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When you think of Aspen, Colorado, images of snow-capped mountains and wealthy skiers and snowboarders likely come to mind. But did you know that Aspen is a great place to visit with kids in the off-season? There’s plenty to do in Aspen year-round, and the prices are a lot more affordable than during ski season. Keep reading for my tips on visiting Aspen with kids in the off-season.
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Aspen with Kids
While Aspen’s winter season is where it’s at for skiing and snowboarding, Aspen is also a great place to take the family in the off-season. The town is quiet, and the prices are much lower. You can still enjoy much of what Aspen has to offer but without the crowds. Spring and fall are a great time to explore the town with the whole family.
Picnic in the Park
The weather tends to be milder in early autumn and late spring. In other words, there’s no need for bulky coats or gloves! These seasons also offer beautiful scenery as flowers begin to bloom and leaves start changing colors.
Head over to Wagner Park for a picnic lunch with your family. Wagner Park has gorgeous views that overlook the town, as well as a children’s play area. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors in Aspen!
Explore Museums & Galleries
Another aspect of Aspen’s culture is its world-class art museums, as well as local artists’ studios. You’ll discover interesting exhibits, as well as one-of-a-kind handmade items by both national and international artists, just down the street from each other.
The Aspen Art Museum housing rotating exhibits of international contemporary art. Admission is FREE!
If you or your kids want to discover more about Aspen’s history as it relates to mining during the 19th century, you’ll find plenty at the Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum.
Aspen Recreation Center
Whether you’re just looking for a fun family activity as a break from museums, or as your destination, try out the Aspen Recreation Center. It has an aquatic center (with indoor pool, water slide, a lazy river, and an aqua climbing wall), as well as an ice arena (ice skating!) and climbing tower.
Live Performances
If your kids love theater, then they’ll enjoy Aspen Community Theater, as well as programs at the Wheeler Opera House. Be sure to check out their upcoming performance schedule as you may find a show that interests you. The Wheeler also has live music performances, such as ballet and small musical groups.
The Aspen Music Festival and School involves multiple orchestras, including the Aspen Philharmonic Orchestra. They also organize various musical events throughout the year.
Take a Walk
Even taking a short walk through downtown Aspen brings a breath of fresh air to the senses…both literally and figuratively.
In the spring, trees are glowing with colorful blooms.
Walking on the Aspen Pedestrian Mall is one of those great outdoor activities that can be enjoyed in the off-season (as well as the winter months, if you’re not afraid of the cold temps!).
River Rafting
One of the best ways to discover Aspen as a family is by seeing it from a river as you raft downstream. The Roaring Fork River takes rafters along Class II and III rapids, as well as serene calm waters, as they wind their way through nearby mountains and meadows.
There are wild and adventurous options, too, but family-friendly options are widely available.
Mini Golf
Aspen’s only mini golf option can be found at CP Burger. Food, milkshakes, and mini golf! Sounds like a great combination to me!
Library Story Time
For toddlers and preschoolers, you can visit the Aspen Public Library (Pitkin County Library) for free story times during the week.
School-aged kids can enjoy “After School Wednesdays,” where they can participate in crafts, projects, and science fun.
Gondola Rides
Although Aspen Mountain, as well as nearby Snowmass and Buttermilk, are best known as ski destinations, taking a sightseeing ride as an alternative activity is always fun, as the views are beautiful. Plus, don’t forget to stop at the top of the mountain for some delicious food (at the Sundeck Restaurant, run by The Little Nell)!
The Silver Queen Gondola, at Aspen Mountain, is right in town. Enjoy a scenic ride up to the summit…the top of Aspen Mountain!
Dancing Fountain
For decades, kids of all ages have enjoyed the dancing fountain, located near the Wheeler Opera House.
Playgrounds
There are several playgrounds, in gorgeous park settings, around Aspen. Besides letting your kids work off some energy, each one is a perfect place to bring a picnic lunch. Sometimes the best things to do on vacation are the simplest!
Maroon Bells
A 30-minute drive southwest of Aspen brings you to the Maroon Bells, two mountain peaks in a breathtaking nature setting.
The Maroon Bells scenic area is located in the White River National Forest. There are hiking trails, lakes (including Maroon Lake and Crater Lake), and tons of scenic beauty!
Aspen’s Off-Off-Season
Our visit to Aspen was in the month of May, just before the summer months. This is smack dab in the middle of ski season and all the summer goings-on. Many shops, restaurants, and activities were closed. We practically had the town to ourselves!
So, if you’re wanting to visit Aspen when the prices are most affordable, you might have to forego some of the other things you want to do, see, and eat…because they might be closed in the “off-off-season.”
Most things start back up in the warmer months, beginning in June.
How to Get to Aspen
Aspen has its own airport (ASE), so it is possible to fly to Aspen. It is, of course, a small airport. Flights are limited, and the number of direct flights is few.
Flying into Denver will provide you with many more options. The drive to Aspen from Denver, however, is at least 4 hours, and you’ll have to rent a car.
Getting to Aspen via a road trip is how we made it happen. Then, we had our own vehicle and didn’t have to rely on flight schedules.
It is possible to access Aspen from the southeast, via Independence Pass. However, that route is closed in the winter months. More likely, you’ll arrive from the northwest, via the junction at Glenwood Springs.
Where to Stay in Aspen
While there are many fantastic properties to choose from in Aspen, most of them are significantly out of our semi-budget travel price range. Even the ones that don’t reach the pricing stratosphere are stretching our budget quite a bit.
As such, I would recommend the Limelight Hotel Aspen. The rooms are bright and updated, and the location is perfect. You can easily walk to downtown Aspen from this hotel, and the view of the surrounding mountains is spectacular.
The Limelight Hotel has a heated outdoor pool and not just one hot tub, but two. PLUS: The breakfast buffet is included!!!!!
Aspen with Kids in the Off-Season
If you haven’t been to Aspen in the off-season, I highly recommend it. It’s a great place for kids – and adults! There are so many things to do year-round in this ski town that don’t involve snow sports, like visiting a museum or taking a walk around town.
You can also explore some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in Colorado right outside your door. And the best part is that many of these activities will cost you less than they would during ski season! So, start planning a family vacation to Aspen…a trip that the entire family will love!
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