After visiting Denver a few times over the years, I knew it was finally time to venture deeper into the heart of Colorado—the mountain towns nestled high in the Rockies. This trip was my first time exploring the charming alpine villages beyond the Mile High City, and let me just say: I completely get the hype now.
Our home base for this adventure was Vail, and from there, we took scenic day trips to neighboring towns like Leadville, Aspen, Beaver Creek, and Breckenridge. One of the absolute highlights of this trip was catching the aspen trees at their fall peak—the leaves were glowing in shades of gold, burnt orange, and fiery red. Fall in the Rockies is a vibe all its own. Sure, it’s technically the off-season, which meant some restaurants and shops had reduced hours or were closed entirely, but that didn’t stop us from soaking up every moment. Even without skiing or hiking intense trails, this trip was the perfect cozy mountain escape.
Vail: Our Home Base in the Mountains
We stayed right outside of Vail Village and couldn’t have picked a better spot to unwind. One of the best surprises? We just happened to catch the very last Vail Farmers and Art Market of the season! Held on Sundays, this market was huge—think fresh produce, local honey, handmade jewelry, stunning artwork, pastries, and food trucks galore. Walking through the village with the mountains in the background and crisp autumn air was such a vibe.
Vail Village itself is filled with charming shops and restaurants, perfect for wandering. And after a day of exploring? Nothing beat relaxing in our hotel’s hot tub, especially with the mountain chill setting in. Add complimentary warm cookies in the afternoon and a cozy fire pit for nightly s’mores—yes please!
We also got to try some great restaurants in Vail that really added to the experience. Alpenrose was a standout—serving delicious European fare on the most beautiful and charming patio. We went all in with a giant pretzel and cheese sauce, big German beers, schnitzel, and apple strudel—basically all my favorites in one meal. For something more casual, Casa Jalisco in Lionshead Village served up tasty Mexican dishes that hit the spot. One day for lunch, we grabbed slices from Alpine Pizza Company, a walk-up window serving Detroit-style pizza—I had the hot honey pepperoni and it was absolutely perfect. And for our final dinner, we went to Lancelot, a classic old-style restaurant known for its prime rib and European specialties—an ideal send-off meal to wrap up the trip.
Leadville: Old Mining Town with Major Charm
One of our day trips took us to Leadville, the highest-elevation city in the U.S. (yep, it sits at 10,152 feet!). This little old mining town was full of character and history, with vintage architecture and lots of nods to its mining roots. We strolled through a few local shops and of course made a must-stop at High Mountain Pies—hands down some of the best pizza I’ve had in a while.
If you go, take a little time to drive around town and check out the old mine shafts and scenic overlooks. The surrounding mountains were glowing with fall colors and made for some seriously breathtaking views.
Aspen: Ghost Towns, High-End Shops & John Denver Magic
Our day trip to Aspen was one for the books. On the way there, we made a stop at Ashcroft Ghost Town, which felt like stepping back in time—but with a seriously beautiful backdrop. The restored buildings, flowing creek, towering aspens, and mountain views were stunning. We even learned about the Native American history of the area, which added such depth to the visit.
Once we got to Aspen, we had lunch at the cozy and charming White House Tavern—definitely don’t miss the chicken sandwich with spicy slaw and the house-smoked salmon toast. I’m still dreaming about that meal!
Aspen’s downtown is filled with luxe shops (hello Louis Vuitton) which were fun to window-shop, even if they’re a little outside my usual souvenir budget. But the real gem of Aspen for me was visiting the Hotel Jerome—gorgeous, historic, and worth a peek even if you’re not staying there. Just a short walk away is the John Denver Sanctuary, a peaceful park that felt like a love letter to nature and music. The stone-carved lyrics, the flowing stream, and the fact that John Denver is buried right there—it was incredibly moving, especially seeing “Rocky Mountain High” engraved into a rock across the creek. I didn’t realize until this trip that it’s the official state song of Colorado!
On the drive back, we took the scenic (and slightly terrifying) Independence Pass. With sheer drops, narrow roads, and minimal guardrails, it’s not for the faint of heart—but wow, the views from the top of the Rockies were absolutely worth the white knuckles.
Beaver Creek: Quiet but Cute in the Off Season
We also popped over to Beaver Creek, a neighboring ski resort village not far from Vail. Although many places were closed for the off-season, it was still fun to walk around and get a feel for the area. You can tell it transforms into a winter wonderland once the snow hits. The ski lifts and chalet-style buildings had me already dreaming about a snowy return trip.
Breckenridge: A Fall Favorite Full of Charm
Breckenridge ended up being my favorite town of the entire trip. Even without skiers, the town was buzzing with life and had such a welcoming, vibrant energy. Main Street was lined with adorable shops and restaurants, and of course, I couldn’t resist doing a little shopping. We had lunch at Blue Stag Saloon, known for their specialty game meats like bison, venison, duck, and elk. I ordered the duck ramen, and let me tell you—it was absolutely incredible. Paired with a local apricot beer and a sunny patio seat, it made for one of my favorite meals of the trip. The weather was perfect, and sitting outside with the golden aspens and mountain views in the distance felt like a total dream. Afterward, we went on a short hike to see Isak Heartstone, the famous wooden troll tucked away in the forest—such a fun and unique little adventure. They also had some historic railroad cars on display, which was a fun and interesting way to learn more about the town’s rich mining and transportation history. Before heading out, we made one last stop at Higgles Ice Cream, a small-batch craft ice cream shop where I tried the blackberry goat cheese flavor—refreshing, tangy, and just the right amount of sweet. Breckenridge truly stole my heart, and I’d go back in a heartbeat.
Final Thoughts: Fall in the Rockies is a Must
This trip reminded me that you don’t need to be hitting the slopes or hiking 10-mile trails to enjoy the magic of the Colorado mountains. Fall is such a special time to visit—fewer crowds, jaw-dropping foliage, crisp weather, and cozy town vibes at every turn. Whether you’re wandering farmers markets, exploring ghost towns, or just relaxing in a hot tub with mountain views, the Rockies have something for everyone.
If you’re looking for a laid-back mountain getaway that still delivers big on scenery, charm, and experiences—this is it. Add it to your fall travel bucket list, you won’t regret it.
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