Long before Aspen became an uber-popular skiing and dining destination, the town was part of the Ute Native American Tribe’s summer hunting grounds for elk, bears and mountain lions. The region became known nationally in the late-19th century when silver was found in the mountains and Aspen became a silver-mining town of about 12,000 residents. When silver faded away, so did Aspen, until the 1940s when “the Aspen Idea” was born: “a place where mind, body and spirit could be one” amidst a backdrop of outdoor sports like skiing and hiking, intellectual discussion and cultural events. Add to that world-class dining and it’s easy to see why Aspen is a popular destination for meeting and event planners. 

 

Why Aspen 

  • Aspen gets 300 days of sunshine and 300 inches of snow annually.  

  • The City of Aspen is 100% powered by renewable energy. 

  • More than 80 restaurants that appeal to every appetite, and Aspen hosts the annual Food & Wine Classic, a culinary showcase. 

 

What’s New in Aspen 

  • The Aspen Institute, a platform for dialogue, leadership and action, celebrates 75 years in 2025. 

  • Aspen has earned its Mountain IDEAL certification as a sustainable mountain resort destination. 

  • Meeting and event planners are invited to take the Aspen Pledge; a donation to a local beneficiary organization in their names.  

 

There are plenty of options when it comes to things to see and do in Aspen, as well as fabulous spots to grab a bite to eat or host a power breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Here are a few spots to pique your interest and help ensure your clients will enjoy their time in the Colorado mountains. 

 

 

SEE 

 

Wheeler Opera House 

Photo: Aspen Chamber Resort Association

 

Built in 1889, the Wheeler Opera House is an Aspen institution, welcoming musical acts, comedians, theatrical productions and more to its stage ever since. The iconic and historic venue is also available for private events with seating for up to 475 guests, while the even more intimate Vault can accommodate 105.  

 

Local History 

Photo: Aspen Historical Society

 

Stretch your legs and learn the history of this mountain town on a guided walking tour. Eras of Aspen: Downtown History Tour will take your group past historical buildings, sites and scenes of Aspen, while your guide shares interesting and engaging stories that will provide your guests with a sense of place. Tours are available year-round. 

 

Panoramic Views 

Photo: Tamara Susa

 

Ride the Silver Queen Gondola to the top of Aspen Mountain, a whopping 11,200 feet in the sky. From this vantage point you will enjoy 360-degree views not only of the city below, but the Rocky Mountains, too. Rather than rushing back down, stay at the top awhile and breathe in the fresh mountain air while enjoying hiking, a round of disc golf, live music and some bites to refuel your body. 

 

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and Operation Altitude, a Hosts Global Member. 

 

DO 

 

Maroon Bells 

Photo: C2 Photography

 

Get your blood pumping on a bike ride through Maroon Bells, a series of bell-shaped, wine-colored mountain peaks soaring more than 14,000 feet into the sky. Whether you opt for a traditional or e-bike, this slow method of travel enables you to take in the beautiful vistas, including meadows of wildflowers, groves of Aspen trees, alpine tundra and glacial Maroon Creek Valley.  

 

Scavenger Hunt 

Photo: C2 Photography

 

Invite your guests to go on an old-fashioned scavenger hunt through Aspen. A series of tasks and questions will have groups crisscrossing through town, including the likes of a wine and cheese or beer tasting, exploring historic buildings, taking a gondola ride, chatting up the locals, or visiting the John Denver Memorial, to name a few. 

 

Take a Food Tour 

As host of the annual Food & Wine Classic and home to more than 80 restaurants, to say the food in Aspen is good is an understatement. Arrange a food tour for your guests and your host will take you to local spots for tastes that will leave you wanting more. Sprinkle in some history and culture along the way and you’ve got the perfect outing.  

 

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and Operation Altitude, a Hosts Global Member. 

 

 

EAT 

 

Sant Ambroeus 

Photo: Sant Ambroeus Aspen Restaurant Website

 

One of the newest restaurants in town is Sant Ambroeus, inspired by its origins in Milan, Italy, and the fresh produce from the Rocky Mountain rivers and farms that surround Aspen. Housed in one of the most historic buildings in downtown Aspen, dating back to 1889, and open for lunch and dinner, Sant Ambroeus is a restaurant, coffee bar, gelateria and bar rolled into one. Private dining is available. 

 

ZIGZAG 

Photo: Bridget Crosby/ZigZag Aspen Website

For a vibe that’s chalet casual, make reservations for lunch or dinner at ZIGZAG, where “culinary ambition meets mountain mystique.” In the heart of the kitchen is Aspen’s last wood-burning oven from which delectable pizzas are served. A raw bar features oysters, shellfish and caviar, while entrees include Mussels and Fries; a seven-ounce Tenderloin with parmesan pistou, asparagus and whipped potatoes; and a ZZ Smash Burger served with fries or a salad.  

 

Yuki Aspen

Photo: Yuki Aspen Website 

 

Chef Nobu Matsuhisa takes his inspiration from a lifetime of travels and learning and presents a menu filled with world cuisine at Yuki Aspen. From Wagyu and fish tacos, Wagyu and seafood carpaccio to start, to dumplings, Japanese-inspired pizzas, noodles and tantalizing seafood and meat entrees, there’s plenty to enjoy. Carnivores will want to order the Yuki-Style Chateaubriand made with A5 Miyazaki Wagyu. Private dining will soon be available.  

 

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and Operation Altitude, a Hosts Global Member. 

 

STAY 

 

ALHI Members Aspen Meadows Resort, Limelight Aspen and The Little Nell, Aspen are ready to welcome you and your guests to the stunning mountain town. 

 

Aspen Meadows Resort 

Retreat to Aspen Meadows Resort for your next meeting or event. Set on 40 sweeping acres, the resort boasts 16 meeting rooms across six buildings for 22,000 square feet of meeting and event space, not to mention the great outdoors. Add to that 96 newly-renovated guest suites – it’s an all-suite property – and you and your guests may never want to leave. Make one of the nights a night to remember with stargazing complemented by late-night bites and, of course, s’mores. 

 

Limelight Aspen 

Steps away from the gondola and in the heart of downtown is Limelight Aspen, a hotel that pays homage to the town’s past while at the same time offering a modern aesthetic blended with laid back luxury. All of the 96 spacious guest rooms and suites are generously appointed with plush bedding, a culinary nook with coffee maker, and enough room to spread out and relax. When it comes to work, transform the more than 7,500 square feet of meeting and event space to meet your needs. 

 

The Little Nell, Aspen 

Recently awarded One MICHELIN Key in recognition of exceptional hospitality experiences, The Little Nell, Aspen is the town’s only five-star, five-diamond hotel. When your guests stay at The Little Nell they’ll be pampered with personalized service, spacious accommodations in 92 guest rooms, and stunning mountain views that will make it hard to leave. The 16,200 square feet of meeting and event space can accommodate groups of up to 500, or host an intimate gathering of 20. Like everything else at The Little Nell, the choice is yours. 

 

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and Operation Altitude, a Hosts Global Member.