Last updated on November 7th, 2023 at 08:07 am
Looking for a mountain getaway with access to plenty of things to do? Avon, CO is the perfect place to spend a weekend in the mountains. Close enough to resort spots like Vail and Beaver Creek, but more affordable and relaxed! Check out the best things to do in Avon, CO.
In November, Luke and I were lucky enough to take a small weekend trip to Avon, CO, thanks to his aunt Lonni letting us use her timeshare points. It was such a fun trip and I highly recommend a stop in Avon if you get the chance.
Stay at the Christie Lodge
Our stay at The Christie Lodge was incredible. While the hotel is old, it has been maintained well and had plenty of on-site amenities to keep us entertained. It has three indoor hot tubs as well as an outdoor pool and hot tub. There are ping pong tables, a fire pit, and an outdoor picnic area. Some of these amenities were closed due to COVID, but the restaurants, pool, and hot tubs were still open.
In the room, there is a wood-burning fireplace, a kitchenette, and balconies featuring views of Vail valley. I loved our stay at The Christie Lodge.
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Hike Buck Creek Trail
Since Avon is nestled in the mountains, there are plenty of hiking trails to explore in the area. We wanted to do a moderate hike to try out our new spikes. The Buck Creek Trail was the perfect hike and it was only a 3-minute drive from our hotel. It is a five-mile roundtrip out and back trail with 1,594 feet of elevation gain.
We did this hike in November, so there was mud, ice, and leftover snow on the trail. The spikes were perfect for this. Later in the season, it may be a good trail for snowshoeing. Near the end of the trail, there was deep snow, but the trail was packed enough that the spikes still worked.
Read More: The perfect Fall hike Near Vail, CO
Visit Nottingham Lake
Nottingham Lake is right in Avon and a quick walk from The Christie Lodge. It is a nice place to walk around as the lake features a pier with great mountain views. In November it was partially frozen, which was beautiful.
June through August Nottingham also features a swim beach, paddleboard and pedal boat rentals, fishing, and boating.
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Enjoy Happy Hour Discounts
There are several restaurants in Avon that have happy hour drinks and/or food, which is a great way to save money. Pho 20, which is located in The Christie Lodge, has happy hour daily from 3 to 6 PM featuring an abundance of two-dollar beers such as local craft and Asian and Mexican imports, three dollar house wines, buy one get one 4 ounce sake, and discounted house cocktails/well drinks. Happy hour did not include food, but they had apps and giant bowls of pho that were well-priced.
Maya, an upscale Mexican restaurant in the Westin, also had a great daily happy hour from 2 to 4 PM. They had delicious $8 margaritas made with fresh fruit, discounted wine and beer, Mexican tapas that were two for $10, and $5 tacos. The food and drinks were delicious. We tried the mushroom flatbread, brisket nachos, shrimp flauta, and corn empanada. Some of the plates were smaller than others, but they were filling enough that to be a meal.
Drink German Beers at Ein Prosit
Ein Prosit is not to be missed when visiting Avon, CO. Ein Prosit is a German-style beer hall that offers European beers and gourmet sausages. They also have happy hour daily from 4 to 6 PM and 9 to 10 PM. We ordered a venison bacon huckleberry sausage, a Bavarian pretzel with cheese, a Dunkel, and a Dunkelweiss. We were able to try several different mustards with our meal. Everything was so delicious and the owner was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly.
Walk around Vail Village
Vail Village is only about 20 minutes from Avon and worth visiting. The buildings are quaint and cute. There is a small ice rink, a variety of shops, and a number of delicious sounding restaurants. It is a good place to wander around and experience the extravagance of a ski resort in Colorado.
Parking in Vail can be expensive if you aren’t staying in town. During winter, the Vail Village Parking Structure allows free parking for the first two hours but it will cost at least $10 after that. In the summer, parking is free.
Hot Chocolate at The Remedy Bar
We were told by family members that we would have to check out the hot chocolate from The Remedy Bar while in Avon. After experiencing this, I must agree. I’ve never had such a decadent hot chocolate in all my life. They place a giant marshmallow on a lacy chocolate design that covers the mug and then the waiter pours the hot chocolate over the marshmallow until the lace breaks. It was delicious and rich and so fun. It is really expensive, however. We paid $41 for two cups of hot chocolate. I would suggest sharing one because it is so rich and they give you a pot to refill your cup.
We were just barely able to experience the hot chocolate, however. We went to The Remedy Bar specifically to try the hot chocolate and a few other menu items, but when we arrived, we were told that they weren’t actually making the hot chocolate that day but would start again on Tuesday. They also didn’t have any of the other menu items that we had seen online because their menu hadn’t been updated on Google. We were pretty disappointed with that but luckily Tuesday was the day we were leaving, so we stopped by to try the hot chocolate on our way out of town.
To visit The Remedy Bar, park at the Four Seasons and have the restaurant validate your ticket to avoid paying for parking in Vail Village.
Betty Ford Alpine Garden
For a unique attraction, look no further than the Betty Ford Alpine Garden. At 8200 feet, it is the highest elevation botanical garden in North America and features a collection of alpine plants from around the world.
The gardens are currently open daily from dusk until dawn and while there is no required admission fee, a five-dollar donation is appreciated. The garden also has an education center, where you can learn about the alpine enviroment. Park at Vail Village Parking Structure or the Ford Park Parking Lot in the summer.
Ski or snowboard
If you are visiting Colorado in the winter, skiing or snowboarding is probably high on your list of activities. Avon is a great place to stay for skiing or snowboarding, as it is close to several ski resorts, the closest being Beaver Creek and Vail Ski Resorts.
Walking Mountain Science Center
Walking Mountains Science Center is a hub of nature discovery, where you can learn about the mountain environment and sustainability.
Sign up for a group nature walk or a guided snowshoe tour in either Avon or Vail Valley and expand your knowledge of the natural world. They also feature plenty of kids activities. Many of these activities are free, including visiting the discovery center.
What are your favorite things to do in Avon, CO? Tell me in the comments!
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