Aspen is a year-round playground for skiers, hikers and lovers of the outdoors. Whether you are planning a weekend trip in the winter or in the summer, there are many fun things to do in Aspen. Admire scenic mountain views from the Silver Queen Gondola, watch a performance at the Hurst Theatre, go on a brewery tour, visit the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, play golf, and see an exhibition at the Aspen Art Museum. There are many excellent tours to choose from that let you get to know the area with the help of experienced guides. Aspen restaurants offer a variety of flavors to sample on vacation.
Aspen Mountain
It is difficult to say whether it is better to come to Aspen Mountain (also called Ajax) in the summer or wait for the winter snow.
Skiers flock to Ajax year after year for the mountain’s famous slopes, steeps, and glades that challenge even the most experienced skiers – let’s not forget that these slopes are challenging enough for World Cup contestants.
During the summers, you can hit one of the dozens of trails, join the yoga group on the mountaintop, take a naturalist tour to learn about the wildlife and plants, or you can enjoy the view from a gondola.
After an action-packed day on the mountains, relax at the Ajax Tavern or sit on the Sundeck and appreciate the breathtaking views of Elk Mountain.
Maroon Bells
The Maroon Bells, two peaks of Elk Mountain, are the most photographed mountains in the world and with their majestic image reflected across the still waters of Maroon Lake, it’s no wonder.
The rising sun colors them golden, creating an unbelievably beautiful vista.
You can get the best view from Maroon Lake, which you can reach by taking a public bus that leaves from Aspen Highlands.
Traffic by car is limited.
During the winter, you can also get to the peaks by cross-country skis or by a snowmobile. T-Lazy 7 Ranch organizes fun and informative tours.
If you are wondering what to do in Aspen this summer, this is a beautiful place to visit.
A trip to Maroon Bells can turn into an incredible adventure for those who like high adrenaline thrills.
The lake is only 12 miles from Aspen, and taking a trip there is something all visitors to Aspen make a point of doing.
Aspen Highlands
Aspen Highlands is not a mountain for the timid. This terrain found in Colorado is rugged and offers a great challenge. If you are looking for steep, big-mountain skiing, you can find it at Olympic Bowl, Highland Bowl, and Steeplechase.
The runs are wide-open, the views are spectacular, and there is something for any skill level.
Stop to catch your breath and take in the magnificent view of the Pyramid Peak and Maroon Bells.
If you want to take your skiing or snowboarding to the next level, you can take advantage of the excellent Ski & Snowboard School, where you will not only get instructions from experienced pros, but will get tips on navigating terrain, weather, and the general area.
If you will be visiting during the summer, get ready for some steep hiking, rock climbing, ridgeline trekking in the high-country, or you can just take a hot air balloon and admire the scenery from bird’s-eye view.
When you get back, rest your tired bones and indulge in a tasty raclette at Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro, which has a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Buttermilk Mountain
Buttermilk Mountain is best known for serving as the location of the Winter X Games for the last 13 years. Naturally, the terrain park challenges are legendary.
Buttermilk also has easier, beginner runs for families and children, which include easy, long blue and green runs that go all the way from the top to the bottom.
Experienced instructors from the Ski & Snowboard School can help you make the most of your trip, allowing you to truly enjoy Buttermilk’s terrain park.
Those in the know say that all of Buttermilk is one terrain park after another, so you’ll never get bored. Enjoy the after-ski time at the Cliffhouse with some delicious spring rolls and Mongolian barbecue. If you brought the kids, take them to the Hideout, the new kids’ center.
Snowmass
Snowmass is enormous; it has 3,362 acres of skiable terrain, including superb expert terrains in Hanging Valley, Burnt Mountain Glades, and the Cirque. Don’t worry if you’re not an expert – there are terrains for skiers of all abilities. You’re guaranteed to have a good time at Snowmass Park & Superpipe, and both you and the kids will love the Treehouse Kids Adventure Center, which provides ski lessons as well as childcare.
With its endless scenic bike and hiking trails and diverting gondola rides, Snowmass has just as many engaging activities in the summer. Foodies will love the location’s nine restaurants, especially the Lynn Britt Cabin and the famous Elk Camp Restaurant.
Silver Queen Gondola
There are many things you can do in Aspen during the summer, but seeing the mountains with their high snow-covered peaks, the lively town, the majestic slopes, and tall trees as the birds see them is a stunning experience. The Silver Queen Gondola provides you with a comfortable, 14-minute ride from bustling Aspen to the 11,000-foot tall peaceful summit of Ajax Mountain.
Once you’re there, take in the vista from the Sundeck, join the yoga crowd for some free exercises, play golf at the highest golf course in the country, or hit one of many bike or hiking trails.
If you come on Sunday, you can oftentimes enjoy live bluegrass music concerts.
Kids will love the climbing wall and the Eurobungy trampoline. The Silver Queen Gondola operates daily in the summer from June to September, and on weekends in May and October.
Wheeler Opera House
From the day it opened its doors in 1889, the Wheeler Opera House followed the same path as the city; it witnessed everything from enormous riches to bankruptcies, from booms to busts. However, while so much of the pioneer silver and gold mining world perished, the Wheeler Opera House continued to rise from the ashes like a phoenix, showing that culture is resilient and a vital component of Aspen.
The theatre features Moroccan leather seats, a blue ceiling embedded with silver stars, and a rather impressive proscenium stage.
It introduced the community to traveling Shakespeare troops, vaudeville, minstrel shows, concerts, burlesques, lectures, and the occasional boxing match. Times have changed, but not too terribly much. The Opera House still serves as the community’s first and foremost performance venue for concerts, festivals, movies, Oprah Winfrey, The Eagles, school theatre productions, lectures, and much more.
320 East Hyman Avenue, Aspen, Colorado, Phone: 866-449-0464, Wheeler Opera House Video
The John Denver Sanctuary
Many people have the fortune of stumbling upon The John Denver Sanctuary while hiking the Rio Grande Trail. Located on the banks of Roaring Fork River, this lovely, serene park is one of several memorials to John Denver, who lived in Aspen for a while. He absolutely loved the area, which provided inspiration for many of the songs he wrote.
One of the park’s most stunning features is the grouping of giant boulders engraved with Denver’s lyrics. The park also has the largest collection of perennials in the area, as well as the water-filtering wetlands system. The park comes alive during the summer when Theater Aspen provides a stage for compelling live performances.
The park has many benches where you can relax, watch the passing river and bees moving from flower to flower, or contemplate the lyrics of John Denver. Perhaps you will discover what he meant by Rocky Mountain High during your trip to Aspen.
Aspen Art Museum
Located in the stunning former Hunter Creek Power Plant built in 1888, the Aspen Art Museum plays an interesting role in the community. It provides space for the latest, most important developments in worldwide contemporary art.
The Museum does not collect art, it merely creates a link between modern artists and the community, challenging viewers’ conceptions and provoking deeper thought.
Numerous free exhibitions every year focus on unrecognized and underappreciated artists and artistic output, while public programs and community activities invite local audiences to view modern art with open eyes and minds.
637 East Hyman Avenue, Aspen, Colorado, Phone: 970-925-8050
Aspen Historical Society Tours
The Aspen Historical Society has a great way of fulfilling its mission of preserving and presenting local history: through fun, entertaining and very informative tours. The tours last from one hour, like the tour of Aspen’s iconic and elegant Hotel Jerome, to half a day like Holden/Marolt Mining and Ranching Museum tour.
Some tours are outdoors, and are only available during the summer, like the Red Butte Cemetery Tour, while others are indoors and run year around like Wheeler / Stallard Museum. One of their most popular tours is the Historic Pub Tour.
620 West Bleeker St., Aspen, Colorado, Phone: 970-925-3721
Rio Grande Trail
Rio Grande Trail is the easiest and the most popular hiking and biking trail in Aspen. If you have kids, feel free to bring them along, because they are sure to love it. The trail starts on Puppy Smith Road just behind the Post Office. The 8.4-mile long trail takes you along the Roaring Fork River and follows the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad bed. On the section from Aspen to Woody Creek, you will cross two bridges.
The first bridge crosses the Roaring Fork River, and the second fast-flowing Hunter Creek. The trail keeps going for several miles along the north side of the Roaring Fork River. The first part of the Rio Grande Trail, which is paved, has numerous descriptive signs. West of Cemetery Lane, the trail becomes dirt and takes you through very scenic small canyons along the river.
Grottos Trail
Grottos Trail is an excellent trail for the whole family – you can even bring your dog on a leash. There is almost no incline, making the trip very easy, and you can plan a great picnic and explore several exciting features. The trail starts about nine miles from Aspen along Highway 82. Pass Weller Campground until you see the sign for the trailhead on the right. After crossing the bridge, turn right on the Old Stage Road, and after about 30 yards, you will see the picnic site by the river.
If you turn left after the bridge, you will find yourself on the main trail, and you can follow the Roaring Fork River for about 200 yards upstream until you reach the picnic area. Let the kids explore the grottos formed throughout the millennia by the rushing waters of Roaring Fork River. There are also some interesting rock formations, a lovely waterfall, and many shorter trails perfect for exploring. Trail map pdf
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies
Elizabeth Paepcke founded the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) in 1968 with the goal of providing a bridge between the Aspen’s urbanized environment and surrounding nature, as well as creating a wildlife sanctuary in Aspen. The Center operates in four locations: Hallam Lake, The Catto Center, Rock Bottom Ranch, and Spring Creek. Today, the Center is a non-profit environmental science organization.
ACES Naturalist guides offer free hikes every day to explore spots like Snowmass Mountains, Snowmass Ice Age dig, and Maroon Bells. The Center offers numerous courses and programs in basic ecology and environmental sciences for adults and school children.
100 Puppy Smith St, Aspen, Colorado, Phone: 970-925-5756
Theatre Aspen
Only in Aspen do you get to the theatre by passing the hiking trail, flowerbeds, and ponds of Art Park to enter a large tent under the stars. This tent is called the Hurst. The gorgeous, natural setting makes productions of classics such as Cabaret even more mesmerizing.
Theatre Aspen is Aspen’s only professional theatre, and it attracts thousands of visitors with its exciting summer programs, many year-around productions, and educational programs. You can see some of the great talents of Broadway as well as superb local performers in plays, musicals, and other shows. Theatre Aspen also launched Aspen Theatre Festival, two weeks of theatrical activity promoting new works by lesser-known playwrights and musical groups.
110 East Hallam Street, Aspen, Colorado, Phone: 970-925-9313
Aspen Recreation Center
If you did not get enough exercise on the ski slopes during the day, come to the < Aspen Recreation Center for more fun and games. The Center, or ARC as the locals call it, has it all, from a swimming pool and ice skating arena to rock climbing walls and weight rooms.
You can use their superior modern fitness center with the latest state-of-the art machines or you can join a yoga or karate class. For those who want something beyond physical exercise, they can take advantage of also guitar classes and art classes.
0861 Maroon Creek Rd, Aspen, Colorado, Phone: 970-544-4100
Aspen Golf and Tennis Club
The Aspen Golf and Tennis Club offers a particularly special challenge to avid golfers: an 18-hole, champion, PGA award-winning course high up in the Rocky Mountains just a few minutes from urban, sophisticated Aspen. If you want to improve your game, check with the club’s PGA staff to arrange private instructions or attend golf school.
The club does not neglect avid tennis players, either; it has six clay courts and two hard courts, which are open from June to September. They have clinics and lessons for adult and children regardless of current ability. Both golfers and tennis players can enjoy the renowned Red Mountain Grill for meals and celebratory drinks on the patio overlooking the golf course.
Aspen Golf and Tennis Club, 39551 Highway 82, Aspen, Colorado, Phone: 970-429-1949
Elk Mountain Expeditions
James and Lange of Elk Mountain Expeditions invite you to find out about the great white water rafting and fishing opportunities available around Aspen. They have adventures for beginners on the Upper Roaring Fork River that will take you over rapids such Snowmass Hole and Toothache.
If you’re up for it, they will take you to Slaughterhouse Falls; you have to be quite fit to stay upright, and you better know how to swim and get yourself out of the water if the boat tips over. For avid fishermen, Elk Mountain Expedition has Conor with his new dory to show you some of the secret fishing holes on the Roaring Fork River. James and Lange will make sure that you have lots of fun on your visit and that you will have stories to tell and photos to show when you get back home.
Elk Mountain Expeditions, 970-456-6287
Independence Pass
As you slowly drive through impressive Sawach Mountain along the banks of the Roaring Fork River, take some time to stop and take in the view. Each peak under the clear blue sky is covered with a crown of snow, and both the mountains and the sky serve as the backdrop for the magnificent dark blue lodgepole pines and tall elegant aspens. This road, called Independence Pass, goes between Leadville and Aspen.
At times, it reaches to 14,500 feet in altitude, and it is one of the most breathtaking and picturesque drives in the country. You can take advantage of this road until mid-November when it closes until Memorial Day. The silver and gold miners who built the road were not so much interested in the views as they were in the riches the Rocky Mountains were hiding in their depths. Some did manage to strike it rich, and 130 years later, we can now enjoy the fruits of their backbreaking labor. Independence Pass Map
