Headed to Aspen/snowmass area at the end of the month…for nearly a week.

Have different things planned but figured I'd ask here for recommendations on must do things/places to eat/see etc?

Also recommendations 1-3 hrs or so drive from aspen?

hikes/national and state parks nearby……was thinking of maybe making a trip down to Arches National Park if time permits…

Have you been to the aspen area before? If not stay there the whole time, while arches isn't a bad np, once you've seen an arch, you've seen an arch. Canyon lands is the better np around that part of Utah.

Yeah for me, Arches wouldn't be worth the drive from Aspen.

Aspen is a ghost town that time of year. It is cold and there isn't really snow yet. As for going other places, it is a long way out of the valley to i70 and a long way to get anywhere on i70.

The hot springs in glenwood are decent.
The j bar is cool as heck
Easy to get a reservation

Agreed. Hiking is going to be cold and potentially snowy and the leaves will have already fallen. You can't really do much on the river. So yeah probs Iron Mountain in GWS. The Nepal Restaurant at Thunder River.

If you've never been be prepared to spend a lot of cash. Incredibly expensive town. Just a meal at a mediocre restaurant will cost you a fortune. If you're staying at a Vrbo or something, bring food with you to save on the cost of meals.

There are places that aren't crazy. It's all about what you order and sharing portions. We got out for less than $50-75 frequently but we also try to avoid the tourist trap places. $17-25 app and $25-50 entree to split. Sometimes we just get apps depending on what they have running.

If you don't want to go to Whole Foods, the best place for groceries is the City Market in Carbondale. It's got by far the best selection and prices.

The bar at Hotel Jerome is great

Food at White House Tavern is pretty good

Check who is playing at Belly Up - they get some really great acts in there.

Some stuff will probably be closed and a lot will probably be understaffed.

Sushi at Matsuhisa is supposed to be legendary, but I've never been able to get a reservation.

Lots of fancy boutiques and art galleries, I imagine some might be closed for an inter-season break though.

I've been a few times and rented a place for 10 days there this March. I think Aspen is great.

Belly Up along with a lot of other establishments are closed for the shoulder season. Belly Ups next public show is 18/11.

I like visiting Maroon Bells but I'm not sure how it is this late in the year. Like others have mentioned, the bar at Hotel Jerome is a great spot. Take a lap around the hotel to just check the place out. White House Tavern is my go to spot to eat. Last time I was there I sat in the bar area and Luke Combs was sitting at the table next to me. Damn shame The Red Onion closed. One of my favorite bars in the US.

You need reservations now for MB and they are full 99% of the time. Looks like snow the 27/28/29 / 11.

Didn't the Red Onion reopen w new mgmt? I know they were supposed to not sure if they did.

Red Onion has been "temporarily closed" for well over a year since it changed hands in 2022.

A little FYI The White House Tavern is a Hillstone/Houston's restaurant.

It looks booked very far out - wonder if they open up some?

Ok Looks like there is some 24 hr parking dates


If you go hiking in do you need reservations?

Wanted to do the hike to snowmass lake.

You need reservations to park or to take the shuttle, unless you have someone to drop you off between 6am and 8am and then whoever is dropped off must get a 1 way return shuttle ticket back to AH. There's no way to get picked up after 8am and if you arrive after 8am literally 8:00:01AM they will not let you in.

If you buy an all day parking pass, you still must arrive before 8am. At 8am they close the ability for private and commercial non shuttles from entering.

My other half works there. They have the old Houston's French Dip etc.

Yeah / they keep having articles in the newspaper about it opening. Guess it's still closed. When we were in ASE for Jazzfest it looked almost ready to open. Wonder what's the hold up.

Ok looks like after Oct 22nd you don't have to come by 8am. Can come anytime with pass

I bought a midnight to midnight.

Should I buy another one for the next day? How many days does one need in maroon bells?

Is this where one sets afoot for snowmass lake? Or another location?
Thanks!

That's the right spot for SML

Awesome! Do you think I should get another day pass for the next day? Not sure how much time one needs in maroon bells? Def want to do the snowmass lake and maroon lake…..

Also - if I wanted to be at Snowmass lake right before sunrise - how long would it take from parking to there?

aggies4life said:

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Headed to Aspen/snowmass area at the end of the month…for nearly a week.

Have different things planned but figured I'd ask here for recommendations on must do things/places to eat/see etc?

Also recommendations 1-3 hrs or so drive from aspen?

hikes/national and state parks nearby……was thinking of maybe making a trip down to Arches National Park if time permits…

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In no order:

Maroon Bells, drive independence pass (careful as has a few one laners - not for the faint of heart), probably too cold now but jumping into devil's punchbowl is sweet, fly fish on the roaring fork, hit the bar Kurt and golide like, Basalt is one of my favorites - the chicken pot pie place is sick.....have fun....if kids are going as well drive out to glewnwood springs and hit the amusement park

Heathers Savory Pies

Edit to add: Savory

Devils Punch Bowl will be FREEZING at that time of year.

It's 20.6 miles round trip. . Depending on your hiking speed it can take anywhere from 10-12+ hours in and out. It's a challenging trail but not crazy. I think it's like 1,800m elevation change. I'd definitely recommend camping and not trying to do it in a day if you can. It's magical and a couple nights will still leave you wanting more.

Thanks! Didn't realize it was that long - I thought it was around 16.5 miles return. Maybe that was from another starting point.

Is snowmass lake that much more amazing than maroon lake?

It's 33km from the TH to SML. I'm not sure how many miles that equals but I think it's just over 20. That whole hike is magical. I don't think I'd be able to pick one over the other. There isn't a wrong choice just kinda feeling out your body and honoring what level of commitment you want to make.

Lil cold, I'd go with the slack line across the top myself but maybe he is a wim hoffer