After a day on the slopes (skiing, boarding, biking, or hiking) in Keystone you will want to unwind at one of the many restaurants or brew pubs.

Kickapoo Tavern has been a landmark since it was established, in 1995. It is a great place to meet friends and sample many of Colorado's famous micro brews. Famous for it's "Mountain Joy Juice" and for it's comfortable atmosphere. The Kickapoo  has full bar and grill and everything here is made from scratch, so bring your appetite. Inside the tavern you will be surrounded by beautiful pine and river rock, and the restaurant is large enough to accommodate weddings, receptions, or corporate events, and will be happy to do so with advance reservations.

Parrot Eyes is another lively spot. It is Keystone's margarita hot spot. Located in River Run, it offers casual dining and live music five nights a week.

The Goat is one of the best hot spots for Keystone nightlife. Everybody loves The Goat. Come join the locals. Great food, live music and a free Pabst just for signing the guest book! Rock the night away or just kick back and have some laughs with friends. Prices are reasonable too. The Goat is just an all around great tavern.

For something a little more upscale you should try the Der Fondue Chessel. It will run a pretty penny but it is worth it if you are up to it. To start the night, gondolas carry you away to your Bavarian backdrop. Everything here is magnificent, from the wonderful swiss and German cheese dipping sauces, to the chocolate fondue deserts. Tastes will linger in your memory for years to come. Do yourself a favor and try the New Zealand venison or lamb chops. Absolutely superb.

A nice place to take the family that won't bust your budget would be Dos Locos. They serve fresh Mexican food and Prices range from $8 to $15, in a child friendly atmosphere. They can also accommodate large parties if need be.

Another unique spot is Inxpot. Located in the heart of River Run Village. You can catch breakfast, lunch, or dinner here. If you want to just take some time to relax, you can sink back in one of their soft chairs and read a book from their book store. It also has a full bar and many hot drink specials also.

I can't finish without mentioning the Great Northern Tavern and the Wolf Rock Brewing Company. Both of these are worth trying before you leave Keystone. Brewing and serving many fine types of beer, and the eats that go with them. Both are top notch.

As you can see, finding restaurants and brew pubs in Keystone is the easy part. Picking a favorite is what is hard. The choices are so abundant and varied it may take a few trips just to try them all. As they say, "It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it."

This tidbit of real (yummy) travel advice was brought to you by Thomas Alford.

Eating makes us happy.  Eating and vacationing make us extra happy.  And the trifecta of happiness? Eating on vacation while enjoying the luxury of a private holiday home.  Oh, happy day!