Overview

Superlatives are overused for this classic Colorado mining town, especially in summer when it sheds its winter coat and blooms under a heightening sun. Photographers flock to Aspen, painters try to capture the elusive blue sky, Maroon Bell peaks, and beds of natural wildflowers sprouting in the valleys and Victorian window boxes. While locals frequent adventure activities, guests also find them boisterously entertaining throughout town at one of the many restaurants and bars. The locals linger over their drinks and the rock climbing and kayaking tales drag on into early evening while envious visitors hover, wishing they could live like this year-round.

Aspen is an historic town, built on the campsites of men who came seeking their fortunes in the silver-laden hills. Today, Victorian homes still pepper the hills, refusing to let glamorous hotels like the St. Regis overshadow their facades. Even downtown maintains Aspen's history with buildings like the Wheeler Opera House and the Crystal Palace. Some nights you swear you can hear the sound of bristly men clinking mugs over the plinking of a saloon piano. The 100-year-old wood and stone buildings have a thousand stories to tell and the opulence of the mining era shows through on every street corner.

Sundry and mining supply stores are now occupied by art galleries, jewelry stores, high-end clothing stores, and five-star restaurants. Culture thrives with international music festivals, world-renowned conferences, and art museums. Though the town is known as much for its glitz as its history (the average price of a single family home is $4 million!), all are welcome.

Cruising the streets of Aspen is its own entertainment.IGo shopping, if you have the cash. Or be a lookieloo. The neighborhoods are filled with grand homes, which can be both quaint and truly magnificent. The mountain vistas are in a class of their own, towering over the town on all sides.

When Independence Pass opens to summer traffic, cross the Divide between Denver and Aspen. It will take you three to four hours to get there from Denver International Airport. You'll travel along I-70 west to 91 South through the historic mining town of Leadville. Then you'll head west on Highway 82 over Independence Pass. The Pass is only open in the summer, and it isn't for the faint of heart. It's windy, steep, and narrow in spots. But it's one of the most scenic rides in Colorado.

From Grand Junction, Aspen is an easy 2.5 hour drive east on I-70, connecting with Highway 82 in Glenwood Springs.

You also can fly directly into Aspen's Sardy Field (888-290-1324), with daily flights from Denver. On-demand air charter service is available by Aspen Base Operations, Inc. and Aspen Aviation. Most tourists fly into Denver where connecting flights serve Aspen's small airport. Supershuttle and Colorado Mountain Express provide service from the airport. Many visitors fly into Eagle County Airport in Vail and use Colorado Mountain Express for the remainder of the journey to Aspen. The Roaring Fork Transit Agency in Aspen runs a free 'skiers' shuttle between the four mountains (Aspen, Snowmass, Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands), charges nothing for journeys within the town, and also serves the airport and outlying areas for a small fee.

If you don't feel like driving yourself, but you'd rather be on the highway, ground transportation is available from Denver from these carriers: CLS Transportation of Aspen (800-754-5466); Colorado Mountain Express (800-525-6363); and Gray Line of Denver (800-348-6877).

You don't even need a rental car, if you're staying in the town of Aspen. The majority of shops, hotels, and restaurants are all within walking distance. Buses are available if you need them.