Nestled high in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, the town of Aspen is one of the most beautiful pockets of the state. From stunning year-round natural beauty, art galleries and installations, and even Michelin star dining, Aspen, Colorado, is a destination with an endless mix of activities. Visitors can experience some of the most gorgeous landscapes in the country and be back in time for a five-star dining experience.
This story was created in partnership with Aspen Chamber.
Getting To Aspen, Colorado
Aspen, Colorado is located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and is about 3.5 hours from Denver International Airport. There is an airport located right in town, as well.
Arts & Culture in Aspen
Aspen is teeming with a unique arts and culture scene, and there are multiple ways for visitors to get involved. Before your trip, we always recommend checking out the Aspen Chamber’s Arts & Culture Calendar—from concerts to historical tours there are countless things to do and the calendar is packed throughout each season.
For live show nerds, Aspen offers everything from an opera house, theater, and professional dance company that all put on high quality performances throughout the year. More into music? The town has multiple venues where live music is played throughout the week (we love seeing shows at The Wheeler—and they host much more than just opera). Or if art is more your thing, Aspen has an impressive collection of galleries and installation sites. One of our favorites is the Aspen Art Museum which features multiple art styles and has free admission.
Aspen’s World-Class Outdoor Adventure
We truly mean it when we say that Aspen is one of the prettiest corners of Colorado. Even if you’re not super into the outdoors, the mountains in this area almost have a way of calling you in.
Maroon Bells is the most well-known outdoor attraction in Aspen, and if you’re looking to avoid the crowds we recommend checking out the endless miles of hiking trails in and around town (Cathedral and American Lakes are some of our favorites). If you’re up for a longer trek, plan a multi-day hike along the famous Four Pass Loop. You could even plan to hike from the heart of Aspen right into neighboring Crested Butte, Colorado – which is usually a 100-mile drive on the pavement, but only an 11-mile day hike with jaw dropping views. Many people choose to stay the night in Crested Butte after the hike and travel back to Aspen the following day.
Rather spend your day near the water? The creeks around Aspen feature world-class fly fishing, with numerous outfitters in town offering guided tours.
For those less into the trails, even just driving around the area is a treat. Take a scenic road trip up Independence Pass for insane views of the Rocky Mountains. Heading over to nearby Carbondale is also great for those looking for a day’s drive full of hot springs and mountains.
Visiting in the summer is an amazing chance to explore the area without the feet of snow they receive each winter, but if you’re okay with more brisk temperatures autumn in Aspen is a game changer. Watch the steep mountainsides transform to bright yellow as the Aspen trees turn color. If you’re lucky, a little dusting of snow may even meet the changing leaves for a truly magical experience.
No matter what type of adventure you plan for your trip to Aspen, all visitors are encouraged to take the Aspen Pledge, which helps encourage responsible and sustainable tourism, while celebrating diversity within the town of Aspen.
Casual & 5-Star Dining in Aspen, Colorado
Aspen is known for its large array of restaurants, and offers everything from quick bites to Michelin star dining. After a day exploring the area, head to the White House Tavern for classic bar food or the Hickory House for some of the best barbecue in Colorado.
Want to try some award winning bites? Head to BOSQ, which is Aspen’s local Michelin star restaurant. For back up options (reservations are in high demand), Aspen is also home to a handful of restaurants that have earned ‘Michelin recommended’ status, which is essentially an honorable mention in lieu of being awarded a star. Element 47, Mawa’s Kitchen, and Prospect all hold this title for their quality ingredients and high level of culinary expertise.
Whether you head to a fine dining experience or a more casual restaurant, we recommend making a reservation as the downtown area of Aspen gets crowded with hungry guests during peak season.
Each trip to Aspen, Colorado, is unique. Depending on the time of year you could find yourself hiking deep into the mountains, sipping wine at a Michelin star restaurant, admiring art at the multiple galleries in town, or skiing down one of their world class resorts. With so many options, it’s hard for two trips to ever truly look the same. From an upscale vacation to more casual camping trips, Aspen has a little bit of everything and is a place where adventurers and luxury travelers alike can bond over a mutual love of the stunning natural beauty and cultural experiences.
