From world class skiing to an amazing culinary scene, Aspen is a perfect place for a vacation. As this is certainly one of the best ski towns in Colorado, there is always something going on here. Here’s how to spend the perfect day in Aspen, Colorado

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Hike

Start your day with a cup of coffee from Ink, which is located across the street from the Aspen Mountain gondola. Coffee with a view is the perfect way to start your perfect day.

Once caffeinated, head toward the Lower Hunter Creek Trail for a short and easy morning hike. This popular trail meanders through the woods next to the gorgeous Hunter Creek. While beautiful year round, it’s especially stunning in the fall and winter.

Ride

Once back in town, stop by Grateful Deli for a quick and delicious lunch. Get your sandwich to-go and head over to the Silver Queen Gondola for a breathtaking ride up to the Sundeck. This spot has incredible views of the surrounding mountains, a bar, and also a fireplace. During the summer, there is yoga and live music, and during the winter, there are snowshoe tours from here.

Sip

Once back in town, head to the famous Little Nell Hotel for an afternoon drink. Admire the cozy decor and also try the incredible hot chocolate, which is one of the most famous (and best) in the US. If you happen to visit during the holidays, try the special white hot chocolate or the Mexican hot chocolate.

Eat

Aspen has an incredible food scene, with many highly rated restaurants and chefs. While pricey, most of the places are incredible. Options for dinner include: White House Tavern, Mawa’s Kitchen, Woody Creek Tavern, or also Kenichi.

Soak

Last, but certainly not least, end your day soaking in one of the nearby hot springs. The surrounding Roaring Fork Valley area is home to 5 wonderful hot springs. Sunset or evening is the best time to visit any of these.

Natural

• For a free and more natural experience, check out Penny Hot Springs. Located south of Carbondale along Highway 133, it’s a bit of a drive from Aspen, but completely worth it. As you soak, admire the surrounding mountain views and look for the bears and bighorn sheep that frequent this area.

Luxury

• Iron Mountain Hot Springs, located in Glenwood Springs, is also an excellent place to spend your evening. Apart from fantastic views over the Colorado River, this spot also offers a cafe with a full bar to imbibe during your soak. While entrance fees are pricier, it includes a towels, locker, and access to 19 different pools.

Where to Stay

While Aspen is an incredible place, it can also be incredibly expensive to stay here. However, you can usually find reasonable deals during off season weekends, during the week or staying just outside of town.

• The best option for staying in town is the Limelight Aspen or Limelight Snowmass Village. These spots are both centrally located and offer all the amenities you want at a slightly lower price than the other hotels.

• For better prices, consider staying in Basalt or Carbondale, which are 20-30 minutes from Aspen. The Aspenalt Lodge is a great option, which is located in the charming small town of Basalt.

Enjoy Aspen!

There is no place quite like Aspen. We hope are inspired to visit this incredible area of Colorado and have learned how to spend the perfect day in Aspen, Colorado.

Jonathan, Caroline and Queso