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Aspen Sights and Landmarks Guide, Colorado

Beyond its numerous and long slopes, Aspen, one of the most famous ski resorts in the world, is mostly renowned for its inhabitants. With real estates that go from 6 million dollars up, Aspen’s former, actual or part-time residents are mostly celebrities like: Michael Douglas, Hunter S. Thompson, Martina Navratilova, Goldie Hawn, Kevin Costner, John Oates, Michelle Pfifer, Jack Nicholson and many others. For the shopaholic who has some time and money to spend after a ski session, Aspen is close to heaven: Channel, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Burberry probably represent some of the most appreciated Aspen sights.

Aspen Sights – Historic Landmarks

Aspen’s history as a silver-mining district is still visible in downtown Aspen, yet these historic, Victorian buildings struggle between luxurious mansions and glamorous boutiques. For a closer look at the miner’s lifestyle, Independence Ghost Town and Ashcroft Ghost Town near Aspen are two interesting attractions. In Ashcroft, several old wooden cabins, the original saloon and jail still stand up and are open to visitors. Harder to reach, Independence Ghost Town is especially visited for the sake of the scenic drive, taking tourists at 11000 ft elevation. Since we’re at the morbid section, Ute Cemetery in Aspen offers guided tours, telling the life stories of the pioneers who rest there. For more information on mining, pioneers and Aspen’s culture, Weeler/Stallar Museum and Aspen Art Museum have a lot to show and tell.

Aspen Sights – Art Galleries and Cultural Events

There is also a number of notable art galleries Aspen Fine Art Gallery, Heather Gallery, Huntsman Gallery, Pam Driscoll Gallery, Gallery Zuger, that prove Aspen’s role as a center of culture and arts. So do some of the historic buildings as Weeler Opera House, hosting a variety of indoor events like concerts, comedy shows, plays etc. Some of the most popular cultural events in the US are held annually in Aspen: Aspen Music Festival, Aspen Food and Wine Classics, Jazz Aspen Snowmass.

Aspen Sights – Natural Attractions

People also enjoy gathering around Mill Street Fountain, where the old fountains and the street merchants enchant both kids and adults or take a hike around American Lake, Conudrum Creek Trail, or Grizzly Lake Trail. The possibilities for outdoor activities are of course endless: hiking, rafting, horse riding, bicycle tours, spa, yoga, hot-air ballooning, climbing, paragliding in summer to skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, dog sledding or dinner sleigh rides to mention only a few. Between Aspen’s sights, Aspen’s surrounding mountain and parks are some of the top rated; so are the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness area, Hallam Lake, home of Aspen Center for Environmental Studies or the Grottos over Independence Pass.

If any of these sound appealing, the Aspen hotel deals and Aspen vacation deals sections can help you plan a fabulous trip to Aspen.

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Winter sports at Aspen Snowmass, CO
review by lindamura posted more then 30 days ago
One of North America’s premier resorts, Aspen Snowmass is located on one of the four renowned peaks of Aspen area, a Rocky Mountain massif with a vertical drop of 4,406 feet. Getting here is a piece of cake. If you get to Aspen airport, it’s only six miles to Snowmass Village. ...