Tours

AHS offers guided tours of the historical sites and scenes around Aspen, a fun and and educational way to explore area history.

The winter tour schedule begins December 12, 2023.

Most tours require advance registration. Children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Private tours and guided experiences are offered based on guide availability, call 970.925.3721 to book.

AHS money-back guarantee “Learn something NEW, or we’ll give your money back to you!”
AHS offers a money-back guarantee for all guided tours! We’re confident you’ll learn something from our historians and trained interpretive guides, but if not, we’ll happily refund your tour fee.

Hotel Jerome Tour

Bask in the history of Aspen as you relax in the lobby of the iconic Hotel Jerome, which has been at the center of community life since its doors opened in 1889. Includes a brief tour of the lobby and first floor area as you experience the history of Aspen as seen through the eyes of the Hotel Jerome.

DETAILS:
December 10 – April 11
Tuesdays & Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. (1 hour)
Meets in the lobby of the Hotel Jerome, 330 E. Main Street

COST:
$25 adult / $20 seniors / free for children 18 and under (must be accompanied by an adult)
Free for Hotel Jerome guests

Historical Downtown Walking Tour

A guided walking tour of historical buildings in downtown Aspen, with interesting stories around every corner. This tour ends at the historic Hotel Jerome.

DETAILS:
February 2 – March 30
Fridays & Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. (1.5 hours; weather dependent)
Meets across the street from the Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave.

COST:
$25 adult / $20 seniors / free for children 18 and under (must be accompanied by an adult)

Wheeler Opera House Tour

Enjoy a guided tour inside the Wheeler Opera House, the center of Aspen’s arts and cultural scene since it was built in 1889. This free tour in partnership with the City of Aspen’s Wheeler Opera House offers an insider’s look at the iconic building, including its recent renovations and storied past. The Wheeler Opera House is also part of the Colorado Historic Opera Houses Circuit, which was formed in 2022 and includes five opera houses in the mountains of Colorado where visitors can experience “a world-class performance in an elegant historic setting that still carries the mystique of Colorado’s early mining boom days.”

DETAILS:
January 17; February 7 – March 27
Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. (1 hour)
Meet in the Wheeler Opera House lobby, 320 E Hyman Ave

COST:
FREE in partnership with the Wheeler Opera House
No reservations necessary; space limited, first-come, first-served.

ski_tour
Aspen Highlands History Ski Tour with Aspen/Snowmass Ambassador

Ski with Aspen/Snowmass Ambassador and volunteer historian Dan Sadowski to learn about Aspen Highlands’ “maverick,” innovative, and unique past.

DETAILS:
December 12 – April 4
Mondays at 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. (1 hour)
Meet at the guest services cabin outside Merry Go Round

COST:
FREE courtesy of Aspen/Snowmass, lift ticket required, space limited subject to Aspen/Snowmass current policies and capacity restrictions

Aspen Mountain History Ski Tour with Aspen/Snowmass Ambassador

Learn about the amazing mining and ski history lying literally beneath your skis as you tour Aspen Mountain with Tony Vagneur, an Aspen/Snowmass Ambassador, Aspen native, and volunteer historian.

DETAILS:
December 2 – April 15
Fridays at 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. (1 hour)
Meet at the guest service cabin below the Sundeck

COST:
FREE courtesy of Aspen/Snowmass, lift ticket required, space limited subject to Aspen/Snowmass current policies and capacity restrictions

Archives Tour

A guided “backstage” tour of the AHS Archives and research facility! The tour includes insight into the artifact accessioning process, a viewing of the Aspen Illustrated News display in the Community Gallery, access to the underground “vault” where much of the AHS Collection is stored, and close-up looks at artifacts of note.

DETAILS:
Third Tuesdays, January 16; February 20; March 19
3 p.m. (1 hour)
Meets in the Archives Community Gallery, 620 W. Bleeker St.

COST:
Free, advance registration required.

Tours by appointment (based on availability)

During the winter months, the following tours are offered by appointment, dependent on guide availability. Call 970.925.3721 to book.

History Coach (Electric Vehicle) Tour

A guided driving tour of historic downtown Aspen in our unique electric vehicle – complete with a visit to both the Wheeler/Stallard Museum and the Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum. Guests gain a totally new understanding of Aspen’s transformations from a mining town to ski town to year-round, world-famous resort!

DETAILS:
(2 ¼ hours)
Meets and ends in front of the Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave.

COST:
$35 adult / $30 senior and children 18 and under (must be accompanied by an adult)
Limit 5 guests

Midcentury Modern Walking Tour

A guided walking tour through Aspen’s West End residential neighborhood exploring examples of Bauhaus influence and other modern aesthetic principles that continue to inspire local design. The tour ends on the grounds of the Aspen Institute.

DETAILS:
(2 hours)
Meets at 110 E Hallam St. at the corner of Aspen & Hallam (by the Red Brick Center for the Arts gymnasium)

COST:
$25 adult / $20 seniors / free for children 18 and under (must be accompanied by an adult)

Victorian West End Walking Tour

A guided stroll through Aspen’s Victorian West End residential neighborhood, with a focus on history and architecture. Learn little-known facts about the neighborhood’s homes and the people who lived in them. This tour ends at the historic Hotel Jerome

DETAILS:
(1.5 hours)
Meets at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum, 620 W Bleeker St.

COST:
$25 adult / $20 seniors / free for children 18 and under (must be accompanied by an adult)