Aspen, downtown — Attraction in Aspen

Taking Main Street and among smaller block streets, we passed by high-end restaurants and boutique shops usually catering to the rich and famous. We were impressed with the various vintage apparel, fashion, accessories, art and unique gift shops. We were also amused by children gleefully playing at an open water fountain. There was much activity that day and great weather made for an awesome outdoor downtown experience. Fortunately, as the kids grew bored walking past stores, they saw a park with climbing structures and immediately dashed towards it. Between Main Street and the gondolas, Wagner Park provided a green scenery with great views the ski slopes among all the downtown buildings. It was a wonderful break for the kids to just be kids, romping around the playground and meeting other friendly kids and a few dogs running around. Lastly, we wanted to indulge in delightful culinary experiences. While it may be challenging to feed a family of 10 at the Forbes five-star Element 47, we settled on the White House Tavern with its delectable sandwiches and prime rib French dip. Plus, the wait time was short and we were hungry! Though it had a small menu, its food was just tasty and fabulous, even for its warm chocolate chip cookies as...

I've been to many ski towns and will say that downtown Aspen is my absolute favorite western ski town in all of the United States. There is really nothing like it which is why I guess it's such an expensive place to live. The town has tons of nice restaurants to dine at and the shopping is as good as it gets. Feels like a snowy version of Rodeo Dr in Beverly Hills. While I'm not a shopper (my wife is) it's still nice to have access to all of the luxury & unique retail shops. We've been both in the winter and summer times and surprisingly I felt like the town was busier during the summer if you can believe that. I guess the secret is out! In any event, the town of Aspen is definitely a bucket list...

Nice downtown with designer label shops ( never heard of some names but I don't shop high end).

Good eats and friendly restaurant service.

A nice trail by the Rio Grande with views of the peaks where one can bike or walk.

Street parking tends to get full fast but a public parking garage is available by the trail head ( I did not get charged on a Saturday).

The torch light ski parade is fantastic and happens on the start of the season ( a Saturday )with fireworks towards the end. I as lucky to witness it as I just happened to be there.

Would visit this...