ASPEN GUIDE

Aside from the Jersey Shore, (Monmouth County represent 🙋‍♀️) when I think of the most special place I’ve spent time with my family, it’s Aspen, CO. We’ve been coming for 20 years, which honestly freaks me out because how am I possibly old enough to have been doing anything or going anywhere for 20 years?! Anyhow, it’s been so amazing returning to the same place year after year as our family has grown from a group of 5 to a group of 12. It really is like a home away from home for us, that we look forward to all year, every year!

Aspen is such a special place, and although when we started going most people thought of it as a winter destination, we personally think it really shines in the Summer. The mountain air is so magical it practically kisses your skin, and is a welcome break from the East Coast Summer humidity. We’re just returning from a week there during off season, but will be returning in August when the town is at its peak. It sounded like a lot of you are going this summer as well, so I put together a guide of all of our personal favorites below, including coffee, restaurants, shops, and hikes!

BREAKFAST/COFFEE

• Sant Ambroeus (there is now both a cafe, and restaurant - I’m referring to the cafe)

• The Mollie - this is a newly opened boutique hotel, we don’t stay here but the coffee and food are both great!

• Felix Coffee Roasters - located inside Hotel Jerome, they have a few locations in NYC too - very good coffee

• Paradise Bakery - I would never recommend the coffee here, but their muffins are my FAVORITE! The banana nut and morning glory hold special places in my heart (and stomach)

• Poppycocks - We actually haven’t been here in ages, but it’s a cute spot if you have young kids and want pancakes etc.

• JUS - fresh juices, smoothies, açaí bowls etc!

LUNCH

• White House Tavern - this is a Hillstone restaurant so the menu is pretty much the same across the board, though a bit more limited here (no sushi). Our favorite menu item that is exclusive to this location is the Macho Salad - the cornbread croutons are everything.

• Meat and Cheese - the best rotisserie chicken you will ever have! Their chicken board is phenomenal, and is served with potatoes of choice and a leafy green salad. Their cookies are also the best in Aspen (IMO).

• Spring Cafe - if you’re in the mood for a salad or something “healthy” this is a good casual spot.

• JBAR - inside hotel Jerome, eat outside (inside is kinda stuffy IMO), classic burger, salads, etc. Quality lunch.

DINNER

• Acquolina - the bruschetta and chicken parm are my fave!

• Jing - sea bass lettuce cups, trust me.

• Matsuhisa - sister restaurant to Nobu, the miso black cod is spectacular.

• Kenichi - can’t go wrong but no particular callouts.

• Casa Tua - the thought of the eggplant parm is making my mouth water

• Campo de Fiori - no particular callouts but solid Italian food

• Las Montañas - sizzling fajitas, INCREDIBLY fresh!

• Clarks Oyster Bar - good seafood, but don’t come with picky eaters because they will not edit any menu items.

SHOPS

• Pitkin County Dry Goods - Favorite store in the world, incredible jewelry selection, this is where I always buy what I like to call my “forever pieces”, meaning they are definitely investments, but worth it.

• Kemosabe - Practically a right of passage, but typically packed so you might have to wait in line.

• Citizens of Humanity

• Redone

• Aviator Nation

• Revolve/FWRD

• Miron Crosby

• Etc (yes this is the name of the store! Also beautiful jewelry selection and MASSIVE Free City sweats section)

• Madhappy (seasonal shop only, not open during off season)

There used to be a massive store called Boogies that was ICONIC and I mourn the loss every year. It had a diner upstairs and all of our favorite brands downstairs, with a custom airbrushing station in the corner where you could buy Soffee sweats that said “hands off” on the butt at 13 years old and your dad would roll his eyes 😩

HIKES

• Smugglers - basically just an uphill path that winds around the mountain

• Rio Grande trail - a very flat walking path, good to do with kids

• Maroon Bells - so beautiful, I think you need a permit/reservation these days so be prepared!

• Hanging Lake - STUNNING BEYOND! Magical view at the top. Same goes here for the reservation

• Hunter Creek - very standard, to me this is the perfect hike and good for all levels

• Ute - so hard, I did it once and died, literally straight up the mountain. If you like rigorous adventures I suppose you are the target demographic

• Weller Lake - another pretty standard hike, good for all levels, pretty lake at the end

WORKOUTS

• O2 Aspen - I like their heated mat Pilates classes but they also have yoga and reformer I believe

• Higher Terrain - Lagree classes (only 6 machines) and Megaformer classes

• Pure Barre

• Cycle Bar

BONUS ACTIVITIES

• Rent bikes and bike the Rio Grande trail

• White water rafting

• Go up the gondola to the top of the mountain - beautiful views and lots of fun activities for kids up there!

• Facials/massages at O2 Aspen or the St Regis (they have a beautiful spa)

• Aspen Music Tent

• Farmers Market (on Saturdays in the Summer, not sure exact start and end dates!)

• NOTE: We don’t really go out when we’re there because I was born into a family of early to bed-ers, so I don’t really have “sceney” recs, only wholesome ones 😂HOWEVER, Jack and I have gone to the JBAR inside Hotel Jerome and the vibes are great and drinks are delish - definitely a scene.