Family Friendly Activities in Aspen, Colorado
Aspen, Colorado, Travel

Family Friendly Activities in Aspen, Colorado

1. Maroon Bells via e-bike ride or driving
2. Rio Grande Trail
3. John Denver Sanctuary (right next to the Rio Grande Trail)
4. Aspen Mountain Gondola
5. Exploring and shopping in downtown Aspen
6. Visit Wagner Park
7. Snowmass (requires a drive from downtown Aspen)

Maroon Bells
Make sure to take the time to hike around Maroon Bells and take in all the natural beauty and calming colors. This is Aspen
Make sure to take the time to hike around Maroon Bells and take in all the natural beauty and calming colors. This is Aspen

Make sure to take the time to hike around Maroon Bells and take in all the natural beauty and calming colors. This is Aspen

One of the must see destinations in Aspen is Maroon Bells. Maroon Bells is so picturesque and must be seen in person. It’s a series of distinctively bell-shaped peaks set upon the Maroon Creek Valley, it’s such a spectacular sight. Younger kids could take on the short hike around Maroon Lake while the older kids could opt to take on the hike around Crater Lake (taking closer to two hours roundtrip). The hike at Maroon Bells isn’t stroller friendly at all, try using an infant carrier or toddler hiking pack when visiting with young children.
Don’t forget to plan ahead as reservations are now required to access Maroon Bells. Parking reservations are limited and required all summer through October 31st at $10 per vehicle. To get to Maroon Bells, drop offs are possible for private vehicles without a permit and are only available between 6 and 8 AM, no drop-offs allowed after 8 AM. If you do find a way to get dropped off at Maroon Bells, don’t forget to get a one-way ticket to ride the shuttle back to Aspen Highlands (requires advance purchase, takes about 30 minutes).
Another way to get to Maroon Bells would be by e-bike. You can rent an e-bike to Maroon Bells to enjoy the views but it is an ambitious bike ride for beginners and quite exhausting (especially, if you have child attachments).
If you plan on visiting in the summer, definitely plan ahead and make reservations. The views and hikes are not to be missed!
Rio Grande Trail
For an easy calming walk or bike ride, try the Rio Grande Trail, an easy walk around downtown Aspen
For an easy calming walk or bike ride, try the Rio Grande Trail, an easy walk around downtown Aspen
The Rio Grande Trail is easily accessible from downtown Aspen and one of our favorite activities in Aspen. Rio Grande Trail is an easy family friendly trail because it’s relatively flat, wide and mostly paved. Sounds of the Roaring Fork River can be heard along the way. The start of the trail passes through two bridges over the serene river. Beautiful and so peaceful of a walk, even with the kids. If you want to be out in nature and explore an easy trail and looking for something stroller-friendly, Rio Grande Trail would be the perfect choice. We didn’t finish the trail since the adults were getting tired pushing the kids in the stroller in the heat in the summer, but it was nice to easily be able to turn around and make our way back.

Tip: On the walk from the Hotel Jerome to the Rio Grande Trail, there’s a market to get drinks and snacks either for the walk or afterward it. We stopped there on our way back to grab milk, water and ice cream for the kids.

John Denver Sanctuary
We initially planned to do the Rio Grande Trail and John Denver Sanctuary afterwards but we were too ambitious. The kids got really tired from their walk and wanted to go back to the hotel. I always have to remind myself not to pack in too much in one day when with the kids.
But in comparison, the John Denver Sanctuary is the easier walk about than the Rio Grande Trail if you are looking for something shorter. The John Denver Sanctuary is another great family-friendly place to go in Aspen, as it is a public park and admission is free.
John Denver was a famous singer-songwriter who was famous for some of his songs about Aspen. The town wanted to celebrate his life and dedicate this beautiful space to pay tribute to him. The sanctuary has a vast flower garden and inscribed river boulders, a perfect place for a family picnic and for the kids to explore all the different rocks with his famous song lyrics.
Aspen Mountain Gondola
A great way to see Aspen is to get an aerial view of its beautiful peaks and stunning trees by taking the Silver Queen Gondola.
A great way to see Aspen is to get an aerial view of its beautiful peaks and stunning trees by taking the Silver Queen Gondola.
A great way to see Aspen is to get an aerial view of its beautiful peaks and stunning trees by taking the Silver Queen Gondola.

A great way to see Aspen is to get an aerial view of its beautiful peaks and stunning trees by taking the Silver Queen Gondola.

It was our first time up the gondola in Aspen and the views were calming and beautiful. There were lots of little activities for the kids to do up there like playing giant chess or checkers, soccer, paddle tennis, hula hoops, digger trucks in the dirt and there were plenty of photo opportunities. If you do get hungry or want to just have a snack and enjoy the scenery, there is only one restaurant, the Sundeck.
Have the kids play with the digger trucks, make fun tunes or take advantage of the many photo opportunities (the birds nests, reminded me very much of Bali!).
Have the kids play with the digger trucks, make fun tunes or take advantage of the many photo opportunities (the birds nests, reminded me very much of Bali!).
Have the kids play with the digger trucks, make fun tunes or take advantage of the many photo opportunities (the birds nests, reminded me very much of Bali!).

Have the kids play with the digger trucks, make fun tunes or take advantage of the many photo opportunities (the birds nests, reminded me very much of Bali!).

We loved the Aspen Mountain Gondola for the aerial views of Aspen. We were there in the summer and I’m sure it is just as beautiful in the winter. Don’t forget to include this family friendly activity in Aspen anytime of the the year.

Tip: Wear sneakers since there are mostly dirt paths (I made the mistake of wearing sandals—whoops!) Given the terrain, strollers wouldn’t be too convenient up there but you can always bring it up and park it somewhere when you get off the gondola or you can also just leave it before getting onto the gondola.

Explore Downtown Aspen
In the summer, the fountains are on for the kids to play in, in downtown Aspen, located right next to Wagner Park
In the summer, the fountains are on for the kids to play in, in downtown Aspen, located right next to Wagner Park
Not your typical playground with swings, monkey bars and slides but the surroundings and view at Wagner Park worth the visit.
Not your typical playground with swings, monkey bars and slides but the surroundings and view at Wagner Park are worth the visit.
A trip to Aspen wouldn’t be complete without walking around downtown Aspen. The kids loved being able to walk out of Hotel Jerome and immediately being immersed in the cute downtown area. Downtown Aspen has lots of shopping and restaurants but most places were high-end.
Walking around town, you are surrounded by the perfectly shaped trees nestled in the mountains and beautiful flowers. The main park, Wagner Park features a grassy expansive lawn for kids and dogs to play. Wagner Park also has a talented resident face painter and balloon twister that works based on tips (Venmo) located right next to the small playground. We visited them twice during our trip, the girls loved the balloon twisting so much! The balloon twister in downtown Aspen was one of the best I have seen. He could make almost anything and was so kind to remake some of the balloons that had popped. I highly recommend paying them a visit.
The balloon twister can make almost anything and was so kind as to remake some of the balloons that had popped while we were there. He made a dog and rabbit for Erin and a unicorn and butterfly bracelet for Whitney.
The balloon twister can make almost anything and was so kind as to remake some of the balloons that had popped while we were there. He made a dog and rabbit for Erin and a unicorn and butterfly bracelet for Whitney.

The balloon twister can make almost anything and was so kind as to remake some of the balloons that had popped while we were there. He made a dog and rabbit for Erin and a unicorn and butterfly bracelet for Whitney.

Aspen is a great family friendly destination. Some vacation destinations tend to make me feel antsy and rushed to see all the sites, but I never get that feeling when I’m in Aspen. There’s a lot of activities to do in Aspen but I never feel rushed. The proximity of activities and landmarks, make Aspen so accessible for families. I love the warm small town feel and scenic surroundings. It’s a perfect family getaway if you want to be surrounded in nature in a small town that has many luxurious lodging accommodations and enjoy the outdoors.
Snowmass
Snowmass is a great place to go to for families with older kids. Filled with adventure, Snowmass has the Elk Mountains as its’ playground so there’s so much to experience like zip-lining, an alpine coaster, ropes course, climbing wall, hiking, biking, fishing, paint baling and disc golf. Since we have kids 5 years and younger, Snowmass wasn’t as age appropriate for them.

Aspen has no shortage of things to do.  There’s plenty more to explore but those were just some of the activities that stood out for us when we were planning our trip.  It’s never too late to foster a lifelong love of the outdoors.  Surround yourself with nature and wild beauty and visit Aspen.  

For more information like hours of operation, tickets and winter or summer activity availability for Aspen Mountain Gondola or anything Snowmass, visit https://www.aspensnowmass.com

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