“Dumb & Dumber” may be the movie most associated with Aspen—and it’s an unofficial national treasure for a reason. Still, this world-class destination, just three hours from Denver, is better suited as the backdrop for PG-rated pursuits.
How do I know? My family of four, including two kids under 10, recently vacationed in this former mining camp turned mountain town.
We travel a ton—I’m a travel writer—so it says a lot that Aspen left a lasting impression, even during a shoulder season visit. That’s right: regardless of whether you visit in October, April, July or January, your family will find so many worthwhile activities that you’ll forget you’re in a small town (population: 6,612) surrounded by protected wilderness.
To help you get a head start on the trip planning—save your time and energy for packing—below are the top 10 family-friendly things to do
1. Book a Condo at The Gant
In lieu of a traditional hotel room, we treated ourselves to a spacious home away from home—we had three balconies between the four of us—at The Gant Aspen. Here, families enjoy upscale condo living combined with resort amenities.
Our days started with breakfast at the on-site cafe, followed by a dip in one of the two outdoor heated pools or three jacuzzis. Both pools have incredible views, and they’re a great place to hang out morning, noon, or night (we often did all three in the same day).
Post morning swim, we’d make a trip to the local farmer’s market for grass-fed steak we could cook in our condo’s full-size kitchen.
After lunch, we’d rally on the property’s tennis courts and pickleball courts, where 8-year-old Everett impressed us with his ability to keep the ball alive. If you like to exercise indoors, there’s also a well-appointed fitness center on site.
If you just want to stretch your legs (or shop), The Gant is just a 2-minute walk from downtown. That said, it’s tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood, so you see more trees than taxis.
Speaking of taxis, if you want a lift, The Gant has a complimentary shuttle service that doubles as a mobile artist-in-residence program, aptly named “Rolling Canvas.”
We looked forward to seeing which shuttle we’d get, as each one is wrapped in masterpieces made by different local artists.
Families who prefer two wheels can pick up bikes at the WE-Cycle bike share station just outside The Gant’s front door. The first 30 minutes are free.
Check out our video showing everything the Gant has to offer.
2. Go Cliff Jumping at Devil’s Punchbowl
Aspen doesn’t advertise its beloved local swimming hole, Devil’s Punchbowl. That means this short hike, about 10 miles outside of town off Independence Pass, still feels like an off-the-beaten-path oasis.
Surrounded by nature, it was a privilege to watch the kids conquer their fear of heights and try cliff jumping for the first time. Fueled by adrenaline, Everett quickly became hooked after the first cannonball.
Devil’s Punchbowl is perfect for families because it has everything from three-story jumps that attract thrill seekers to calm pools where youngsters like 6-year-old Alena can venture in.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it, though: the water is “refreshing,” and there’s no lifeguard on duty, so swim at your own risk. Of course, you can also just come to spectate and/or picnic.
3. Hike Ute Trail
We could admire Ute Rock from our condo, but trust me: it looks even cooler up close. The trailhead is just a stone’s throw away from The Gant, and while the route up is steep, the payoff is an aerial view usually reserved for the birds.
If your calves (and the kids) are just getting warmed up, continue all the way up this scenic stairmaster to the summit of Aspen Mountain. You’ll find incredible views up here, too, and there’s always the option to ride the gondola back down.
4. Ride the Silver Queen Gondola
Don’t be fooled by its name: some of the Silver Queen Gondola cable cars are red. Still, your flying chariot awaits, and you’ll feel like Rocky Mountain royalty as it whisks you up Aspen Mountain.
At the top, choose between a myriad of trails, including Hidden Treasure, Little Nell and Little Cloud. At just .9 miles long, the Nature Trail is perfect for littles who want to learn about flora and fauna.
We opted for a naturalist-led trek with ACES (Aspen Center for Environmental Studies). Both kids agree that the highlight of the hike was getting to taste edible flowers.
That said, save your appetite for the noodle bowls, salads, pizzas, and more served at Sundeck. Located on the summit at 11,000 feet, this cafeteria-style restaurant has outdoor games—including a life-size chess board—and live entertainment.
Silver Queen Gondola tickets cost $39, and the gondola runs daily from 10:30 am to 4 pm in the summer and 9 am to 3 pm in the winter.
Take a look at what you can expect on the Silver Queen Gondola in our video.
5. Tour Smuggler Mine
Historical activities aren’t always easy to do with youngsters in tow, but the tour of Smuggler Mine was a huge hit.
Over the course of 90 minutes, we got to don our hard hats and travel back in time to the 1800s when Aspen was the mother lode, for silver miners at least. In fact, one of the largest nuggets ever discovered came from this legendary mine just a mile from Main Street.
Instead of getting bored, the kids embraced their inner prospectors and kept their eyes peeled—hoping they’d see a flash of silver and get to stake a claim.
6. Try Aspen’s Take on Fast Food
What Aspen lacks in fast food chain restaurants (you won’t find a Mickey D’s for miles), it more than makes up for with CP Burger. The menu offers an elevated take on all the usual suspects.
Think 100% wagyu beef hot dogs, applewood-smoked bacon cheeseburgers, and salads so tasty even the world’s pickiest eaters will find themselves craving kale.
Of course, there are also boozy shakes for the adults and age-appropriate activities like mini golf and ice skating (in the winter) for the kids.
We visited in the summer, so it was mini golf season, and the kids had a blast putting around the restaurant’s mini 18-hole course while we waited for our food. The best part? Mini golf is free with the purchase of your meal.
7. Explore Downtown Aspen
Aspen may be a mountain town, but you don’t have to hit the trails or slopes to find a day’s worth of fun things to do. Downtown is a destination in itself, year-round.
We visited in the summer when you can cool off with shaved ice from the Snowy Pineapple stand or show off your moves in Aspen’s famous “dancing fountain.”
Located by the historic Wheeler Opera House (which has family-friendly entertainment), it claims to be “the world’s first computerized dancing fountain.”
While many of the stores are upscale boutiques that you’d expect to find in Paris and Milan, don’t sleep on the Aspen Thrift Shop. We found a few gently-used gems, including some games we took back to play in our condo.
8. Celebrate What’s in Season at Origin by The Farmer & Chef
Breakfast, brunch, or lunch: you can’t go wrong at Origin by The Farmer & Chef. Located at The Gant (but just as popular with the public), this poolside cafe has one of the best patios in Pitkin County.
Come for the vibes, stay for the flavor-packed cuisine. Even the items on the kids’ menu are made with fresh ingredients sourced from local vendors practicing regenerative farming.
My mouth still waters when I think about the Turkey Royale, served on sourdough focaccia smothered with a generous layer of house-made ranch.
But I’m also dying to try the buttermilk pancakes—topped with real maple syrup and a seasonal compote—that sell out faster than you can ask, “What’s the fruit of the day?”
9. Hike the Grottos
This popular hike in the sprawling White River National Forest, just 10 miles southeast of Aspen, doesn’t cover a lot of ground. But within a mile, you’ll encounter crazy cool rock formations, a cascading waterfall and even ice caves where you can have a snowball fight in mid-August.
It was our first time visiting an ice cave, so we’ll never forget this hike, as short as it was. Needless to say, the kids can’t wait to explore other ice caves.
10. Meet the Resident Raptors at ACES
Visiting Aspen in the summer? Sign up to attend an educational and entertaining birds of prey demonstration hosted by ACES.
Kids will love learning about these high-flying apex predators and getting to see them in action (don’t worry: no live animals will be hunted or hurt).
Demonstrations take place at the Hallam Lake nature reserve, home to a free nature center you can visit year-round, Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.
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Author Bio: Living across Europe and South America unlocked Carri’s passion for traveling. Never shying away from a new adventure, whether swimming with the pigs in the Bahamas, bird watching in the Galapagos, or Heli-Hiking in British Columbia, you never know where you will catch Carri Wilbanks next. She resides in Colorado between freelance trips with her husband and 2 kids, where they enjoy hiking, mountain biking and skiing.
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