| High in the Rocky Mountains lies the city of Aspen, Colorado, an exceptional
place to visit in winter and summer. It blends big-city sophistication
with small town charm and warmth with activities that can appeal to all
ages.
Before the silver boom hit this quiet mountain valley in 1879, Ute Indians inhabited this area. By 1890 the production of Aspen silver mines made it the nation's largest single producer. Early prospectors incorporated the town in 1880, changing the town's initial name from Ute City to Aspen. Nearby, there were the camps of Ashcroft and Independence, which exist today only as ghost towns. By 1893 Aspen's 12,000 residents had six newspapers, four schools, three banks, a modern hospital, an opera house, and electric lights. The Victorian architecture, the stately commercial buildings, the Wheeler Opera House are some wonderful reminders of Aspen's interesting past. Summer in Aspen took on new meaning when in 1949 the city celebrated the Goethe Bicentennial celebrating the great humanist's 200th birthday with international leaders, artists, and humanists. These included Albert Schweitzer, and Walter Paepcke, a man with vision who established the Aspen Idea. Aspen's role as a cultural center evolved out of this convocation with music, art, theater, dance, and international studies programs which developed from the gathering. In the summer many cultural programs go on that make Aspen a very special
place. The Aspen Music Festival and School, The annual International Design
Conference, the Aspen Institute for Humanistic Studies, Theatre in the
Park and Dance Aspen are some of the programs that make Aspen a haven for
some of the world's greatest musicians, artists, and thinkers. Check schedules
at the Visitor's Center on the ground floor of the Wheeler Opera House
(320 E. Hyman Street, 970-920-5770).
 A high speed gondola called the “Silver Queen whisks passengers and visitors to an 11,212 foot summit for spectacular views of town and the Elk Mountain Range. The Maroon Bells, among the most photographed peaks in North America can be reached throughout the summer by bus and bicycle and by horse drawn sleigh, cross-country skis or snowshoes during the winter. Nature in Aspen draws people to many experiences in the area.
Included in this experience are the thrill of white water rafting and kayaking
on the Roaring Fork River, hiking on the many beautiful trails, mountain
biking, and taking jeep tours on many wonderful back country roads or spending
a day fly fishing. Opportunities for golf, tennis, and horseback
riding are plentiful. Independence Pass offers some of the best mountaineering
and technical climbing around.
For more than 50 years, the Aspen Music Festival and School (970-925-3254) has featured over 170 musical events performed by 875 students, 150 faculty members and many guests performers. The school's campus is set right on Castle Creek in a valley just outside of Aspen. Most of the performances are at the Benedict Music Tent or Harris Concert Hall located in the west end of Aspen. The nine week summer festival includes orchestral performances, opera, chamber music, contemporary music concerts, lectures, master classes and concerts for children. The Anderson Ranch Arts Center (970-923-3181), located near Snowmass, inspires creativity and enriches lives through the visual arts. It has workshops, artist residencies, conference, exhibitions, lectures, and community outreach projects. The Aspen Art Museum (970-925-8050) presents world class exhibits with a particular emphasis on contemporary art. Year round programming included classes, lectures, docent tours, member art trips. Jazz At Aspen-Snowmass (970-920-4996) is dedicated to performance of jazz and American music. It has jazz festivals in June and Labor Day Festivals at Snowmass Village. Aspen Theatre in the Park (970-925-9313) is a professional theatre and school that adds to Aspen's cultural activities. The shows during the summer include a musical, two plays, and a children's production. High caliber actors join local talent to perform both classical and contemporary work. Aspen has over 75 restaurants, 30 galleries, and 160 shops. Recommended restaurants that locals enjoy: Breakfast - Cafe Ink, Jacks at Sardy House, Main Street Bakery (Cafe), Wienerstube (Austrian), Zele’s Cafe, Lunch - Cafe Torina (Italian), The Cantina (Mexican), Explore Booksellers (Vegetarian), Vinh Vinh (Asian) Dinner- Blue Maize (Mexican), Boogies (American), Cache Cache (French), Campo de Fiori (Italian), Chart House (American), Conundrum (Continental), La Cocina (Mexican), Little Annie's (American), Little Ollies (Chinese), Mother Lode (Italian), Pine Creek Cookhouse at Ashcroft (American), Pinons (Continental), Rustique (French), Skiers Chalet (American), Takah Sushi (Japanese), Recommended Places to Stay: Boomerang Lodge (800-992-8852) - one of Aspen's oldest
lodges, comfortable, sophistication and personal service at a reasonable
price
Jerome Hotel (800-331-7213) - restored historic hotel opened
in 1889
Skiing and Winter Season
For skiing Aspen/Snowmass comprises four mountains, each with its own personality:
By car: From Denver, Aspen is 180 miles or about 3 ½ hours via I-70 West to Glenwood Springs, connecting to highway 82 East, direct to Aspen. In the summer and fall another scenic route from Denver is I-70 West to 91 South through Leadville, to 24 South west onto highway 82 over Independence Pass into Aspen. From Grand Junction, Aspen is about 2 ½ hours drive east on I-70 connecting with Highway 82 to Aspen. By plane: The Aspen Airport, a five-minute drive from downtown Aspen
offers many daily flights with United Express and it is a short trip to
connections at Denver International Airport (DIA).
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