Summer is one of the best times of year to visit Aspen!
Ride up the Aspen Mountain gondola and take in the views before you eat lunch at The Sundeck mountaintop restaurant. On Sunday there is free live bluegrass at the top of Aspen mountain. Alex & Lawson will be there! Reserve passes to the Maroon Bells national park and enjoy walking around Maroon Lake and Crater Lake. Go horseback riding at T-Lazy 7 Ranch. Go paddle boarding on the North Star Nature Preserve and lookout for moose and other wildlife while traveling down Stillwater Creek. Drive up Independence Pass and go for a hike at Weller Lake, The Grottos, or Lost Man hiking trails (note there’s no cell service up the pass so travel together if multiple cars). Rent bikes and ride down the Rio Grande Trail to the Woody Creek Tavern for lunch. Go explore the old abandoned mining town up Castle Creek and enjoy lunch at the Pine Creek Cookhouse.
All of these activities are close to Aspen and only take around 3-4 hours.