Most of you have probably heard about Aspen because of its outdoor activities, like skiing, hiking, biking, and other festivals, which is true, and Aspen is a well-known tourist attraction because of these activities.
However, the problem arises when the same tourist spots become overcrowded while other tourist spots that deserve attention remain hidden. If we talk in Aspen’s regard, there are countless hidden gems in Aspen that can surely make your experience of visiting this municipality one of a kind, whether you love visiting art galleries, museums, parks, or any other location.
Table of Contents
1. Aspen Art Museum
Address: 637 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO 81611
Aspen Art Museum will be an amazing hidden gem for art lovers. Its stunning mountain views on the back even make the outside of the museum look beautiful. Not to mention, the museum building itself is a piece of art with unique architecture which is rare on its own.
This is not a typical art museum where you’ll mainly see the work of local artists. This art museum primarily focuses on contemporary art, including paintings, mixed-media art, sculptures, etc.
And it also has that aesthetic and artistic vibe inside because of how carefully the decor inside is. Moreover, because this museum is not gigantic, take your time analyzing each art piece. The entry to this museum is also free, as they run on donations.
Lastly, this museum’s biggest strength is its rotating exhibits, which make it even more special. Each exhibit focuses on something different from international and national artists. There is also a shop where you can purchase different accessories, jewelry, and art pieces.
Surprisingly, there is a small cafe on the rooftop, where you can have coffee and light food to end your visit to this museum.
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2. Wheeler/Stallard Museum
Address: 620 W Bleeker St, Aspen, CO 81611
Wheeler/Stallard Museum is a historic Queen Anne-style mansion built in the 1880s. It has been carefully preserved and is now among the most historical places in Aspen.
This museum mansion has two floors. As you enter the first floor, you will see a well-crafted interior, with sofa sets, chairs, tables, piano, and paintings on the wall, just like the houses in the late 1800s used to be like.
On the second floor, you will find paintings, photographs, documents, and information about the families who once lived in this historic mansion. Here, you will also see different exhibits, which are loved by history maniacs, that tell about how Aspen has gone from a silver mining area to a tourist destination. Along with these exhibits, you will also find different documents and videos about Aspen’s history.
3. American Lake Trail
Address: 10081 Castle Creek Rd, Aspen, CO 81611
American Lake Trail is a stunning and moderately challenging hiking trail compared to what you’ll mostly find in the rest of Aspen. There is a free parking lot, and to avoid crowds, try to come as early as possible, like 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.
You might find this trail difficult, especially at the beginning, but as you go, you’ll find yourself comfortable with the trail. This trail starts and ends on Castle Creek Road and can take you anywhere from four to six hours to complete, depending on your skill level as a hiker and how much you want to hike.
Along the trail, there are plenty of scenic spots, which Aspen is rightly famous for. You will encounter various plants, different species of trees, flowers, and other natural habitats all around. The main attraction through the trail is the Amerian Lake, which you will also encounter during your hike.
Lastly, there are many scenic spots where you can have your snack and food, but I recommend you eat your food on some high hill where you can see the view of the whole area to get a proper experience of this location.
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4. Holden Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum
Address: 40180 CO-82, Aspen, CO 81611R
Holden Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum is a historic hidden gem in Aspen. It is specifically visited by those interested in learning about Aspen’s mining and industrial history and how it became a ski resort from a prime mining location.
This museum is located just outside downtown, surrounded by greenery, which also helps this place remain hidden from the mass public. It has one main building made of wood, and near this building are some other small exhibits, where you will find equipment and machinery that were once used by workers and farmers. These equipment and machines are preserved carefully for visitors and are a nice little spot if you want to learn about the early days of Aspen.
Moreover, this place is not far from downtown, so I suggest you walk or use a bike or cycle to get there. Once you visit the museum, which will take your 20 to 30 minutes, you can also spend some time walking on the trails nearby.
5. Conundrum Creek Trail
Address: Conundrum Creek Rd, Aspen, CO 81611
If you are looking for a hiking trail that can take approximately a day or two to complete (8 to 10 hours), then this lesser-known trail just outside Aspen should be on your list. Conundrum Creek Trail is a 17-mile round-trip hiking and camping trail.
As you start, you’ll see all the scenic views from the very beginning of your hiking journey. Along the way, you will encounter various alpine meadows, pristine forests, ponds, creeks, and you most probably will also see wildlife like bears, elk, moose, etc, so beware of your surroundings.
Not to mention, you will also see various peaks and high hills, including Castle Peak and Cathedral Peak, and climbing them will undoubtedly be one of the best experiences you will ever have.
But what makes this trail different from others is the Conundrum Hot Springs, which is the reward of all the hard work. Here, you’ll find several natural pools with water temperatures from 36 to 38 degrees Celsius, surrounded by various high peaks, and is undoubtedly a hidden paradise of this trail.
6. Columbine of Aspen
Address: 675 E Cooper Ave, Aspen, CO 81611
If you are interested in minerals and fossils and want to purchase or see them, then Columbine of Aspen is an ideal shop for you.
This is a very interesting and a fascinating store. They have some of the finest and rarest items on display, which you can purchase as well. I personally like their Fossil Collection the most. It also has a dinosaur tooth, along with various other fossils of different extinct and alive animals.
If you are interested in rocks and other minerals, they also have a crystal and meteorite collection, which tourists often purchase as a gift or for home decor. Lastly, they also have a Native American jewelry collection, which has various stones in it.
Not to forget, the owner has excellent knowledge about all the fossils and minerals on display, so you can ask any question about these minerals if you want.
7. North Star Nature Preserve
Address: 43151 CO-82, Aspen, CO 81611
Just a few miles outside East of Aspen, you will find a stunning hidden gem, North Star Nature Preserve. This preserve is especially recommended if you are with your family and friends because no activity is challenging here. You can reach this preserve via Highway 82- which remains closed from November to May.
As you reach this place, you will find yourself sandwiched between high peaks on both sides, 245 acres of green land, and the Roaring Fork River.
Paddleboarding in the Roaring Fork River is the most popular activity in the area, with scenic surroundings from both sides and slow-moving water, so don’t miss the paddleboarding opportunity here. After paddleboarding, reserve some time for hiking, which is suitable for everyone and is not challenging. You can also go to the nearby mountain if you like.
While hiking, you will probably encounter wildlife and birds, such as elk, deer, bald eagles, great blue herons, and many more, so stay aware of your surroundings all the time.
8. Galerie Maximillian
Address: 602 E Cooper Ave, Aspen, CO 81611
Galerie Maximillian is a lesser-known art gallery in downtown Aspen. It is an ideal gallery for those who love modern, traditional, and contemporary art.
You will find the work of various historical artists from the 19th century to modern-day contemporary artists. This gallery primarily focuses on paintings and photography, and you will see artwork by renowned artists like Pablo Picasso, Jean Debuffet, Cy Twombly, and many others. At the same time, you will also see the work of various European contemporary artists as well.
Among the things that make this gallery unique is its exhibit, which keeps changing so that whenever someone visits their gallery after some time, they’ll always see something different on the wall.
9. Independence Ghost Town
Address: 35241-, 36221 CO-82, Aspen, CO 81611
Around 16 miles east of Aspen, the Independence Ghost Town is a historic site that the Aspen Historical Society carefully preserved. It tells us about the gold rush period in the late 1990s.
It is a small abandoned town that was lively during the gold rush period and is now just part of history. As you reach the town near the highway, you will see interpreted signs stating the history of these wood-made mills.
The location of this place is similar to that of North Star Nature Preserve, where you will see mountains on both sides, many green areas, and easy walking/hiking trails, which are also got the accompany of Roaring Fork River is not far away.
10. Aspen Center for Environmental Studies
Address: 100 Puppy Smith St, Aspen, CO 81611
Whether you are with your family and friends or alone, the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) is an ideal place to learn about environmental education and conservation.
ACES is a non-profit organization that leads various education programs by providing free guided tours along with like-minded visitors and an experienced naturalist. In this tour group, they primarily led us to three different locations:
Rock Bottom Ranch: A 114-acre preserve land filled with greenery all around, including agricultural land, a pond, and the Roaring Fork River.
Hallam Lake: A 25-acre natural preserve and center that is also open to the general public. It is a self-guided tour with a naturalist ready to answer any question. Here, you will also see various wildlife animals like elk, deer, foxes, and bears.
Catto Center at Toklat: Family home of one of ACES’s founders, Stuart Mace. It is in the Castle Creek Valley and is surrounded by natural beauty like grass, ponds, and trees, giving this center an enchanting look.
In these 3 locations, ACES hosts various activities suitable for everyone and also visits different places over time.
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Hidden Gems Restaurants In Aspen, Colorado
11. Mawa’s Kitchen
Address: 305 Aspen Airport Business Center F, Aspen, CO 81611
Mawa’s Kitchen specializes in Mediterranean-style, French, African, and classic American food. Its location makes it an off-the-beaten-path restaurant, as it is in Aspen Airport Business Center, a minute away from the airport. So, as a tourist, it’s ideal to go there while leaving or arriving at the airport.
The ambiance of this restaurant is the real deal. It has that cozy and calm vibe inside, and different paintings and photographs on the walls give this place an aesthetic vibe, which is so nice to see. Their menu can sometimes be tricky to understand because of the Caribbean dishes, but the staff is accommodating and patiently guides the customers regarding food.
Their menu has almost everything: baked items, juices, coffee, tea, chicken, beef, turkey, salmon, burgers, and more. They also host private events and have a patio, which I personally like the most.
12. Louis Swiss Bakery
Address: 400 Aspen Airport Business Center, Aspen, CO 81611
Just a minute away from Mawa’s Kitchen, you will see Louis Swiss Bakery. It is ideal for breakfast, light food, and sweet and sour baked items, especially if you have just landed or are returning from Aspen from the nearby airport.
The interior is good, giving off fine bakery vibes. On their menu, they have a fine variety of bread, including baguettes and seeded sourdough, as well as other pastry and baked items like croissants, bagels, pretzels, muffins, cinnamon rolls, cakes, and more.
The food experience here is also great. You can have a variety of cold sandwiches with chicken, turkey, and vegan options, along with different tea and coffee flavors and homemade empanadas. You can also purchase these food items wholesale.
13. Bosq Restaurant
Address: 312 S Mill St, Aspen, CO 81611
Bosq is a unique restaurant that offers a tasting menu that is not widely available. So, if you like trying new dishes, this restaurant should be on your list.
The dining experience here is unique and pleasant. The owner and staff are super accommodating, and there is a patio option if you like eating under the sky. The food portion here is small but will be enough for a meal. As with the menu, you can choose a four- or five-course menu or the chef’s seven-plus courses—the decision is yours.
Their menu offers a variety of options, whether you want lobster, caviar, chicken, beef, duck, or other seafood. But what most tourists love is their lobster and duck, which are really great. And if you want vegan or gluten-free options, just let them know, and they’ll prepare your food accordingly.
14. Spring Cafe
Address: 119 S Spring St, Aspen, CO 81611
Spring Cafe is a pleasant cafe for breakfast, lunch, and brunch. It offers various baked and food items, which makes it better than traditional cafes.
This is not a very huge cafe, but the dining experience is surely unique with paintings on the walls and a wooden floor. Their menu has different options for breakfast and lunch, like different options for eggs, burritos, sandwiches, nachos, falafel wraps, quesadillas, pasta, meatloaf, rice, and also focuses a lot on vegan options like pho, spinach salads, soups, tofu, noodle salads and much more which will surely be pleasing for the vegan customer as well.
FAQ’s
1. What is so special about Aspen?
Breathtaking natural scenery like mountains, rivers, forests, and world-class skiing resorts make Aspen special.
2. Why is Aspen so expensive for tourists?
Well, one can write a separate blog post on that question, but the short answer is that this city’s geographical location is what makes it among the best tourist spots in the US. And because of that, the demand for tourism spikes, and that’s why Aspen is a luxury tourist destination that a middle-class person can barely afford.
3. Is Aspen for the wealthy?
Yes, it is safe to say that Aspen is for the wealthy because of its luxury.
4. What is the best month to visit Aspen?
Ideally, December to March is considered the best month to visit Aspen, as it is the peak time for snowfall as well. But, Aspen is equally beautiful even in the summer season as well.
5. Is food expensive in Aspen?
Yes, just like other necessities, food is also expensive in Aspen.
6. What is unique about Aspen?
I personally think that Aspen’s uniqueness is due to its geographical location—with plenty of greenery, mountains, lakes, and rivers, it’s literally a dream destination for everyone.
