Curator’s statement
The moment I arrived in Aspen, I fell madly in love. This iconic mountain town has the most breathtakingly beautiful scenery. Since I do not ski and I’m not a fan of cold weather, I never dreamt it would be a winter destination for me. Aspen is a very walkable place. This quaint town is filled with amazing restaurants, designer fashion boutiques, art galleries, theaters and charming local shops, all within a five-minute walk of most of the hotels. This magical destination is full of friendly locals who make you feel right at home, and you will never want to leave.
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Things to do in Aspen
Get a Massage at The Spa at The Little Nell
The newly renovated spa at Little Nell is truly spectacular. They have three treatment suites which contain private changing rooms and steam showers. A couple of them have a hybrid infrared/halo therapy sauna with a resting area. The spa has brand partners including Dr. Barbara Sturm, a renowned aesthetics expert, an all-natural skincare line, Seed to Skin products that are made in Tuscany and an organic skincare line ISUN locally developed in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.
I always have a massage when I travel and the massage I had at Little Nell was one of the most memorable spa treatments I’ve ever had. My phenomenal therapist did a customized massage for me which was a combination of warm herbal compresses, high-performance botanicals, followed by a relaxing Swedish-style massage. During the treatment I received the healing benefits of energized water inhalation through Nano Vi oxygen technology. It was pure bliss!
Enjoy a Scenic Ride on a Gondola
There’s no better way to see the spectacular views of Aspen. The gondola ride is a beautiful 15-minute ride. Aspen Mountain and Snowmass have mountain-top restaurants and bars so you can have lunch or stop for a drink while overlooking the alpine scenery.
Snowmass Mountain offers a super fun alpine coaster which is located at the top of Elk Camp Gondola. The coaster zips through the trees on Snowmass Mountain and is a favorite activity in Snowmass. The coaster is open in the winter and summer seasons.
The tubing park at Elk Meadows is a lot of fun for kids and adults. They have multiple lanes and a magic carpet lift to get you back to the top easily. Tubing is open from late December to early April.
The best views in the world are from the clouds. A hot-air balloon ride in the Rocky Mountains is a magical experience. In September Snowmass Village hosts a Hot Air Balloon Festival.
A snowmobile tour is a memorable activity and a great way to explore Aspen’s beauty. Tours are led by expert guides and are offered November through April.
Snowshoeing is a wonderful outdoor fitness activity. Aspen Mountain and Snowmass Mountain offer guided tours on gentle terrain.
Be sure to stop by and visit the spectacular Aspen Art Museum. It was designed by Japanese architect, Shigeru Ban. The museum has a rotating selection of contemporary art exhibitions and a rooftop sculpture garden. You will find locals hanging out at the trendy rooftop cafe, working on their laptops, having a drink or chatting with friends. The museum is always free so be sure to stop by.
Places to eat & drink in Aspen
AJAX Tavern
You can’t come to Aspen without having a burger and truffle fries at Ajax Tavern while watching the skiers zip down Little Nell. A true "après ski" hangout.
A delicious cozy restaurant in Aspen featuring Italian cuisine, salads, pastas and a wood-burning pizza oven. Some of the best pizza in Aspen, thin crust just like in Italy.
Crepe Shack by Mawa’s Kitchen
These delicious crepes can be found at Snowmass Village. They have a wonderful variety of sweet & savory crepes with over 40 flavors. One of their most sought-after crepes is The Bougie Crepe, made with Maine smoked salmon, fried egg, topped with dill cream sauce and 30 grams of Petrossian Ossetia Caviar.
This staple in Aspen has been around since the 1980’s. While they have delicious baked goods and breakfast sandwiches, they also serve the most delicious homemade gelato.
This charming hideaway is one of Aspen’s most fabulous restaurants with a sensational menu. Be sure to try their delicious crepes, French onion soup, sea bass and filet mignon.
Prospect at Hotel Jerome
A true epicurean journey. Located in the swanky Hotel Jerome be sure to visit one of Aspen’s best restaurants. It’s a prix fixe tasting menu served over a two hour period with locally sourced ingredients. The presentation is phenomenal. Dinner is pricey but well worth it and will be an experience you will never forget.
Limelight Lounge
Located in the Limelight Hotel, the Limelight Lounge’s Happy Hour is open daily from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm and is a fabulous place for cocktails and appetizers. The hotel has outdoor fire-pits and heat lamps. My favorite drink was the Cold Moon Margarita made with Tequila, Fresh Lime Juice, Pomegranate agave syrup and blood orange juice.
The Little Nell Living Room
The living room at The Little Nell serves a legendary hot cocoa that will make your mouth water.
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Lindsay Burkhead
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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Aspen. Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, Southern Charm Long Weekend in Charleston, South Carolina.