Location: Aspen
Top Things to do in Aspen
The 10 Best Things to do Good for Kids in Aspen, Colorado (CO)
Everyone knows Aspen as a top-notch winter resort town. But outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy it in the summer, too, when the mountains become a perfect setting for hiking, biking and horseback tours. Some may be surprised to find it’s a top romance destination—but after all that outdoor exercise, who wouldn’t want to repair to a luxurious hotel room or a cozy, firelit bar?
Restaurants in Aspen
1. T-Lazy-7 Ranch
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 580 reviews
Back in the early 1900s, Had and Lou Deane were a colorful pair who raised cattle, horses, and a family on their rustic mountain ranch just outside of Aspen. Their parents and grandparents were Aspen’s founding fathers and earliest settlers. Today T-Lazy-7 is as busy as ever with the fourth and fifth generations of the Deanes running the ranch. Guests enjoy this mountain paradise for weddings and events, while recreational enthusiasts take part in snowmobile tours, horseback riding and fly fishing. T-Lazy-7 Ranch’s past is as rich as its future is bright, and we’re looking forward to many more years of wonderful mountain memories ahead.
Reviewed By kaitB8292FQ - Bilbao, Spain
The tour was breathe-takingly beautiful and I would highly recommend this adventure! Elyse & Burger were incredible guides - very kind, patient, knowledgeable and friendly. As a first time snowmobile driver, I had lots of fun on the ride with my family as well as the guides. We totally lucked out and were able to drive over to Maroon Bells for an awesome view of the Maroon Peak, which was a huge highlight for us!! THANK YOU Elyse & Burger for a wonderful wonderful adventure in Aspen!
2. Aspen Carriage and Sleigh Day Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 83 reviews
Join us for horse drawn sleigh, carriage, and wagon rides on the beautiful Stillwater Ranch and around Aspen. We've been an Aspen tradition for over 40 years. We have public and private rides available.
3. Aspen Center for Environmental Studies
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 88 reviews
The Hallam Lake Nature Preserve, a wild place in the heart of Aspen, features an Environmental Learning Center, resident birds of prey, an indoor trout stream, a nature trail loop, bird watching, a naturalist on site, and programs all year round. Free to visit!
Reviewed By BluefFash67
This was our first time to try snowshoeing. It was a blast! The scenery was spectacular. Skyler was our tour guide. He possess in-depth knowledge on nature and the environment and shared his experience and expertise throughout the tour. We highly recommend snowshoeing! Being avid skiers for over 40 years, this was a truly unique and fun experience.
4. Castle Creek Road
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 80 reviews
This mountain road offers a smooth mountain bike ride to Aspen, Colorado.
Reviewed By davidhV8108PG - Incline Village, United States
Everyone goes to Maroon Bells, we prefer this bike ride. Grade is easier and much less traffic. I road a road bike and wife was on an electric bike. The scenery is magnificent and their is not much traffic with a very good road surface. Also world class hiking from at the end of the canyon. An additional reward is Pine Creek Cookhouse. Great view and food is very good. Also descent back down to Aspen is world class.
5. Maroon Lake Scenic Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 429 reviews
Reviewed By Haejung - Napa, United States
Our first time in Aspen. Beautiful time of the year to experience fall. You must make time to visit Maroon Lake when here. You do have to make a reservation to get on the bus where it drops you off to the park. You really can’t drive to it & recommended to take the bus. Do bring your own drinks & food. Once you’re in the park, no stores there selling anything. Bring your own bathroom toiletries. We’re not much of big hikers but do wear hiking shoes if you plan on hiking to Crater Lake! Do invest in a walking stick for the Crater Lake. Hike to Crater Lake takes about 1 hour & 20 min for people like us. You’ll want to give yourself some time for round trip. Last bus leaves at 5 pm and they don’t wait. No cell service or order Uber per bus drivers. We booked 12:45 bus ride & managed to walk around Maroon Lake & Crater Lake & got back by 4. If you don’t want to do lot of hiking, easy walk around the Maroon Lake is perfect. It is beautiful here now with fall colors. So glad we did it!
6. Rio Grande Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 320 reviews
Reviewed By AshleyVirtue
My husband and I just walked the Rio Grande Trail all the way from the John Denver Sanctuary (that was our starting point and a GORGEOUS and inspirational way to start the walk) to Woody Creek Tavern, about 8 miles away. It was a long walk but stunning. Most others we saw were biking the trail. I think very few people walk it. The first mile and a half of the trail were the most scenic. You're in Aspen walking right between the rushing river and some gorgeous real estate. If you're only interesting in walking about 3 miles I recommend starting at the JD Sanctuary (we spend about 45 minutes there, relaxing, taking pictures and reading the inspirational quotes and lyrics written on the rocks) and walking for a mile and half and then turning around and heading back. If you're up for a grander adventure, you can walk the whole 8 miles to Woody Creek Tavern where you'll want to catch an Uber/Lyft or Taxi back to Aspen (about $18). We, of course, had to stop in the Tavern and have a beer or two, and a bowl of chips before catching our ride. : )
7. Independence Pass
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,695 reviews
Reviewed By 688juddc - Aspen, United States
Everyone should check out the Continental Divide and Independence Pass - also a fantastic bicycle ride up from the Aspen side - best early in the day or in the off-seasons, due to narrow sections and sometimes heavy traffic. There are a lot of places to pull off and admire the scenery, take pics, or go for a little hike - especially alongside the creek, at the Grottos - where there's a plunge pool (not safe in times of heavy water runoff). Also several camping sites exist closer to the Aspen side where the scenery is all amazing...
8. Blazing Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 877 reviews
With over 40 years of experience providing outdoor activities in Colorado, we are Aspen & Snowmass' most knowledgeable whitewater rafting and outdoor adventures company. Whether you are a family with small children or an adrenaline junkie, a party of 1 or a party of 100, looking for a quiet hike in the woods, biking at the Maroon Bells or blasting through a Class IV+ whitewater rapids, Blazing Adventures has just the trip for you!
9. Aspen Whitewater Rafting
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 801 reviews
Nobody does whitewater river rafting in Aspen and Snowmass better than Aspen Whitewater Rafting. Owned and operated by a professional staff that has been guiding our local rivers for more than 20 years, we offer a range of personalized, fun, and safe whitewater adventures. We provide exemplary customer service to all our clients, something larger companies in the valley are hard pressed to match. We are the only company in the valley that focuses solely on whitewater rafting - our true passion. Our priorities are safety and fun, and we do our best to cater to each individual’s needs in order to create the perfect Roaring Fork rafting experience. We have some of the best guides in the valley (over half are Class IV/V guides), new equipment, outstanding lunches, and small group sizes, yet we offer our trips at an affordable price. Compare our Aspen rafting prices!
10. Maroon Bells
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,540 reviews
Reviewed By raharrington85 - Omaha, United States
Our visit to Maroon Bells was a highlight of our vacation in the Aspen area. The park is close to Aspen, but you need reservations in advance to see this very popular attraction (start at the Aspen Chamber of Commerce website—excellent site for any Aspen visit!) TIP: study the reservation system, and ensure you grab your spot as soon as offered—the reservations sell out. You have two types options to reach the park—choose the shuttle option and read/follow the reporting instructions. Do not park illegally at the shuttle pick-up. The police, shuttle, and park services work in smooth coordination to manage the traffic and get you to and from the park. You’ll arrive at the main lake after a short, picturesque bus ride; the drop off has ample bathrooms and a park office. Jaw-dropping pictures are just a short walk from the drop-off; lake, mountains, and wildlife (we saw a moose within minutes). You can choose various trails to explore the area, designing the hike for your own desires and abilities—we chose the Crater Lake trail, a rocky, medium hike route to another beautiful lake with great views of the Bells. TIP: bring water, layered weather wear, sunblock, sturdy shoes, and snacks. Consider bringing bear spray (we did—this is bear country). Expect a fair amount of people traffic at the main drop-off site and along popular trails. Don’t miss the final bus in the afternoon or risk a long walk back to the pick-up site. Don’t miss a visit to the Maroon Bells—highly recommended.
