Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater

The Ford Amphitheater is one of my favorite places in Vail. The venue is in a spectacular setting, surrounded by mountains. There is reserved, covered stadium seating down below as well as "first come, first serve" seating on the grassy hillside that rises up from the amphitheater. The covered seats are great in the event of a rainstorm, but I prefer sitting on the hill. It is popular to bring a picnic dinner to enjoy during the show.

Onto the entertainment:
The amphitheater hosts a free Tuesday night concert series called Hot Summer Nights, for the budget-conscious.

Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival hosts a number of concerts at the amphitheater; the 2009 lineup includes the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Columbus Jazz Orchestra. More info can be found at vailmusicfestival.org.

Another highlight of the summer is the Vail International Dance Festival, which runs for two weeks in July and August. This festival features dancers and companies from around the world. More info can be found at vaildance.org.

I put an average cost rating on this because the ticket prices vary depending on the event and where you sit. Don't forget the free Tuesday night concerts!