Colorado is a dog-friendly state. I am always reminded of that when I go out-of-state and the breweries aren’t full of dogs. This is part of why I love living in Colorado: Fritzi can go almost anywhere with me.
Fritzi the German Shepherd can definitely go to Vail because it is a super dog-friendly town. At the Vail Farmers Market, held every summer Sunday, I once counted ten golden retrievers and that’s not counting other breeds that were there too.
It’s not surprising that there is dog-friendly lodging in Vail. We like Antlers at Vail, and not just because they allow dogs in a number of their condos. This place is situated above Gore Creek and the pool deck is one of the prettiest in Vail.
Vail is Open for Business: Take a Postcard Pretty Hike
Don’t believe me? Just check out these photos from our June trip. After hiking the Upper Piney River Falls Trail, we spent the afternoon at the pool soaking in sun rays and laughing at the antics of the kids there who were having the time of their lives.
Antlers at Vail has a large grassy area that is perfect for dogs to do their business. I meant to take a photo but forgot, so you’ll just have to imagine how nice it is for dog owners. By the way, we always pick up after our dog and so should you.
Antlers at Vail is located in Lionshead which is west of Vail Village. It’s an easy walk or take a free bus ride between the two areas. Each offers an array of restaurants and shopping. Lionshead is a bit quieter, even during ski season and we enjoy the location a lot.
On this trip, we made the walk between the village and Lionshead many times with Fritzi in tow. We visited Vail Brewing Co. with her and hid out under the eves when a brief Colorado rainstorm blew through.
I became acquainted with Vail Brewing in 2014 on the beer festival circuit, and I have been a fan of their beer from the beginning. They always have a beer on tap that I love. This time it was the Alluvium Double IPA. If I am at a restaurant in Vail, it is often their Gore Creek IPA.
Fritzi feels right at home at Antlers. She is a wonderful travel dog and seems to be fairly content no matter where she lands, as long as we’re with her. She has the attitude that “okay, I guess I live here now” and that’s kind of true. Our condos at Antlers at Vail always feel like our home away from home.
We had a spacious one bedroom with an alcove in the bedroom that was perfect for Fritzi’s crate. We have two at home and she loves them. I think bringing it along makes her feel as though it is business as usual. In Vail, she slept in the crate and we briefly left her in it when we made trips to dinner or to the pool.
You’ll sign a pet waiver if you travel to Antlers with a dog. Please be sure to read and understand all the rules. A dog can be left in the condo, but only if the dog is behaved and quiet. There are consequences if your dog is not, so be aware of the rules.
Antlers at Vail will leave dog owners bowls and a dog bed. Of course, we have travel bowls as Fritzi is often with us on trips. Plus, the dog bed they left was too small but this made for some hilarity because she insisted on sleep in it anyway.
Our condo had a patio overlooking Gore Creek. Fritzi loved going out there to watch people walk by on the Gore Creek Trail below. She never barked, just watched.
Vail, Colorado is Open for Business: The Dining Scene
A lot of Vail restaurants that were previously not dog-friendly have become dog-friendly due to COVID-19. This is because patios have popped up everywhere. This post on DiscoverVail.com explains even more.
In dog-friendly Vail, having Fritzi with us feels so right. As long as your canine friend is well-behaved, there is no reason she can’t come along to one of Colorado’s most charming towns. The next time you plan to visit Vail, be sure to bring along the dog, she’ll appreciate it.
Antlers at Vail is following all the rules associated with COVID-19. They are also running a few fantastic specials. GO HERE to see them.
Thank you to Vail Summer and Antlers at Vail for hosting this trip.
