Colorado - Day 2: Aspen
On Monday, August 12, 2024, I drove into Aspen for a leisurely walk around the city.
Carbondale to Aspen
I parked at the Rio Grande Parking Garage, conveniently located just one block off Main Street at 425 Rio Grande Place. Finding it was a breeze, thanks to the blue signs pointing the way. The covered garage offers 24/7 access, and with a daily maximum of just $12, it was a great option for spending the day exploring Aspen.
Hotel Jerome
Before arriving in Aspen, I had put together my own walking tour of the city, starting at the iconic Hotel Jerome. The historic hotel, often considered one of Aspen’s crown jewels, was only about a four-minute walk from the parking garage. With its distinctive red-brick exterior and long history in Aspen, it made for a great first stop.
Aspen Pedestrian Mall and Wagner Park
From there, I continued to the Aspen Pedestrian Mall, a vibrant, walkable area in the heart of downtown lined with shops, restaurants, art galleries, and plenty of places to sit and take in the surroundings. Its car-free streets, seasonal flowers, and mountain backdrop make it a great place to simply wander and enjoy downtown Aspen.
Within the pedestrian mall is Mill Street Fountain, a dancing fountain with the mountains providing a picturesque backdrop. Just beyond the fountain is Wagner Park, a large, open green space offering more beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. I spent a little time exploring the pedestrian mall and enjoying both spots before continuing my walk.
Silver Queen Gondola
Next on my list was the Silver Queen Gondola, a 2.5-mile ride to the 11,200-foot summit of Aspen Mountain, renowned as the longest single-stage gondola in the world. However, the gondola didn’t open until 10:00am, and it was only around 9:30am when I finished at Mill Street Fountain.
With about 30 minutes to spare, I wandered down Galena Street, known for its upscale shops and restaurants, toward Galena Plaza, a small park perched above the Rio Grande Parking Garage. In hindsight, this actually would have made a convenient starting point for my walking tour, but fortunately, I didn’t have to backtrack too far.
From there, I continued along Hyman Avenue, a pedestrian-friendly street lined with boutiques, art galleries, cafés, and restaurants, before making my way along Cooper Street until it was finally time to head back toward the gondola.
A single-ride ticket in August 2024 cost $37 and included one round trip. Tickets could be purchased online, by phone, or in person. I opted to buy mine in person and had no issues.
The ride to the summit took about 15 minutes and offered incredible views of the surrounding Elk Mountains, including the iconic Maroon Bells in the distance. At the top, visitors can find hiking and biking trails, lawn games like giant chess and bags (cornhole for non-Midwestern folks), along with the Sundeck Restaurant for anyone wanting a meal with a view.
I spent about 30 minutes at the summit taking in the scenery, although you could easily spend several hours up there if you wanted to hike, eat, or simply relax. I still had more of Aspen to explore, though, and by that point, I was getting hungry. While I could have stayed at the top for lunch at the Sundeck Restaurant, I already had my sights set on White House Tavern instead.
Lunch at White House Tavern
White House Tavern is a cozy restaurant housed inside a historic white cottage and known for its American comfort food.
I took the gondola back down and walked over, arriving around 11:45am. I had hoped to grab a spot on the patio, but, as I probably should have expected, it was already busy and there was a long wait. Instead, I took a seat at the bar, which ended up being just as enjoyable, and ordered a crispy chicken sandwich with an Aspen Brewing Co. blonde ale.
W Aspen
After lunch, I headed over to the W Aspen to check out its rooftop. The rooftop overlooks the slopes of Aspen Mountain and features a pool, hot tubs, fire pits, lounge seating, and a bar serving cocktails and small bites.
I can imagine it being a great place in the evening to have a drink, enjoy the mountain views, and hang out for a while. Since it was only around 1:00pm when I visited, though, things were much quieter. I walked around for a bit, snapped a few photos, and then headed back out to continue toward Herron Park and the John Denver Sanctuary.
Herron Park John Denver Sanctuary
Herron Park, located along the banks of the Roaring Fork River, is a popular and picturesque riverside park with a grassy lawn, picnic tables, and a small playground. One of its highlights is the shallow wading area along the river, where people can splash around, especially on warm days. After spending a bit of time at the park, I continued to the John Denver Sanctuary.
John Denver Sanctuary
The John Denver Sanctuary is a serene and beautifully landscaped park built in memory of the great singer John Denver, who had a deep connection to Colorado. Nestled along the Roaring Fork River, the sanctuary features tranquil paths that wind through wildflower gardens, lush greenery, and large boulders engraved with Denver's song lyrics and quotes about nature and peace. Stone benches and shaded spots make it a peaceful place to reflect or enjoy a quiet walk. With its gentle streams, ponds, and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, the sanctuary feels like a natural escape in the heart of Aspen, a fitting tribute to Denver’s love for the natural world.
Aspen to Carbondale
I left Aspen around 2pm to drive back to the Days Inn by Wyndham Carbondale to settle in, read, and relax for the rest of the day. Maroon Bells was on the schedule for the following day, and I wanted to get there early to see the sunrise and hike Maroon Bells Scenic Loop Trail and Crater Lake Trail.
