Disclosure—-This post is VERY late (from July 2021) but maybe right now you are planning your summer vacation and it will be useful for you!

July in Houston means it is time to hit the road and beat the heat. Last summer we did just that and had a BLAST in Colorado. We spent most of our time in Bachelor Gulch but also hit Beaver Creek, Vail and Denver.

Where we stayed — We stayed in Bachelor Gulch at the Ritz-Carlton. Depending on the season, you can get a good hotel rate at the Ritz. Ski season is NOT one of those times but late summer is…especially after Labor Day! We try to stay at Marriott hotels because of the points we get through our Bonvoy Rewards Credit Card. The Ritz is a fantastic property that is built into the mountainside. Numerous hikes of varying difficulty are waiting right outside your backyard. There is a ski lift that operates during winter and summer for easy access to the slopes or scenic rides. The large pool is a rarity in the mountains and the kids really enjoyed it along with the two outdoor hot tubs. It is serviced by a great bar for poolside libations. For a more relaxing experience, the world class spa includes an indoor hot tub area called the Grotto. This is a great, adults only area to wind down. The overall experience at the Ritz is great, but the one drawback for you may be its distance from the rest of the Beaver Creek Resort. The free Village to Village shuttle can be called through an app to transport you to the base of Beaver Creek Mountain where plenty of shops, restaurants and activities await. We didn’t mind the seclusion!

Things to do:

Lunch or dinner at Craftsman in Edwards, CO is always a fantastic choice. Known for its gourmet sandwiches and standout craft beers, this laid back restaurant is one of my husband’s favorite places to visit when in Bachelor Gulch. There are ample choices for kids as well, but they really love an after-dinner visit to Sundae right next door for delicious ice cream featuring interesting flavors like Salted Cookies and Cream and Blue Popsicle.

A trip to Riverwalk Theater in Edwards, CO for a matinee was a huge hit with the kids! Pricing is reasonable and there is always a kid-friendly choice on one of the screens. I always love visiting a family owned movie theater and Riverwalk is no exception.

Sage Outdoor Adventures- We’ve used this company before for horseback riding in the mountains (which we didn’t do this time because not all of our kids are old enough) and I would highly recommend it—-both Sage and horseback riding. The views are truly beautiful. This trip we rode/drove ATVs through the mountains. We went with a group of 8 and the reviews on this activity were mixed. Here’s the thing…it is really fun to drive and you can hit some lovely lookout points, but it gets pretty dusty on the trails and you will be downright dirty by the end of the ride. Also, we learned the hard way that being a passenger in the front seat is fun, but being a passenger in the back seat is less than ideal. It’s a much bumpier ride in the back. Overall, we had a great time but if we did it again we would be sure to rent enough ATVs so that nobody had to sit in the back.

We used Big Ed’s Fishing Ventures for a fishing trip on Lake Dillon. Due to timing (late July) the fish were not biting so we did not have a successful fishing trip but we did have the most beautiful boat ride I have ever been on. There’s something so unique about being on a lake and having mountains as your backdrop. Other times that I have been on a boat, I’ve had sand or water as far as the eye can see, so this was a welcome and beautiful treat!

The Vail Farmers’ Market and Art Show is a must visit. It is held on Sundays from mid-June to early October and features cool artwork and delicious food. You can spend hours browsing the different vendors’ booths. It doesn’t hurt that the weather is usually 70 degrees and sunny! Our family’s favorite food item is the Rocky Mountain Taco truck which serves excellent tacos and burritos. I was skeptical about Mexican food in the mountains, but I was very wrong. There is also a brick and mortar location in Minturn if you can’t make it to the Farmers’ Market.

If you are a baseball fan, it is worth the trip over to Denver for a Colorado Rockies game. My kids really enjoy baseball and it is fun to check out different ballparks. We flew in/out of Denver so we were able to fit in a game our last night in Colorado.

And, that’s a wrap! We had so much fun and really didn't get to do everything there is to offer. We will definitely be having a round 2 of Colorado in the summer!

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