourism). Although it is nice, I think of Beaver Creek as being a "manufactured" town because it was built all at once by the same management company and has uniform look (All the shops are part of a few big buildings, as opposed to Vail or Breckenridge which are comprised of unique, individual buildings).

At any rate jmrpax, go to the mountains--that is the place to be in the summer, regardless of whether you go to Vail, Aspen, Breckridge, or other mountain town.

My two cents' worth: Vail is wannabe, nouveau riche. People who don't know any better go there to see and be seen. Sorry, just my opinion after living in Colorado many, many years. I avoid Vail like the plague.

Definitely get up into the mountains. As far as the Springs go, there are some interesting places just outside of the city; Manatou Springs for starters. You can go the backway through Leadville to Breck. I think my problem with Vail is that it's such a narrow valley and you're never far from the highway. I think Summit County has more to offer.

I agree with etpiv. Enjoy the views and, if you must, mix in a little touristy shopping along the way. This can be done in any of those stops- Estes, Boulder, Breck, 'Boat, Vail. But don't burn a day sniffing around t-shirts shops. I personally like Vail, It has a comfortable atmosphere. However, we in Colorado don't consider shopping our strength. The reason you're considering a visit to Colorado is the scenery. So get in the car and go to the the mountains. The more you drive it, the more you'll enjoy it. As noted above, I've never been impressed with The Springs. Boulder is a fun diversion, particularly Pearl Street, and very scenic. But I think you'd be better served by seeking out the natural beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park and Trail Ridge. Whatever you like to pass your time, I hope you enjoy Colorado!

I think we need to keep in mind that jmrpax is traveling with 17 and 20 year old girls/young women. I have teens and they would rather have the bright lights-big city thing going any time over the fresh air/lovely views that their dad and I enjoy.

Case in point--right now we're on a weeklong car trip with our teens. Spent 3 days in Vegas--HUGE success!Now we're in gorgeous Durango, Colorado--not so much of a hit. Every teen's different but I know Boulder and am guessing that Pearl Street,etc. will light their little eyes up. They'll also enjoy the nouveau riche feel of Vail and you can enjoy the scenery!

Thanks for all your help - more confused than ever- but a lot of great information. Thinking of leaving Denver at 11 AM going to Vail for day trip and end up at night in Colorado Springs. Is it worth the day trip? What would you recommend to see? Putting too much into one day?