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Home rule city in Pitkin County, Colorado, United States
Photo: Jesse Varner from Boulder, Colorado, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Aspen is a ski resort in the state of Colorado in the Rocky Mountains region of the United States of America. Its little sister is Snowmass Village, which is about 10 miles (16 km) from downtown Aspen.
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This Aspen park is a pleasant place to take your dog or your kids for a splash in the creek in summertime. The park is named after the famous Country and Folk singer who resided in Aspen. Lyrics from his most popular songs are inscribed in the creekside boulders. John Denver Park is on the creek trail on the north side of Aspen, near the Rio Grande Ball Field and park at N. Mill St. and Rio Grande Pl.
A short drive outside of Aspen, the Maroon Bells are one of the most photographed mountain scenes in Colorado. The lake and views of the 14,000 foot peaks are spectacular. In the summer months between 8AM and 5PM, visitors must take a shuttle bus to the Maroon Bells to control traffic. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children. There are some short, non-strenuous hikes around the Maroon Bells that vary from 1 mile to 10. People also like to climb the Maroon Bells; however, it is very dangerous and a guide is highly recommended.
In the summer months, this pass is open to vehicular traffic. The drive takes you up to the Continental Divide, and along the way passes some of the most beautiful scenery in the area and a ghost town that is open to visitors.
Small venue hosting some impressive artists, downtown Aspen.
Snowmass Town Park, the first weekend in September
It opened with 9 holes in the early 1960s and expanded to 18 holes in the 1980s. The Aspen Golf Club facility features 7,114 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. The course has a rating of 73.8 and it has a slope rating of 139 from the tips. The course is primarily Blue grass and Poana.
The 18-hole course at the Maroon Creek Club features 7,100 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 70. The course rating is 73.6 and it has a slope rating of 140 on Blue grass. The course opened in 1995.
Ten minutes downvalley in Snowmass Village. The Snowmass Club's new 18-hole, par-72 Snowmass Club Golf Course. The 6,986-yard semi-private course designed by award-winning golf course architect Jim Engh includes a learning center, practice area and new golf clubhouse with Black Saddle Bar & Grille, a full-service restaurant and bar. With five sets of tee boxes at each hole and a truly unique design, golfers of all abilities will enjoy play that is as fun as it is challenging
Eighteen holes, slope 73.2, rating 125, 7,348 yards. 30 minutes downvalley in Carbondale,River Valley Ranch Golf Club. Good bang for buck.
In Snowmass in the Stone Bridge Inn has a fresh menu and many off-menu options.
In "downtown" Woody Creek. Good for lunch, this is the former haunt of the late Hunter S. Thompson. It's about 15 miles from Aspen.
It is worth the trip down a beautiful valley to the elegant log cabinesque building. Their food is very fresh, on the gourmet side, and not overly expensive. Reservations recommended. Highly recommended to stop in for lunch after a morning hike to one of the many great trails in the area such as Cathedral Lake.
Located on the bend towards the entrance to Aspen on Main Street. Tourists are often crowded out by the locals, drawn by fabulous barbecue and huge, hearty breakfasts. If you're lucky enough to be in Aspen for Thanksgiving (late November), turn out for annual Hickory House freebie: turkey, with all the trimmings, and all gratis.
Great apres-ski complete with the who's who of Aspen. Fantastic deck perfect for watching skiers come down the mountain while you enjoy people watching of the rich and famous. Order the Ajax Double Double, the best burger in town.
The J-Bar is one of Aspen's favorite watering holes. Located at the luxurious Hotel Jerome
Prospect serves diverse Colorado cuisine with alpine influence prepared from wholesome natural ingredients. Breakfast, lunch and Sunday brunch.
A trendy, favorite for many visitors.
Expensive, exquisite cuisine popular with celebrities and socialites.
Great Italian food that makes you feel like you're in Italy. Also has a great bar scene.
Great Italian-American style food in a trendy establishment. Best place for lunch and late at night.
Centrally located diner located in a jeans store.
Best ice cream in town, along with amazing baked goods and coffees. Located in central Aspen.
Excellent European food on Aspen Highlands. Very well priced. Perfect for a ski day lunch break. Frequently visited by celebrities.
Insanely expensive and fancy private dining club for snobby locals.
Classy but casual restaurant known for brunch, but also serves excellent dinner. Also has balcony seating.
Well known Italian restaurant serving handmade pasta. Their bar features a bar menu with less expensive alternatives to the restaurant menu (in the bar menu, pasta entrees start around $12, and meat entrees start around $15).
Good sandwiches, good-size portions for about $8 per sandwich
Baked goods and good sandwiches
A busy place for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, featuring fresh and local food.
Good deli also known for its soup.
Excellent French restaurant is the trendy place to see and be seen. Their bar menu is excellent and offers a less expensive alternative (~$20 per entree) than the restaurant section. The bar starts to fill up around 6PM.
Amazing and award-winning Japanese food along with some of the best sushi in the country.
Sells typical drugstore goods, and their second floor has souvenirs and toys.
A good place to pick up groceries to stock up your cabin.
By car
The drive to Aspen is about 4 hours from Denver. There are two major routes from Denver - through Glenwood Springs or through Independence Pass.
There are numerous large rental car services available at the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport.
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Aspen · Regional · ASE
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