Aspen and Glenwood Springs, Colorado During the Summer: 7-day Itinerary
Pre-Arrival Planning
Fly to Aspen Ariport (ASE) or Denver International Airport (DEN). Aspen is the most direct way to get to Aspen, however, it is the most expensive. Driving from the Denver airport would take almost 4 hours to get to Aspen, but it is cheaper and you can take one of the most beautiful scenic drives: Independence Pass. You can also take the I-70 and it will take around the same amount of time.
You can use the link below to book your flights and find the best deals.
In this itinerary you will need a car for some of the attractions, however, for most of them you can also use the RFTA bus services. You can use the link below to see their schedule. You can also download their app to purchase tickets.
For car rentals, you can click the link below:
Now, let's start with the fun part!
Day 1: Arrival and Silver Queen Gondola
During the day:
Check in to your lodging accommodation. Below some options for you:
Take the Silver Queen Gondola to the top of Ajax Mountain. Grab some lunch at the Sun Deck restaurant.
During the evening:
Grab a nice dinner before bar hopping and clubbing. Here's a few options for you:
For Dinner:
For Drinks and Clubbing:
Day 2: Maroon Bells and Shopping
During the morning:
The most popular way to get to Maroon Bells is taking a shuttle from Aspen Highlands to the Maroon Bells hiking areas. You can also arrive by car and you can even do camping, however, you will need a permit for these last two.
The link to get shuttle tickets and parking permits are attached to the image above.
People also like to take the challenge of going all the way to the main scenic area on a bike.
There are two mayor trails:
The Scenic Loop
Taking just around 45 minutes to complete, it is pretty easy. Definitely recommend if you are beginner hiker traveling with family.
Crater Lake Trail
This is my favorite one. It took me around 2.5 hours to reach Crater Lake, but let me tell you, it was SO WORTH IT! It is so beautiful you get enjoy the views all the time during the hike. Fully, fully recommend!
Tip: The earlier you visit, the better! This way you can enjoy your time in the trail without crowds and without worrying about the time.
During the afternoon:
You can grab some lunch at Ajax or White House Tavern; both very well known in town.
Don't forget to treat yourself in Paradise Bakery, the best bakery in town! My personal favorite: all gelatos!
After grabbing lunch, you can go shopping around town. Aspen is well known for high-end brand shopping.
Day 3: Independence Pass and Grottos
During the morning:
Check out from you hotel and grab some breakfast at Poppycock's or Saint Ambroeus.
During the afternoon:
This picturesque hiking trail is known for its stunning natural beauty and unique geological formations. waterfalls and calm pools.
This trail is easy and suitable for all skill levels.
Offering breathtaking views of alpine landscapes, Independence Pass reaches an elevation of over 12,000 feet. It is one of the highest paved mountain passes in Colorado.
You can watch the sunset during this drive and during the night you can do star gazing.
During the evening/night:
Head over to Glenwood Springs and check in to your new lodging. Below some suggestions:
Day 5: White Water Rafting in the Colorado River
During the morning:
Get ready for some adventure and go whitewater rafting! This is one of my favorite activities in the area and it is full of adrenaline! But prepare, because the water will be extremely cold!!!
After rafting, treat yourself with the best doughnuts in Colorado: Sweet Coloradough! Its most famous doughnut is their croughnut, a doughnut and a croissant merged together.
During the afternoon / evening:
Day 6: Glenwood Cavern Adventure Park and Iron Mountain Hot Springs
During the morning:
Grab some lunch in the park or at the Iron Mountain Hot Springs!
Now, I know some people say hot springs are only for the winter, but let me tell you, hot springs during the summer are great too!
Day 7: Hanging Lake
During the day:
During the afternoon / evening:
Head to the Glenwood Downtown area! Here, you'll find a variety of restaurants and shops.
My favorite restaurant in the area is Ming's Cafe. They offer a variety of Asian plates including sushi, noodles and rice. My favorite: Chicken Lettuce Wrap!
Events Happening During Summer
The Roaring Fork Valley is host of various events during the summer season. You might be able to squeeze them in if you are traveling during certain specific times.
Below the events you might find:
June 14 to 16: Food and Wine Classic in Aspen
August 12, 2024: Stars Above Aspen: Astronomy Night
(Recommend a 100%)
Tuesdays: Latin Night at Escobar, Aspen
Tuesdays: Glenwood's Downtown Market and Music Series
Wednesdays: Rodeo, Snowmass Village
Thursdays: Summer Concert Series, Snowmass Village
Saturdays: Aspen's Farm Market
Departure
Glenwood Springs is located right in the I-70 highway. If you're flying, the nearest airport would be the Eagle County Airport (EGE), which would take you 30 to 40 minutes to get there. Other options would be Aspen Airport (ASE) or the Denver International Airport (DEN). Getting to Aspen Airport would take you around 45 minutes and getting to the Denver International Airport would take around 3 hours.
Want to know more about Aspen?
If you would like to have every detail about Aspen, the guide below is for you!
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