There’s a lot to do on your journey from Denver to Aspen. If you’re headed to Aspen for vacation – summer or winter – you might be looking for a few things to do along the way. This is especially true if you have the family in tow. Well, don’t worry – it’s not a boring drive. First, there’s the awesome scenery. Second, there are some pretty cool towns to explore along the way. In fact, you’d be surprised at the diverse lineup of activities and things to do from Denver to Aspen – or Aspen to Denver!
It takes about four hours to drive from Denver to Aspen, depending on the weather. Most of the trip is along Interstate 70. You can take I-70 from the airport or downtown Denver, over the foothills, through the tunnel, and across the Continental Divide, all the way to Colorado’s Western Slope. Once you pass through the beautiful Glenwood Canyon, you turn onto Colorado Highway 82 for the remaining 50-mile jaunt up-valley to Aspen.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the more exciting stops from Denver to Aspen. We’ll start with destinations closest to the Mile-High City.
Things to Do in Idaho Springs
About 33 miles west of Denver is Idaho Springs. It is Exit 239 on Interstate 70. Idaho Springs is well-known for its amazing whitewater rafting. Clear Creek, a tributary of the South Platte River, is an ideal waterway for whitewater rafting for most of the summer months. Clear Creek pretty much runs alongside I-70. It’s not uncommon to see an inflatable raft filled with vacationers barreling down the tributary as you drive along the interstate. There are other sections of Clear Creek that are not visible from the highway.
It’s a popular spot because there’s a diverse collection of sections to raft. There are easy-flowing Class II sections that are great for a relaxing family float, and there are Class IV sections that are wild and wooly. Many adventure seekers go the Class III route – a mix of stable and precarious.
Idaho Springs has a quaint downtown and a few family-friendly restaurants to grab a bite to eat before hitting the road again.
Things to Do in Silverthorne
Just hearing the name “Silverthorne” puts a smile on lots of faces. For years, the small mountain town has been known for its Outlets at Silverthorne. The massive shopping district has all kinds of stores: men’s and women’s apparel, children’s apparel, beauty products, footwear, housewares, jewelry, luggage and handbags, sunglasses, and food (dine-in, take-out, and delivery).
There are no weak links at the Outlets. The Outlets are home to some of the biggest names in retail: American Eagle, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Coach, Columbia, Eddie Bauer, Gap, J. Crew, Levi’s, Lucky Brand, Polo Ralph Lauren, Under Armor, and Williams Sonoma.
A day trip to the Outlets is a regular occurrence for Denverites who are looking to escape the big city and score a few awesome deals at the same time. There are all kinds of fast-food restaurants near the interstate, and a handful of local eateries in Silverthorne and Dillon, including Dillon Dam Brewery, Blue Moon Bakery, Mountain Lyon Café, Murphy’s Food & Spirits, and Sunshine Café.
Things to Do in Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs has so much to do that many vacationers consider it as their destination. While it doesn’t quite check enough boxes to make it Aspen, it is a fantastic place to spend a day or two doing things you can’t do anywhere else in Colorado.
Head to the famous Glenwood Hot Springs and have a soak. The three hot springs offer an unparalleled opportunity to soothe your muscles and relax your soul in the geothermal & mineral hot springs.
Next, The Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park has caves and caverns you can explore and a variety of rides and attractions for all ages. There’s an alpine coaster, which is like a roller coaster, and a Wild West Express kiddie coaster. The Cliffhanger is the highest elevation full-sized roller coaster in the United States. There’s also a zip line, a 4-D theater, a giant canyon swing, and the first tower drop in the world to drop underground. The gondola takes riders on a picturesque journey to the top of the mountain. It’s quite a ride!
There’s also a ski resort in Glenwood Springs called Sunlight Mountain. While it’s nowhere near the size of Aspen, Buttermilk, or Snowmass, it is an adequate resort with some nice turns if you’re desperate to get on the hill. Second, and more impressive, is Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.
Things to Do in Leadville
Next, let’s take a small detour … to Leadville. Yes, Leadville can be a gateway to Aspen during the summer months for travelers willing to take Independence Pass from Leadville to Aspen. For a few months every summer – usually from May through October – you can take Exit 195 off of I-70 and head to Leadville. Leadville is a historic town with a neat main drag that has old shops, longtime hangouts and restaurants.
You actually go through Leadville and connect with Highway 82 a few miles south of town. Once you turn west on Highway 82, you’ll pass the beautiful Twin Lakes community before making the climb to Independence Pass and the Continental Divide.
At the top of the pass, there is a place where you can pull off and explore. There are a few trails along the tundra and a platform where you can take some breathtaking photos. From there, you can make the downward trek to Aspen. From Leadville, it’s about 45 minutes to “the top” and another 45 minutes “to town” (Aspen), depending on traffic and weather.
Honestly, the drive isn’t for everyone. The road is quite narrow – almost a single lane at points – and there aren’t guard rails along the edge of the road at every point. There are lots of switchbacks, twists, and turns. Traffic can be frustrating, so plan to take it easy and allow lots of time if you head this way. Also, there are some restrictions on larger vehicles like campers and trailers, so do your research before you head out.
Also, triple-check to see if the road (Highway 82, in particular) is open before you head out. You will spend considerable time back-tracking if you head all the way to Twin Lakes and find out the road is closed.
Things to Do in the Roaring Fork Valley
Next, spend a day exploring Carbondale, just a few miles north of Glenwood Springs. Carbondale is a haven for artists and entrepreneurs. There is great art all over town and the various shops in town carry a variety of wares. The town has some of the best restaurants in the area, too.
About halfway to Aspen, the town of Basalt continues to grow into a must-see destination. The town’s downtown has boutique shops and bistros and its own unique vibe. The main draw, however, is the confluence of the Roaring Fork River and the Frying Pan River, two pristine mountain rivers. The confluence provides awesome fishing and a few remarkable riverside restaurants.
Basalt is a terrific destination on a Friday or Saturday night when you want a break from Aspen. The valley bus runs from Aspen to downtown Basalt for less than $10 per person.
Things to Do in Aspen: Our Recommendations
We’re always happy to give our guests recommendations on activities and things to do in Aspen, as well as on the way here and the journey home. If you have questions about your Aspen vacation or would like to check rates and availability, browse our website or call us toll-free at 800-543-8001, and we can make some recommendations. Our staff all live, work, and play in the valley, and some of us grew up here, so we know our way around quite well! We’re always eager to help you experience the joy of our wonderful mountain retreat.
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