12 Days of Aspen

Cultural Family Friendly Aspen Central Core

Celebrate the last 12 days of December during 12 Days of Aspen. Each day, enjoy fun, free, and family-friendly activities. 12 Days of Aspen activities include performances by carolers, photo ops with Santa, holiday crafts, film screenings, live music, cookie decorating, storytime for kids, and more. On New Year’s Eve, check out the torchlight parade and New Year’s Eve fireworks at the base of Aspen Mountain.

Aspen Art Museum

Cultural Family Friendly Aspen

The Aspen Art Museum (AAM) has been a fixture in the Aspen arts community since 1979, and since then, they have provided visitors with insightful and inspiring exhibitions featuring the work of international contemporary artists working in a wide variety of media. In addition to their riveting exhibition program, the AAM strives to educate the community on the topic of contemporary art through workshops for elementary, middle, and high school students, family workshops, teacher workshops, and public programs featuring discussions by curators, artists, and other prominent figures in the contemporary art world. Since 2005, the AAM has partnered with the Aspen Skiing Company to provide an art experience to a wider audience by placing "art in unexpected places", such as on the ski lift tickets and on the ski mountains.  

Aspen Center for Environmental Studies

Family Friendly Outdoor Aspen

The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) has four locations situated in the Roaring Fork and Frying Pan Valleys dedicated to promoting an awareness of our relationship to the environment. They offer community garden space at their Hallam Lake and Rock Bottom Ranch locations during the summer. And during the winter, their winter naturalists provide a window into mountain ecology by guiding visitors on snowshoe tours on Snowmass Mountain, Aspen Mountain, and at Ashcroft. ACES also offers school programs to cultivate an understanding and love for the natural world in the younger set. Also, they invite guest speakers to give informative and educational talks, known as Naturalist Nights, on topics ranging from hydrology, forest health, birds, land ethics, and beavers. The Aspen area has a lot to offer, and so does ACES in terms of interpreting and connecting with all the natural splendor of this spectacular place. 

Aspen Recreation Center

Family Friendly Aspen

The Aspen Recreation Center (also known as the ARC) offers a state of the art fitness center, rock wall, indoor and outdoor ice rinks, swimming pool, and aerobic studio.  The pool is a favorite for families with a two story water slide, lazy river, diving board, and lap pool.  Great after a day of skiing or on one of the few rainy days in Aspen.
 

Aspen Saturday Farmers Market

Family Friendly Outdoor Aspen Central Core

Founded in 1998, the Aspen Saturday Marketing (also known as the Aspen Farmers Market) is in downtown Aspen every Saturday from June to October. Join locals for a Saturday tradition of strolling through the market and stopping along the way to shop. Stands at the market sell Colorado-grown organic fruits and veggies, artwork, wine, cheese, honey, preserves, flowers, baked goods, jewelry, clothing, gifts, home decor, and more. The Aspen Saturday Marketing is family friendly with live music and a food court. 

June 20th through October 3rd.

Image: Aspen Chamber

Aspen Snowmass Ski & Snowboard School

Family Friendly Outdoor Aspen Aspen Highlands Buttermilk / Tiehack Snowmass Village

When you and the family hit the slopes in Aspen Snowmass, you want to have an memorable experience. Taking a ski or snowboard lesson from one of the highly skilled Pros at the Aspen Snowmass Ski & Snowboard School is a sure way towards that extraordinary experience. During a lesson, Pros work closely with you, giving you personalized tips, so that you build confidence and gain new skills.

The Aspen Snowmass Ski & Snowboard School offers lessons for skiers and riders from age 2 and up. Choose a private lesson, an adult group lesson, or a kids and teens group lesson.

Private Ski or Snowboard Lessons
A private ski or snowboard lesson is the best way to have fun on the hill, while also becoming a better skier or rider. When you sign up for a private lesson, you decide how you want your day to go. Want to ski with the entire family, while your Pro supplies each member with personalized tips? With a private ski or snowboard lesson, you have that choice.

Adult Group Lessons
A surefire way to boost confidence is to take an adult group lesson with an Aspen Snowmass Pro. Adult group lessons for skiers and riders are offered at all levels, so whether you are getting on skis for the first time or the thousandth time, you can rest assured that you will be in a group that meets your skill level and needs.

Kids & Teens Group Lessons
The Aspen Snowmass Ski & Snowboard School provides skiers and riders as young as 2 and as old as 17 with the opportunity to explore the fun and varied terrain available in Aspen Snowmass. Like adult group lessons, your child is placed in a group where they are comfortable, yet challenged, while still having a blast in the mountains.

Bangkok Happy Bowl

Asian Family Friendly Vegetarian Aspen

This Aspen Thai restaurant has a dish to please everyone. From Pad Thai to Green Curry to Stir Fried Rice Bowls, meals at Bangkok Happy Bowl are prepared quickly and with fresh ingredients. There’s a kids' menu, full bar and patio seating in the summer. For a taste of authentic Thai food, dine in or pick up a few delectable dishes to enjoy at home.

Bonnie’s

Family Friendly Outdoor Aspen

A charming European-style mountain lodge located mid-mountain on Ajax, Bonnie's is a great place to enjoy a delicious and hearty breakfast and lunch. Also popular for their dessert selection, many guests drop by Bonnie's to enjoy a slice of their famous strudel, or to warm up with a steaming cup of coffee between runs. Though the views from inside Bonnie's are spectacular, on a warm and sunny day, the deck that wraps around the exterior of Bonnie's is perfect for sipping on a drink, while gazing out at the mountain and skiers ripping down the slopes. Making a visit to Bonnie's while skiing on Aspen Mountain is a quintessential Aspen experience.

Brunelleschi’s

Family Friendly Nightlife Pizza Aspen Central Core

Brunelleschi's serves up gourmet pizza in a casual dining environment. An Aspen restaurant located along restaurant row, Brunelleschi's is the perfect place to enjoy a family dinner. Start off the meal with a plate of delicious bruschetta. For lunch, try the classic Brunelleschi's Italian Panini, and for dinner, the Ajax Pizza is simply delectable. Head over to Brunelleschi's for some of the best gourmet pizza in Aspen.

Bumps Restaurant at Buttermilk Mountain

American Family Friendly Aspen Buttermilk / Tiehack

Located at the base of Buttermilk Mountain, Bumps Restaurant offers a snack or meal for everyone. Visit Bumps for lunch, and refuel before hopping back on the chairlift. Bumps serves made-to-order pasta dishes and salads; homemade soups; and grilled meats and veggies.

Camp Aspen Snowmass

Child Care Family Friendly Outdoor Aspen

Camp Aspen Snowmass is a kids' summer camp that offers a wide range of outdoor activities. As Camp Aspen Snowmass is located in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, the summer camp is able to offer a number of unique activities, including nature walks, mountain biking, mountainboarding, rafting, fishing, and camping. In addition, kids attending Camp Aspen Snowmass can build rockets, play tennis, enjoy arts and crafts time, and play a game of paintball. Camp Aspen Snowmass is available to children between the ages of 3 to kids in their teenage years. If your child is looking for the summer camp experience while on vacation in Aspen and Snowmass, then look no further than Camp Aspen Snowmass.

Casa Tua

Family Friendly Italian Nightlife Aspen Central Core

Casa Tua, located in the heart of downtown Aspen along the Cooper Avenue walking mall, truly lives up to its name, which in Italian means “your home”. The Italian restaurant creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, which is best exemplified by its Friends' Table, an enormous community dining table seating up to 24 guests. The beautifully designed interiors and tasteful artwork enhance the dining experience. Dine at Casa Tua for the community atmosphere and their delicious Northern Italian cuisine.

Cliffhouse Restaurant on Buttermilk Mountain

American Asian Family Friendly Aspen Buttermilk / Tiehack

The meals at Cliffhouse Restaurant are just as good as the views. From the spacious patio, you’ll see neighboring ski areas, Aspen Highlands and Aspen Mountain; you’ll also be able to see the beautiful Maroon Creek Valley and one of Colorado’s 14ers, Pyramid Peak. Visit Cliffhouse Restaurant for the Mongolian Grill, or for a snack and hot chocolate between runs.

CP Burger

American Family Friendly Aspen

CP Burger is the perfect place to have a fast, casual, and fun meal with the family. With a menu of burgers, parmesan truffle fries, frozen yogurt, milkshakes, and the like, the CP Burger menu caters to even the pickiest of eaters. For those looking for healthier fare, CP Burger also offers a kale salad and a black bean salad. In the summertime, play a round of miniature golf right in front of the restaurant, and in the winter, the course is turned into an ice skating rink with ice skate rentals, hot chocolate, and more.

Creperie du Village

Family Friendly French Vegetarian Aspen Central Core

To be steeped in exquisite French food, décor and culture, saunter down the stairs to Creperie du Village at 400 E Hopkins for an experience like no other. The cozy bistro serves up the best cheese fondue in Aspen, along with to-die-for French Onion Soup, delicious charcuterie boards and savory and sweet crepes. The staff is friendly and welcoming and the wine selection is a decadent pleasure.

Fly Fishing in Aspen Snowmass

Family Friendly Aspen

Go fly fishing in Aspen Snowmass! Fly fishing is a popular, year-round sport in Colorado, though most anglers get on the rivers in the summer and fall. In the Roaring Fork Valley, you can fish the Roaring Fork River, Frying Pan River, and Colorado River.

Two local fly fishing guide companies, Aspen Guide Service and Taylor Creek Fly Shop, provide professionally guided fly fishing trips in Aspen Snowmass and beyond. Both fly fishing companies offer half-day and full-day wade trips and float trips. Your guide for the day will pick the best place to wade or float on the Frying Pan River outside of Basalt; Roaring Fork River in the Roaring Fork Valley; and Colorado River in Glenwood Springs. Guide companies also have permits for private waters. Contact Aspen Guide Service or Taylor Creek to book a trip.

Grateful Deli

American Family Friendly Aspen Central Core

If you’re in the mood for a quick bite to eat and a tasty sandwich, Grateful Deli is the place. This sandwich shop occupies a small space on Main Street in Aspen, where they serve a wide selection of hot and cold sandwiches. If it’s a sunny day, you can sit outside at one of their tables and enjoy your sandwich and some sunshine. Otherwise, it’s the spot for fast and affordable grab-and-go food.

Hickory House Ribs

American Family Friendly Aspen West End

The Hickory House provides a fun, casual atmosphere, friendly service, and an affordable meal all under one roof. Located inside of a ski lodge like structure just on the edge of town along Main Street, The Hickory House is famous for their ribs, and diners can order a full rack of baby back ribs for under twenty dollars. With a bright and lively atmosphere and decorated with skiing and mountain town paraphernalia, The Hickory House serves up a hearty and delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner that will provide a hefty portion of protein for a day of hiking, biking, skiing, or whatever a day in Aspen may bring.

Highlands Alehouse

American Family Friendly Italian Pizza Vegetarian Aspen Aspen Highlands

Highlands Alehouse is located at the base of Aspen Highlands Mountain. This Aspen restaurant serves pizza, sandwiches, burgers, salads, and soups. Highlands Alehouse also offers a number of beers on tap. After spending your day on Highlands, check out the Highlands Alehouse apres ski scene. Enjoy a locally-brewed beer or a glass of wine; a wide selection of appetizers; and a lively and friendly bar environment.

Jimmy’s

American Family Friendly Nightlife Pub Seafood Staff Favorites Aspen Central Core

John Denver Sanctuary

Family Friendly Aspen

Fans of John Denver will love taking a stroll through the John Denver Sanctuary. Located just south of Aspen’s core in Rio Grande Park, the John Denver Sanctuary is a serene spot right on the river with boulders engraved with lyrics to popular John Denver songs. Check out the view of Aspen Mountain, and bring a picnic lunch on one of the park benches. The John Denver Sanctuary is a great place to spend an afternoon in Aspen.

Photo: Aspen Parks & Recreation

Jour de Fete

Family Friendly French Aspen Central Core

We were honored to receive the official Aspen Times title of Best Breakfast in Aspen, as well as second Best Coffee and third Best Sandwich Shop in 2019! A mainstay of the Aspen cafe scene since the late 1980s, Jour de Fete is a local favorite for breakfast and lunch. Known for their French specialties and their homestyle cooking, Jour de Fete offers a wide selection of breakfast pastries and espresso drinks in the morning, and for lunch, they have an extensive hot and cold sandwich menu. In addition, they are well known for their prepared dishes, including pasta, sauteed vegetables, roasted meats, and the like. Make a visit before they close to pick up that evening's dinner. Any meal of the day, Jour de Fete is certain to satisfy!

Louis’ Swiss Pastry

Family Friendly Aspen

Visit Louis’ Swiss Pastry for a wide variety of pastries, breads, and desserts. They also offer espresso drinks, hearty breakfast burritos, and gourmet sandwiches. Louis’ Swiss Pastry is the perfect place to stop for a grab and go breakfast before hitting the slopes.

Merry-Go-Round Restaurant on Aspen Highlands Mountain

American Family Friendly Aspen Aspen Highlands

At the Merry-Go-Round Restaurant on Aspen Highlands Mountain, enjoy a cafeteria-style lunch, and choose from pizza, salads, soups, stews, and sandwiches. Take your lunch out to a table on the sunny patio, and watch skiers tackle the moguls on Scarlett’s Run. The Merry-Go-Round also has a bar and lounge area, where you can sip a hot drink in front of the roaring fireplace.

Mezzaluna Aspen

Family Friendly Italian Aspen

Mezzaluna Aspen is a long-time favorite in the Aspen dining scene. Serving up delicious Italian food in a casual and lively environment, Mezzaluna is the perfect place for a fun dinner with the family or a quick lunch before hitting the slopes on Aspen Mountain, just a block away. The dining environment is unique and fun with a horseshoe-shaped marble bar, floor-to-ceiling windows, and one-of-a-kind authentic Italian art on the walls. For a casual and exciting lunch or dinner in Aspen, Mezzaluna Aspen is the best place.

Mountain Social Bar & Lounge at the St. Regis Resort Aspen

American Family Friendly Nightlife Aspen Central Core

A cozy, sophisticated lounge, the Mountain Social Bar & Lounge at the St. Regis Resort Aspen offers a comfortable and welcoming place to relax most any time of the day. Sit by the roaring fireplace with a mug of hot cocoa, take a seat near the windows to view Aspen Mountain with a glass of champagne and appetizers, or meet friends for après-ski hour. Visit Mountain Social Bar & Lounge, and look forward to an elegant atmosphere, great beverages, and even better company.

Paradise Bakery

Family Friendly Aspen Central Core

Located on a bustling corner in downtown Aspen, Paradise Bakery offers sweet treats. Visit for ice cream, cookies, brownies, muffins, hot cocoa, and coffee. Enjoy your cup of ice cream on one of the benches just outside. Most summer evenings, Aspen Music Festival students get together to play on this corner, so you’re in for a unique Aspen experience when you visit Paradise Bakery.

Pine Creek Cookhouse

American Family Friendly Aspen

Pine Creek Cookhouse is located in the scenic Castle Creek Valley just eleven miles up Castle Creek Road. In the wintertime, cross country ski, snowshoe, or take a sleigh ride to Pine Creek Cookhouse. During the summertime, drive or ride a bike through the picturesque valley to enjoy a lunch or dinner. Pine Creek Cookhouse's cuisine is inspired by mountain lifestyle, with specialty items including wild game Sherpa stew, elk, buffalo, and venison.

Prospect at the Hotel Jerome

American Family Friendly Nightlife Aspen Central Core

Serving three meals a day, Prospect at the Hotel Jerome is a fine dining restaurant offering modern American cuisine. The head chef at Prospect endeavors to fuse traditional dishes with contemporary culinary techniques, which results in truly unique and fresh flavors. For breakfast, try the eggs benedict with a gruyère biscuit, and for lunch, diners cannot go wrong with one of the Prospect sandwiches served with delicious house-cut fries or slaw. Dinner at Prospect is a special experience, as the menu mimics that of a tapas bar, with a wide selection of small plates intended to be shared with family and friends.

Red Brick Center for the Arts

Cultural Family Friendly Aspen

The Red Brick Center for the Arts is a vital organization within the Aspen arts community, as they both promote local artists, as well as strive to create a thriving local arts community. The Red Brick hosts an opening reception for new exhibitions the first Thursday of every month, so there is always an inspiring installtion of new artwork to see. Classes for elementary, middle, and high school students are also offered with workshop subjects ranging from painting to printmaking. Each spring, the Red Brick hosts the ArtStart! Kids' Art Show, featuring fantastic creations by kids who live right here in the Roaring Fork Valley. The Red Brick truly is a wonderful place to view art by local artists of all ages. 

Ryno’s Pub & Pizzeria

American Family Friendly Nightlife Pizza Aspen Central Core

A family-friendly place for a casual dinner, Ryno’s Pub & Pizzeria is located in downtown Aspen on the Cooper Avenue walking mall. Order a couple of pies for the table and pints for the adults. Ryno’s also serves pub favorites, like burgers, fries, wings, and macaroni and cheese. After your meal, check out the arcade.

The Big Wrap

American Family Friendly Aspen Central Core

Cash-only eatery providing counter-serve wraps, salads, tacos & smoothies in a brick-walled nook. A popular lunch spot for locals and visitors alike, The Big Wrap is a tiny eatery located right across the street from the Aspen Mountain Gondola Plaza. They offer a wide variety of wraps with chicken, beef, tofu, vegetables, and a variety of other fillings. They also serve tacos, salads, soups, smoothies, and snacks.

The Red Onion

American Family Friendly Nightlife Aspen Central Core

One of the oldest restaurants in Aspen, The Red Onion offers casual dining in the heart of downtown in a beautiful, historic saloon. An excellent place to catch a sports game or to get together for a late night drink with friends, The Red Onion is an Aspen bar that offers classic bar staples with a twist, including their green chili mac & cheese, pulled pork sliders, and ginger-lime chicken wings. Discover a treasured piece of Aspen's history at The Red Onion.

Theatre Aspen

Cultural Family Friendly Aspen

Theatre Aspen provides the perfect venue in which to enjoy a professional theatrical production. With an array of rich programming such as productions of Annie, Little Shop of Horrors, The True Story of of the 3 Little Pigs, and so much more, Theatre Aspen brings inspiring live performances to the Aspen community each season. In addition to their theater productions, they also provide educational programs for all adults, teenagers, and children in order to cultivate an appreciation and love for performance art. 

White House Tavern

American Family Friendly Aspen Central Core

White House Tavern is an Aspen restaurant on Restaurant Row that serves sandwiches and salads. Located inside of a charming, white Victorian, White House Tavern has an inviting atmosphere, friendly waitstaff, and on top of it all, delicious food. Visit The White House Tavern in Aspen for a casual meal with the family.

Wintersköl

Cultural Family Friendly Aspen Central Core

Wintersköl is a unique Aspen celebration of winter that began in 1951. This nordic festival includes a canine fashion show, a snow sculpting competition called Wintersculpt, a torchlight parade, fireworks show on Aspen Mountain, and lots of other activities and events happening around town.

Woody Creek Community Center

American Cultural Family Friendly Aspen Woody Creek

Woody Creek Community Center (WC3), located next door to the popular Woody Creek Tavern, is a great spot to enjoy a cup of coffee, browse their extensive secondhand library, eat a delicious sandwich, and view the current art exhibition in their small gallery. The WC3 has a lot of offer. Spend the afternoon in a comfortable space right along the Roaring Fork River and Rio Grande Trail.