Traveling like a local is a great way to have a genuine experience and meet new people. When visiting Aspen, there are plenty of opportunities for visitors to enjoy and get a sense of what life as a local is really like. Plan for your next trip and try joining in on one of these authentic, local activities:
Aspen Trailheads. Aspen Trailheads is a group that was created to connect anybody in Aspen looking to enjoy the great outdoors through trail running, jogging, or walking. Every Tuesday from May-October they host Track Tuesdays at 6:30 a.m. at the Aspen High Track. This involved 45-60-minute workouts. Every Thursday they host “Thirsty Thursdays” meeting at the Mill Street Fountain at 6:30 p.m. with a 45-60-minute road/trail run, followed by drinks at various locations in town.
Aspen Parkrun. Aspen Recreation Center hosts a free, weekly timed 5k run at 9 a.m. each Saturday starting at the Aspen Recreation Center. While all runs are free, it is encouraged to register before your first run. Looking to get involved? Find out how you can volunteer and get involved in making Aspen Parkrun happen.
Aspen Cycling Club. Nearly every Wednesday, the Aspen Cycling Club invites locals and visitors to join together for their races including ten road and seven mountain bike races starting May 1 and ending September 11. The race schedule features classic ACC races, new variations of some of the classics, and introduced last year: the Snowmass Discovery Circuit and Glassier–Buckhorn in Basalt. For complete details on how to join Aspen Cycling Club for one of their rides click here.
Tuesday Cruiseday. Every Tuesday night in the summer a group of 100 or more millennials in Aspen meet at 6:30 p.m. at Aspen Brewing Company’s Aspen Tap for their weekly Tuesday Cruiseday rides. Come as you are, but make sure to bring a bike – preferably a townie! The ride starts at Aspen Brewing Co. and winds around town ending at Smuggler Park to watch the sunset.
Aspen Historical Society tours. Explore area history on guided tours this season with Aspen Historical Society. Tours (on foot, by electric vehicle and Jeep) include stops at historic buildings and pubs, mining claims, Aspen’s Victorian West End neighborhood, and more. The Historic Pub Crawl, offered every Thursday from June 13- Sept. 26, is a local favorite tour that includes history and craft cocktail samples along the way. The History Hikes Series is another popular option with hikes offered throughout the summer on Saturdays at 10 a.m. This season’s options include: Aspen Mountain (July 20, difficult), Ashcroft Ghost Town (July 27, moderate), Green Mountain (Aug. 10, difficult), Independence Ghost Town (Aug. 17, moderate). All hikes are $10 or free for Lixiviator members. Discover all of the tour options from Aspen Historical Society here.
Looking to take it easy for a day in Aspen? Enjoy these free live music offerings both on the mountain and in town:
Enjoy a picnic outside of the Benedict Music Tent at the Aspen Music Festival & School. A day in the life of a millennial in Aspen on a summer Sunday most always involves some outdoor recreation, al fresco dining and an afternoon outside the Benedict Music Tent. While you can purchase tickets for the Sunday Aspen Music Festival & School performances, there is nothing better than grabbing a blanket and setting up a picnic with cheese and wine to enjoy the music outside on the lawn.
Dance to free bluegrass every Sunday on top of Aspen Mountain. Every Sunday from noon to 3 p.m., locals and visitors can enjoy free bluegrass concerts on top of Aspen Mountain outside the Sundeck. While you do need a gondola pass to get to the top, ambitious guests will enjoy hiking up to the top, and taking the gondola back down for free.
In town over winter? Join the Uphill Breakfast Club. Every Friday from January-mid-March, outdoor enthusiasts meet at Buttermilk to enjoy a morning skin up the mountain with breakfast at the Cliffhouse restaurant, offering from 8:45- 10 a.m.
