Weekend Getaway in Aspen, CO

Weller Lake

Landing in Aspen is a dream. The mountain air feels fresh in your lungs, and you're ready to explore. While this town is known for high-end luxe and expensive views, there is great accessibility if you know where to look. I'm not going to exploit any true local secrets here, but I do want to provide a fresh perspective. I believe the best kind of traveler for Aspen likes to be outdoors—hiking, biking, walking, dipping in alpine lakes, and admiring the true beauty these mountains offer.

Hotel Jerome

The best hotel to appreciate all of Aspen's history is the Hotel Jerome. This is the oldest hotel in town, and it shows! As you walk in, you sense the secrets from the late 1800s, all the parties from the mining era, and, of course, Hunter S. Thompson's infamous nights at J-Bar. This hotel has a chic coffee shop, Felix Roasting, as well as a bar and a restaurant. It's centrally located on Main Street and just a block from "restaurant row," where you can find French, Italian, Mexican, Asian, and American cuisine.

Once you're outside, consider how you want to spend your time—shopping and strolling or hiking and exploring? A combination is also allowed.

Hiking

Starting with hikes—you can hike up or around Aspen. Some easily accessible (though not easy to complete) are: Ute Trail (can also go all the way up Aspen Mountain), Smuggler Road (views of Aspen Mountain), Hunter Creek - Smuggler Loop (more in the woods and can come down the popular Smuggler Rd). Just outside of town, you can hike three other mountains—Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass. Each of these have wide roads you can start walking up and turn around whenever you see fit. Both Aspen and Snowmass have gondolas running throughout the summer, so you can hike up and hitch a ride down. My favorite hike in Snowmass is Vista (just wait for the Aspen grove!). You also can't go wrong if you're able to make it up to the very famous Maroon Bells. You can either e-bike (now requires a payment of $6.50) or road bike (free!), or book a reservation on the shuttle/drive your car. Once you're up there, you can keep on hiking up to Crater Lake or beyond to Willow Lake, or up and over Buckskin Pass. There is so much to see! I only ask that you respect the National Forest Land and leave it better than you found it.

Midnight Mine Road (backside of Aspen)

A weekend in Aspen

Simply put, if you're planning a weekend in Aspen, here is what I would do.

On Friday, land, grab dinner in town along "restaurant row" at White House (casual) or Steakhouse 316 (sophisticated).

Wake up on Saturday and walk the Rio Grande (can go on forever, so feel free to turn around at the large bridge where you end up right by the river), and then head back into town to walk through the Saturday Market. Pick up a coffee and pastry and head to the Jerome for lunch in the courtyard. Post lunch, you can e-bike (Hotel Jerome offers e-bike rentals) up to the Bells and enjoy the most photographed peaks in North America (allegedly). Ride down and relax at the hotel, then get ready for dinner—perhaps Casa Tua for some traditional Italian. Stop at Bad Harriet's on the way home (shh, it's a secret).

Get some much-deserved rest and wake up Sunday to enjoy coffee at Felix and walk through town, maybe shop a little. Some local shops include Pitkin County Dry Goods and Duchess and the Dude.

The final stop on the Aspen weekend tour is Paradise Bakery. I would be remiss not to mention the best ice cream shop in town. Black Diamond is my favorite flavor.

Enjoy! Stay hydrated! Explore the mountains!

• Stay hydrated. Best tap water west of the Mississippi!

• Be mindful that the gondola running up Aspen Mountain may be closed to the public due to private events.

• The Aspen airport is undergoing an extended closure from April 2027–November 2027, so the best way to get to Aspen is by flying into Grand Junction or Eagle/Vail and driving up. Coming over Independence Pass is gorgeous, but be mindful that it will be extra busy with the heavy traffic due to the airport closure.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Aspen page.