A Travel Price Comparison for Colorado Aspen vs. Avon for Skiing, Food, Nightlife, and Resorts

Should you visit Aspen or Avon?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Aspen and Avon can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Aspen

Aspen is a authentic, charming, and quaint ski town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for skiing, nightlife, and live music.

Avon

Avon is a active, outdoorsy, and scenic town. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and skiing.

Aspen and Avon: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Popular at Christmas
  • Known for Christmas markets
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Aspen or Avon?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Aspen than Avon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Aspen is better known for its skiing, food, nightlife, music, resorts, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Avon is more popular for its museums. Aspen is well known for its world-class skiing, many food, film, and music festivals, and its stunning mountain hikes. Also, Aspen is famous for The Maroon Bells. Avon is well known for it's affordable accommodation options and its access to Beaver Creek Ski Resort.

How is Aspen different from Avon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Avon and Aspen. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Aspen or Avon Better for Skiing?

Aspen
Avon

Aspen is a must-visit destination for snow skiing. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for skiing and snowboarding.

Aspen is a top destination for snow skiing, and it attracts visitors from around the world. Near the town, there are 4 separate ski resorts. In town you'll find Aspen Mountain, which is known for it's black-diamond runs. Aspen Highlands, a couple miles away, has a mix of slopes and is less crowded. Buttermilk attracts many freestyle skiers and Aspen Snowmass is considered one of the best family-friendly ski areas.

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Avon. Beaver Creek is the main ski area near town and it's about a mile away. The town of Avon is below Beaver Creek and is located beside an interstate.


Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aspen or Avon?

Aspen
Avon

Avon is a town with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Aspen does not have museums and landmarks.

Avon offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While there aren't a ton of museums in the area, it's worth checking out the Walking Mountains Science Center.

Aspen does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Aspen or Avon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aspen
Avon

Aspen is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Aspen, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The town hosts many food festivals and there is a growing selection of diverse restaurants. In town you'll find cafes and restaurants that cater to both the local crowd and the travelers who flock to the area during peak seasons.

Avon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are casual eateries where you can grab a bite to eat, whether you're in the mood for Chinese, pizza, or burgers.

Is Aspen or Avon Better for Nightlife?

Aspen
Avon

Aspen is notable for nightlife. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife and partying.

Aspen has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The people in Aspen know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene includes craft beer, live music, and dancing. There's a local vibe, particularly during the off-season times when the tourist crowds are less.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Avon. It's a small town but there are some bars and lively pubs where you can enjoy cold drinks.


Is Aspen or Avon Better for Music?

Aspen
Avon

Aspen is notable for live music. However, Avon is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Aspen. Popular music venues in town include Silver City Mountain Saloon and Belly Up Aspen.

Avon is not a live music destination.

Is Aspen or Avon Better for Resorts?

Aspen
Avon

Aspen is notable for its resorts. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its luxury resorts.

There are plenty of resorts in Aspen to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include The Little Nell, Hotel Jerome, and St. Regis Aspen.

With a selection of resorts, Avon makes a nice vacation spot. There are the typical chain resort options, many with beautiful mountain views.

Is Aspen or Avon Better for Hiking?

Aspen
Avon

Aspen is notable for the nearby hiking options. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

Aspen is a popular spot for hiking. During the summer and fall seasons, hiking is a great way to explore Aspen's nearby beauty. Popular trails include the Ute Trail, the Lost Man Trail, and the famous Maroon Bells Scenic Trail.

Avon is a good destination for hiking. There are paved trails and recreational paths through town that are great for both hiking and biking. The main ones are Eagle Valley Trail and the trails in West Avon Preserve.


Is the Shopping Better in Aspen or Avon?

Aspen
Avon

Aspen is notable for shopping. However, Avon is a mediocre town for its shopping opportunities.

Aspen is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are many great local shops and art galleries where you can pick interesting items or fine art.

If you're looking to go shopping, Avon has some nice offerings. There aren't a ton of shopping opportunities in town, but there are enough shops around in case you need to pick up necessities or buy a gift.

Is Aspen or Avon Better for Christmas?

Aspen
Avon

Aspen is a must-visit destination for its Christmas activities. However, Avon does not offer Christmas activities.

Aspen is a fantastic destination at Christmas. There are a number of beautiful activities that will bring the holiday season to life in the town.

Avon does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Aspen or Avon Better for Christmas Markets?

Aspen
Avon

Aspen is notable for its Christmas markets. However, Avon does not offer Christmas markets.

Many people head to Aspen to see its Christmas markets. The town has a charming Christmas market that is fun to explore and has around 40 vendors.

Avon does not offer Christmas markets.


Is Aspen or Avon Better for Families?

Aspen
Avon

Both Aspen and Avon are notable to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Aspen. Families that enjoy skiing together, hiking, rock climbing, and having adventures will enjoy a visit to this town. Aspen Mountain is not a great option for beginning skiers, but further away, Aspen Snowmass offers good beginner slopes.

Avon offers lots of family activities. There are parks and playgrounds around town and there's easy access to the Beaver Creek Ski Resort. There's also plenty of hiking in the area.

Is Aspen or Avon Better for Couples?

Aspen
Avon

Aspen is notable for romance. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its romantic activities.

Aspen is a very popular place to visit for couples. Aspen is both a popular ski destination as well as an established town. There are many great restaurants and activities that couples can enjoy and the setting is cute and very scenic, making it a beautiful and romantic destination.

Avon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While avid skiers prefer to stay at nearby Beaver Creek, the town of Avon offers a good alternative.

Is Aspen or Avon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Aspen
Avon

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Aspen and Avon.

You'll find some public transit in Aspen, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are several shuttle buses around the town.

While Avon offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttles and buses that travel through town and to Beaver Creek.


Is Aspen or Avon a more walkable city?

Aspen
Avon

Aspen is notable for its walkability. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its high level of walkability.

Aspen is very walkable. The town is compact enough that it can be explored on foot. If you're planning to head into the mountains to hike, you'll likely need a car.

Avon is a somewhat walkable place. The town center is small and there are paved walking trails that you can use. It's possible to walk to restaurants or the recreation center, depending on where you're staying.

For even more information, also check out Is Aspen Worth Visiting? and Is Avon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Avon or Aspen?

How long in Aspen or Avon?

It's fun to spend time in either Aspen or Avon. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Aspen due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Aspen, and 2-4 days is enough time in Avon.

Families should spend more time in Aspen than Avon. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Aspen, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Aspen than Avon. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Aspen that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Aspen than Avon if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Aspen.


  • How many days in Aspen or Avon? Ideal Length of Stay
    Aspen 3-5 
    Avon 2-4

One day in Aspen or Avon?

Aspen is a small town where visitors enjoy the skiing and nightlife. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Avon, many people enjoy the skiing and nightlife that this active destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Aspen or Avon?

Aspen is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Avon. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.


Five days in Aspen or Avon?

Aspen might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This ski town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Avon is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and skiing when visiting the destination of Avon. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Aspen or Avon?

Because Aspen is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

You'll find skiing and nightlife around the outdoorsy destination of Avon. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Avon or Aspen?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Aspen is $293, while the average daily cost in Avon is $277. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Aspen and Avon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aspen $170
    Avon $177
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aspen $340
    Avon $354
Compare Hotels in Aspen and Avon

Looking for a hotel in Aspen or Avon? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Aspen


Hotels in Avon


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Aspen Hotel Prices and Avon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aspen $56
    Avon $41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aspen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aspen:

  • Aspen hotel or address to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $217
  • Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) - Private Transfer Arrival or Departure: $269

Is it cheaper to fly into Aspen or Avon?

Prices for flights to both Avon and Aspen change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Aspen $85
    Avon $67

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aspen $45
    Avon $48

Tours and Activities in Aspen

Here are a few actual costs in Aspen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Aspen Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • Highlights of Aspen Tour: $40
  • Aspen's Off the Beaten Path Tour: $40
  • Aspen's DarkSide Ghost Tour: $40
  • Aspen's Past to Present Historic Tour: $40
  • Dark History Ghost-Themed Guided Walking Tour: $40
  • From Past to Present History Walking Tour: $40
  • City Highlights Walking Tour: $40
  • Aspen's Off the Beaten Path Scenic Walking Tour: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aspen $20
    Avon $38


When comparing the travel costs between Aspen and Avon, we can see that Aspen is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aspen Expensive? and Is Avon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Aspen or Avon?

Avon has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Aspen. When comparing the sizes of Aspen and Avon, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.