Aspen is a popular wedding destination for locals and visitors alike. Immerse your destination wedding guests in the local culture by providing a list of recommended recreational activities for them to enjoy during their time in Aspen.
*Photo Credit: Aubrey Fletcher
Aspen is known as a hiker’s paradise with more than 150 trails in the area, many that your guest can walk to from downtown. Visit Aspen Trail Finder, for an in-depth database of all the areas hiking trails. Did you know that Aspen is a community that’s serious about cycling? Cycling options include mountain biking, road biking and town cruisers. Perhaps rather than hiking or cycling you would prefer that your guests saved their legs for the dance floor. Then why not hit the trails on horseback and don your new Stetson to embrace the wild west.
Exploring the Maroon Bells should be on your guests to do list, as they are the most photographed mountains in North America. The Maroon Bells, a series of distinctively bell-shaped, wine-colored peaks towering 14,000 ft. above the pristine, glacial Maroon Creek Valley, offer some of the most spectacular natural views in the world. So which adventure will you choose?
Who says Colorado is landlocked? Whether you’re stand up paddle boarding down the river at North Star Nature Preserve or rafting the Roaring Fork River, Aspen has plenty of options for off-land fun for your guests. Whitewater rafting is the ultimate adrenaline rush, if however your guests are looking for a more relaxing afternoon on the river try a canoe instead.
You’ll also find world-class fly fishing year-round just outside of downtown Aspen on the Roaring Fork River’s Gold Medal waters—a coveted designation from the Colorado Wildlife Commission.
At the heart of Aspen’s arts and culture scene is an unwavering commitment to mind, body and spirit, known as The Aspen Idea. Throughout the year, internationally acclaimed gatherings, art exhibitions, performances, and lectures define the unique culture that can only be found in Aspen. Encourage your guests to discover the varied history that has shaped Aspen by joining the Aspen Historical Society on a walking tour of Aspen. If they are more interested in catching a performance direct them to The Wheeler Opera House located in the heart of downtown. Or perhaps shopping catches your guests interest? Aspen is well known for luxury shopping with numerous shops downtown. On Saturdays from mid-June till early October we encourage them to stroll the farmers market to buy Colorado-grown produce and Colorado-produced artisan products.
If you are planning your nuptials during winter, then we are here to help your guests with some tips on how to enjoy Aspen in winter. Everyone knows Aspen is a downhill skiers and snowboarders paradise, but did you know that there are numerous other outdoor adventures that they can do during the winter? If your guests are looking for an adventure they can; go on an Aspen Mountain snowshoeing tour, a snowmobile ride to the Maroon Bells, ice skating in downtown, nordic skiing at the Aspen Golf Course or fat biking on a local trail. Perhaps your guests are interested in exploring but do not want to participate in any vigorous activities prior to the wedding, then we recommend joining the Aspen Historical Society on a walking tour to learn the history of Aspen and how it went from a Ute Indian summer hunting camp, to a silver mining town, to a ski resort. However, if they are looking for some R&R on their trip a visit to the spa will ensure that they are ready for the wedding day!
If your guests are interested in exploring the local culture of Aspen on their own or will be arriving a few days before the wedding festivities begin, be sure to share our calendar of events and our sample itineraries with them!
