About the Area
Aspen is an incredibly special place to us & we can't wait to share it with you. One of the reasons we chose Aspen for our wedding weekend is the access to beautiful nature and outdoor activities in the area. There are so many places to eat, shop, walk around and explore, and we hope that you take advantage of the surroundings and perhaps make a trip out of it — read on for some of our favorite hikes, restaurants & more!
FOOD & DRINK
BREAKFAST & QUICK BITES
PARADISE Bakery: Morning coffee and muffins, or even ice cream! They have it all, including some of the best gluten free muffins ever.
SPRING CAFE: Great healthy breakfast menu items, along with fresh juices/smoothies. Keep in mind they don’t serve meat, only eggs.
FELIX: One of the best (and cutest!) coffee and matcha spots in town! Located inside Hotel Jerome.
JUS: Our favorite stop for a smoothie or breakfast burrito!
GRATEFUL DELI: It has to be the smallest restaurant in Aspen, but it’s one of our favorites to grab a sandwich from and take to a picnic table in nearby Paepcke Park.
LUNCH & DINNER
J-Bar: We absolutely love their cocktails (Michael’s fave is the Jalepeño infused tequila), and their burgers.
WHITE HOUSE TAVERN: They don’t take reservations, so be prepped for a bit of a wait. This restaurant is basically a mini ‘Hillstone’.
MEAT & CHEESE: A great casual lunch spot (Emily’s favorite is the rice noodle bowl) or place to enjoy a glass of wine, cheese, and charcuterie after a hike!
MATSUHISA: If you go here, make sure to get the Gardener drink. Next time we host you we’ll show you our version!
HICKORY HOUSE: Iconic Aspen BBQ spot. We usually do take out, but have eaten in a few times as well!
The OUtdoors
Hikes
WeLLER Lake (easy): The lake is about a 15 minute hike from the parking lot and is an absolutely wonderful place to spend an afternoon reading.
RIO GRANDE TRAIL (easy): Walk along the Rio Grande trail and stop by at the Mosle house and say hey on your way back into town!
aMERICAN LAKE TRAIL (moderate): You will need a car to get out here, but the views and the lake at the top are absolutely worth it! The hike is 2-3 hours each direction.
UTE TRAIL (difficult): Hike all the way up to the Sundeck and get a sneak peek before the space is transformed for the wedding! The hike is 2-3 hours up, and then you can take the gondola down.
PLACES TO HANG OUT
PARKS: Any of the parks in Aspen are lovely to bring a book and blanket to.
PICNIC: The Grottos are an awesome place to go have a picnic, although you will need a car to drive there.
ASPEN MEADOWS: This property is one of the most beautiful places in town, go grab a coffee and walk around!
MAROON BELLS: For a longer activity, getting a shuttle reservation to the Maroon Bells is an absolute must - a beautiful place to hike, read by the lake, or have lunch or dinner at one of the public picnic benches.