Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Aspen?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Aspen?

A weekend is probably not enough time here. You might feel rushed to take in the mountains, skiing, and scenery of Aspen during the trip. To thoroughly enjoy all that the ski town has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule at least 3 or as many as 5 days to fully experience everything. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your vacation.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Aspen?

Many visitors spend three to five days in Aspen during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This ski town offers a number of attractions to explore, including skiing and snowboarding, the restaurant scene, the hiking, and the small town charm.

Aspen is a classic ski town in the Rocky Mountains. It is both a small town, with its own economy and year round residents, as well as a ski resort area that attracts world-class skiers during the winter months. The town has many great restaurants, nice art galleries, and a lively nightlife scene. There are also many beautiful hikes in the area.

Do you have one or two days to visit Aspen? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Aspen?

With only one day, you might feel a bit pressed for time to take in skiing and snowboarding, the restaurant scene, the hiking, and the small town charm. To fully embrace Aspen, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to plan at least 3 or as many as 5 days to experience the mountains and beautiful scenery. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.

How to spend a day in Aspen

The winter season revolves around snow skiing, so it's highly recommended to spend at least one day on the slopes. 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.

The delicious food of Aspen is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this ski town's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. 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.

Aspen is a very walkable city. With only a day in the ski town, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. 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.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Aspen?

A weekend is probably not enough time here. You might feel rushed to take in the mountains, skiing, and scenery of Aspen during the trip. To thoroughly enjoy all that the ski town has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule at least 3 or as many as 5 days to fully experience everything. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your vacation.

Aspen, Colorado

How to spend 2 days in Aspen

With a weekend (two to three days) in Aspen, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the ski town has to offer.

Don't miss the Maroon Bells during your trip to Aspen, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

This ski town is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. 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.

Public transit in Aspen is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the ski town quite easily. There are several shuttle buses around the town.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Aspen, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.