Colorado is famous for its winter sports, but we think summer might be the best time to visit. After the ski bums have packed it in for the season, Aspen comes alive with plenty of outdoor activities, great restaurants and one cultural festival after another. To help you get to know the other side of this town, check out our favorite picks below.

EAT: There's no shortage of great restaurants, but we love the Cooking School of Aspen for dinner. Foodies should make the 30-mile trek to Restaurant Six89 in Carbondale. Well worth the scenic drive, chef Mark Fischer's crisp gnocchi salad with spring shrooms and asparagus, and stuffed squash blossom are not to be missed!

LISTEN: During the winter, the town's celebrities are on the slopes, but during the summer you can find musicians like Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis and Madeleine Peyroux on stage. Aspen and neighboring Snowmass offer various musical festivals and concerts throughout the season, and if you're in town for Labor Day, catch headliners like the Allman Brothers, Joss Stone, and Ben Harper.

PLAY: After the snow stops falling, a good place to hike is the Maroon Bells, famously immortalized by Ansel Adams. Colorado's steep mountains also attract droves of high-altitude bikers. There's a nice riding path along the Roaring Fork River, which is relatively flat and is quite scenic; rent bikes and helmets in town from a number of shops, including Aspen Velo and Aspen Sports.

- Noah Rothbaum

RANDOM TANGENT:
Book yourself a bed at The Sky Hotel. Its heated outdoor pool boasts a breathtaking view of Aspen Mountain.

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