Avon is a town of about 7,500 residents located along Interstate 70 a few hours west of downtown Denver.
Due to its proximity to the Vail and Beaver Creek resorts, Avon welcomes a large number of visitors each year, especially during the winter ski season.
For the all-around outdoor enthusiast visiting the region, it offers a wealth of year-round recreational options and easy access to some of the state’s most majestic landscapes, national parks, and undisturbed wilderness areas.
Here are 15 things to do in and around Avon, Colorado, worth checking out for first-time visitors.
1. Benchmark Lake Reservoir
Just minutes from downtown Avon, the Benchmark Lake Reservoir and dam is a big draw for swimmers, kayakers and sunbathers in the summer.
The reservoir is also home to a variety of prey species including bass, trout, and bass, making it a big draw for area anglers. While the lake is usually the most crowded when the sun is shining and warm, fishing is your best bet when the wind, clouds and temperatures drop.
Check online for current weather conditions and fishing reports before going on a special trip.
Both in-state residents and out-of-state visitors need a Colorado fishing license to comply.
2. Walking Hill Science Center
Former visitors to the Walking Mountain Science Center describe it as a true gem and a world-class experience, especially for such a small town.
The Science Center exhibits and programs are suitable for young children and seniors; in addition to being fun and engaging, they are also educational.
Interactive activities at the facility involve science, technology, the environment, and plants and animals. Staff-led one-hour walking tours are also offered regularly.
Entrance fees are reasonable, and the indoor part of the center is a great place to visit when the weather isn’t particularly favorable for the outdoors.
3. EagleVail Golf Course
Colorado has some of the most stunning scenery in the western United States, and for golfers visiting the Rocky Mountain state for the first time, hitting the ball is a great way to experience it.
EagleVail Golf Course was established in the 1970s and now has both a traditional 18-hole course and a 9-hole par-3 course.
The 9-hole course is ideal for those with limited time, as a round usually takes just a few hours, while the full-length course usually takes more than four hours.
The courses feature dramatic landscape and elevation changes, as well as a popular bar and grill that is a favorite post-race hangout.
4. Northside Kitchen
Avon’s Northside Kitchen is a marked step up from many of the area’s more casual restaurants and is open daily from 6am to 9pm.
They do big business with early risers looking to fill up their gas tanks before a long day in nature, and they’re known for their freshly baked goods, hearty breakfast burritos and piping hot coffee.
For lunch and dinner, their menu includes traditional favorites such as prime rib, steak, sandwiches, soups and appetizers. They also have an impressive wine selection with over 200 bottles from all over the world.
5. Christie’s Inn
Located in downtown Avon, Christie Lodge is the perfect choice for those who don’t want to stay in a no-nonsense motel belonging to a national chain.
Facilities at the lodge include a heated swimming pool, comfortable lounge chairs and several outdoor seating areas with gas grills.
There is also an on-site fitness area with cardio machines and free weights. The children’s activity centre offers table tennis, games consoles and a TV.
For those unsure how to spend the vacation, ask the concierge desk for an insider’s list of top attractions and activities.
6. Vail Valley Brew Fest in Avon
Beer is big business in Colorado, and many Oktoberfests are held each year in urban and rural areas across the state.
Avon’s Valley Brew Fest is a highly anticipated event featuring not only a large selection of locally and regionally brewed beers, but also delicious food, live entertainment, and many family-friendly activities for families traveling with young children.
Tickets are cheaper if you buy them in advance, but they can also be bought on the day of the event.
Admission includes endless beer samples from dozens of Highland brewers, plus a pre-race 5K run.
7. Kiwi International Delights and Coffee Co.
Kiwi International Delights and Coffee Co. is located on East Beaver Creek Place in Avon and is open daily from 7am to 10pm.
It’s the perfect first stop of the day for those in need of a caffeinated refreshment, and they’re also known for their delicious baked goods, crepes, and ice cream.
Their coffee menu includes everything from lattes and cappuccinos to iced coffee and espresso. Their ice creams come in traditional flavors as well as more modern flavors, including ingredients like coconut and candied fruit.
Kiwi’s prices are reasonable and they also serve dairy free ice cream and ice cream.
8. Nottingham Lake and Beaches
Nottingham Lakes and beaches are unique for their convenience and abundance of activity options for the types of outdoor activities with limited time and holiday budgets.
The facility’s main activities are swimming, fishing, sunbathing, and picnicking, but for those interested in getting more active and burning some extra calories, pedal boats, kayaks, and paddleboards can be rented on-site.
The season usually runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. If you are interested in renting equipment, you will need to leave with a valid driver’s license or credit card as a deposit until the item is returned.
9. Children’s Museum at Beaver Creek Resort
Although they were once rare, children’s museums are becoming more common across the country.
The Children’s Museum at Beaver Creek is a free attraction filled with engaging and interactive exhibits designed for curious young adults.
Attractions at the museum include theaters, an aquarium, science-related exhibits, and areas where kids can actually dig for fossils.
Staff also offer regular specials, including storytimes and presentations on a variety of fun and educational topics.
The Children’s Museum is open seasonally from Wednesday to Sunday, so check its hours online before you go.
10. Vail Ski Resort
Vail Ski Resort is one of North America’s premier alpine recreation resorts. While it’s more expensive and exclusive than some of the state’s other resorts, most visitors consider it a world-class value considering all the things to see and do.
The resort covers more than 5,000 acres and typically has about 400 inches of snow during the season.
In addition to routes from experts to beginners, there are many other options for activities; many of them—such as ziplining, rafting, and mountain biking—are best enjoyed during the warmer spring and summer months.
11. Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
Although Colorado doesn’t have the most fertile soil or longest growing season in the world, it has many botanical gardens; Vail’s Betty Ford Alpine Garden is one of the most visited in the region.
The garden consists of several different cultivated fields with their own themes. While many guests choose to show themselves around, others also take regularly scheduled tours to make the most of their experience.
Many visitors choose to visit in the spring when most garden dwellers are in bloom, but in winter there are also popular staff-led snowshoe tours.
12. Vail Brewing Company
Located on East Meadow Drive, Vail Brewing Company is known for its extensive beer selection, cool mountain resort vibe, and inviting indoor and outdoor seating.
They brew a wide variety of delicious beers on site, from hoppy IPAs and crisp blondes to crisp amber and porters aged in barrels that once held rum.
Vail Brewing has branches in Eagle and Vail Village. For those traveling with dogs, take your four-legged friends to relax on the patio, as long as they’re on a leash and cleaned up afterwards.
Things can get busy on spring and summer afternoons, and in winter when weary skiers need fluids.
13. Colorado Snow Sports Museum
Colorado is home to some of the most famous ski resorts on the continent. Although many skiers believe the state’s history of alpine sports is relatively young, it actually goes back more than a century.
The Colorado Snow Sports Museum in Vail is without a doubt the best place to learn about the state’s winter recreation history.
The museum includes exhibits covering both recreational and non-essential skiing, including the area’s prominence as a training site for alpine troops traveling to the European theater of operations during World War II.
14. Vail Valley Food Tour
With so many international clients, Vail has a wide variety of restaurants, ranging from comfortable and affordable restaurants to luxurious upscale restaurants.
The options can be overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors, with many foodies opting to join the guided tours offered by Vail Valley Food Tours.
Vail Valley offers a variety of options to fit most schedules and budgets. In addition to food at some famous restaurants, tours may include microbreweries and craft breweries.
Tours can be done on foot, by bike or by car. They are surprisingly cheap, and are often listed as one of the most memorable experiences of tourist travel.
15. Timberline Tour
For the healthy intrepid adventurer and hopeless adrenaline junkie, Colorado offers a plethora of activities to choose from.
Timberline Tours is committed to providing guests with unforgettable world-class experiences centered on whitewater rafting and off-road, backcountry jeep safaris.
Timberline tours explore a variety of unique environments, including remote rivers, majestic mountains and ancient forests.
Some tours combine outdoor excursions with visits to local wineries, while others focus on local flora and fauna, incredible vistas and unforgettable sunsets. Before going on a special tour, check their website or give them a call to see which tour option is best for you.
Where to Stay: Best Hotels in Avon, CO
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