Eco Adventures

Wake up in the majestic Rockies and head for a zip lining tour for an eagle’s eye view of the mountains. Experience amazing views as you zipline your way across canyons and over rolling hills.

Stop at Avon Bakery & Deli for a breakfast sandwich on your way back. They are known for their scratch-made organic breads and bake all their pastries fresh daily on-site. You can get gluten-free options, too. 

Take in the treetops while you eat lunch at Daniel’s Bar & Grill. Power up for an athletic afternoon outside with a hearty burger or relax with one of the local craft brews on tap. Don’t forget to ask about the ice cream bar flavors of the day. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch is noted among dog owners for going above and beyond for four-legged guests, and Bachelor, the hotel’s canine ambassador, can be thanked for that. Bachelor’s Pack offers activities, menus and helpful tips for how to have man’s best friend join in on the fun during your stay. 

Explore Beaver Creek Mountain at your own pace with a private hiking tour lead by an expert naturalist who can answer your questions as well as taking you on a route that’s right for your experience level. Take a peaceful walk through the woods while learning about the plants and wildlife that inhabit the area’s namesake peak.

Boasting sweeping views of the surrounding Beaver Creek Mountain and Vail Valley, Anderson’s Cabin offers an authentic Colorado experience with private barbecue lunches and dinners for up to 10 guests. Ask the concierge at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch for assistance with booking the cabin.

One of the locally loved dishes is the breakfast burrito — a flour tortilla filled to bursting with eggs, bacon, cheese or, in the case of Stout House Coffee & Kitchen, house-made pork green chili. You can always get a breakfast sandwich or a healthy smoothie as well, but there’s something to be said for eating like a local. 

You can’t come to Colorado in good weather and not go whitewater rafting (it’s like coming in February and not going skiing!). Ride the Colorado River’s Shoshone stretch to go through Glenwood Canyon, which takes you through a mile of class III rapids followed by an easy, scenic float. The outings can be for a half day or a full day, starting first thing in the morning. 

Take a walk through the scenic 7-acre Vail Nature Center, where you can explore a mountain meadow, a 1940s-homestead house, or check the schedule to see which of their many tours and activities they have on deck for the day. 

Former first lady Betty Ford fell so in love with the wildflowers of Vail that in 1988, she lent her name to the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. It’s the highest-elevation botanical garden in the world (8,200 feet up, to be precise), and it specializes in a unique mix of alpine and mountain plants from all over the world.  

Coloradoans take their local beers very seriously, and you can check out the brewery of Vail Brewing Company, conveniently located in Eagle-Vail, to see what the fuss is about. Try one of their in-house brews or a signature flight accompanied by a bite from Rocky Mountain Tacos. 

Sweet Basil has long been considered one of the best restaurants in the area, and its creators have now opened Mountain Standard, which fuses their high-quality approach with cooking over an open, live wood fire. The restaurant is focused on the purest ingredients from the Rocky Mountain region and beyond to create a rustic and hearty menu. 

If you’re in the area on a weekend, check out one of the local farmers markets for crafts, handmade pieces and farm-fresh produce. Minturn’s market is the smaller of the two but is considered very charming. Vail’s, which takes place on Sunday, is the bigger of the two and should keep you busy browsing stalls. 

Are you ready to take the Canyon Plunge? If you’re not quite prepared for a freefall on a zip-line, try one of the tamer options that Zip Adventures offers. With extra safety precautions like a full-body padded harness and a unique pulley system, you will be secure as you experience breathtaking views of mountains, canyons and forest tops. 

It’s hard not to like a restaurant that’s known for its burgers and doughnuts. Whether you want one of their famous Benderz Burgers or an extra-large doughnut made for sharing, Northside Kitchen has an expansive menu that’ll help you refuel post-activity.

Indulge in a luxurious treatment at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Bachelor Gulch. The Miner’s Mineral Mud Wrap uses indigenous ore and activated charcoal mud, from the depths of Colorado’s mines, that is hand-mixed during every treatment. Get detoxified and uplifted with the full-body exfoliation, body wrap, scalp treatment and more. 

With a heavy emphasis on locally sourced and sustainable meats, seafood and seasonal vegetables, there is no better restaurant to wind down your eco-adventures at than WYLD. Try mountain classics like smoked pork shank or veal schnitzel — or go all out with an order of fondue to start.