How to get to Vail
Vail is right next to Interstate 70, making it easy to drive from the airport. Denver International Airport (DIA) is about 100 miles away, and the Eagle/Vail Airport (EGE) is 30 miles away. DIA has more flight options, but EGE has non-stop flights from 10 different US cities. It takes about two hours to reach Vail from DIA and 25-30 minutes from EGE.
You can drive from either airport or make things simple and use a private Vail transportation service like Silver Mountain Express. Transportation service will allow you to enjoy the breathtaking views during the journey without worrying about the winding road.
Tips for booking a trip to Vail during Fourth of July Weekend
Vail is a top-rated destination during the entire Fourth of July week. This popularity means that you should book well in advance to ensure hotels are available and that you get the best rates.
Vail has a variety of lodgings, including boutique hotels, luxury resorts, and everything in between.
A few of the most highly recommended accommodations in the Vail area include:
- Beaver Creek West Condos
- Four Seasons Hotel
- Tivoli Lodge
- COhabit Cube Hotel
- Club Wyndham Resort
- The Bunkhouse
Top activities to do in Vail during Fourth of July weekend
Vail is a spectacular place to be during the summer, and the city’s Fourth of July festivals make it even better. Most of its activities revolve around the America Days celebration, but other Fourth of July festivities are.
If you are spending some time in Vail during the holiday, here are the activities that we would recommend doing (note everything on this list is updated to reflect current activities offered during the pandemic):
#1 Vail America Days
One of the most famous celebrations in Vail during the Fourth of July is the America Days parade. Typically, this event has a stream of floats, classic cars, and bands traverse the city. This year, the celebration will have a modern spin on the traditional parade. Between Vail Village to Lionshead, there will be plenty of surprises and excitement. You will find patriotic exhibits and musicians on the go to entertain you. This year will be the only year the parade will have this unique format, so be sure to enjoy it while you can!
#2 “America’s Heroes” Exhibits
Every year, Vail has a different theme for its Independence Day festivities. This year’s theme is “America’s Heroes.” It is a very fitting theme that will showcase all different types of heroes. Residents will build exhibits like parade floats to display throughout the city, highlighting this theme. There will be live performances to engage attendees. Many restaurants and shops will participate in this event. It will be exciting walking around and seeing how various groups will make the “America’s Heroes” theme their own. The exhibitions will be on display from 10 am to 3 pm on July 4th.
#3 Vail Fireworks Display
It is not Fourth of July without a fireworks extravaganza. After spending the day celebrating at the America Days “parade” and exhibitions, head to one of the America Days viewing spots to see a spectacular show.
The best places to park and see this exciting fireworks display are the Vail Village and Lionshead parking lot, the Ford Park parking lot, and the frontage roads.
This impressive display will happen (weather/conditions permitting) on July 4th at 9:45 pm. There will be a live stream of the event online or through local media outlets, but it is well worth seeing in person.
#4 Beaver Creek Independence Day Celebration
An alternative celebration you may be interested in is the Beaver Creek Independence Day Celebration. This extravaganza is an excellent option for nature lovers because you’ll have access to many outdoor activities during the festivities. The official celebrations start at around 5 pm and go until 10 pm, but you can enjoy Beaver Creek during the day. Bring your mountain bike and go for a ride or head to one of the creeks to go fishing. During this free event, there are two outdoor concerts, delicious food, and fireworks. Beaver Creek is the perfect place to spend the Fourth of July day and night.
#5 Salute to the USA Extravaganza
Start Independence Day early by attending the Salute to the USA Extravaganza in Avon. Many say that this is the most impressive Fourth of July weekend festivity in the Vail area. If you go to this event, you’ll see why people claim that. The event has numerous vendors selling food and beverages and exciting live music. Its impressive fireworks show has over 10,000 shells that burst over Nottingham Lake. Best of all, it is free to attend this festival! The event kicks off at around 5 pm, and the fireworks show starts at 9:45 pm.
#6 Eagle 4th of July Celebration
The town of Eagle is another destination in the Vail area with an outstanding Fourth of July display. Organizers canceled the event last year, but it is back for 2021. Eagle and another nearby town, Gypsum, alternate hosting the celebration each year. This year, Eagle and Gypsum city council members will hand out hot dogs to attendees until they run out. If you are looking for a fun Independence Day celebration with a small-town feel, you’ll love attending this event.
Celebrate the Fourth of July in Vail!
There you have it, the ultimate guide to planning a Fourth of July trip to Vail, Colorado. With so many special festivities, it is a guarantee that you won’t be bored. We hope that these exciting activities have made you as excited about celebrating the Fourth of July in Vail as we are.
If you want to know more about transportation to Vail and other Colorado destinations!