Favorite picks from your neighbor in Aspen.

Amid the worldwide pandemic on June 1, 2020, my fiancée and I decided to pack up our life and fly the 1,971 miles from New York City to Aspen, Colorado. We only brought what we would need for a month-long journey. After that month, there were two, six, eight, and so on until now. We've never left, my friends, for that reason. I'm thankful every day for the choice that was made during the game.

It's a gift to be able to call Aspen home during this genuinely historic period. We've not only had the chance to eat at top-notch establishments and take in the area's breathtaking scenery, but we've also learned about and come to appreciate the very real contrast between the town's present and its past.

A century-old western clothing store offering locally sourced leather items and indigenous fabrics may be found just a few steps away from gleaming art galleries loaded with chrome sculptures and neon lights. One of the top ski-in, ski-out apres-ski bars serving champagne and caviar to Hollywood starlets can be found if you walk a few hundred yards further. In a few more steps, you might find yourself sipping beer next to someone who faintly like Kurt Russell and who is most definitely Kurt Russel in a historic hotel bar.

Aspen may be most recognized for being a top-notch ski town, but it also has a thriving culinary scene with some of the most popular chefs in the world. Life in the present while embracing the future is utopian living at its finest.

Travelers who want to sample Aspen's offerings in this post-pandemic era will find a host of brand-new accommodations, as well as a long list of old favorites when they arrive. You're ready to explore like a local. Here are some of the locations we've discovered that stand out in this A-list city.

Places to Stay
 

In collaboration with Stonehill Taylor, the Limelight Hotel, which initially opened its doors in 2005, recently completed a complete restoration. Visitors to the "new" Limelight will enjoy modernized designs influenced by Aspen's past. Even a modern penthouse suite is available, featuring a living area, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fireplace, a fully functional private kitchen, and a terrace.

Check out Aspen Street Lodge, an all-suite boutique hotel on the peaceful named street just a few feet from downtown Restaurant Row, for a more individualized experience. A heated boot room, rental bikes, a full bar, oversized gear lockers, a movie and game room, and lessons and excursions with on-site ski world champion Chris Davenport are just a few of the attractions available to guests.

Of course, every regular traveler to Aspen eventually finds up at The Little Nell, and with good reason. The lobby has served as the town's informal living room for more than 30 years. The region's first and only five-star, five-diamond hotel, which opened in 1989 and had a subsequent comprehensive restoration in 2009, has been the definition of ski-in/ski-out joy ever since. Guests enjoy a flawless stay thanks to the opulent in-room amenities, knowledgeable outfitters, and an elite concierge crew.

What to Eat
 

You can now enjoy Chica's enhanced Latin-American food while visiting Aspen thanks to its new residency at The Little Nell. Chica is a dynamic Latin-American eatery with outlets in Miami and Las Vegas. Of course, eat, but stay for the cocktails. Throughout the season, the restaurant promises a vibrant wine and mixology program.

In the mood to carbo-load? The best Italian food in town is served at Casa D'Angelo, so indulge. Just off Main Street, the restaurant is located in an indoor/outdoor, light-filled second-floor location that provides visitors with expansive panoramic views of Aspen Mountain.

Make a reservation at Cache Cache, a restaurant serving "heartfelt" French-American fare in the center of downtown Aspen, for a romantic evening for two. Despite the extensive (and award-winning) menu, the three tried-and-true favorites are the enormous pork chop, the roast chicken and fries, or the onion soup for the true locals.

Places to Go Apres Ski
 

After a phenomenally successful winter, 2020 pop-up at the base of the Silver Queen gondola, NYC's famed restaurant, and bar Dante has established roots in a new spot in St. Regis. The St. Regis' Chef's Club is the location of the one-year residency.

Visit J-Bar for a somewhat more relaxed atmosphere; it's the ideal fusion of top-notch elegance with homey mountain design. Cold-weather favorites like burgers and soups are served in the restaurant and bar, which also has a full bar with everything from draught beer to specialty cocktails. Try the Aspen Crud, a vintage Prohibition-era alcoholic milkshake.

Learn to Ride
Aspen lift tickets start at $189 per day. You have access to Aspen if you purchased an Ikon Pass. Ikon's offering is described in detail here.