Aspen, Colorado Summer Travel Guide: What to Do and Where to Stay in the Rocky Mountain Town

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An Aspen, Colorado summer is nothing short of spectacular. The skies are a sparkling electric blue (Aspen gets 300 days of sunshine per year), while the temperature hovers at that goldilocks range of high 70s, low 80s. Indian paintbrushes and bluebells dot the meadows, and the air seems to carry a certain fresh sweetness from all that’s in bloom. The Rocky Mountain peaks, unburdened from heavy snow, exude their full majestic glory. There are abundant trails for mountain biking and hiking, and the Roaring Fork River is a paradise for paddleboarders, kayakers, and flyfishers alike. Add in Aspen’s impressive culinary and cultural offerings (the Food and Wine Classic, held in June, attracts thousands of visitors each year), as well as its world-class shopping, and you have a summertime destination well worth the trek.

For those planning—or perhaps still dreaming—of a summer in Aspen, Vogue has compiled a guide of things to do, places to stay, and restaurants to enjoy during the warmer months. Below, our recommendations.

Things to Do

Hit the Hiking Trails

Maroon Bells Scenic Trail is probably the most famous hike in Aspen, and for good reason: the trail has a breathtaking view of an alpine lake surrounded by wildflowers, and the dual peaks of Maroon and North Maroon. For those interested in a more challenging hike, tack on the Crater Lake Trail, which, after a scramble through a glacier rock deposit, leads you to the crystalline water’s shores.

Another popular route? The Little Nell Trail, which starts underneath the Aspen Mountain gondola right in town. Hike up and ride down—then enjoy a well-deserved Aperol spritz outdoors on the plaza.

Visit Aspen Art Museum

Right in the middle of town is Aspen Art Museum, a contemporary art center that includes six gallery spaces, a rooftop sculpture garden, and an outdoor commons area. This summer, their programming includes a Florian Krewer exhibition, as well as an exhibition by Choctaw/Cherokee artist Jeffrey Gibson, who crafted a series of sculptural heads that incorporate stones and natural materials found in the Colorado region. 

Bike to Woody Creek Tavern

Consider this both an activity and restaurant recommendation: bike the Rio Grande Trail to Woody Creek Tavern, a rustic spot covered in Hunter S. Thompson memorabilia that serves a mean burger and margarita. It’s not a journey for the faint of heart—it’s about seven miles each way if you’re coming from town—but with stunning views of rivers, meadows, and mountains, it’s very much worth the pedaling.

Paddleboard Through Stillwater

As the name implies, the Stillwater section of the Roaring Fork River has a current so gentle it’s essentially a lazy river, which makes it absolutely perfect for a leisurely paddleboard ride. Rent from any of the various sports equipment centers in town, lather up with sunscreen, and float down the crystal clear river where alpine vistas are always just around the bend.

Fly fishing

Ask Wild Willow Outfitters to organize a guided fly-fishing expedition on the Roaring Fork River. They’ll provide everything from equipment, to round-trip transportation to, you know, advice on how to actually catch a trout. For the truly adventurous, they’ll skip the van in favor of an e-bike, which will allow you to reach more fishing spots.

Shopping

Big-name boutiques dot the town of Aspen, and while yes, they’re fabulous, make sure to stop by some of the stylish spots that are unique to the location. Stop by Kemo Sabe, Miron Crosby, and Nick Fouquet for upscale Western gear and custom cowboy hats, while the Meat and Cheese farm shop is just the place for gourmet goodies. Pitkin Country Dry Goods is a family-owned clothing shop, whereas Little Bird is an eclectic vintage and consignment shop.

For those who want to want to indulge in luxurious designer stores? Ralph Lauren’s East Cooper Avenue store exudes the brand’s spirit of effortless Americana, while Moncler provides an upscale collection of outwear perfect for the mountains. 

Resorts, Hotels, and Rentals

Founded in 1899, Hotel Jerome’s interiors evoke its historic role as a rugged mountain respite: the hotel’s living room is adorned with plaid curtains, a candled chandelier, and soft leather couches. Cowhide chairs and wild west-themed artwork adorn the guest rooms. In the summers, the garden becomes a haute hub of social activity, thanks to the hotel’s superb cocktail program.

Thanks to its perennially buzzy après ski scene, the Little Nell is perhaps the most famous hotel in Aspen. Yet even when the slopes are closed, the five-star lodging is still the place to be: its Holly Hunt-designed suites are well-appointed, and there’s no better place to enjoy a drink than the sundrenched patio at Ajax Tavern on Gondola Plaza. This summer, they’re also offering sunset offroading tours that take you from town to a wildflower field on top of Aspen Mountain.

Right on the cusp of Aspen Mountain is the luxurious and sprawling St. Regis resort which, in the summer, has the best pool in town. Splurge on a room with a balcony so you can sip iced coffee while taking in the alpine views, and book a spa treatment at their world-renowned wellness center. An added bonus? The fluffy and friendly Bernese Mountain dog named Kitty who wanders the halls of the hotel.

Airbnb Luxe, the high-end arm of the online booking platform, offers several spectacular homes in the Aspen-Snowmass region, whether you want something slopeside or within walking distance of downtown. Perfect for families, a group of friends, or those looking to decamp to the mountain region for a longer stay.

Restaurants

The deck at Betula, where one can gaze out onto town or Aspen Mountain, is reason enough to make a reservation at this bonafide hotspot. Yet the mountain-meets-French-island cuisine (it’s the sister property to Bonito in St Barths) is certainly a reason to stay: start off with one of their ceviches and then splurge on the bison ribeye steak.

Meat and Cheese doesn’t accept reservations, but don’t let a little wait deter you from dining on the patio at this beloved Aspen gem. As the name suggests, the menu focuses on local and sustainable raised meat and cheese, which changes with the seasons. But, as you could probably guess, you can never go wrong with getting the meat and cheese board.

Grab an outdoor table at White House, a former miner’s cottage turned eatery, order the French dip sandwich, and people-watch as fellow visitors mill about town.

While Hotel Jerome’s living room is always a classic spot in Aspen, during the summer their sprawling outdoor garden is the perfect place for cocktails made with ingredients from their home-grown herbs and flowers. With wicker tables, white umbrellas, tealights, and abundant sunshine on a blue sky day, you’ll likely stay awhile.

For healthier–yet still delicious—fare, head to Spring Café for lunch. It’s a bright and airy space that specializes in comfort vegan food and organic juices. We’re particular fans of their tempeh reuben, housemade lemonade, and any salad on the menu.

The Milan and New York eatery goes west this summer with their new Aspen coffee bar and restaurant. Designed by Giampiero Tagliaferri Studio, the space has a Milan-meets-mountains interior: Le Bambole sofas by Mario Bellini and chairs by Carlo Ratti sit among Mongolian lamb faux fur and corduroy fabrics, while a bar is made of Verde Alpi marble.

As the name implies, steak is the thing to order at Catch Steak. Many of the cuts come from Colorado—including the prime rib and ribeye—yet they also offer Japanese and Australian wagyu. Another must-get? The mac and cheese, made with two-year-aged gouda and a buttery cracker crumble. 

Grab your morning coffee at Felix Roasting Co. inside Hotel Jermone—or your dessert: their signature Hickory Smoked S’mores latte comes topped with a roasted marshmallow finish. Sip while sitting in a plush teal banquette or a baby pink ottoman, all part of the maximalist interiors designed by Ken Fulk.

The lines for Paradise Bakery can often wrap around the block, and for good reason: their cookies (which include flavors like peanut butter chocolate chip, ginger molasses, and the seasonal lemon zester) and gelatos are the best in town. Make sure to order along with a cup of their lemonade. 

For sushi, there’s still no better place in town than Matsuhisa, the Chef Nobu Matsuhisa restaurant housed in a centuries-old Victorian house. In addition to their specialty rolls, you can’t go wrong with the miso black cod and a cold glass of sake.