Top Experiences in Aspen, Colorado

From its snowy ski slopes to its tree-lined hiking trails, it’s no secret that Aspen is a great base for outdoor adventurers. This scenic mountain town in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley also has a vibrant arts and culture scene, great shopping, engaging museums, and top-notch bars and restaurants, making it a crowd-pleasing vacation destination for just about anyone. Whether you’re visiting for the very first time or you’ve been coming here for years, don’t skip out on these quintessentially Aspen things to do.

Jam out at a concert at Belly Up

Belly Up is an intimate concert venue with a big reputation – it’s been a downtown Aspen staple since 2005 and regularly attracts big-name artists in all sorts of musical genres (B.B. King, Jimmy Buffett, Snoop Dogg are among the many well-known artists that have played here). The Colorado venue’s small size is a major draw: fans can get up close and personal with their favorite musicians. With a diverse lineup and over 300 concerts a year, you could attend a gig nearly every night of the week and have a different experience each time.

Drive or bike over Independence Pass

Topping out at 12,095 feet, Independence Pass is a two-lane (and, at times, one-lane) highway that traverses the Continental Divide. It’s a scenic summertime drive, with vibrant orange Indian paintbrushes, lavender Columbines, and other abundant wildflowers blooming along the side of the road in July and August. The pass is also popular among road cyclists; however, it’s a challenging climb that requires a high level of fitness and constant vigilance for cars. Whether you drive or bike, stop for a break at Independence Ghost Town, where you can wander among restored miners’ cabins and the remains of abandoned buildings from the 1880s.

Snap a sunrise photo of the Maroon Bells

The Maroon Bells – a pair of 14,000-foot peaks reflecting in an alpine lake near Aspen – are some of the most photographed mountains in North America. Their natural beauty has made them incredibly popular; therefore, you can ditch some of the crowds by waking up before dawn to reach Maroon Lake. Plus, sunrise is a stunning time to photograph the Bells, which become pink and sparkly as the sun hits them. You can also start one of Aspen’s best hikes from there.

Depending on when you go, you may need to make a parking reservation or take a shuttle bus, so be sure to read up on the latest seasonal requirements for visiting the Maroon Bells.

Find the shrines on Aspen Mountain

Keep your eyes peeled while skiing at Aspen Mountain, aka Ajax, and you might suddenly find yourself immersed in a colorful shrine to Jerry Garcia or John Denver. There are dozens of shrines hidden among the trees at Ajax, as well as Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass, paying homage to everyone from celebrities to beloved deceased locals; there are even shrines honoring dogs who have crossed the rainbow bridge. Some are somber, others are lighthearted and fun – they offer a window into Aspen’s unique culture and identity.

Go mountain biking at Snowmass Bike Park

While there are hundreds of miles of mountain bike trails throughout the Roaring Fork Valley, a good place to start is Snowmass Bike Park. In the summer and fall, the snowy ski slopes transform into lush, wildflower-speckled singletrack trails for all skill levels. The bike park makes it easy to spend all of your time going downhill since you can hop on the Elk Camp Gondola with your bike for the ride up the mountain – no huffing and puffing required (unless you want to ride cross-country!). There are 25 miles of downhill trails spanning nearly 3,000 vertical feet, with terrain for beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders. If you want to beat the crowds on trails like these, September to November might be the best time to visit Aspen.

If you’re new to the sport, Snowmass Bike Park is also a great place to take a lesson or rent gear. Beyond that, there are more than 300 miles of mountain bike trails throughout the valley, designated as a gold-level ride center – the highest rating possible – by the International Mountain Bicycling Association.

Enjoy music under the tent at Aspen Music Festival

In the summer, Aspen is brimming with music students and professional musicians from around the world, who travel to the Roaring Fork Valley for the renowned Aspen Music Festival and School. Since 1949, students have been able to rehearse and perform alongside principals from major orchestras, attend lectures, participate in masterclasses and listen to panel discussions.

Members of the public benefit from the hundreds of public performances that students and professionals put on, many of which take place in the open-air Benedict Music Tent on the Aspen Institute campus. Though the venue seats more than 2,000 people, many concert-goers lounge on the grassy lawn surrounding the tent while listening to the world-class performances.

Stroll through the Aspen Art Museum

Designed like a woven picnic basket, the Aspen Art Museum is a great place to spend an afternoon, no matter the season. The museum hosts rotating exhibitions featuring mostly contemporary art; there’s also a gorgeous, sunny cafe on the third floor that’s perfect for a light lunch or catching up on emails. Expect to spend about an hour here – it’s not very big, but the architecture and building design are also inspiring.

Go uphilling at Buttermilk

To work up a little sweat while you ski – or “earn your turns,” as some skiers say – try uphilling at Buttermilk, one of Aspen Skiing Company’s four mountains. Uphilling is exactly what it sounds like: skiing uphill. It’s a workout for sure, but also allows you to skip the lift lines and avoid many of the crowds, resulting in a more peaceful experience on the snow.

To uphill, you’ll need special equipment – chiefly, skins, which are grippy strips that attach to the bottom of your skis to prevent you from sliding backward as you glide uphill. There are special hours for uphilling to avoid getting in the way of fast-moving downhillers.

A popular route for uphilling is Tiehack, which climbs 1,600 feet to Buttermilk’s east summit. Once you get to the top, take off your skins, tighten your boots and let it rip to ski back down.

Eat pancakes at Bonnie’s

Take a break from skiing at Ajax to refuel and warm up at Bonnie’s, a cozy, mid-mountain spot known for its pancakes and apple strudel. On bluebird days, it’s also a great place to grab a beer and soak up the sun on the deck while skiers and snowboarders cruise by.

Another must-visit on-mountain restaurant is the Sundeck, located a few paces from the top of the Silver Queen Gondola. It’s a cafeteria-style setup, but far from typical cafeteria food – with perfectly cooked burgers, gourmet pizzas, creative sandwiches and other hearty, fresh foods prepared by top chefs. Even if you’re not hungry, the Sundeck is worth a stop for the views of the surrounding 14,000-foot peaks.

Walk back in time with Aspen Historical Society

Aspen’s active historical society keeps the city’s history alive and relevant with museums and ghost towns. The Aspen Historical Society offers an array of informative and entertaining walking tours around town, including a Victorian West End walking tour that explores the historical characters and distinctive architecture of the West End neighborhood. The historians are highly knowledgeable and often wear period-appropriate clothing, helping you imagine what Aspen was like decades ago.

Ride an e-bike to Pine Creek Cookhouse

Cycling is a popular sport in Aspen; however, the city’s already high starting elevation (8,000 feet) and mountain roads can pose a challenge for visitors. Enter the electric bike, or e-bike for short, which will provide you with extra assistance while you pedal. Rent an e-bike for the day from one of Aspen’s many bike rental shops, then begin the 12.5-mile climb toward Pine Creek Cookhouse, a popular lunch restaurant in a log cabin. Even with the electrical assistance of your bike, this ride is still a challenge, so you’ll likely be hungry by the time you arrive. The ride back to Aspen is a breeze as it’s all downhill, so don’t hesitate to indulge in the Castle Creek Knife Burger.

In winter, you can also cross-country ski or take a scenic horse-drawn sleigh ride to the restaurant, which is just up the road from Ashcroft Ghost Town.

Go birding at Hallam Lake

Founded in 1968, the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies is a beautiful 25-acre environmental learning facility and nature preserve – making it one of the best spots to go birding year-round in Aspen. Hallam Lake, located on the center’s grounds along the Roaring Fork River, is home to dozens of resident and migratory bird species, including colorful waterfowl, delicate warblers, and impressive birds of prey.

ACES hosts monthly birding outings led by naturalists; there’s even a bird club you can join to help support the center’s work.

Sip an Aspen Crud at the Hotel Jerome’s J-Bar

The Hotel Jerome has been an Aspen landmark since 1889. For more than 130 years, the stately brick building has stood at the corner of Main and Mill streets, surviving the mining boom, the silver crash, the quiet years, the start of Aspen’s ski area, and the glitz and glimmer of today.

The J-Bar, inside the hotel, was a popular hangout spot during Prohibition. According to legend, the bartender would toss a few shots of bourbon into a vanilla milkshake for those who asked for “that Aspen Crud.” The boozy milkshake is still on the menu today – and yes, it’s delicious.

Ride bikes along the Rio Grande Trail

This 42-mile “rails-to-trails” route connects the communities in the Roaring Fork Valley from Aspen to Glenwood Springs. It’s popular for cycling, running, walking, jogging, and rollerblading because it’s protected from vehicle traffic (except in certain well-marked spots where it intersects with roads) as it meanders through varied scenery along the Roaring Fork River. The trail, mostly paved and relatively flat, can also connect you with other trail systems, allowing you to ride to your heart’s content without relying on a car.

Get swept up in a Theatre Aspen show

Head to Hurst Theatre, a unique and elegant enclosed tent structure located along the Roaring Fork River, to be transported to another time and place during a Theatre Aspen musical or play. The professional theater company puts on Broadway shows like Chicago and Guys and Dolls during its annual summer season.

This article was first published Nov 16, 2021, and updated Dec 26, 2021.