what to do in aspen colorado in summer

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There'due south no uncertainty that summer 2020 looks different from whatever other, specially when it comes to travel. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have cancelled summer vacations, and, given quarantine requirements, trips abroad are essentially impossible. If y'all're looking to plan the perfect stateside getaway while staying safe, I'd recommend summer in a ski town—specifically, Aspen, Colorado. (As with any travel right now, closely cheque restrictions both in your intended destination, and what'south recommended by your local authorities based on the outbreak in your surface area. For Colorado, this site is a good identify to outset.)

I've been lucky enough to hunker downwardly in Aspen since June 1, and have been taking full advantage of the town'southward natural beauty, optimal weather, and nutrient and culture. Even given the current environment, there are plenty of ways to enjoy yourself while staying socially distant. From hiking to fly fishing, and from outdoor dining to drinks al fresco, here's my list of 12 reasons why Aspen is the but place you need to visit this summer.

Information technology's Made for Extended Stays

Effective July 1, hotels have been allowed to increase their occupancy from 50 to 100% chapters, making accommodation choices plentiful. Additionally, the 11.3% lodging tax is waived for stays greater than 30 days, so experience free to settle in for a while.

The Weather: An Extra Month of Sunshine

On average, in that location are 246 sunny days per year in Aspen (the US average is 205). June, July and Baronial's average loftier temperatures are 74, 79, and 76, respectively.

The Cuisine Rivals Anywhere

Whether you choose to dine outdoors (6 feet from other tables) or take nutrient to-get, there are enough of safe ways to get your gourmet fix.

Steakhouse 316

The Cuisine: Housed in an 1888 Victorian home, husband and wife team Craig and Samantha Cordts-Pierce have been turning out opulent, classic steakhouse fare, from meat to seafood to delectable sides for years in this 120-seat ode to carnivorous perfection.

Can't Miss Dish: Tomahawk rib eye for ii with blueish cheese os marrow butter.

Behave Den

The Cuisine: Just opened in April 2020, this coincidental eatery is open for breakfast, luncheon, and dinner. Options are plentiful, including fresh staff of life and pastries baked daily, home-fabricated soups, sandwiches and salads using local and organic ingredients, and craft cocktails and unique wines past the bottle.

Tin can't Miss Dish: "Easy Caprese" Salad.

Duemani

The Cuisine: New for the 2019/20 ski season, Duemani highlights contemporary littoral Italian flavors, composing seafood dishes, prime grilled meats and rotisserie selections alongside a robust wine cellar full of of domestic, Italian and French varietals.

Can't Miss Dish: Branzino carpaccio with radish, fennel, lemon and olive oil.

Bosq (pictured)

The Cuisine: Chef Barclay Dodge focuses on a unique and fresh approach to "modern alpine," cuisine centered effectually flavors sourced from the Mediterranean to Cathay and local menu of unique, freshly foraged ingredients.

Can't Miss Dish: Mayan pesto chicken with burn down-roasted zucchini, Hakurei turnips, greenish herb molé.

Whatever Your Style, There's an Accommodation for Yous

The Little Nell (pictured)

Entering its 30th year and situated at the human foot of Aspen mountain, the Little Nell has often been called "the Aspen of Aspen." This 92-room, classic ski-town 5-star hotel boasts a renovated lobby, pool, attentive staff, and two world-class restaurants. Ski in / ski out in the wintertime, the proximity to the gondola makes "the Nell" the ideal location to take reward of everything at your fingertips.

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The Gant

This 40-year one-time collection of 120 luxury condo rentals combines the comforts and conveniences of abode with the luxury of resort services and amenities. With units of varying sizes from one to four bedrooms, the Gant is located in a tranquil 5-acre enclave at the base of Aspen Mountain, only three blocks from the Silver Queen Gondola, downtown shopping, world-course dining, nightlife and cultural attractions. We can't refuse the tennis courts, pool and hot tubs, outdoor gas grills, and indoor woods-called-for fireplaces on chilly nights.

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Aspen Independence Estate

The ultimate luxury retreat but minutes from downtown, the Aspen Independence Estate is i of the more rare estate rental homes on the market today. Enjoy complete seclusion on 160 acres of pristine wilderness with private lake access and unparalleled views of Independence Laissez passer. Three fully-equipped residences, available individually or choose from 2 of the three properties on site, offer stunning and comfortable spaces for you and your family to experience the true Aspen lifestyle. A la carte services such as a chef, housekeeper, and driver, can be arranged upon request. Sleeps up to 34.

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The St. Regis Aspen Resort

Pursue your summer passions and retreat into sophistication at The St. Regis Aspen Resort, overlooking Aspen Mountain and featuring 179 rooms with custom furnishings by Ralph Lauren, spacious marble bathrooms and sumptuous 400-thread-count Frette linens. Don't miss the St. Regis daily ritual of champagne sabering, invented by John Jacob Astor Iv when he founded the first St. Regis Hotel in New York in 1904, at 5:15 pm to celebrate the transition from mean solar day to night—complete with a complimentary glass for resort guests. For dog lovers, the hotel welcomes pets and also offers a "fur butler" service to ensure pets accept only equally much fun as their owners.

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Westward (Hotel and Residences)

Opened in 2019 as the newest major hotel project in years, the W Aspen is the production of a complete rebuild that replaced The Sky Hotel. With hitting architectural and interior design inspired by the decadence of the 1970s, Aspen's newest gradient-side accommodation features an 8,000 square pes rooftop moisture deck complete with impeccable dining by chef Jacqueline Siao, cocktails and pool. The year-round, all-weather rooftop retreat is highlighted by 360-degree jaw-dropping, panoramic views of Aspen, fire pits, cabanas and a DJ booth. For those opting for a longer stay with more of the comforts of home, book a stay at the Heaven Residences at W Aspen, a limited collection of six three-bedroom and five two-bedroom residences. Reserve from 30-120 days and enjoy a "home away from domicile" experience.

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Direct and One-Stop Flights from Near Major US Cities

For July 2020, United Airlines has resumed nonstop flights to Aspen Pitkin County airpot (ASE) from ORD & SFO, while increasing flights from DEN to 4 times daily. Additionally, American Airlines resumes their nonstop service from ORD to complement their service from DFW. Starting Baronial 3, United will add a 5th daily DEN-ASE frequency to the 4x daily they started last. Via DEN, 1-end travel to ASE increases to a planned total of 33 flights per week from Aug iii – Sep vii. All told, United is now scheduled to offer a total of 47 flights per week into ASE for the same period.

Aspen's natural beauty lends itself to social distancing. Explore the boondocks's trails and creeks past trying out ane of these outdoorsy activities.

Route Biking / Cycling

The paved mount roads of Aspen and Snowmass are platonic "trophies" to conquer for intrepid cycling enthusiasts. Hundreds of miles of roads brand for countless adventures. You'll need a guide: Dean Hill, owner of Aspen Pro Cycling trains elite athletes and wannabes, alike.

Hiking

With endless trails and nearly endless summertime dominicus, options to hike in and effectually Aspen are limitless, regardless of your fitness level. For easy to moderate hikes such equally the Ute or Smuggler's Trails, accommodate for a guide through ACES (Aspen Center for Environmental Studies). Our guide, Olivia Niosi, was as knowledgable every bit can be. For something more challenging like rock climbing or 1 of Colorado's famed "14ers" (14,000+ pes pistes) telephone call Aspen Alpine Guides. Or, if you lot are so inclined to but escape Aspen entirely and hike to Crested Butte, call the husband and married woman team of Colorado Backcountry, Ben and Janae Pritchett.

Fly Fishing

For 70 miles, from Independence Pass downward valley to Glennwood Springs, the Roaring Fork River holds the key to some of the finest wing line-fishing in N America and the but mode to truly experience information technology is with a guide. The Aspen Outfitting Company has been servicing novice and professional anglers alike since 1969. They are all you demand to catch and release in these Gold Medal waters.

Golf

The Aspen Golf Club is an ideal place to exercise your stroke. The Frank Hummel-designed 18-hole course measures 7165 yards (from the back tees, 1 of the longest municipal courses in u.s.), a state-of-the-art university, and do range.

If you're lucky plenty to work from home, Aspen's early sunrises and late sunsets make for an easy transition from the jam-packed days of an East Declension work schedule and commute.

Rise and smooth at vi a.yard. MT, cheque emails, walk to grab java from 1 of the cafes and java shops catering to early birds (Jour de Fete, Victoria's, Local Coffee are my personal favorites that open at vii a.m. MT). Hustle throughout the 24-hour interval and wrap up as belatedly as v p.m. MT.

From hither on out, the rest of the evening is yours. Hike the Ute or Smuggler trail and catch the town bathed in the orangish glow of an extended golden hour. Take a road or mount wheel on a 20-mile long trek downward the Rio Grande. Grab takeaway cocktails at Hooch or Ajax Tavern at the Fiddling Nell. Casually savour the perfect outdoor repast and finally sit down back and gaze skyward to sentinel the stars emerge around 10 p.m. MT right earlier hitting the hay and doing it all once again. I officially nominate Mountain Standard Time every bit my new favorite time zone.

Aspen Is a Hub of Culture and History

With outdoor exhibitions and social distancing protocols, Aspen's cultural institutes are back in business organization.

Aspen Art Museum

Reopened in early July and back to presenting the "newest and most important evolutions in international gimmicky art," this gratuitous museum is one of the staple art museums in any ski town, anywhere.

The Aspen Institute

While COVID-xix has forced The Aspen Ideas Festival and many other signature Establish events to convene about (bank check out the calendar here), yous can nevertheless visit and tour the historical grounds. From guided hour-long fine art and landscape tours (register hither) to lectures on Earth and Land Art, in that location are some things you lot demand to see in person to truly appreciate.

Aspen Historical Lodge

As of June 30th, this venerable institution was allowed to reopen. From the living history of ghost towns like Ashcroft and Independence to the Victorian charm and drama of the Wheeler/Stallard and Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museums sentry the past come to life earlier your eyes. Bank check the schedule regularly for guided experiences.

With most hotels offering gratis shuttle service from Aspen Pitkin Canton Drome (merely four miles from boondocks), most of Aspen's attractions are walkable or accessible by bike. Bike share by We-Bicycle is available throughout town, Snowmass, and Basalt across 45+ stations. Finally the Roaring Fork Transit Potency is one of the most convenient public transportation systems of any mountain town.

Aspen Means Snowmass, Too

Occasionally overlooked as being (slightly) out of boondocks, Snowmass Hamlet has been cartoon intrepid travelers to its own universe of amuse and risk since 1967. With 3,362 acres of skiable terrain in the wintertime, black diamond runs are converted to about 3,000 vertical feet of the IMBA Gold-Level downhill mountain cycle trails in summer, welcoming riders of all technical ability.

For accommodations, The Viceroy Snowmass celebrates its 10-yr anniversary in 2020. The rooms, residences, and 7,000 square feet spa are the perfect place to military camp out (without actually camping out). While Chef Richard Sandoval's Pan-Latin establishment, TORO Kitchen and Lounge delivers fine dining at 8,000 feet higher up sea level.

For a fiddling culture, visit Anderson Ranch Arts Center. For more than than 50 years, it has been one of the most prestigious visual arts programs in the country, normally welcoming artists residencies and more than 100 workshops per season. Due to COVID-19, most are available via Zoom; however, an exciting new outdoor sculpture exhibition, "Sculpturally Distanced: an Anderson Ranch Outdoor Exhibition" opened on July 6th and will remain installed through September 2021. Finally, don't miss the 45th anniversary of the Snowmass Balloon Festival (September 11-thirteen) where hot air balloons from all over take to the sky for a truly unforgettable sight.

Broadway is Alive and Well

As many theater programs and live concerts beyond the state have been cancelled or postponed indefinitely, Theatre Aspen's proclamation of their IRL summer lineup is a welcome surprise that Broadway is alive and kicking in the mountains. The 'All for One' summer season brings a serial of ane-off performances from audience favorites to new productions featuring major Broadway stars such as Tony Award winners Audra McDonald and Kelli O'Hara, and Tony Award Nominees Beth Malone and Carolee Carmello. The season kicks off July 27 and will run through August 18.

Social distancing guidelines volition be strictly followed as the Hurst Theatre is being converted into a l seat cabaret-fashion space, providing maximum flexibility and spacing. Additional modifications are also being considered, such as lifting the sides of the tent to allow for fresh, open air flow.

Socially Distanced Socializing

Demand a place to (safely) mix, mingle, run across, and work in order to experience less disconnected? Here House, Aspen's most recent members-only 'social order,' which opened in 2019, is just the thing you might demand. Like a Soho House at 8,000 feet in a higher place sea level, Candice Olson and Michaela Carpenter's brainchild provides members and guests with gorgeous curated and private surroundings for meetings and piece of work, delicious delicacies and coffee from next-door neighbor, Local Java, and a schedule of endless events and experiences to aggrandize your social circle. Daily and seasonal (2 months+) memberships are available for $50 or $225 respectively, or annually starting at $150/month. Inquire here.

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Source: https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/travel-guide/g33371172/things-to-do-aspen-summer/

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