Things To Do
Our Favorite Restaurants
ASPEN: Make sure to book dinners in advance as reservations go fast. All restaurants in Aspen are great, you really can’t go wrong but here are some of our favorites. Steakhouse 316 $$$ Our recommendations: Of course, the steaks and sides are fantastic but the mussels with fries and onion rings are our favorites. Clark’s Oyster Bar $$$ Our recommendations: Can’t go wrong with ordering some oysters to start but their shoestring fries and new england clam chowder is a must. Kenichi $$$ (Also has a location in Snowmass) Our recommendations: We love to share an array of starters and love to order the yellowtail serrano sashimi and spicy tuna over crispy rice cakes. Las Montanas $$ Our recommendations: Share the fajitas! That is plenty of food for two people. Woody Creek Tavern $$ (Not walking distance) Our recommendations: The best nachos in the valley! BASALT: Free Range $$ Tempranillo $$ Heather’s $$ Westbound and Down $$ CARBONDALE: Izakaya $$$ Phat Thai $$ Tiny Pine $$
Breakfast, Lunch & Cocktail
BREAKFAST SPOTS Aspen: Paradise Bakery $ Louis Swiss Bakery $ (not walking distance but has a tent at the Aspen Farmer's Market on Saturday's) Poppycocks Cafe $$ Hometeam BBQ $$ (not walking distance, also recommended for lunch and dinner) Basalt/Carbondale: Breakfast in America $ Two Rivers Cafe $ Village Smithy’s $ LUNCH SPOTS Aspen: Big Wrap $ JUS $ Grateful Deli $ Spring Café $$ (also recommended for breakfast) Meat and Cheese $$ White House Tavern $$ Basalt: CC Café $ (also good breakfast) Mountain Heart $ Tipsy Trout $ Jaffa $ (Willits) BARS & COCKTAILS Aspen: Silver City $ Public House $$ (also serves dinner) Hooch $$ Rooftop Bar at W Aspen or Mollie $$ Basalt/Carbondale: Woody Creek Distillery $$ Stubbies $ Mountain Heart $ Westbound and Down $$ (Willits) Zanes $ (Also serves dinner) Marble Distillery $$
Aspen/Snowmass Activities
* Drive up and down Independence Pass. There are plenty of easy short hikes up there. Make sure to check out the spot where we got engaged, Weller Lake. * Visit the Aspen Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning. We recommend stopping at the Louis Swiss Bakery stand to get some nice pastries for breakfast. * Explore the Lost Forest at Snowmass Elk Camp includes an extensive zipline canopy tour, a ropes challenge course, the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster, a climbing wall, trout pond and disc golf (purchasing a lift ticket will be required). * Ride the Silver Queen Gondola at Aspen Mountain which delivers you to the Sundeck at 11,200 feet where Rocky Mountain vistas, delicious bites and beverages, and flower-laden hiking trails await. * For the daredevils, rafting the Roaring Fork River is a once in a lifetime experience, we recommend the following rafting tours: Aspen Whitewater Rafting and Blazing Adventures. * For kids we recommend visiting ACES or the Aspen Recreation Center.
Down Valley Activities
* Visit Redstone, CO! A town that feels like you are in a Hallmark movie. We highly recommend getting some Detroit style pizza at Propaganda Pie and visiting the artisan stores on Main Street. * Drive to Glenwood and enjoy some hot springs at Iron Mountain Spa and grab lunch at Slope and Hatch. * Visit the healing gardens at True Nature in Carbondale. Take advantage of the various spa treatments while you are there. Maybe end the day with a little game of Pickleball at Callaway courts. * For the avid fisherman and fisherwomen, fishing guides are available at Taylor Creek Fly Shop in Basalt. Get the inside scoop on the best fishing spots in and around the Roaring Fork Valley. * Downtown Basalt and Willits have some lovely boutique stores. Make sure to stop by Holly Ann (Willits) and Heirlooms!
Hiking
We recommend downloading the All Trails app to navigate these trails with confidence and get a better understanding of mileage, elevation gain, etc.: ASPEN/SNOWMASS: 1. Weller Lake Trail (easy) 2. Grottos Trail (easy) 3. Spiral Point via Rim Trail, Snowmass (easy) 4. Hunter Creek Trail (easy – moderate) 5. Sunnyside Trail (moderate – difficult) 6. Lost Man Trail (difficult) 7. American Lake Trail (difficult) 8. Cathedral Lake Trail (difficult) BASALT/CARBONDALE: 1. Mushroom Rock, Carbondale (moderate) 2. Lorax Trail, Carbondale (moderate) 3. Avalanche Creek Trail (moderate) 4. Thomas Lakes Trail (difficult) 5. Ruedi Trail, Basalt (difficult) 6. Hanging Lake Trail (difficult, you will need to get a permit for this hike) 7. Arbaney Kittle Trail, Basalt (difficult)
Biking
* Bike the Rio Grande Trail all the way to Basalt or Woody Creek (plenty of places to rent E-bikes in downtown Aspen). * Bike up the Maroon Bells (we recommend getting E-bikes for this unless you want a real workout).You can also take a bus to Maroon Bells, which departs from Highlands Base Village (be sure to reserve your spot in advance at https://aspenchamber.org/plan-trip/trip-highlights/maroon-bells/reservations). * Bike the Rio Grande Trial all the way to Aspen or Woody Creek (go to Willits to rent E-bikes).
Make A Trip Out of It
If you're making a trip out of it, there are plenty of incredible national parks nearby that are well worth a visit. Whether you’re into hiking, scenic drives, or simply soaking in natural beauty, these destinations offer unforgettable experiences and are just a short drive away. Here are a few we recommend (if you plan to camp at one of these make sure to book a spot well in advance): * Great Sand Dunes, CO (about a 2.5 hour drive) * Rocky Mountain National Park, CO (about a 3.5 hour drive) * Arches National Park, UT (about a 3.5 hour drive) * Black Canyon at Gunnison, CO (about a 4 hour drive) * Mesa Verde, CO (about a 5.5 hour drive)