5 amazing experiences in Aspen Colorado
Having lived in Colorado, one of go to places in winter happens to be Aspen for me. It transports me to a winter wonderland kind of experience with so much to do in this small, beautiful and happening ski town. As I write this blog entry in 2020, I also recognize times are tough for travelers, so read further to see if Aspen can not only be an exciting journey for you and your family but also safe ! Sharing our favorite winter attractions and activities to do when visiting this famous ski town in Colorado.
1.Spend a day Skiing/Snowboarding and if you are not much of Skier like me, you can still read below to find alternatives.
Obviously skiing and mountain sports is a big thing in Aspen. And there are multiple avenues for you to try your skills here. Aspen Mountain and Snowmass mountain are the top ones that come to mind with challenging courses for all you advanced folks out there. Snowmass in particular is my favorite as it has some really good beginner trails. There are two more mountains here, the Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk, both of which I haven’t had the opportunity to try. If you are interested in learning more about passes(which by the way are valid at all 4 mountains) click here.
If sliding off of mountain tops is not your thing, try out the Gondola rides, that take you to pristine views, while you are at any of these mountains. Here is the link to passes that grant you access to all the lifts.
Also more experiences you can try is snow-mobiling and snow shoeing.The road to Maroon bells is closed off during winter, but is open for snow-mobiling or snow shoeing. Here’s a link with more info.
2. Explore the city and its vibe
There is always something brewing in this quaint town, locals and tourists alike don’t let the weather be a damper on their plans. Cooper Ave and Hyman Ave in the town center are pedestrian only streets that are lined with trees, an almost unmissable photo spot.
Aspen has so much charm underneath all that snow. Take a stroll on one of it’s many snow-filled streets and don’t forget to grab a hot cuppa at Bear Den or Local Coffee.
Another place to visit is Paepcke Park, check out the famous gazebo in the middle of the park here. And if you are in the mood for splurging, the streets of Aspen are lined with High fashion brands, you will be spoilt for choices.
And before you call it a night, make sure you sample some of Aspen’s famous brews at Aspen Brewing Company.
3. Visit Snowmass village
A short drive away from Aspen, Snowmass is a preferred destination for most families.I have already written about amazing skiing opportunities here, and there are more activites to do here. Snowmass Village is a really a hamlet of shops and restaurants that provide a unique small town experience.
If you are having a hard time finding suitable accommodation in Aspen, look no further than Snowmass which is also more affordable.
4. Take a scenic drive around Aspen
One of the most exciting things that i like to do when we are traveling or at home is to explore roads and areas by just browsing through maps and we did this a lot around Aspen. There are just so many pretty roads lined with snow and beautiful mountain backdrops. I would recommend to not do this on the days it snows, but they do a very a good job of keeping roads clean in Aspen, so it is definitely safe eitherways.
My top recommendations would be Maroon Creek road. This road is closed for winters after a point so be wary of that. Another favorite one we discovered is CO Rt 15. We travelled for around 6-7 miles on this route, admiring the ski slopes. We also found a couple of spots along the road to take some photos.
And then our favorite loop has to be McClain flats Rd, this topsy curvy road starts from Aspen downtown and leads you towards CO Rt 82. You can complete this loop by heading towards Aspen on Rt 82.
5. Our Favorite Coffee and Food Recommendations :
We personally have tried the below spots and can definitely recommend you to try these out. Aspen for us has been a hit and miss with food, but these options did not disappoint us one bit.
- White House Tavern
- Meet & Cheese
- Bear Den
- Local Coffee
- Paradise Bakery and Cafe
*None of the links in this post are affiliate or marketing links. These are my personal recommendations. This post is not sponsored.
The Travel Chutney 