Aspen Summer Travel Guide
As a local, I’m clearly biased, but summer in Aspen can’t be beat. While most think of Aspen as a glitzy ski destination, most Aspenites agree that they came for the winter and stayed for the summer. Read on below for our entire guide on how to make your summer Aspen trip unforgettable.
Wildflowers in the peak of Aspen summer.
Take a Hike
There are so many incredible hikes in Aspen that you could easily fill your summer burning your legs (and your lungs) up and down the valley. Here are few of my favorite hikes.
American Lake: If you have a car, this is an amazing almost 7 mile (out and back) hike just outside of town on Castle Creek Road. It can be grueling, especially if you haven’t acclimated to the altitude, but the views at the top make it worth every step.
Cathedral Lake: This is similar to American lake in location, rigor and beauty, but comes in at 5.4 miles out and back.
Smuggler Mountain. The benefit of this hike in town that can be done almost all year round. It’s wide and very busy, and can be done as an out and back or looped with hunter creek trail to make it a loop.
Ute Mountain- This is another good option from town. You can hike up to Ute rock in one grueling mile and turn around (most people do this) or you can keep going (it does get moderately easier after the first mile) all the way to the top of Ajax. When the gondola is running, you can then take a free ride down to town.
Maroon Bells to Crested Butte-This one takes some organizing and likely an overnight in Crested Butte, but it’s definitely worth putting on your Aspen bucket list. The hike from Maroon Bells to Crested Butte is 11 miles. It’s long but not too strenuous for those who are in moderate shape. Once you get to the Crested Butte side, be sure to arrange a shuttle into town, or you can have your car shuttled over for you and waiting at the trailhead.
Grottos-This is by far our favorite hike with young kids, as you really get a lot of bang for your buck so to speak. This hike located up Independence Pass is relatively flat and has ice caves to climb into, a waterfall, and a beautiful river. Also lots of good places to picnic.
The 1 mile hike up Ute mountain is strenuous but worth it for this birds-eye view of the town of Aspen
Kids playing in Rio Grande River in the town of Aspen
GET WET
When it heats up in Aspen, there is plenty of water nearby to cool down. Find my favorites below:
Paddle Board the headwaters of the Roaring Fork River in Northstar nature preserve. You can rent paddleboards through several outfitters in town. Then drive up independence pass to put in by the Wildwood school. Heads up, there is a strict no glass, no dogs, no music policy in order to protect the wildlife in the area. Moose can frequently be seen from a paddleboard.
Herron Park sitting alongside the roaring fork is a must for kids and dogs in the summer. The water here is usually calm enough for wading and there is also a wonderful playground and picnic area.
Kids cooling off in the fountains in downtown Aspen
Pretend to be a cowboy
There are plenty of shops around to outfit you in your wannabe-cowboy apparel, including the classic Kemo Sabe. Even if you don’t end up buying something, Kemo Sabe is worth a visit to check out their high-end western ware and custom hats. There is also a bar upstairs that has hosted many classic events and celebrities, including Tequila gate from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Once you’re appropriately decked out, be sure to check out the Snowmass Rodeo. It happens on Wednesday nights all summer long in Snowmass Village. The people watching is usually just as good as the rodeo.
View from Rim Trail in Snowmass Village
Listen to Music
Another favorite summer activity is listening to the beautiful music all around town when the Aspen Music School fills the town with some of the best and brightest musical students and professional musicians in the world. There is a full line up of events around town, but you can also find free performances most evenings in front of Paradise Bakery. Sunday evenings at Benedict Music Tents are also a great time to take a blanket and a picnic and enjoy a magical evening with a free show. The Thursday Night Concerts on Fanny Hill in Snowmass Village are always a great evening and perfect for kids to run around and dance.
Aspen Saturday Market
From mid-June until mid-October, every Saturday morning hosts the Aspen Saturday market. Enjoy local produce and crafts at stalls around downtown. Don’t miss the kettle corn and donuts from Louis Swiss Bakery.
WHERE TO STAY
Rooftop Pool at W Aspen
Option 1: Oh, you fancy, huh?
If you are willing and able to do Aspen in style, the two best options are:
Hotel Jerome- This is my summer pick for the best hotel in Aspen because of the historic charm that has been beautifully updated and maintained. It’s a little further from the slopes, but in the summer, who cares, as you’re still in the center of it all.
The Little Nell-This ski-in/ski-out option is owned by Aspen Skiing Company, the owners of the ski resorts and offers a luxe experience at the base of Ajax.
The St. Regis- For me, this hotel has the best hotel in town. It also has a great location and pool. There is also champagne sabering nightly and the CUTEST St. Bernard named Kitty who roams the property.
Option 2: I’d-rather-save-my-money-for-a-Kemo-Sabe-hat
If you’re looking for a more economical option, so you can prioritize good food, shopping or adventures, we love this little Airbnb. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in location and amenities.
If you still like the amenities of a hotel here are our top choices.
W Hotel-Perhaps not the most economical option, but this hotel has a fabulous location for skiing and dining. It also has a rooftop pool and hot tub with amazing views of Ajax mountain.
Independence Square Lodge- This is a great option if you don’t care about frills or amenities. The rooms are small but well equipped and in an amazing location right downtown Aspen.
View from Aspen Meadows Resort
BEST PATIO DINING IN ASPEN
Click here for a list of all of our favorite dining options in Aspen. In the meantime, here is a list of our favorite dining options for patio dining in the summer.
Ellina, is on the pedestrian mall and has amazing people watching as well as food. A go-to in the summer months.
White House Tavern-This is a year round favorite, but their patio is especially wonderful for a summer lunch.
Catch Steak-This patio on the second floor of a charming downtown building has beautiful views of Ajax mountain. Great steak and seafood too.
Betula-One of our favorite restaurants for a special occasion. The owners have a sister restaurant in St. Barths, and this has similar vibes in the shadow of Aspen Mountain.
Meat and Cheese- A lunch staple, with a permanently crowded patio. Be sure to try to the Thai Chicken Salad.
The Snowmass Rodeo is a wonderful family-friendly activity
Don’t-Miss Summer Activities
Every year I blink and summer is over. Here is a list of the must-do events of the summer to squeeze in while you can:
Food and Wine Festival-Happening every year in mid-June this is the unofficial kickstart of summer. Town turns into a giant party. Even if you don’t go to the main event, there are always parties and events thrown all around town.
Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Concerts-This three day event always brings amazing artists to Snowmass Town Park. Artists from Stevie Nicks (singing Landslide in the place where she wrote the song was magical) to Foo Fighters to Kings of Leon to Sheryl Crow have made appearances over the years.
Fourth of July Parade- Aspen may be the most charming and festive place to spend 4th of July. Horses, old fashioned firetrucks, kids on bikes, this is Americana at it’s best. There’s always a BBQ thrown by Aspen Valley Ski Club after the parade in Koch Park.
Snowmass Balloon Festival-This fun, family-friendly event happens mid-September every year. You can see the balloons from all over town, but Town Park is where to go to get up close and personal with everything that goes into inflating and deflating dozens of balloons.
With all the fabulous hotels in town, the best room with a view can still be found from a tent at the top of Aspen Mountain