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 13, 2022 and runs through April 15th, 2023. Check back in mid-May for the summer tours schedule.
Most tours require advance registration (except the Wheeler Opera House Tour and the on-mountain ski tours). Most tours are capped at a maximum of 12 participants. Children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Current public health regulations are observed.
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 13 – April 13
Tuesdays & Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. (1 hour)
Meets in the lobby of the Hotel Jerome, 330 E. Main Street
COST:
$15 adult / $12 seniors and children 18 and under
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:
December 16 – April 15
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:
$15 adult / $12 seniors and 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 11 – April 12
Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. (1 hour) (No tour on March 15th due to Opera House operations.)
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.
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 display Maps Through the Decades 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, December 20; January 17; February 21; March 21
11 a.m. (1 hour)
Meets in the Archives Community Gallery, 620 W. Bleeker St.
COST:
Free, advance registration required.
The following on-mountain History Ski Tours are led by Aspen/Snowmass Ambassadors and volunteer historians. Tours do not require reservations but space is limited to first come, first served. Ski or snowboard equipment and a lift ticket are required as these tours meet on the mountain and ski moderate terrain.
Aspen Highlands History Ski Tour with Aspen/Snowmass Ambassador
Ski with Dan Sadowsky, an Aspen/Snowmass Ambassador and volunteer historian to learn about Aspen Highlands’ “maverick,” innovative, and unique past.
DETAILS:
December 12 – April 4
Mondays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (1 hour)
Meets at the mid-mountain 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 boots 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. and 1 p.m. (1 hour)
Meets at the guest services cabin below the Sundeck (by the “nest” and the Gentleman’s Ridge Chair terminus)
COST:
FREE courtesy of Aspen/Snowmass, lift ticket required, space limited subject to Aspen/Snowmass current policies and capacity restrictions
During the winter, select tours are offered by appointment, dependent on availability. Call 970.925.3721 for prices and to book.
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:
10:30 am (1.5 hours)
Meets at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum, 620 W Bleeker St.
COST:
$15 adult / $12 seniors and children 18 and under
bauhaus architectural walking tour
A guided walking tour through Aspen’s West End residential neighborhood exploring examples of bauhaus-influence and other modern design principles that continue to inspire local design. The tour ends on the grounds of the Aspen Institute.
DETAILS:
10:30 a.m. (2 hours)
Meets at 110 E Hallam St. at the corner of Aspen & Hallam (by the Red Brick Center for the Arts gymnasium)
COST:
$15 adult / $12 seniors and children 18 and under
Red Butte Cemetery Tour
A guided walking tour of one of Aspen’s cemeteries, including insight into the lives of the locals who are buried there.
DETAILS:
1:30 p.m. (1 hour)
Meets and ends at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum, 620 W. Bleeker St. Includes transportation to and from the cemetery in the AHS History Coach electric vehicle.
COST:
$15 adult / $12 seniors and children 18 and under
History Coach 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:
Offered by appointment, dependent on availability
1:30 p.m. (2 ¼ hours)
Meets by the fountain across from the Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave.
COST:
$25 adult / $20 seniors and children 18 and under
Limit 5 guests
