Mountain, Lake, Beach
By Naperville Magazine
May 2024 View more Featured
By Jeff Banowetz and Mark Loehrke
Summer travel ideas for three diverse destinations
Mountain
Vail, Colorado
If you’re going on a mountain vacation, why not go big? That is, experience terrain about as far removed as possible from flat-as-can-be Illinois. Vail, Colorado, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, offers something for everyone to go with the jaw-dropping scenery. Located two hours west of Denver (and easily accessible via I-70), Vail is perhaps best known as a premier ski and snowboard destination. But the summer months are just as exciting—with excellent hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, rafting, and golfing. Luxe spas and high-end restaurants that cater to the ski crowd are much more accessible, and families will find lots of ways to enjoy the outdoors without breaking the bank.
Summer in the Vail Valley typically features moderately warm days (temps in the high 70s) with cool nights, low humidity, and plenty of sun.
Do
After you let yourself acclimate the higher elevation, hiking is a great way to explore Vail. With hundreds of miles of trails to choose from, your options are best determined by your level of fitness and determination. (Keep in mind that Vail sits at an altitude above 8,000 feet, so reaching 10,000 feet on a hike is common.) For those who want the views without much climbing, ride the gondola or chairlift at either Vail Resort or Beaver Creek Resort to access dozens of miles of trails on their respective mountains. Enjoy a relatively flat hike at the top with stunning views—or for the more adventurous—trek one-way downhill.
Dozens of other regional trails can be accessed without the lifts, but be prepared for some climbing. Start with an easy path like the Gore Creek Trail, which follows the creek with little elevation change. A free express bus will take you to trailheads on the east side of town, including access to the popular Booth Falls Trail—a challenging four-mile round trip with 1,300 feet of elevation change. (Always check beforehand the listed elevation change and expected time to complete a trail. Mountainous mileage can be deceiving when you’re used to hiking in the Midwest. And don’t forget to stay hydrated and slather the sunscreen—at 10,000 feet, sun exposure is 40 percent greater than what it is at sea level.)
World-class mountain biking is also readily available in and around Vail. Once again, you can take resort lifts to the top of a mountain to ride on rolling single track or let gravity take you downhill. The 15-mile Vail Recreation Path connects West Vail to East Vail along Gore Creek. It’s a primarily paved option for those who want a less extreme biking experience.
Families will get a thrill from the Epic Discovery adventure park at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola. Rides include the Flying Forest Mountain Coaster, a 3,400-foot gravity-powered ride on a rail-bound cart through the woods and down the mountain. Other attractions include a rock-climbing wall, a bungee trampoline, zip lines, and a mini-golf course.
The Nature Discovery Center offers education on local wildlife and free guided tours.
Those seeking an adrenaline rush also can take a whitewater rafting trip. Several outfitters offer float packages from calm to Class IV rapids, most within about an hour’s drive of Vail. The Vail Whitewater Park is a great option for experienced paddlers to play right downtown—or for the rest of us to watch their tricks. The Dillon Reservoir, about a half hour east of Vail, is one of Colorado’s most scenic spots for flatwater boating. It’s easy to rent a kayak, stand-up, paddleboard, or sailboat. For fly fishing, it doesn’t get much better than the gold-medal waters of Gore Greek. Hire a guide to help you find the best spots and provide all the equipment.
Seven 18-hole golf courses dot the region, including the Robert Trent Jones Jr.–designed Beaver Creek Golf Club. Ready to relax? Head to Vail Village for shopping and dining. Choose from more than a dozen spas, including the five-star Spa at the Four Seasons.
Eat
Vail offers a wide range of dining options, from Michelin-recommended restaurants to quick-service fare catering to hikers on the go. Alpenrose has been a favorite since 1974, serving European Alpine cuisine, like Raclette and fondue, in a traditional chalet setting. Snag one of the restored gondolas on the patio for a memorable meal. It’s now run by the same group that oversees Almresi, another German-Austrian throwback to the early days of skiing. Both provide hearty fare that hits the spot after a day in the mountains, especially when paired with a Bavarian lager.
Annapurna offers mountain cuisine from a different part of the world—Nepal. Located inside the Evergreen Lodge at Vail, the restaurant features fresh naan made from a clay oven served with authentic Indian and Nepalese fare.
The Miniature Saloon, dating back to 1901, is located in Minturn, a historic mining town. The recently renovated restaurant, Vail’s oldest, is kid-friendly and offers a mix of American and Mexican cuisine.
For fine dining, Mirabelle, near the entrance to the Beaver Creek Resort, features French-inspired seasonal fare by chef Daniel Joly in this farmhouse with a candlelit dining room.
Stay
If you’re interested in a resort experience, Vail Resort and nearby Beaver Creek Resort feature all the amenities you expect at an alpine retreat. Both offer an array of accommodations ranging from luxury (five-star The Arrabelle) to more affordable options. You’ll also find dozens of other hotels in Vail Village. Outside the village, the Piney River Ranch sits on a private 40-acre mountain retreat bordering the White River National Forest, just 12 miles from Vail. Both cabins and glamping tents are available. —J.B.
Don’t Miss
Vail crams a lot into its short summer season, and chances are you can take advantage of a festival during your stay. The Bravo! Vail music festival brings four acclaimed orchestras to town each year (June 20 to August 1) at the spectacular Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. The venue hosts an audience of 2,600, with both pavilion seating and space on the grassy hillside, and its schedule is packed with entertainers of all genres. Other festivals throughout the summer include the GoPro Mountain Games (June 6 to 9), the Vail Dance Festival (July 25 to August 5), and the Vail Wine Classic (August 8 to 10).
Lake
Door County, Wisconsin
As one might expect from a peninsula, Door County is largely defined by water. Nestled between the Green Bay on the west and Lake Michigan on the east—and taking its name from the historically treacherous strait known as Death’s Door that connects the two at its northern tip—the “Cape Cod of the Midwest” celebrates and capitalizes upon water in many different ways.
Boaters and fishermen ply the bay and lake waters for both pleasure and livelihood, while the many lighthouses dotting the shoreline and islands provide both navigation and enduring tourist appeal. The temperate climate between the two bodies of water is ideal for the cherry orchards that produce the county’s famous tart and sweet varietals. The smattering of beaches throughout the county are a consistent draw for families and sun worshippers, not to mention the magnificent nightly sunsets over the bay are a set-your-watch, must-see event for locals and visitors alike up and down the peninsula.
Any trip to Door County is bound to incorporate some time on, in, or around the water, whether that takes the form of an afternoon of kayaking on the peaceful Mink River or against the postcard backdrop of the historic village of Ephraim on Eagle Harbor, dropping a line from a dock along the bay or an inland spot like Clark Lake, wading across the Lake Michigan causeway out to the iconic Cana Island Lighthouse in Baileys Harbor, hiking a waterfront trail in one of the county’s five state parks, or simply enjoying a meal with a water view. And don’t forget to pick some cherries to pack home at Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market in Fish Creek.
Do
Something of a hidden gem prior to the onslaught of social media, Cave Point County Park in Sturgeon Bay has become one of the most bustling spots on the peninsula—and it’s not hard to see (or hear) why. Particularly on windy days, stunning shoreline limestone formations and water caves do battle with the crashing waves of Lake Michigan to spectacular effect, with huge geysers blasting into the air upon thunderous impact. On calmer days, a number of local outfitters lead kayak tours to view the caves from the water, while almost every day you’ll find dozens of thrill-seekers (against reasonable judgment) diving from the rock ledges into the chop below.
Eat
From fish boils to fine dining, Door County’s culinary scene truly runs the gamut. One family classic is Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik in Sister Bay, where, yes, goats graze atop the log building’s sod roof. The menu, decor, and costumed servers all contribute to the Swedish ambience. After your meal, shop for Swedish clogs and other Scandinavian gifts at the butik or grab a beverage at the Stabbur Beer Garden.
For a lunch with a side of adventure, head to the northernmost tip of the peninsula and hop on the Washington Island Ferry for the short ride across Death’s Door, then drive (or bike) across the island to Jackson Harbor Soup, where the laid-back alfresco charm and serene views of Rock Island State Park are complemented by a fabulous soup-and-sandwich slate (plus a variety of tempting pies) that is well worth the journey (not to mention the frequent crowds). Try the pressed Cubano, which, despite the near heresy of swapping honey mustard for yellow, is far too tasty to hold a grudge. And as long as you’re on the island, be sure to check out the 186-step Mountain Park Lookout Tower, the smooth-stone Schoolhouse Beach, and the Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm & Shop.
Stay
Well off the beaten path on the “quiet side” of the peninsula, Glidden Lodge Beach Resort in Sturgeon Bay capitalizes on its relative remoteness from the busier areas of Door County to deliver unrivaled tranquility and unbeatable views of Lake Michigan from the huge windows of the available one-, two-, or three-bedroom condos. Lounge upon or stroll the sands of the private beach just steps from the property, take a dip in the indoor pool, or enjoy a classic Wisconsin supper club meal at the adjacent Donny’s Glidden Lodge Restaurant. —M.L.
Don’t Miss
Too touristy? Maybe. But it’s hard to say you’ve truly experienced Door County until you’ve been to a fish boil. There are a number of great places up and down the peninsula offering their takes on this age-old tradition, but they all generally boil down to the same familiar elements: hunks of freshly caught Lake Michigan whitefish (along with potatoes, onions, and lots of salt) rolling in a massive kettle over a roaring fire until the boilmaster douses the flames with kerosene to initiate the fiery photo-op of the “boil-over” (which also serves to get rid of the oil that has cooked off the fish). The Old Post Office in Ephraim has been in the fish boil business for decades, serving up stories around the fire, a beautiful setting on Eagle Harbor, and a bona fide delicious meal.
Beach
Destin, Florida
It isn’t hard to understand what draws so many people to this stretch of the Florida Panhandle dubbed the “Emerald Coast.” Many places brag about their beaches—but this destination on the Gulf of Mexico truly deserves the praise with its astounding emerald-green water and soft, white sand that stretches for miles in every direction. You’re left wondering, what took people so long to find this place?
Well, that’s not entirely fair. The panhandle has long been the go-to vacation spot for much of the Deep South. Yet it has only been relatively recently that visitors from the Chicago area have helped turn the Destin area into one of the most popular family-friendly beach destinations in the state. Road-trippers can load up the minivan and arrive in under 15 hours—or fly into the convenient Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport.
Destin sits among the barrier islands that line the panhandle’s Gulf Coast (it’s technically on a peninsula, but you still need to cross a bridge to get there.) Its east-west orientation means that the sun rises and sets over the water for much of the summer, and the warm, relatively shallow water is immediately welcoming for swimmers of all ages.
Do
Destin’s sugar white sand that grabs your attention is physically different from most other beaches in the country. The last ice age brought quartz from the Appalachian Mountains into the Gulf of Mexico, helping to create this sand that remains relatively cool to the touch even in hot weather. It also gives the water that signature emerald color by reflecting sunlight back through the surface.
Of course, the kids won’t care about this. They will, however, enjoy the endless hours of sandcastle building and swimming in the warm, clear waters. With widespread public beach access, choosing a spot to set up a beach umbrella isn’t tricky. Crystal Sands Beach is among the best. Likewise, Henderson Beach State Park features 30-foot sand dunes, nature trails, and camping. Norriego Point is known for its shallow tide pools, which make for a fun way to explore nature.
Okaloosa Island, just west of Destin, has a boardwalk if you’re looking for dining and shopping to go with the beach. You’ll also find sand volleyball courts and a splash pad for kids. Every Wednesday night during the summer, enjoy a fireworks show. John Beasley Park is also a great way to access the beaches on Okaloosa Island.
If you want to get out on the water, you can rent almost any imaginable watercraft. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are readily available and a great way to explore the calmer Choctawhatchee Bay. You can rent a jet ski, sailboat, kiteboard, pontoon, or fishing boat by the hour or the day. Take advantage of those clear waters to go snorkeling or diving, or join a fishing charter to go farther out on the gulf to catch the big one.
If you rent a boat, take a trip to Crab Island, just north of Destin’s East Pass. Once an island, the area is now a sandbar submerged by one to three feet of water during high tide. It’s the perfect spot to wade and relax with—on a good day—hundreds of other boaters. Food vendors even float by.
The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in Fort Walton Beach allows visitors to see some of the area’s marine life up close. You can watch daily dolphin and sea lion shows and learn about other creatures in the region through hands-on exhibits. The Gulfarium also rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured sea turtles back into the wild. For more critters, the Emerald Coast Zoo, about 45 minutes from Destin, features giraffes, bears, lions, and sloths.
Big Kahuna’s water park boasts lazy rivers, splash pads, wave pools, and water slides, while its adventure side has a sky coaster (not for the faint of heart) and mini golf.
Eat
Seafood is fresh off the boat in Destin, which was initially established as a fishing village. Many restaurants take pride in their gulf-to-table meals and beachfront dining. The East Pass Seafood & Oyster House is a prime example. Located in Destin’s Harborwalk Village, the restaurant specializes in fresh-shucked oysters and locally caught seafood in an open-air setting. Camille’s on Crystal Beach is a beachside café by day and a seafood restaurant at night, known for its sushi by chef Yoshie Eddings. Its beachside location is a draw, along with an extensive menu (pizza!) that acknowledges that your kids may not enjoy seafood as much as you do.
The Fish On Seafood House is a fast-casual place that’s an excellent option for a quick meal, while Bitterroot offers a creative menu of American fare and cocktails, which is wonderful for when you like to linger. If you want to sample some local beer, the Destin Brewery has a taproom where you can enjoy craft beers that reflect the flavors of the area.
Stay
You’ll find a nice mix of classic Southern charm and modern luxury at the Henderson Beach Resort, offering natural landscapes as well as gulf views. Treat yourself to a spa day at the onsite Henderson Spa or play 18 holes at the world-class Regatta Bay Golf Course.
Resort hotels are prominent in Destin, and many have easy access to the beaches. You can’t get any closer to the beach than the Holiday Inn Resort Fort Walton Beach, which also features a heated lazy river and a beachside tiki bar. —J.B.
Don’t Miss
Head out into the gulf on a dolphin cruise for a family-friendly excursion that allows you to see bottlenose dolphins in their natural environment. Cattywampus is one of several outfitters that offer tours. Its custom-built catamarans feature expansive decks with plenty of room for people to move around and spot marine life. On a three-hour trip, you’ll also have time to do some swimming and snorkeling, and the guides provide plenty of entertainment for the kids, including water-gun fights and hermit crab races. Sunset and fireworks cruises are also available.
Photos: Jack Affleck/Discover Vail (Bravo! Vail and Epic Discovery); Chris Kendig/Vail Valley Foundation (GoPro Mountain Games); Discover Vail (Piney River Ranch and Alpenrose); Dan Eggert/Destination Door County (Fragrant Isle lavender Farm Overhead, Ephraim, and Cana Island and Cave Point Kayaks); Jon Jarosh/Destination Door County (Fragrant Isle Food); Raven Patzke (Old Post Office Restaurant); Henderson Beach Resort; Destinflorida.com (Crab Island and Fishing Fleet at the Harbor); Gulfarium (dolphin); Henderson Beach Resort (pool)
