Aspen

Stock up on fall produce: Held annually until early October, the Aspen Saturday Market is an edible showcase for Colorado farms and artisans. The massive downtown market, which runs through Oct. 7 this year, features the freshest local sundries. In fall, that means apples aplenty, along with jams, meats, breads, gourds, sweet potatoes and much more.

Embark on a pre-winter hike: Around here, snow doesn’t descend until November, which means hiking trails beckon for most of the season. An apt way to fully immerse yourself amid the gilded aspen groves, trails come in all different lengths and difficulty levels, like the 3.5-mile Crater Lake Trail that culminates at a mirror-like lake reflecting Colorado’s mightiest mountains in the background.

Winter

Cooler, cozier temperatures make for a comfy post-summer escape, preempting the winter tourism season in a town that’s typically relaxed during the fall months. Filled with shops, restaurants, festivals and historic sites, there’s no shortage of autumnal action to be had in Aspen.

Indulge in Alpine comfort food: Whisk your tastebuds to the Alps via French Alpine Bistro, a rustic restaurant that’s just as charming and cozy as the name implies. The dining room, with its wood- and fur-clad motif and flickering candles, is just as comforting as the cuisine, which includes classic — and unabashedly buttery — French fare like escargots, moules mariniere, boeuf Bourguignon and coq au vin, along with Alpine specialties like Raclette cheese melting over potatoes.

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Staying true to the “Garden to Glass” philosophy, the cocktail program at Hotel Jerome is designed to highlight the best of the season and showcase the herbs and flowers grown in its' own garden.

BAG CHECK

Even when temps are high-ish during the day, they tend to drop dramatically after sunset, so you’re better off playing it safe with layers, scarves, hats and gloves.

Float high above the foliage: The Aspen area is awash in stunning foliage from September through October, and there’s no better way to witness it all than from the basket of a hot air balloon. The annual Snowmass Balloon Festival, held Sept. 22-24 this year, is an awe-inspiring experience that sees more than 30 decorative balloons soaring through the mountain valley over a sea of lustrous flora.

One of the most spectacular times of the year in Aspen, valleys filled with golden trees come alive in the fall season. << Go mountain biking through the woods: The Aspen area is as revered for mountain biking as it is for snow, and fall is the prime time to zoom down the trails in style. The Roaring Fork Valley, in particular, was designated a Gold-Level Ride Center, which means Aspen and Snowmass offer 300+ miles of biking trails for every level of expertise, along with the Snowmass Bike Park and the 42-mile Rio Grande Trail connecting the two towns.

Cast a line in the river: For a unique autumnal experience, pull on some waders and go fly fishing. From both the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork Rivers, fall is high season for rainbow trout and brown trout — an experience made all the more magical by the fact that you’re surrounded by a sea of vibrant trees.

NAMESAKE ASPEN TREE IS THE STAR BOTANICAL ATTRACTION HERE, AND RIGHTFULLY SO. NOT ONLY DOES IT CAST A GOLDEN GLOW ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN VALLEY DURING THE FALL MONTHS, BUT THIS FASCINATING SPECIMEN IS ACTUALLY ONE LARGER ORGANISM INTERCONNECTED VIA AN EXTENSIVE ROOT SYSTEM, WITH EACH TREE BEING A GENETIC REPLICANT OF THE OTHERS. IN OTHER WORDS, ASPEN TREES ARE ALL CLONES.

Pair luxury with lore at the Hotel Jerome: Open since 1889, the decadent Hotel Jerome is as historic as it is ornate, seamlessly blending Wild West vibes with contemporary amenities (ahem, antler chandeliers). The Main Street property boasts a chic spa, American bistro fare at Prospect restaurant and cocktails at J-Bar, a neo-saloon known for its bourbon.

Go on a shopping spree: For a small mountain town, Aspen boasts a dynamic shopping scene on par with much more metropolitan cities. In addition to outdoorsy brands like Patagonia and Lululemon, and high-end retail like Gucci and Prada, boutiques include Maison Ullens for women’s fashion, Cos Bar for soaps and fragrances, Little Bird for vintage finds and Testosterone for men’s apparel.

Dig into some soulful stew: The onset of fall means an uptick in comfort food cravings, which makes The Stew Pot destination number one. A longstanding, iconic restaurant in Snowmass, the homey eatery specializes in hearty stews like old-fashioned beef and habanero pork, along with sandwiches, burritos and a full slate of craft beers.