Celebrating the Fourth of July in Vail, Colorado

June 15, 2021

Nestled into the Rocky Mountains of Colorado is one of the world’s most famous ski resort towns, Vail. This beautiful city has it all, world-class entertainment, beautiful architecture, and an active alpine lifestyle. While most people know this place for its winter activities, it is a great destination to visit during the summer. One particularly ideal time to experience Vail is during the Fourth of July holiday. During that time, you can see all the town’s natural wonders and celebrate American Independence Day in style. The city lights up with celebration all week long during this holiday. If you are looking to plan a trip to this remarkable mountain destination, stay tuned. Here is our ultimate guide for planning a 4th of July Vail vacation.

Grand Forks Fireworks

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:

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!

some more general information
What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellation must be made 72 hours before the pick-up time, or cancellation fees (full charge) will be assessed.

How to make a reservation?

You can make a reservation by phone at +17204404202 or our website at silvermountainexpress.com/reservation/

What type of credit cards do you accept?

Silver Mountain Express accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.

Do you accept cash?

Only credit card payments.

What to do to reserve a car?

A valid credit card is needed to hold all reservations.

How far in advance can the reservation be made?

We suggest making reservation 12 hours in advance; for a last-minute reservation, please call us at +17204404202.

Are vehicles insured?

All vehicles at Silver Mountain Express are fully licensed and insured.

Does the company provide car seats or booster seats?

Yes, you can always request in advance a car or booster seat at no charge.

Is smoking allowed in vehicles?

No, all of our vehicles are NON-SMOKING. If any passenger smokes in a vehicle, a minimum cleaning fee of $300 will apply, plus the cost of repairs for any damage related to smoking.

What are the hours of operation?

Our dispatch office is open 24 hours a day. Our vehicles run 365 days a year, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

What if the passenger wants to stop at Grocery, Liquor stores, or Colorado dispensaries?

Grocery, Dispensary, and Liquor Store stops are available at $180/up to an hour. All stops has to be prearranged in advance.

Is there a minimum amount of time I must pay for?

The 3 hours minimum.

What is a meet and greet at the Denver International Airport?

1. Check your phone for your driver’s phone number when you arrive at the Airport.
2. Call or text immediately to let your driver know you have arrived. If you did not receive a message from your driver, call Customer Service at +17204404202
3. Proceed to baggage claim and collect all luggage.
4. After you collect all your bags, proceed to the exit. Text or call your driver immediately with the door number. It takes the driver up to 5 minutes to get there from the holding area after you text the door number. Doors 507 through 511 on the east side. Doors 506 through 510 on the west side.
5. After you exit, cross the first street. On the first island, there will be a booth with a sign that reads “LIMO.” Your driver will be waiting for you on the island.
* If you don’t have a mobile phone to contact us: tell the airport personnel in the limo booth that “Silver Mountain Express” is making the pickup. The person in the booth will call dispatch, and your driver will arrive within five minutes.
WHEN ARRIVING FOR PICKUP, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL OF THE PEOPLE AND BAGS IN YOUR PARTY. WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WAIT FOR STRAGGLERS AS THIS WILL CAUSE FURTHER DELAYS.

What if a passenger loses or leaves belongings in the vehicle?

Always check to make sure you have all of your personal belongings with you before you exit the vehicle. If you discover you have lost or forgotten an item, please call our office. If the chauffeur finds the item, you can pick it up, or we can drop it off at the location of your choice for a charge. We are NOT responsible for ANY lost or misplaced belongings.

Are pets allowed in the vehicle?

Yes, pets are allowed in the vehicle. Please notify us when making a reservation that a pet will be traveling in the vehicle. There is an additional $100 cleaning fee for all fares.