Trip worthy?

Vail in the summer? Colorado reps descend on Houston to try and pump up mountain tourism

Summertime has essentially hit Houston and a vacation seems to be on everyone's mind.

If you’re looking to escape the heat for just a few days, what about the mountains of Colorado? Though there might not be snow this time of year, there are plenty of activities that the Vail Valley offers for the outdoorsy folk, the foodie, the entertainment lover and the event enthusiast.

That's the word from representatives from Vail Valley who came to Houston this week to try and tout the virtues of Vail and Beaver Creek as summer destinations, particularly since United Airlines offers nonstop flights from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Vail Valley from June 27 through Aug. 15.

United Airlines offers nonstop flights from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport to Vail Valley from June 27 through Aug. 15.

During a lunchtime session at Underbelly, the Vail backers highlighted reasons why they argue Vail Valley is as special in the summer as it is in the winter — with hiking, biking, rafting and golfing leading the way.

Vail golf pro Jeff Hanson recommended his home course, Red Sky Ranch Golf Club.

More than 100 unique restaurants are located within the valley, with a wide variety of food options. A favorite is Beano’s Cabin, which is located in the White River National Forest. You can get to the restaurant with a short shuttle ride or you can make your evening a little more magical with a one-hour horseback ride or a 20-minute ride on a wagon pulled by a tractor up to the restaurant.

Another top pick is Splendido, which has chef David Walford.

Local Intelligence

Throughout the summer, events ranging from music festivals to triathlons take place in the Valley, including the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, Eagle County Fair & Rodeo and the Vail International Dance Festival. Every Tuesday kick back at "Hot Summer Nights Free Concert Series" at Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.

Stay fit and active while having a relaxing vacation by signing up for the "LG Triathlon", "XTERRA Triathlon series", and "Triple Bypass Bicycle Tour and Double Triple Bypass."

Try outdoor yoga classes at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Little Beach Park or the Eagle Town Park to help release stress.

If you find yourself in Vail on the Fourth of July, you can celebrate with the "Salute to the USA" fireworks display over Nottingham Lake on July 3. The Fourth of July Bike Parade in Eagle Town Park is another long tradition.

The picturesque Vail Village during the summertime is lively.

Austin Photo Set: News_Jessica Dupuy_Vail_April 2012_vail village

Photo by Chris McLennan

The picturesque Vail Village during the summertime is lively.

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go rural

Tiny West Texas town tops Airbnb's 'off-the-map' destinations to visit

Matador, Texas, Airbnb, best rural destinations

Photo courtesy of Airbnb

Welcome to Matador, Texas.

More Texas travelers are shying away from tourist traps for their vacations and instead embracing the calming roadside with increasing interest in rural areas of the state, according to Airbnb, and one tiny Texas city in the Panhandle is generating buzz atop a brand-new list of under-the-radar rural destinations in America.

The vacation rental marketplace's inaugural "Off-the-Map" list features 20 rural destinations across the country where short-term rentals are bringing in "new opportunities for local tourism."

"From coastal fishing villages to Cajun bayou towns and alpine mountain escapes, America Off-the-Map invites travelers to discover something new and helps support local economies and communities across the country," the report said.

Matador, a small town about 80 miles northeast of Lubbock and 530 miles from Houston, was named the No. 1 hidden gem vacation destination in Texas. The report described Matador as a part of Texas that tourists "haven’t found" yet, which is what makes it all the more rewarding as an undiscovered treasure.

"Welcome to the seat of Motley County – where the wind is constant, the skies are enormous, and the history is deeper than the caprock beneath your boots," the report said.

Visitors can explore the Motley County Historical Museum, which explores the building's history as the Traweek Hospital that was originally built nearly a century ago. The museum also sheds light on Native American history, the life of ranchers, and other historical facts about the town and county.

Local restaurants like Chelle's Garden or TC's Ponderosa in nearby Dickens are good spots for travelers to eat like a local, while the Coffee Mill and Mercantile in Quitaque is the place to be for breakfast, lunch, and a cup of joe.

Matador is also less than an hour away from the newly expanded Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway, a popular Texas state park known for its roaming bison herd and bat colony.

According to Airbnb's website, there are over 130 short-term rentals in Matador and the surrounding Motley County area, with some homes available for $172 for an overnight stay in April 2026.

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