Summer season tours begin the week of June 18, 2019.
Select tours are offered by appointment during the spring, dependent on guide availability. See details below.
NEW – AHS money-back guarantee “Learn something NEW, or we’ll give your money back to you!”
New for summer 2019, AHS will offer 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.
A guided 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 and 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
By appointment only through June 18, 2019 (dependent on guide availability)
Tuesday – Friday (June 18 – October 4)*
10:30am & 1:30pm (2 ¼ hours in duration)
Meet at the Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave.
*no tour on Independence Day, Thursday, July 4, 2019
COST
$25 adults / $20 seniors & children 18 and under (must be accompanied by an adult)
Limit 5 seats, reservations required, call 970.925.3721 to book.
a walking tour to explore examples of bauhaus principles that continue to inspire local design, including one of herbert bayer’s former residences, as well as styles introduced by bayer that have influenced area architects for decades. this tour supplements the exhibit “bayer & bauhaus: how design shaped aspen”, on display at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum. the tour is made possible in part by the city of aspen in honor of the community-wide bauhaus 100: aspen celebrations.
details
tuesdays & fridays (June 18 – October 4)
10:30am (2 hours in duration)
meet at the corner of aspen and hallam streets at the red brick center for the arts, 110 e hallam st.
cost
$15 adults / $12 seniors / children 18 and under free (must be accompanied by an adult)
no reservations necessary
A stroll through Aspen’s Victorian West End with a focus on history and architecture. Learn little-known facts about the neighborhood’s homes and the people who lived in them.
DETAILS
By appointment only through June 18, 2019 (dependent on guide availability)
Thursdays at 10:30am; Saturdays at 1:30pm (June 18 – October 5)*
(1½ hours in duration)
Meet at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum, 620 W Bleeker St.
*no tour on Independence Day, Thursday, July 4, 2019
COST
$15 adult / $12 senior / children 18 and under free (must be accompanied by an adult)
no reservations necessary
A guided walking tour of historic buildings, sites, and stories around every corner in downtown Aspen.
DETAILS
By appointment only through June 18, 2019 (dependent on guide availability)
Wednesdays & Saturdays (June 18 – October 5)
10:30am (1½ hours in duration)
Meet at the Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave.
COST
$15 adult / $12 senior / children 18 and under free (must be accompanied by an adult)
no reservations necessary
A guided tour of Aspen’s historic haunts to explore each establishment’s history, legendary libations, and local lore. The tour meets at the Red Onion, continues to Aspen Public House and Aspen Brewing Company at Aspen Tap, and finishes at J-Bar in the Hotel Jerome.
DETAILS
Thursdays (June 20 – October 3)*
3:30pm (1½ hours in duration)
Meet at the Red Onion, 420 E Cooper Ave.
*no tour on Independence Day, Thursday, July 4, 2019
COST
$20, includes short drink at each stop. Must be 21 or older to participate.
Space limited, reservations required, call 970.925.3721 to book
A monthly guided tour to experience the mining and ranching exhibits at the Holden/Marolt Museum property, which is situated on the site of the largest industrial complex in the history of Pitkin County. The tour will explore restored machinery, including operating steam engines, stamp mills and hoists and will feature exclusive access to the historic Zupancis homestead, including a miners-cabin-turned-Victorian-home, a barn and a chicken coop that were moved to the property from downtown Aspen.
DETAILS
Third Friday of each month: June 21, July 19, August 16 & September 20
1:30pm (1½ hours in duration)
Meet at the Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum, 40180 HWY 82 (adjacent to the public bike path, on the Marolt Open Space across the pedestrian bridge at 7th Street)
COST
$15 adult / $12 senior / children 18 and under free (must be accompanied by an adult)
Tour fee includes museum admission at Holden/Marolt Museum
no reservations necessary
A guided tour of Aspen’s iconic Hotel Jerome, which has been at the center of community life since the doors opened in 1889.
DETAILS
Tuesdays & Thursdays (June 18 – October 3)
1:30pm (1 hour in duration)
Meet in the Hotel Jerome lobby, 330 E Main St.
COST
$15 adult / $12 senior / children 18 and under free (must be accompanied by an adult)
free for Hotel Jerome guests
no reservations necessary
A free tour offering an insider’s look at the iconic Wheeler Opera House building, including its recent renovations and storied past. The center of Aspen’s arts and cultural scene since it was built in 1889, learn how the Wheeler Opera House has stood the test of time.
DETAILS
Wednesdays (June 19 – October 2)*
1:30pm (1 hour in duration)
Meet in the lobby of the Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave.
*there is no tour on June 26, 2019 due to Wheeler Opera House operations
COST
Free in partnership with the Wheeler Opera House (children must be accompanied by an adult)
No reservations necessary
A free tour to explore the incredible history of the many silver mines on Smuggler Mountain. Guests will be transported by jeep up Smuggler Mountain Rd. where they’ll hike through ruins and artifacts. The tour does not enter any mines.
DETAILS
Wednesdays (June 19 – August 28)
9am (2 hours in duration)
Meet at Gondola Plaza, 555 E Durant Ave.
COST
FREE in partnership with City of Aspen and Blazing Adventures
Limited seats, reservations required, call 970.925.3721 to book.
A guided “backstage” tour of the renovated archive and research facility! The tour includes viewing of the Durrance Photograp Display in the Community Gallery, as well as a look at artifacts in the AHS Collection.
DETAILS
Third Tuesdays, June 18; July 16; August 20; September 17
11am (1 hour in duration)
Archive Building at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum, 620 W Bleeker St.
COST
Free
Discover the hidden history within the area’s classic hikes! From downtown to high above Independence Pass to Castle Creek, the series allows hikers of all levels to choose their adventure through time. Choose your favorite trail, or perhaps one you’ve never explored. Can’t decide? Join for them all!
DETAILS
Saturdays, specific dates and trails below
9AM (duration varies depending on the trail)
Meeting place varies by hike, see below
COST
$10 / Free for AHS Lixiviator Members and above
A unique interpretive museum housed in one of Aspen’s most celebrated Victorian mansions. Museum admission includes access to the second floor gallery, where the new exhibition “bayer & bauhaus: how design changed aspen” is on display through 2020 (click here to learn more about the exhibit.) A docent is available to show guests through the Museum and answer questions during open hours.
DETAILS
Open with docent onsite Tuesday – Saturday, from 11am – 5pm*
620 W Bleeker Street (between 5th and 6th Streets)
*Closed on Independence Day, Thursday, July 4, 2019
ADMISSION*
Free for AHS members
$10 adults / $8 seniors / children 18 and under free (must be accompanied by an adult)
Free for active military personnel through the Blue Star program
Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month and on Tuesday, July 2, 2019
*Admission fee includes access to the Holden/Marolt Museum during the summer.
ABOUT THE MUSEUM
The Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum explores the industrial and agricultural history of the Aspen area. From mining to railways to ranching, the past comes alive at this pastoral museum that sits on the site of the largest industrial complex in the history of Pitkin County, The Holden Lixiviation Works. The historic Zupancis cabins were recently moved to the property and are being restored to help tell the story of the Quiet Years and immigrants who helped shape the area. The Holden/Marolt Museum is directly adjacent to a public bike trail near the entrance to Aspen. New this summer, AHS extends free museum admission to visitors who either bike or walk to the museum! A docent is available to show guests through the Museum and answer questions during open hours.
DETAILS
Open by appointment only until June 11, 2019
Open with docent onsite Tuesday – Saturday, 9am – 5pm (June 18 – October 5)*
40180 HWY 82 (adjacent to the public bike path, on the Marolt Open Space across the pedestrian bridge at 7th Street)
*closed on Independence Day, Thursday, July 4, 2019
ADMISSION*
Free for AHS members
$10 adult / $8 senior / free for children under 18 (must be accompanied by an adult)
Free for car-free visitors**
Free for active military personnel through the Blue Star program
Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month
*Admission fee includes access to the Wheeler/Stallard Museum during the summer
**New this summer, AHS extends free museum admission to visitors who either bike or walk to the museum on the bike path!
