Aspen, Colorado, is a famous ski resort town that has much to offer weekenders and vacationers the year around.
This is one of the most charmingly beautiful resort villages in the US. Because it was once a prosperous gold and silver mining town, Aspen's tree-lined streets and lovely Victorian homes dominate the modern buildings that have slipped in here and there along Main Street. Few mountain resorts have such visually rewarding residential areas around a real downtown.
If you prefer not to drive, the Aspen Pitkin County Airport (970-920-5384) is served by three scheduled airlines.
You can call a taxi at 970-925-8294, 24 hours a day. On the other hand, Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (970-920-1905) provides free bus service around Aspen.
What are you going to do when you get there (beside ski, or in the off-season) Aspen provides some interesting choices.
Aspen is also at the end of one of Colorado’s little-known wine trails.
Freestone Outfitters in the Woody Creek Store in Woody Creek, 970-379-1698, provides public and private water fishing excursions in the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond, plus private land elk and deer hunting.
Aspen Alpine Guides, 659 Main St., 970-925-6618, specializes in custom back country adventures in all seasons.
Aspen Expeditions, 426 S Spring St., 970-925-7625, invites you to enjoy tandem paragliding flights (in season). They also provide back country ski tours.
Aspen Outfitting Company, 315 E Dean St., 970-925-3406, provides exclusive private hunting and fishing guides services.
Rick Deane Enterprises, 3129 maroon Creek Rd., 970-925-4614, a top snowmobile operator, offers tours to the Maroon Bells, the ghost town of Independence and Klondike lunch tours.
Aspen Art Museum,590 N Mill St., 970-925-8050.
Movieland Cinema, 225 N Mill St., 970-925-4550.
Stage 3 Cinema, 625 E Main St., 970-925-2048.
Aspen Filmfest, 970-925-6882, showcases new independent film productions from around the world for six days. Call for dates.
Club Chelsea, 415 E Hyman Ave., 970-920-0066, is a trendy underground nightclub with a light gourmet menu.
Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave., 970-920-5770, is a restored 1889 theater that features more than 300 events annually.
Crystal Palace Theatre Restaurant, 300 E Hyman St., 970-925-1459, is famous for its political satires. A gourmet dinner follows the show.
Janus Aspen Jazz Festival, 970-920-4996, is four evenings of concerts (two per evening) with plenty of food and drink available on the grounds. Call for dates.
Aspen Carriage Company. 1757 County Rd., 970-925-3394, offers country sleigh rides and horse-drawn tours of Aspen the year around.
For fun in the stores, see Shopping in Aspen.
For great places to have dinner, see Aspen's Best Dining.
For bed and breakfast inns, quaint lodges and historic hotels, see Aspen's Inns and Lodges, and Aspen's Historic Hotels
Wine trail map
While there are as yet no wineries in Aspen, there are four most interesting little wineries a little farther north (but very close) in Snowmass and Carbondale.
Want to go fishing?
Colorado Fly Shops tells you how to get the latest dope on where to fish, easy access, stream conditions and what’s working, from local guys who have caught fish in the past week.
Location, location, location
Getaway Real Estate provides valuable information about vacation rentals, working with a real estate agent, buy a vacation home, but land, plus tips in renting out and selling a vacation home.