When fall hits, all that glitters in Aspen is indeed gold, with the occasional hint of fiery red or burnt orange flickering from its namesake trees.
And that’s exactly what makes the tony town a popular destination this time of year, with its exclusive shops and restaurants nestled right next to those gilded mountains.
It is possible to strike it rich in one of the most expensive towns in the state, though, without having to fork over a lot of cash, at these local hot spots.
EAT
Boogie’s Diner, 534 E. Cooper Ave., 970-925-6610. Even though it’s a diner, don’t expect Denny’s prices. But Boogie’s is still cheap by Aspen standards and offers great food, from thick milkshakes to fat burgers, golden fries and chunky mashed potatoes with meatloaf. The rock ‘n’ roll theme works, and the upstairs location gives you a chance to browse clothing and jewelry downstairs if it’s busy.
The Big Wrap, 520 E. Durant Ave., 970-544-1700. This place always wins the town’s annual “best cheap eats” awards, and for good reason: Sandwiched within its casual confines are about 10 options for quick, tasty, filling meals, globally inspired and each costing about $6. Try the international combos, each stuffed inside a tortilla flavored to match, or make up your own, and pair it with a giant smoothie.
Matsuhisa Lounge, 303 E. Main St., Aspen, 970-544-6628. The in-the-know crowd is hip to the fact that you can pay full price at Nobu Matsuhisa’s pricey sushi joint next door, or you can slip into the smaller, more casual lounge and pay budget prices for the same amazing fare. You make the call.
Merlin’s Gourmet Pizza, 321 E. Hopkins Ave., Aspen, 970-544-
4644. They stopped letting kids work up their own pizzas in the afternoons, but that doesn’t stop us from going to Merlin’s, which still makes a great pie, which gets a smoky quality on its thin crusts from the gas-fired oven. Good salads too.
Specialty Foods of Aspen, 601 E. Hopkins Ave., Aspen, 970-544-
6656. A smart stop for picnic fixings, Specialty makes sandwiches, salads and soups and drop-
dead-delicious desserts, and carries a great selection of imported cheeses.
Wienerstube, 633 E. Hyman Ave., 970-925-3357. The locals, who can be found lingering around here reading the paper every morning, call it “the Stube”; everyone else calls it heaven, especially after a plate of eggs Benedict with copious amounts of real hollandaise and German-import ham, and always a side of al dente asparagus. It features under-$6 meat-and-eggs specials and bakes a bread pudding so rich it makes one weep.
STAY
Gems of Aspen, 866-770-8358, gemsofaspen.com. You might not need to look any further than one of these spots when hunting for lodging bargains. This collective of inns, chalets, B&Bs and lodges – which includes such cool places as the Little Red Ski Haus (a Victorian B&B), the groovy Hotel Lenado and the Aspen Mountain property Holland House – actually makes it seem possible to stay in Aspen for less than $200 a night, sometimes much less. Really.
Boomerang Lodge, 500 W. Hopkins Ave., 800-992-8852. When you pay extra for everything these days, it’s the little freebies that count, and at the Boomerang, those would be the big bowls of fresh fruit, cereals and muffins in the morning that come with a stay at this nicely situated lodge, which sits next to Shadow Mountain surrounded by little gardens and patios that you can stretch out on during the cool fall afternoons.
Snowflake Inn, 221 E. Hyman Ave., 970-925-3221. Kitchens and kitchenettes make it extra-worthy, but this family-
friendly place makes sense for other reasons too: great location right in town (a half-block from the mall), spacious suites (up to three bedrooms in some), pool and sauna, reasonable rates.
Limelite Lodge, 228 E. Cooper St., 800-433-0832. The miner’s cabins are the real draw at the Limelite, which gets its name from the fact that the place used to be a nightclub. Just a few blocks off the mall, the lodge offers two swimming pools and free continental breakfast.
PLAY
Aspen Recreation Center, 970-242-4311, aspenrecreation
.com. You’d be hard-pressed to find such a deal anywhere, but to get so much for your buck in Aspen: For $15 per adult and $13 per child 2-17 each day, you get unlimited access to a three-level climbing wall, a pool with a slide, a steam room, sauna and jacuzzi, an NHL-sized ice arena (skate rental included), all the fitness centers with weight rooms and cardio equipment, and you can play tennis at the nearby Aspen Golf & Tennis Club.
P.E. 101, 500 E. Cooper St., 970-925-9317. While the rest of the crowd looks for furs and diamonds, folks longing for cool things to wear in the real world head to this oldie but goodie. P.E. 101 may be coming up on its 20th birthday but it keeps up on the latest trends out of L.A., and charges fair prices for them too. And everything in the store is organized by color, so the fashion-challenged have a fair shot.
Eric’s Bar, 315 E. Hyman Ave., 970-920-6707. If anyone knows how to be stingy with their money, it’s twentysomethings, and they flock to this beer-and-a-shot-of-whiskey bar. Or make that beer and a choice of one of the 50 or so types of whiskey on hand at this happening joint (no smoking, please).
Woody Creek Tavern, 0002 Woody Creek Plaza, 970-923-
4585. Sure, everyone knows this as the place the late Hunter S. Thompson hung out, but it’s also still the best no-frills spot for a decently priced drink and interesting conversation.
Conundrum Hot Springs in the Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness. It’s an 8.5-mile hike to get there, but these are free, natural hot springs, and if you go during the week chances are you’ll be the only ones there to enjoy the 3- and 4-foot-deep pair of pools. Also, if you don’t want to hike back out, you can camp in designated backcountry campsites. To get to the Conundrum Creek Trailhead from Aspen, take Colorado 82 west 5 miles to Castle Creek Road.
Travel editor Kyle Wagner can be reached at 303-820-1599 or travel@denverpost.com.
