Aspen offers unrivaled access to the area’s spectacular surrounding wilderness, the White River National Forest, as well as the best of big-city amenities infused with Aspen’s small-town Victorian-era charm. You’ll find a diverse selection of world-class cultural events, sophisticated restaurants, unique shops, and art galleries unrivaled by any other Rocky Mountain resort town. Or any small town, for that matter.
If you’d like something to take with you, feel free to download and print (or just save to your device) any of our official brochures:
Or read on for a summary of what’s available:
Things to Do in Aspen
It’s frankly impossible to be bored in Aspen. If you’re not the “sit quietly and commune with nature” type, plenty of exciting activities abound. But, there are also many options for those who want company in meditation, too!
If you are seeking ideas and inspiration, we invite you to browse through our comprehensive list of Aspen “Things To Do.” There you will find local adventure companies, shopping suggestions, concert series, and conferences. Extensive athletic endeavors, in-town attractions, holiday celebrations, and backcountry plans are also included.
Scroll through our list and start your planning — your perfect Aspen vacation awaits!
Art and Culture in Aspen
A large part of Aspen’s attraction comes from the long list of ways you can experience our town’s many cultural offerings — including (but not limited to) art galleries, theater, dance and musical performances. You’ll find everything from fine art to poetry to dance to casual open mic events and historical tours that fill you in on Aspen’s fascinating silver-mining past.
You can satisfy your art-making urge at Anderson Ranch Arts Center and the Red Brick Center for the Arts. Or contemplate art installations at the free Aspen Art Museum or various downtown galleries. Expand your intellectual horizons by attending events at the Aspen Institute, Aspen Words, Aspen Film, and the Aspen Center for Physics.
Ready for sheer entertainment? You can take in live popular music shows at Belly Up Aspen, Jazz Aspen concerts and Jazz Café performances, and classical music programs every summer at the Aspen Music Festival and School. And if that’s not enough, there are programs and concerts presented by Theatre Aspen, Aspen Community Theatre, and the Wheeler Opera House, which regularly brings extraordinary performers and performances to town. And, if you’re the performing type yourself, don’t miss the weekly open mic night at the Red Onion.
Read more details about Aspen arts and culture.
Fun Events in Aspen
While our Aspen Square concierge team is always available for custom, on-the-spot advice, we’ve also compiled a great starting list of this season’s biggest “musts” (new events are always being added).
We hope that this list gives you just the inspiration you need to choose the perfect time to visit us in Colorado!
See our curated list of this season’s best Aspen events.
Outdoor Activities in Aspen
Thanks to Aspen Square’s central location (we’re just across Durant Street from the base of Aspen Mountain), we’re literally in the middle of it everything, year-round. While Aspen is justly renowned for its winter activities thanks to the spectacular skiing in-resort, Aspen visitors can’t help but notice the sheer number of outdoor enthusiasts, no matter the season.
It’s easy to be active when you’re surrounded by such beauty. And when you don’t have to worry about oppressive heat or humidity in the summer, being outside is a joy.
It’s not just the natural beauty that draws athletic visitors, though. Our valley is even more special because of the variety of activities available during any and every season. For example:
Winter:
- Downhill skiing and snowboarding
- Cross-country skiing
- Sleigh rides
- Dog sledding
- Snowmobile tours
- Snowcat dinners
- Snowshoeing
- Ice skating and ice hockey
- Indoor at Aspen Recreation Center
- Outdoor soaks and the natural hot springs
Spring through Fall:
- Road cycling and mountain biking
- Hiking
- Stand up paddleboarding
- Rafting and canoeing
- Fly fishing
- Rock climbing
- Backcounty jeep tours
- Mining tours
- Balloon rides
- Golfing
- Horseback riding tours
Read more about the outdoor fun to be had in the Aspen valley.
Aspen Area Restaurants
No matter your taste or dietary needs, you’ll find something you love when dining in Aspen. The fact that Food & Wine Magazine has chosen Aspen to host its annual June festival should give you an indication about the quality of dining in town. From pub food to seafood, Italian to Asian, bakeries to BBQ — we’ve got it all.
We’ve compiled a list of our favorite in-town eateries by category here — see what inspires you, and plan ahead. If you need our concierge to make reservations, just let us know!
Getting Around (and Beyond) Town
In order to begin your Aspen adventures, you’ll need to first get here — and then get around here. If you’re flying to the Roaring Fork Valley, you’ll probably be landing at Pitkin County Airport (Sardy Field: ASE), just three miles from downtown. Eagle County Airport and even Denver International Airports are within a few hours’ drive, but Sardy Field is the most convenient (and least tiring) destination.
We’ve created a comprehensive guide to get you to and from the airport, as well as maps and directions no matter your origin. Prefer buses? Or rental cars? Or do you hope to get some mileage in on foot (or on the bike path)? Whatever your preference and convenience, we’ve got the details you’ll need right here.