Hidden Aspen

Only a two-minute drive outside downtown Aspen, visitors can garner a greater appreciation for Aspen's late 19th-century silver mining era that laid the foundation for the region's contemporary glitz. It's within this historic mine where the largest silver nugget to ever be discovered was unearthed, which you can learn more about on a tour that includes venturing 1,200 feet into the former mine where preserved parts of the original shafts, tunnels and mining equipment are still intact. (elkmtnaspen.com/smuggler-mine-tour/)

The wine-colored peaks of the 14,000-foot Maroon Bells are a beloved hike for both locals and out-of-towners; while the less than two-mile scenic loop is a worthy starting point for first timers, return visitors may want to explore less traversed trails around the Roaring Fork Valley. Cathedral Lake trailhead offers impressive views of the Castle Creek Valley; the Ditch Trail on the Capitol Creek trailhead features a six-mile loop that is perfect for a half-dayer and the steep switchbacks of the five-mile American Lake Trail route rewards with a refreshing alpine water dip after working up a sweat. (aspenchamber.org)

The Aspen Literary Festival (ALF), produced by Aspen Words, a literary center and program of the Aspen Institute, returns September 25-27, 2026, turning downtown Aspen into a vibrant gathering place for readers and writers alike.

The lineup spans fiction and nonfiction, featuring bestselling and award-winning voices including Jennette McCurdy, Ariel Lawhon, Veronica Roth, Richard Russo, Maria Semple, Kwame Alexander, Robert Kolker, Fonda Lee, Tayari Jones, Ben Fountain, Kate Bowler, Robinne Lee, and more.

Aspen Words Executive Director Adrienne Brodeur describes ALF as "part indie bookstore part dinner party - with the best storytellers in the world at the table. Readers mingle with authors, conversations move from the stage into cafés and sidewalks, and for one weekend, the entire town becomes a gathering place for book lovers.

"The festival features free public talks, ticketed main stage events, youth programming, and experiential events that spill into Aspen itself, blending books with the magic of Aspen in the fall.

"Building on the electric energy of our inaugural year," Brodeur continues, "we're creating a festival for anyone who's ever fallen in love with a book. ALF isn't about being a literary insider - it's about joy, belonging, and celebrating community." (aspenliteraryfestival.org)

While Aspen's art scene may not fly under the radar for culture enthusiasts, for nature and adrenaline junkies, it may get overlooked. Located in Snowmass, Anderson Ranch Arts Center offers experiences for both styles of travelers as a five-acre campus to home and to honor seven different disciplines like photography, printmaking, ceramics, painting, furniture design, woodworking and sculpture. For one-off visits, the Ranch hosts a series of artists-in-residence programs and community events like lectures, auctions and dinners throughout the year and welcome self-guided tours of their rotating outdoor sculpture garden. For a more immersive experience, the Ranch hosts a variety of workshops and masterclasses designed to encourage both aspiring and established artists to honor their unique talents. (andersonranch.org)