Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Aspen?

Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks 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 weeks 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 week enough time in Aspen?

One week provides ample opportunity to hit the ski slopes, taste delicious cuisine, discover the nearby hiking trails, and explore the small town in Aspen at your own pace. You can just relax and take your time with everything the mountains have to offer. Then you can use the ski town as a convenient base for exploring nearby destinations on day trips.

How to spend a week 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.

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.

Known for it's hiking, Aspen sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. 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.

A few tour suggestions include:

Leisure Hike - East Aspen Hunter Creek ($60)
Tracing the Shadow Light Hike ($60)
Aspen West End Light Hike ($60)

Aspen is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. Surrounded by the mountains and set amongst a beautiful natural setting, this town will take your breath away.

The small-town atmosphere of Aspen is one of the main reasons that visitors come here. Spend at least part of your day exploring the town to see the many sights and attractions. Unlike some other ski villages, this is a real town with its own economy and residents that live here year round. It's a charming town to explore regardless of the season.

A few tour suggestions include:

Aspen's Past to Present Historic Tour ($40)

Live music is very popular in Aspen, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. Popular music venues in town include Silver City Mountain Saloon and Belly Up Aspen.

Shopping in Aspen is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. There are many great local shops and art galleries where you can pick interesting items or fine art.

Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.

Aspen offers a charming atmosphere that's hard to find anywhere else. Spend part of the day exploring the scenery. This town has an authenticity that gives it the unique charm of a small town that thrives year round.

As the live music scene is so popular in Aspen, make sure you spend another evening finding more of the area's best places to take in a show. Often, many of the local venues are near one another, so you can hop from place to place.

After you've explored most of Aspen, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Aspen.

Is 2 weeks enough time in Aspen?

With two weeks at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to hit the ski slopes, taste delicious cuisine, discover the nearby hiking trails, and explore the small town in Aspen. You can then relax and and unwind in your hotel. Then use Aspen as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.

Aspen, Colorado

How to spend 2 weeks in Aspen

With 2 weeks in Aspen, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the ski town has to offer.

With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Aspen, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.

With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Aspen. Plenty of amazing options are available.

With added time, spend another day on the ski slopes. After all, that's one of the main attractions here. You'll probably improve your skills every day, so check out some of the runs you haven't spent much time on yet.