Travel
Insider’s Guide to Aspen
More ways to dine and play your way through a visit to this legendary mountain town

EAT
Aspen has long been on the map as the place to see and be seen, but it’s the amazing local dining scene that really sets it apart from—and far above—other resort towns in the West.

D19 Local darling Dena Marino splits her time between this upscale Italian eatery and The Wild Fig next door. Favorites? Roman artichokes, bistecca, and hand-rolled pastas. Lunch, dinner and late-night drinks daily. Aspen chic dress.
Vitals: Located on the Mill Street Mall. 305 S. Mill St. (970) 925-6019

Montagna Chef Ryan Hardy and master sommelier Richard Betts are the town’s “A” team. Hardy makes his own charcuterie and cheese (as well as other tasty morsels); Betts is a recognized winemaker. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Elegant dress.
Vitals: Located in the Little Nell Hotel. 675 E. Durant Ave. (970) 920-6330

DISHAspen Chef Matt Zubrod, formerly of Willow Creek Bistro at the Ritz-Carlton Club, serves up homey fare with a twist, like lobster corn dogs, braised beef short ribs, and Rocky roast chicken. Dinner (and DISH of the Night) nightly. Aspen casual dress.
Vitals: Located downstairs on the Hyman Avenue Mall. 430 E. Hyman Ave. (970) 925-7119, dishaspen.com

Matsuhisa Aspen “New-style” sushi and sashimi a la celeb chef Nobu Matsuhisa, plus cutting-edge Japanese dishes and a see-and-be-seen crowd. Check out the lounge upstairs. Dinner nightly. Aspen chic dress.
Vitals: Located in the Victorian on the corner of Monarch and Main. 303 E. Main St. (970) 544-6628

L'Hostaria Owner-chef Tiziano Gortan's homemade carpaccio and pastas, osso bucco Milanese and vitello tonnato draw a dedicated crowd. Ditto the comfortable wine bar (with lots of Italian wines). Dinner nightly. Aspen casual dress.
Vitals: Located downstairs at 620 E. Hyman. (970) 925-9022, hostaria.com

Blue Maize A locals' favorite for killer margaritas, New World fajitas and Southwestern specialties like chile-rubbed rib-eyes and tortilla-crusted trout. Dinner nightly. Aspen cool dress.
Vitals: Located upstairs at 308 S. Hunter Street. (970) 925-6698

Woody Creek Tavern It's a trip. Log cabin outside, local eclectic inside. Grab a fresh lime margarita or Flying Dog brew, then hunker down for “nachos works” or Limousin beef burgers. Lunch and dinner daily. Casual dress.
Vitals: Located about six miles from town in Woody Creek (Hunter Thompson's old neighborhood). 0002 Woody Creek Plaza. (970) 923-4585

CULTURE
Manhattan, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles have nothing on Aspen when it comes to constant cultural offerings. Check in with the Aspen Chamber, the local papers or individual websites for schedules, and off you go.

Aspen Art Museum Rotating exhibitions and free lectures feature acclaimed artists and exhibitors at this unique museum, which is housed in what was the first hydroelectric plant west of the Mississippi. (970) 925-8050, aspenartmuseum.org

Wheeler Opera House Restored to its original 19th-century grandeur, the Wheeler presents an ongoing series of movies, dance, theater, music and comedy. (970) 920-5770, wheeleroperahouse.com

Aspen Music Festival During the winter, the internationally renowned Aspen Music Festival & School hosts concerts and performances in world-class Harris Hall. (970) 925-3254, aspenmusicfestival.com

Of course, you can always conduct your own cultural tour of dozens of local art galleries. Some highlights include the Baldwin Gallery (970-920-9797, baldwingallery.com) for contemporary art, Joel Soroka Gallery (970-920-3152) for fine art and contemporary photography, Omnibus Gallery (970-925-5567, omnibusgallery.com) for vintage poster art, Wind River Gallery (970-925-3919, windrivergallery.com) for fine Western American art and Galerie Maximillian (970-925-6100) for the masters.

FUN FOR FLATLANDERS
So many ski runs, so little time. But what if you don't ski, or simply want to take a break from the slopes?

Well, it's not just downhill, you know. You can cross-country ski, too, around the Aspen Golf Course, up along the Northstar Preserve, or up at Ashcroft to the Pine Creek Cookhouse. It's easy to learn, and skis may be rented at the Aspen Cross Country Center (970-925-2849), Ashcroft Ski Touring (970-925-1971), or other sports shops around town. Check there for snowshoe rentals, too, as well as recommendations for trails to hit (locals snowshoe up Buttermilk, and Aspen Mountain, too).