MILES'S ASPEN FAVORITES
See below for Miles's recommendations on where to eat and what to do in Aspen
Restaurants
Best Burgers:
CP Burger
Located right in the middle of town, CP Burger is a casual counter service burger place with mini golf course for added fun.
J Bar
Located in the historic Hotel Jerome on Main Street in Aspen, J Bar is a casual saloon-style restaurant. Make sure to check out the original tin ceiling and take a cruise around the rest of the beautiful hotel lobby.
White House Tavern
An outpost of the Hillstone Restaurant Group (AKA Houston's), White House Tavern offers premium sandwiches along with distinctive wines, beers, and cocktails. Stop by early to put your name on the waitlist as they don't accept reservations and are consistently busy. You can walk around town and they will text you when your table is ready.
Sundeck on top of Aspen Mountain
Ride on the Gondola (or hike!) to the top of Aspen Mountain to enjoy unbelievably amazing views and Miles's favorite burger in Aspen. You can also hike around amidst the wildflowers while you are up there. We highly recommend the gondola ride as an easy and fun way to experience Aspen!
Best Fried Chicken Sandwich:
White House Tavern
An outpost of the Hillstone Restaurant Group (AKA Houston's), White House Tavern offers premium sandwiches along with distinctive wines, beers, and cocktails. Stop by early to put your name on the waitlist as they don't accept reservations and are consistently busy. You can walk around town and they will text you when your table is ready.
Best BBQ:
Hickory House
Located on Main Street in Aspen. Dine-in or delivery.
Home Team
Located at the base of Buttermilk Mountain. Large sports bar setting with indoor and outdoor seating and a big lawn for kids to run around. You'll need a car or taxi to get here.​
Best Pizza:
New York Pizza
Located right in town. Great for a quick slice or delivery.
Best Wings:
New York Pizza
Miles's favorite is the Colorado Gold wings!
Home Team
Located at the base of Buttermilk Mountain. Large sports bar setting with indoor and outdoor seating and a big lawn for kids to run around. You'll need a car or taxi to get here.
Best French Onion Soup:
Ajax Tavern
Located right at the base of the Aspen Mountain Gondola, this is a great lunch spot. Grab a seat on the outdoor patio for beautiful views and even better people-watching.
French Alpine Bistro
Transport yourself to the French Alps with lunch at this adorable lunch bistro right in town.
Best Restaurant To Ride a Bike To:
Woody Creek Tavern
One of our favorite weekend activities is a bike ride to Woody Creek Tavern for lunch. It's about an 8-mile intermediate-level bike ride on the Rio Grande trail which is mostly paved and runs right along the beautiful Roaring Fork River. The way there is mostly a slight downhill (although there are a couple of uphill parts) and the way back is a bit more of a challenge. You can rent regular bikes or eBikes (which make the return trip a breeze!) at Aspen Bikes. It's a good idea to book bike rentals in advance, especially if you want eBikes!
Best Brunch:
Element 47
Fancy brunch at The Little Nell at the base of Aspen Mountain
Bear Den
Adorable spot right in town that is best for brunch but also serves lunch and dinner
Best Fancy Places (Be sure to make reservations well in advance):
Steakhouse 316 (Classic steakhouse in the heart of town)
Sant Ambrous (Delicious Italian)
Matsuhisa (Japanese and Sushi)
Best Seafood:
Clark's Oyster Bar
Great spot right in town for a sit down lunch or dinner. Make reservations in advance for dinner. Lunch is walk-in only
Jing
Sushi and Chinese Food right on Main Street
Miles's Favorite Restaurants Overall:
White House Tavern
Jing
Clark's Oyster Bar
Ajax Tavern
Things To Do
Biking/eBiking:
With hundreds of miles of trails, biking is a very popular summertime activity in Aspen. You can rent all types of bikes right in town at Aspen Bikes. We recommend reserving bikes at least a week in advance, especially if you want eBikes. Some of our favorite destinations:
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Biking to the Maroon Bells is a popular and scenic way to experience the natural beauty of Aspen. The Maroon Bells are considered to be one of the most photographed mountain ranges in North America due to their striking red color and dramatic slopes. It's about 12 miles up a steep and windy road so eBikes are best. As you approach the Maroon Bells, the road becomes steeper and more challenging, with switchbacks and steeper grades. However, the effort is well worth it for the stunning views of the Maroon Bells and surrounding wilderness areas. Once at the Maroon Bells, you can explore the area on foot, taking in the views from various hiking trails and viewpoints. Some popular hiking trails in the area include the Maroon Lake Scenic Trail, Crater Lake Trail, and West Maroon Trail.
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Note that you can also skip the bike ride and make reservations on the Maroon Bells Shuttle that leaves from Aspen Highlands. This is an excellent option for seeing the Bells but must be booked far in advance. Tickets can be purchased here.
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One of our favorite weekend activities is a bike ride to Woody Creek Tavern for lunch. It's about an 8-mile intermediate-level bike ride on the Rio Grande trail which is mostly paved and runs right along the Roaring Fork River. The way there is mostly a slight downhill (although there are a couple of uphill parts) and the way back is a bit more of a challenge. You can rent regular bikes or eBikes (which make the return trip a breeze!) at Aspen Bikes. It's a good idea to book bike rentals in advance, especially if you want eBikes!
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Nestled deep in the heart of the mountains lies Pine Creek Cookhouse, a charming restaurant that promises not only delicious food but also a breathtaking view of the surrounding wilderness. It's about a 12-mile steep and winding paved road up to the cookhouse. Best done by eBike and be sure to make lunch reservations in advance. You can also get there by car.
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Hiking/Walking Trails:
There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails in Aspen, but here are a few of our faves:
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Site Seeing:
Ride to the top of the Aspen Mountain Gondola located right in town for lunch, hiking, and amazing views. This is an an easy activity for all ages and a great way to experience Aspen. Tickets can be purchased at the base of the Gondola and do not need to be reserved in advance.
Activities at the top of the Snowmass Gondola include a thrilling alpine coaster, a challenging ropes course, rock climbing, downhill mountain biking and hiking. You can take the RFTA bus to Snowmass or a taxi or car.
The Maroon Bells are considered to be one of the most photographed mountain ranges in North America due to their striking red color and dramatic slopes. You can make reservations on the Maroon Bells Shuttle that leaves from Aspen Highlands. This is an excellent option for seeing the Bells but MUST be booked FAR in advance. Tickets can be purchased here.
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Activities:
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Fly Fishing, Clay Target Shooting, Horseback Riding
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Indoor swimming/water slides
Indoor rock climbing
Pickleball
Tennis
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Shopping:
Aspen is also known for its extensive shopping options which are all easily walkable In town. A few local faves:
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Yoga:
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