‘Gaux-To Aspen: Our Travel Guide to The Undercover Food & Wine Capital of Colorado
Although not a wine-producing region, one thing’s for sure—if you head to Aspen, you’ll most definitely eat and drink well. Tucked away in the Rocky Mountains, this dazzling destination is known for its world-famous ski culture, top-notch cuisine, and plethora of art museums and galleries. Couple that with luxurious accommodations and excellent places to drink, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an unforgettable, wine-filled vacation—and our team’s got quite the list of recs to share!
The Bigger Picture:
Regarded as one of the best—if not the best—places for skiing in the United States, Aspen is the most populated municipality in Colorado’s Pitkin County. Located along the Roaring Fork River (and situated at a whopping 8,000 feet above sea level), Aspen is home to over 7,000 residents, though welcomes an impressive 1.5 million visitors annually. Aspen is characterized by a humid continental climate and a large diurnal temperature shift, meaning that the temperature between daytime and nighttime changes drastically. While summers are relatively warm, winters are generally very cold—making it perfect for enjoying all that the city’s après-ski culture has to offer. Aspen is situated in Mountain Time, which is one hour ahead of PST.
How to Get There / Get Around:
Flying directly into Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is definitely the easiest option, as the airport is located just three miles from downtown Aspen. Direct flights are offered via United and American from a number of major US cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Atlanta. Another option is to fly into Denver International Airport and use ground transportation via I-70 and Colorado Highway 82 (approx. four hours).
Once on the ground, free shuttle buses make stops throughout town and can be found at the base of the town’s four ski areas. Taxis are also available via High Mountain Taxi and Downtowner (Aspen’s Uber-style taxi service), as well as car services via Aspen Star Limo and Aspen Transportation Co.
Where to Stay:
Hotel Jerome – 130-year-old hotel with spectacular views and accessible rooms
The St. Regis Aspen Resort – 5-star luxury option at the base of Aspen Mountain
The Little Nell – 5-star ski-in/ski-out hotel with incredible on-site restaurant (and wine list!)
The W Aspen – High-end option at base of the mountain with rooftop pool and great views
Limelight Hotel – Central location within walking distance from mountains, known for funky decor and numerous amenities
Coffee & Breakfast:
Coffee and travel go hand in hand. Here are a few of our favorite places to start the day:
Paradise Bakery & Café – Locally-owned spot (since 1981!) offering excellent baked goods, soups, sandwiches, and of course, coffee
Sant Ambroeus Coffee Bar – Milanese coffee spot serving caffeinated beverages and grab-and-go lunch options
Unravel Coffee + Bar – Brews and espresso-based beverages by Gravity Haus, a Colorado-based coffee roaster
Jour de Fête – Quaint, popular deli & French counter-serve café
Our Favorite Restaurants:
Betula – French-American cuisine in a Victorian-inspired space offering indoor and outdoor dining options
Las Montañas – The best Mexican food in town!
French Alpine Bistro – Great for salads, crêpes, and belly-warming fondue
Prospect – Modern American food served up in the Jerome hotel; open for Sunday brunch
The Wild Fig – Charming, candlelit spot with Mediterranean-inspired (Spain, France, Italy, and Greece) cuisine
White House Tavern – One of the best lunch spots in town –great for sandwiches, salads, and burgers
Ellina – Contemporary Italian-American cuisine with a massive on-site wine cellar
Meat and Cheese – Operates as a full restaurant, but is also a go-to spot for purchasing artisanal cheeses, cured meats, accouterments, etc.
Matsuhisa – One of our top spots for impeccable sushi
Ajax Tavern – Great for lunch –known for French-American fare and great people watching
Bosq – New American fare and solid cocktail list – also another great people watching spot
Cache Cache – Authentic, well-made food (French-American) with an extensive wine list
Casa Tua – Traditional northern Italian food served up in an elegant space
Bars & Nightlife:
Our favorite places to keep the party going all night long!
Brewery: Aspen Brewing Co. – Casual taproom with award-winning beers and solid pub grub
Betula – Restaurant listed above, turns into full night club vibes post-dinner service!
Cloud 9 – Upscale lodge with true après-ski vibes!
Belly Up – Small music venue with regular celebrity guests and two on-site bars
J-Bar @ Hotel Jerome – 19th century bar with craft cocktails and elevated bar food
Dante at the Snow Lodge – Supper club, lounge, and après located in the St. Regis
Bad Harriet – Bespoke cocktails that promise a true sensory overload!
Top Shopping in Aspen
In addition to exquisite high-end shopping (Prada, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, and more), check out three of our favorite speciality boutiques below:
Daniel’s Antiques – Incredible vintage finds with regularly updated inventory
Explore Booksellers – Because there’s no such thing as too many books…
Kemo Sabe – The BEST custom western hats, according to Alyssa!
Additional Activities
Skiing / Snowboarding: Four Aspen Skiing Company resorts—Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass
Cloud 9 – Ski in / Ski out (this is the famous place where locals / tourists let loose and spray Champagne!)
Patio Dining: just about anywhere! Especially in Spring/Summer
Concerts & festivals: Opera house, Food & Wine festival (Summer), Belly Up Aspen (fun live music venue!)
Hiking
Mountain Biking
Museums – Aspen Art Museum, Wheeler/Stallard Museum, Aspen Historical Society
Gondola ride: Silver Queen Gondola – A trip to the top of Aspen Mountain on the Gondola, winter, summer or fall, includes spectacular views and delicious food.
Sightseeing: The Maroon Bells (Mountain peaks – an iconic landmark and one of the most photographed places in CO); Cathedral Lake, etc.
Pro tip: Be sure to download these great apps before heading to Aspen:
Aspen Snowmass: The go-to hub for all four of the ski area’s mountains – purchase lift tickets, book lessons, etc.
Downtowner: Great for catching rides because Ubers/Lyfts can be scarce
OrderFood Aspen: Easy-to-order takeout eats!
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