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14 Cheap (or free) fun activities in the Vail Valley+ 4 eateries that won’t break the bankBy Michele AngelloVail Valley…synonymous with multi-million dollar mansions, exclusive alpine clubs, and elegant hotels. Don’t cross it off your list as an affordable vacation spot. This Colorado mountain town with beautiful mountain vistas, comfortable summer and fall temperatures, world class skiing, a wide variety of shopping, art galleries and restaurants, is a destination that really shouldn’t be missed. So to offset some of the other costs of your Rocky Mountain vacation, here are 14 ways to entertain yourself for free - or at least cheaply: 1. Betty Ford Alpine Gardens: Until recently, former
President Ford and his wife were regular fixtures in the Vail Valley. They left
their mark through various charities, as well as the alpine gardens, which are
the highest botanic gardens in the world. This well-tended display has
thoughtfully placed benches to let you take in the soothing splashes of the
waterfalls, the light breezes that stir the surface of the ponds and the
kaleidoscope of colors from the alpine flowers and plants. These unique flowers
from every far flung part of the world thrive at this altitude and in weather
conditions that would kill most plants instantly. Keep an eye out for blue-eyed
grass, a strange looking perennial that looks like it has a blue “eye” growing
in the middle of the blade of grass. 2. Gore Range Brewery Tour: Settle in for a Slow Roasted
Pulled Pork Sandwich and a microbrew beer for lunch at this restaurant and
brewery. While you are there, ask if the Brewmaster is in. If he is – and this
can be dicey because he makes his own schedule – ask for a tour of the brewery.
The tour can be as short or as long as you want, depending on your level of
interest. The best times to catch him are between 10 AM to noon or in the
evening, or call for appointment. 3. Vail Valley Cares Thrift Shoppe: Clear out the back seat
of your car and grab your eagle-eyed shopping buddy. This thrift shop is crammed
with the cast-offs of the well heeled. One particular visit found a pair of
suede pants with the designer label still on it - a great deal for $20. An
identical pair without the original label was priced at $4. Expect to find
clothes, golf clubs, furniture, and accessories for the home. As with most
thrift shops, some are worn, but most are in excellent condition. 4. Freedom Park: Antsy kids will appreciate the ability to
run wild for a few hours at Freedom Park. This spacious playground has 2
separate, age-appropriate areas, so little kids won’t get scared off by
rambunctious older kids. Older kids will also appreciate the top-notch skate
park, which welcomes rollerbladers and skateboarders to skate the variety of
concrete benches, rims and half pipes. Sit and watch the aerobatics for a while
you take in your daily dose of sunshine. On the west edge of the park is a dog
park with a very tempting, deep green lake for the pooches to cool off in.
Several well-kept grassy athletic fields are also available for walkers and
runners who don’t want to work out on hard surfaces. Avon Recreation Center & Nottingham Park: Open year around, the variety of activities available can keep you busy all day long. 5. On Thursdays in July and August you can watch a classic movie for free while stretched out on a blanket with a picnic under the stars. 6. Go for a whirl across Nottingham Lake in winter for a $7 skate rental fee. There’s no charge if you have your own skates. 7. Work out those quads on the same lake in summer by renting a paddleboat for $10 for a half hour or $15 for an hour. Check out the free publication Parent’s Handbook to the Vail Valley for a half off coupon that’s good Monday through Thursday. 8. Play a pick up game of football, Frisbee or croquet on the lawn for just a $2 rental fee or free with your own equipment. 9. Getting splashed in seven different ways at the indoor 15,000-square foot aquatic area will only set you back $14 a day for adults and $10 for kids. Long-term rates are available.
Beaver Creek Village 11. Stop by the Beaver Creek Hiking Center in summer and take a guided hike or bike tour - there’s a free tour scheduled every day. At least 2 adults must be signed up for a tour and a 24-hour advance reservation is required. If you don’t want to bother with reservations or minimums, the Spruce Saddle Loop is an easy, free, guided hike from 11AM to Noon every day. You can also venture out on your own for free. Detailed maps are available at the hiking center.
14. Wildflower Walk at Vail Nature Center. Pop over to the
Vail Nature Center during June and July for the Wildflower Walk. Bursts of color
from dozens of species of wildflowers are at their height during these months.
This guided easy walk takes place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9AM to
10AM. Bonus – 4 Places to grab a bite that won’t break the bank Avon Bakery and Deli – Step in and inhale the intoxicating aroma of bread baking. A freshly baked bagel for breakfast will set you back 89 cents and most hot, made-to-order sandwiches are only $7.99. Believe it or not -the Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich brought a tear of happiness to the eye of a tough construction worker. (No names released.) Pick up artisan bread to go with soup for a hearty dinner. This place is swarming with locals, which tells you you’re in the right place. The lunch line is out the door, so be sure to call ahead and place your order for pickup. Location: 25 Hurd Lane, Avon - off of Avon Road, in the strip mall behind Burger King. 970.949.deli Finnegan’s Wake Irish Pub – Go for the traditional Irish
fare as well as the dark authentic pub décor, including a massive carved bar
imported from Ireland. The fish and chips are a perfect balance of fluffy
batter, moist and flaky fish and good chips just made for a squirt of malt
vinegar. Or go authentic with the highly recommended Classic Corned Beef and
Cabbage or Celtic Chicken Pot Pie. Most entrees are between $9 and $12. Markos – If the idea of a chewy, soft pizza crust that
still crispy intrigues you, you’ll want to give Markos a try. (I don’t know how
they do it, but this is easily the best pizza crust I’ve ever had.) With choices
ranging from New York-style pizza to calzones to old school pasta with fat butt
sauce - you can’t go wrong. The top–notch service doesn’t disappoint either.
From a cheese pizza for two at $5.99 to $19.99 for an 18-inch fully-loaded Greek
pizza, this local favorite will go easy on the wallet too. Smiling Moose Deli – From a hot, oven-toasted Parisian
sandwich with grilled chicken, melted brie, avocado, sun-dried tomatoes and
basil pesto for $5.75 to $7.75 to a Mountain Sunrise Breakfast Sandwich with
scrambled eggs, sausage, seared spinach, roasted red pepper, and melted pepper
jack cheese snuggled in a tortilla for $4.75 – every item here just makes you
want to come back and try another creative combination. This place is jammed for
lunch, but is well worth the wait. |
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10.
Don’t let your workouts go to the wayside while you’re on vacation. A full
roster of fitness programs and equipment are also available. 
12. Sling around a Frisbee on the free 18-hole championship
course while surrounded by alpine beauty. Just make sure your well-placed shots
don’t hit the deer. Save money and hoof it to the top or spend $18 and ride the
Centennial Express high-speed lift. You can upgrade to a $25 ticket, which will
get you a $15 lunch credit at the Spruce Saddle Restaurant at the end of your
ride up the mountain. Children ages 5 to 12 are free.
13.
If Frisbee golf isn’t your thing, just the ride on this quiet lift is pleasant
and ethereal experience. You’re whisked quickly through the crowns of the aspen
and pine trees up the side of the mountain. Spacious views of the European-style
village below and the jagged mountain ranges all around will make you want to
whip out your camera and start clicking away like the paparazzi. Adirondack
chairs facing the serrated peaks invite you to sit and take it all in for a
while.