From old coal mining towns to real western dude ranches, you can get a dose of history and a bit of exercise on side trips away from the average Aspen routine.
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Pine Creek Cookhouse/Ashcroft Ghost Town
Travel to historic Ashcroft, once a bustling mining town. From there, ski or travel by horse-drawn carriage to Pine Creek Cookhouse for regional delicacies like seared elk tenderloin.
11 miles south of downtown; Castle Creek Rd.; Ashcroft, CO; 970-925-1044; www.pinecreekcookhouse.com
Tags:family | historic | outdoors | scenic
T-Lazy-7 Ranch
Situated at the base of Maroon Bells, the most photographed peaks in North America, this working ranch is a great place to come for snowmobiling, horseback riding, and lunch.
5 miles west of downtown; 3129 Maroon Creek Rd.; Aspen, CO; 970-925-4614; www.tlazy7.com
Tags:family | outdoors | scenic
Redstone
Explore this 19th-century coal mining town on the edge of the Maroon Bells Wilderness Area. Peruse the quaint shops and take a tour of the century old tudor-style Redstone Castle.
48 miles east of downtown; Redstone, CO; 970-963-3408; www.redstonecolorado.com
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