ROAD TRIPS

The Mountains Are Calling.

There’s something about driving through the Rocky Mountains – windows down, John Denver blasting and crisp mountain air streaming through the car – that’s good for the soul. Settling down in Vail, Colorado, for a much-need vacation? That’s just the icing on the cake.

For the most adventurous jetsetters who want to trade in a plane ticket for a pitstop or two in rural Kansas, a road trip to Vail might just be what you need. As famed naturalist and preservationist, John Muir once said, “The mountains are calling and I must go.”

But in order to go, you first have to get there. Admittedly, the first nine hours of the trip might be a bit excruciating – no one has ever described the drive through Kansas and Eastern Colorado as exciting – but the entire prolonged straightaway that is The Sunflower State’s stretch of I-70 will be well worth the final 100 miles as you ascend from Denver into the mountains. The final portion of your drive will take you along some of the most spectacularly hair-raising stretches of road in the entire United States, including a trek through the Eisenhower Tunnel, the highest point of the entire Interstate Highway System. From there, it’s more or less downhill (speaking literally, of course) to get to Vail.

Three pieces of advice from someone who has made the drive several times in recent years? Leave at the crack of dawn (or earlier), queue up a couple podcasts (or a book on tape), and pack a couple of good snacks. I promise, you’ll be 8,150 feet above sea level before you know it.

STAY

After the road trip, you’ll need some rest, so make sure you’ve got your accommodations settled. For arguably the best stay in the greater Vail area, check out the Four Seasons Resort and Residences. Most of the rooms, suites, and private residences come equipped with working fireplaces, plus balconies or terraces with views across the mountains and Vail Village so you can get a healthy dose of mountain air whenever the mood strikes.

Pound-for-pound, the Four Season’s amenities cannot be beat. To start, the heated pool is open year-round, and the two additional hot tubs will help you cool down and warm up after any long hikes up the mountain. The hotel’s spa & wellness center and fitness center also have something for everyone. Most importantly, the Four Seasons is dog friendly, meaning you’ll have a trusted companion for your road trip and any ensuing adventures.

The dining options at the Four Seasons can go head-to-head with the best restaurants and eateries throughout all of Vail, too. Grab a morning pick-me-up at Bean & Gone or check out The Remedy Bar for happy hour

(or a life-changing hot chocolate). For an incredible dinner, snag your reservation for some show-stopping steak and seafood options at Flame Restaurant. The steakhouse offers fresh and aged cuts, complete with an angus beef chart on the menu showcasing where each selection comes from on the cow. Even the poolside food and cocktail menus are worth the trip alone, if getting out of your lounger seems like too much effort. We won’t judge you.

PLAY

Of course, Vail has so much more to offer than accommodations. While ski season doesn’t officially begin until mid-November, that doesn’t mean the mountains are closed for business this fall. The greater Vail Valley is home to some of the most beautiful hiking found within half a day’s drive of Kansas City, so it’s best not to miss the chance to take in the views.

Booth Falls (4.2 miles) and Strawberry Lane (2.7 miles) are both easy to get to and provide moderate challenges. Vail’s neighboring towns have plenty more trails options for beginner and intermediate hikers, including the Beaver Lake Trail in Beaver Creek (6.3 miles) and Lionshead Rock Trail in Minturn (6.0 miles). Of course, you don’t have to hike up a mountain to take in the sights and sounds Vail has to offer. Vail boasts more than 15 miles of paved paths, including the Gore Creek Path, a breathtaking 1.8-mile point-to-point route great for walking, running, and biking.

DINE AND DRINK

There’s no shortage of eateries and watering holes throughout Vail Village and the adjacent Lionshead Village, where you can truly find something for everyone. Arguably the most picturesque establishment in Vail Village, Pepi’s Restaurant and Bar (and the accompanying Hotel Gasthof Gramshammer), is an authentic Alpine lodge and Bier hall that first opened its doors in late 1964, two years after Vail Ski Resort was founded (and two years before Vail was even incorporated). You can’t miss Pepi’s’ iconic yellow facade and its accompanying billowing flowerboxes. Stop by for lunch, dinner, or even après hike for an assortment of schnitzels, bratwurst, and other European specialties – paired with a beer, of course. For the full experience, try to snag a spot in the sun on its southern-facing deck.

For an elevated yet dog-friendly atmosphere, consider Mountain Standard, where you’ll find a vibrant and inspired menu – and a cocktail and wine selection to match. Sweet Basil is always worthy of a visit, but be sure to snag your reservation early: this award-winning restaurant has an excellent selection of small bites and entrees alike, which have brought back repeat customers since they first opened their doors in 1977.

If you’re simply looking to wet your beak, Vail has plenty to offer. For wine lovers, Root & Flower is a must-visit, with 50 by-the-glass pours ranging from vintage Old World vinos to new-age natural wines. Beer snobs can take refuge at Vail Brewing Co. – either at their tasting room in Vail Village or their original brewery in Eagle-Vail,

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just a quick drive west from Vail Village. Finally, The George, Bridge Street Bar, Garfinkels, Bart & Yeti’s, and Shakedown Bar are all the varying degrees of divey in a mountain town way for those looking to step away for a casual pint.

SHOP

After your belly is full and your thirst has been quenched, legs still sore from your morning hike, Vail is a prime spot for shopping. Lionshead and Vail Village are built for walking, giving you plenty of room to spread out as you make your way through the shopping districts.

Before anything, you’ll need to blend in by standing out in your new cowboy hat and boots (or maybe just a tasteful scarf for the less adventurous). Kemo Sabe is a high-end Western-wear store, with an extensive collection of leather goods and jewelry that even the most hardened cityslicker can pull off. It’s worth popping your head in, if only for the tannery aromas. After that, let your instincts take over and you can’t go wrong. From fashionable yet ski-forward shops like Burton and Gorsuch to stylish outdoor gear from Christy Sports, Patagonia, Lululemon, or Pepi Sports, everyone can easily find a new fit for the next day’s adventures. There’s plenty of higher-end shopping throughout the villages, including Perch and Nina McLemore, as well as menswear options at Axel’s, Grey Salt, or Luca Bruno.

Finally, Sundays are perhaps the busiest (and most exciting) day to be in Vail Village, with their seasonal farmers’ market and art show, bringing dozens of food vendors, makers, crafters, and artists to town to showcase their trades. Up to 150 booths, tents, stalls, and love musicians sprawl throughout the village, bringing the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of Colorado to visitors looking to experience all that The Centennial State has to offer.

It’s no secret that Vail is one of the most popular and iconic ski resorts in the country, if not the entire world. The hotels, shops, bars, and restaurants have their doors open, and the mountains are calling. Luckily for us, we’re just 700 miles – less than half a day’s drive – from taking it all in.

ABOUT THE WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER

Anna Petrow and Patrick Mulvihill call Kansas City home, but they have been known to find themselves off the beaten path. Born and raised in Kansas City, Anna is a culinary and lifestyle photographer with a knack for letting her camera lens guide her travels. Patrick is a writer, an enthusiastic travel companion, and a proud St. Louis native who uses each new trip as an excuse to eat five meals a day.