In 2018, 19.5 million people visited Colorado.
One of the main things to do in Colorado is to take a trip to Aspen. But what are the best things to do in Aspen, Colorado?
Thankfully, we have all of the best destinations, so make sure you keep reading!
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Aspen Mountain
When visiting Aspen, you should make sure that you go skiing. Aspen Mountain is one of the best places because this area has all kinds of ski resorts to stay at.
There are plenty of black diamond routes on these mountains, but if you’re a beginner, there are plenty of easier routes as well. For example, you may want to go check out Aspen Highlands.
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John Denver Sanctuary
John Denver sang “Rocky Mountain High” in 1975, and ever since then people associate him with Colorado. If you were also a fan of his, you may want to visit the John Denver Sanctuary.
You can find it when you hike on the Rio Grande Trail. The sanctuary is in a beautiful park that sits by the Roaring Fork River. The sanctuary was created here because so many artists wrote songs about that beautiful area.
In fact, there are also a group of giant boulders that has his song lyrics engraved on them.
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Ashcroft
Ashcroft is a little bit south of Aspen, and it’s one of the most popular mining towns in Colorado. It’s pretty much deserted except for the curious tourists who come through the area.
However, the Aspen Historical Society decided they wanted to preserve the town in 1980. Today, it’s registered on the National Register of Historic places for people to explore the ghost town.
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Independence Pass
If you don’t really want to hike anywhere but still see the beautiful scenes in Colorado, you could take a scenic drive through Independence Pass.
This is a 20-mile drive that will take you through Leadville, Aspen, and the Sawatch Mountains. You’ll be driving by the Roaring Fork River as well.
On this drive, you’ll be able to get close to 12,000 feet above sea level. You’ll drive right through the forests and then take sharp turns and find yourself on a high cliff.
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Rocky Mountain Trails
There are also plenty of hikes that you could do s well, especially when the snow starts melting. Some of the popular trains include the Hunter Creek Trail and the Rio Grande Trail. These trails aren’t too hard, so you can hike them even if you don’t have a lot of experience.
You can also hike trails that will take you to Crater or Maroon Lake.
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Aspen Festivals
Aspen also holds a lot of music festivals in the summer, and a lot of them are free to join as well. They host so many artists that there is bound to be someone for everyone.
One of the more popular festivals is the three-day Labor Day Experience which is hosted by Jazz Aspen Snowmass. There is also the annual June Experience. The Aspen Music Festival and School are normally held between June and August, and college students perform classical music.
There are also theater, art, and beer festivals if you don’t want to go to a music festival.
To make your festival experience even more exciting, pay a visit to this recreational cannabis dispensary!
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Aspen Breweries
Aspen has a great brewing culture as well, including Aspen Tab. You’ll find this in downtown Aspen, and this venue has all kinds of award-winning beers.
However, for those who don’t like beer, there are still plenty of amazing wines and specialty cocktails.
With so many different venues, you could always mix and match foods and beers as well. Once you get your food and drinks, you can take them out to the patio and enjoy the views.
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Arkansas River
Colorado is known for its outdoor culture, and what better way to experience that than white-water rafting on the Arkansas River?
If it’s your first time white-water rafting, you may want to go on a guided group tour. There are many different tour companies that you can go with, so make sure you do your research before you decide on one.
There are also plenty of companies that will just let you rent your own kayak and go out and have your own adventure. They’ll also let you know which routes are better for beginners and which ones can be more adventurous.
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Silver Queen Gondola
The Silver Queen Gondola is more than your usual gondola ride. Once you get on it, it’ll take fourteen minutes to get to the peak of Ajax Mountain, which is about 11,000 feet above Aspen. You’ll be able to see panoramic views of the mountains and the town below.
Once you get to the top, you can hang out on the sundeck and enjoy some good food, yoga classes, or live music.
You’ll also be surprised to find the highest golf course in the country. But there are also plenty of trails to go hiking and biking on. If you’re traveling with your family, you may want to check out the trampoline or the climbing wall.
Discover More Things to Do in Aspen, Colorado
These are only a few things to do in Aspen, Colorado, but there are many more destinations to check out!
We know that planning a trip can be stressful and difficult, but we’re here to help you out.
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