Aspen has long been associated with fine dining, luxury lodging, boutique shopping, and a rich arts culture. And yet, Aspen is also a playground for children and families.
Whether your family is looking for a summer vacation or planning a winter trip, Aspen is the perfect place to enjoy a variety of family activities that both adults and children will love. No matter the season, Aspen has a variety of indoor and outdoor activities that create unforgettable family memories, from summer biking and whitewater rafting to winter sledding and skiing.
1. Eating with Kids in Aspen
Aspen restaurants that cater to families make dining out more fun. Along with tasty burgers and milkshakes, CP Burger offers kid-friendly entertainment (mini-golf in the summer and ice skating in the winter). Another popular choice for families dining in Aspen is the hands-on mealtime at Brunelleschi’s Dome Pizzeria, where you can make your own pizzas or pretzels. Paradise Bakery & Café, an Aspen institution, will tempt the entire family with unique cookies and Italian-style gelato.
Steak House No. 316, Matsuhisa, and the Wild Fig are considered the pinnacle of gourmet dining for all ages. If you’re concerned about your children raising a commotion in such fancy places, you can take them to the White House Tavern, which is more kid-friendly. The Hickory House is also a great place to dine well yet relax with the family in tow.
2. Aspen Mountain Adventures with Kids
Year-round, Aspen Mountain offers a variety of enjoyable family activities. At the top of the Silver Queen Gondola, you can enjoy free lawn activities, live music, disc golf, hiking, and more during the summer. The Sundeck is open for lunch to foot traffic in both winter and summer months. It’s the perfect place to relax in between bouts of mountain child-chasing.
During the winter, Aspen Skiing Company provides excellent ski schools for children of all ages. Snowmass and Buttermilk are the ideal places to start out as beginners, and Snowmass offers alpine tubing during the day and on certain evenings (Ullr Nights is another great family activity to put on the calendar).
3. Take the Kids to the Rec Center
Regardless of the weather or your kids’ ages, everyone can find something entertaining at the Aspen Recreation Center, located just outside the roundabout off Maroon Creek Road. Possible family activities here include ice skating, sledding, rock climbing, and swimming in the indoor pool (with a twisty water slide, playful water features, and a lazy river). Enroll the kids in a day camp. Try tennis lessons. Play basketball or volleyball, or go to the playground. You can also drop into the Playhouse Gym at the Red Brick Recreation Center downtown.
4. Stop by the Local Parks
During the summer, Aspen’s parks provide a lush and tranquil retreat from the crowds and downtown car traffic. When you’re on vacation as a family, this is about as peaceful as it gets. Bring them to Wagner Park and let them explore the obstacle course and climbing structures. Stop by John Denver Sanctuary along the river by Rio Grande Park. Head up Independence Pass and stop and a number of kid-friendly areas like the Grottos, and enjoy the stunning views at every turn along the way. (Keep an eye out for the abrupt drops, since your children will most likely be rushing dangerously close to the rocky edges near the water.) Another family-friendly trail system passes around the Maroon Bells, which have an outstanding lake and curved landscape. Set up a picnic in a meadow and take in the views.
5. Hike and Bike as a Family
It’s difficult to resist the impulse to explore the gorgeous mountainsides while in Aspen. With so many routes, there are numerous trails that are suitable for families and kids of all ages. Hunter Creek Trail and Smuggler Mountain Road are just two of the easy-to-intermediate treks close to Aspen. Maroon Lake Trail is another simple trail that is ideal for beginners (you’ll need to make shuttle reservations to get to the Maroon Bells). Learn more about our favorite Aspen hikes.
The Rio Grande Path is a paved, flat trail that extends all the way to Glenwood Springs. Go as far as you want on an out-and-back walk, run, or bike ride. By bike, Woody Creek Tavern is a great place to stop for lunch, just 10 miles away. If you’ve had your fill of the bike saddle or the kids are too tired to climb back uphill, you can even take a taxi back to town.
6. Head Down the River
If you thought Aspen was only about skiing, think again. The rivers flow through the valleys surrounding our quiet little town, and rafting is a fun activity for the whole family. We suggest trying the Middle Roaring Fork section. This gentle stretch of water is a great stretch for families with children or anyone who prefers a relaxed river experience. Kid-friendly rafting adventures with Blazing Adventures are sure to be a hit with those of all ages.
7. Don’t Forget to Ski
You can’t really lose with skiing. It’s something the whole family can enjoy, and certainly one of the easiest things to do in Aspen with kids. The resorts are open from late November to mid-April. There are ski schools and private ski lessons and even the Treehouse at Snowmass for non-snow-based kid-friendly activities. No one will be bored, we promise.
Kid-Friendly Lodging in Aspen
After a day of chasing after your kids, you’ll want to sleep somewhere comfortable and convenient, so choose from our impressive Aspen Luxury Rental properties, all of which have been properly vetted and include access to our dream vacation planning services.