10 Ways to Explore the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail, CO

On a recent visit to Vail, Colorado, we spent a wonderful morning at the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and enjoyed our visit so much, we decided to devote a full post to the gardens. The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is considered the highest (8,200 feet above sea level!) botanical garden in the world. The word alpine means “above treeline” and the gardens are organized by regions, including the Eastern Himalayas, Patagonia, and Scottish Highlands. Vail’s higher evaluation and cool, dry climate make it possible to grow alpine plants from around the world. The complex, located inside the Ford Park, includes 19 gardens with well marked walking paths and plenty of signage to explain the name and origin of each plant, flowers, bush, and tree. Betty Ford, wife of US President Gerald Ford (who is the namesake of the adjacent amphitheater and park) “gave her name” to the center in 1988. Today, the gardens are one of the most popular attractions in Vail Valley and for good reason.

Travel Tips:

  • The gardens are open 24 hours a day with two entrances, one near the Education Center and one near the museum and gift shop side of Ford Park.
  • The Education Center is open year round from and museum and gift shop are open Memorial Day weekend through Labor day weekend 9:30am-4pm. There is also a second gift shop located in nearby Vail Village, open year round from 11am-7pm, closing at 5pm on Sundays.
  • There is no admission fee, but donations are encouraged.
  • Restrooms and water fountains are located in Education Center.
  • Themed tours of the gardens are given three times a week during summertime for a $10 per person fee- more information here. There are also tons of special programs like Yoga in the Gardens, Chefs in the Gardens, and special guest lectures. Read more about programs and events here.
  • Most of the gardens are handicap accessible; there are two sets of natural stone staircases. There are several benches throughout the garden to sit and enjoy the beauty of nature.
  • Free daytime parking is available in the Vail Village parking garage during the summer; it is less than a ½ mile walk alongside the Gore Stream. Another option during the summer is the Ford Park Parking Lot, but fees many apply during events in the park. Consider taking the free Vail bus- more information on routes here.
  • There are dozens of dining options in the nearby Vail Village- here is a good index.
  • Plan on one to two hours to fully explore the gardens, more time for a guided tour.

 10 Ways to Explore the Betty Ford Gardens 

  1. Start in the Education Visitor Center and check out the exhibits which explain the various regions of alpine plants. There are hands on activities for kids such as coloring stations, microscopes, and matching games.
  2. Walk through the warm alpine house indoor garden, featuring dozens on small plants, succulents, and cacti from around the world.
  3. Learn about how plants survive in various weather conditions by reading the many placards on display throughout the gardens.
  4. Notice the details of the recreated miniature wetlands and Aspens in the upper level gardens.
  5. Choose a favorite variety of plant of flower spread throughout the 18 acres of gardens.

Would you like to save this?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later.

6. Ignite all 5 senses throughout the sensory garden in the Children’s Garden section.

7. Read about the original schoolhouse (now home to a small museum and gardens gift shop), built in 1922 in West Vail and used for over 15 years for grades kindergarten through grade 8. Because of the extreme winter conditions, the school year ran from late spring through December. The schoolhouse was later used as a shepherd’s cottage and ski cabin until it was moved to its current location as part of the gardens.

8. Play pretend at Betty’s Market, a replicated miniature market.

9. Skip over the rock path in the stream and explore the Children’s Garden. Check here for daily activities and weekly events.

10. Check out the adjacent Ford Park, which includes athletic fields, two playgrounds (toddler and larger), half-court basketball court and four square court, swings, and several picnic tables.

For more fun throughout the Vail area, check out our Vail City Guide. And follow along on our adventures on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

New England based, part high school English teacher, part non profit founder, part road tripper who LOVES hopping in the family SUV to explore America. Our bucket list includes National Parks, MLB stadiums, presidential libraries, and eating wherever the locals eat!

Similar Posts

  • | | |

    The Portland Observatory in Portland, Maine

    Earlier this summer, we enjoyed a few days in Portland, Maine, a beautiful seaside city on Casco Bay. One of the highlights of our visit was a guided tour of the Portland Observatory.

    Built in 1807 by Captain Lemuel Moody and one of the oldest marine signal stations in America, the six floor tower was used commercially until 1923 when it was abandoned. It is not technically considered a lighthouse because, although it does light up at night from the interior rooms, it does not emit light outwards. In the late 1930s, the tower was used as a lookout in World War II. The location of the observatory, and the unique octagonal shape, offered numerous views of the harbor. The Observatory went through several restorations throughout the 20th century and finally opened as a museum in 2007. 

  • | | | |

    10 Items to Bring on a Road Trip

    If you have not noticed by now, I like to be prepared. As much as possible. I often overplan. I’ve shared some tips for how to pack a suitcase and how to pack a car, but recently I read an article from Real Simple (Cash- Saving Hacks for Everyone Vacation, June 2017) ,one of my favorite magazines, that reminded me of some things I like to purchase ahead of time. Buying these items before I leave home helps me avoid running to a grocery store or pharmacy in the middle of an adventure, or late at night:

  • | | |

    Fort Adams in Newport, Rhode Island

    This is the 3rd post in a series detailing my recent visit to Newport, Rhode Island. To read about celebrating the holiday season in Newport, click here and to read about the International Tennis Hall of Fame, click here.

    Fort Adams has the honor of being both the largest fort in the United States and the only fort never attacked. Although, because it was never attacked or “officially in use”, it is not part of the National Parks program like many other forts throughout America. Fort Adams, located in Newport, Rhode Island, is one of twenty fortresses built after the War of 1812, took over 30 years (from 1820-1850) to complete, and is named after the second American President, John Adams. It was most effectively used as a training facility for West Point graduates before their official postings.

    The entire complex is a state park and open to the public, free of charge.  The public is welcome to use the restrooms, walk (leashed) dogs, fish, picnic, and even use the public beach. Sail Newport, housed on the property, rents sailboats and also gives lesson.

    On a recent visit to Newport, my family took the 90 minute, guided tours. We loved it. All of us, adults and children alike, found it interactive, informative, and even a little scary.  Steve Marino, our tour guide, made sure to engage our children throughout the tour.  You’ll need to start in the Visitor’s Center to purchase tickets. They offer a AAA discount. There are restrooms and a gift shop with snacks, drinks, and souvenirs. Strollers are allowed on most aspects of the tour, and you can leave strollers outside some “indoor” and tight spaces. 

  • | | | | | | | |

    Exploring General Grant National Memorial in New York City

    This past week, we had the opportunity to explore another National Park Site in the city of New York: the General Grant National Memorial. Located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of the Upper West Side, the Memorial honors Ulysses S. Grant, a decorated Civil War General of Union troops and the 18th American President, who established the first National Park (Yellowstone) and the Department of Justice and was a champion of the 15th Amendment, which gave African American men the right to vote.

  • | | | |

    10 Ways to Explore the Florence Griswold Museum in Lyme, Connecticut

    We enjoy visiting art museums with our children. Some people may think art museums are not an ideal spot to bring children, but there are a whole variety of reasons why you should- read them in this post. We’ve recently been researching local museums in Connecticut and were pleased to see that the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme is open and taking very good steps to honor pandemic restrictions and keep everyone safe and healthy.

    Home to military sea captain Robert Griswold and his family in the middle 1800s until Florence Griswold’s death in 1937, the 12 acre estate includes art galleries, the main mansion, three additional structures with exhibits, an artist trail, gift shop, and seasonal cafe. The Griswold family harvested a large collection of gardens, producing much of the food the family ate, and later served to guests. Griswold inherited the home from her family and began welcoming boarders in 1899 as a way of making money. Up to 18 artists, who became known as the Lyme Art Colony, would stay in the home at one time,. Famous guests include President Woodrow Wilson and his first wife, an aspiring artist. Old Lyme became known as one of the biggest Impressionist art colonies in America, in large part to the Griswold campus. Today, it is open to visitors and welcomes families to explore what life was like for the artists in the early 20th century.

  • | | | | | | | |

    New Bedford, Massachusetts

    New Bedford, a small city located in the southeastern part of Massachusetts (about an hour from Boston), is known as the whaling capital of the world, due to the protected deep water harbor of Buzzard’s Bay and ideal transportation routes. Indeed, New Bedford has a rich history in whaling, fishing, and commerce. At its peak in the mid 1850s, New Bedford employed over 300 ships and 10,000 fisherman.

    My family recently took a weekend trip to visit the New Bedford area and were pleasantly surprised by the variety of family friendly activities, even in the “off” winter season. I started my research at DestinationNewBedford.org and found lots of helpful advice.  I printed copies of the Kids Scavenger Hunt for my kids to complete while we were in town, although you can find copies at many local attractions.

4 Comments

  2. It looks beautiful there! We’re going to Colorado next spring for a wedding, and I think we’re going to make a trip out of it. 😊

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *