Our whirlwind summer adventure kicked off in Aspen, Colorado where we spent 4 days with cousins for an amazing family reunion. We loved every moment of fun with 24 family members, gathering post-Covid from Montreal, Toronto, New York, Connecticut, and California. Aspen proved to be the perfect destination for our group, with kids ranging in age from 3 to mid-20s, with something for everyone, activity-wise. Find out why Aspen summer activities make for the perfect family adventure.

What to Do

Biking

While we only had 4 short days together, our itinerary was jam-packed with fun activities. On day 1, we rented bikes from Aspen Bikes, including tagalongs (for Leo), trailers (for the littlest of the bunch) and even e-bikes for those who wanted an easier ride. We headed a few blocks through downtown Aspen to take the Rio Grande trail. The trail curves through the mountains and desert with a final destination of Glenwood Springs, but we planned a 10-mile ride to Woody Creek. The ride there was mostly downhill, and completely breathtaking, but the e-bikes certainly came in handy for the return. The kids and I took a cab back, which are outfitted with bike racks. The Woody Creek Tavern was the ultimate pitstop to refuel mid-ride.

Snowmass

On day 2 we headed to Snowmass which was a 15-minute drive, or also easily accessible by a free city bus. Snowmass reminded me of a larger version of Spruce Peak in Stowe, with tons of fun Aspen summer activities. Half the group (mostly adults and teens) went on a mountain biking adventure, while the younger set enjoyed the alpine slide, rock climbing wall, fishing pond and zip lines. It was a day filled with adventure, finished off with amazing crepes from The Crepe Shack, in the village.

Rafting

Day 3 was probably most memorable as we headed out whitewater rafting with Blazing Adventures. Being a large group, the company provided a mini bus to take us to the Shoshone part of the Colorado River. About an hour away, this tour was suited to our group with class 3 rapids. The littlest kids (under 8) were not able to ride the first section of the rapids but were picked up by raft to join the group downstream.

With just a few hours on our last day, we headed into downtown Aspen for the Farmer’s Market. Food booths, locally-made goods and even baby goats were on display. Downtown Aspen also features some great shopping with brands like Lululemon, Aviator Nation, The North Face & more. There are also plenty of parks for kids to play in, as well as a mini golf course, and a large field.

Where to Stay

We were fortunate enough to stay with our cousins during our Aspen summer adventure. But part of our crew stayed at the St. Regis hotel, conveniently located just down the hill, and steps from Aspen village. A part of the Marriot Bonvoy group, this is a great hotel to book if you’ve got points.

Where to Eat

We had some fantastic meals while in Aspen. Italian seemed to suit all tastes and dietary restrictions best and our two meals out certainly did not disappoint. The kids adored Brunalleschi’s with make-your-own pretzels and pizzas. They provided kids with dough, sauce, cheese, toppings and even paper chefs hats so they could prepare their pies at the table. Campo di Fior featured a more sophisticated dining experience with delicious pastas, salads and more. If you’re looking for a healthy snack in town, try Jus. All these restaurants are in the heart of town, and very walkable.

Stay tuned for part 2 of our summer family travel adventure coming soon! Aspen –> Moab –> Las Vegas –> Disneyland –> Los Angeles!