Aspen Self-Guided Tour: Tales of Wealth, Wildness and Rebellion

Aspen is a town where the mountains are steep, the parties are legendary, and the truth is often stranger than fiction. On this self-guided walking tour, you’ll discover the rebellious spirit and untold stories behind Aspen’s glittering facade, from counterculture movements to celebrity hideaways. This 60-minute tour starts at the historic Old Armory, once Aspen’s City Hall. You’ll explore the former headquarters of Hunter S. Thompson’s outrageous campaign for sheriff, where the father of gonzo journalism hoped to disarm police and rename Aspen “Fat City” to deter investors. You’ll weave downtown, past designer boutiques housed in Victorian-era buildings, and along peaceful trails with natural beauty that’s drawn both celebrities and free spirits for decades. The tour ends at the peaceful John Denver Sanctuary, across the Ron Krajian Bridge and tucked along the banks of the Roaring Fork River, where the beloved singer-songwriter found inspiration for his most iconic songs.

From: $0.00

Location: Aspen

What's Included

Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
App for Android and iOS
Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

Community Discussion

Q&A

Q: Is the Aspen self-guided tour suitable for kids? I want to gift it to my family.

A: Yes, it's suitable for kids! The tour is flexible, so you can take it at your own pace, which makes it great for families. Just keep in mind that some of the stories might touch on adult themes since it's about the counterculture and celebrities. But overall, it’s a fun way to explore Aspen together.

Q: What should I wear for the self-guided tour? Any recommendations?

A: Dress comfortably! Since it’s a walking tour, wear good walking shoes. The weather in Aspen can be unpredictable, so layering is key. A light jacket might be a good idea, and don't forget sunscreen if it’s sunny! You’ll be exposed to the elements at some points.

Q: Can I reschedule my tour if something comes up? What's the policy?

A: Since this is a self-guided tour, you have lifetime access to the content after your booking date. So, if you need to reschedule, you can just do it whenever you want! The app gives you directions and maps, so you can do it at your convenience.

Discussions

Thinking about gifting the Aspen walking tour - anyone done it?

I’m thinking about getting the self-guided tour in Aspen for my parents. They love history and the outdoors! I’ve read that it covers cool stuff like Hunter S. Thompson's campaign, and it ends at the John Denver Sanctuary, which sounds lovely. Has anyone tried this? How was the experience?

Aspen tour - is it really worth it?

I'm on the fence about this self-guided tour in Aspen. I mean, it's free, which is awesome! But is it actually interesting? I don’t want to waste a day wandering around if it’s not fun. Any insight?