How to Look Like a Local at Aspen Food & Wine
The Partytrick Guide to Aspen: Experience the Food & Wine Classic Like a Local
Coming to Aspen: June 19–21, 2026
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From hosting like a pro to navigating iconic events like a local, Partytrick is here to help you create experiences worth talking about.
“A place where the beer flows like wine where beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano. A little place called Aspen.” — Lloyd Christmas, Dumb and Dumber
Every summer, Aspen's population of chefs, sommeliers, and impeccably dressed food lovers seems to multiply overnight.
The Food & Wine Classic is one of the most iconic weekends of the year, drawing thousands of attendees to a town that already knows a thing or two about good taste.
If you're heading to Aspen for the festivities, we've put together a few insider tips to help you spend less time looking like a tourist and more time enjoying the experience.
1. Where the Maroon Bells actually are
You cannot see the Maroon Bells from the roundabout. Please do not say that you love seeing them there.
What you’re actually looking at is Pyramid Peak, which, yes, is exactly what it sounds like.
2. Take off your badge when you exit the tent
The moment you forget to remove your event badge is never your best look.
Kind reminder: take it off outside the tent. No, it is not a fashion accessory for downtown Aspen.
3. Where to go to buy nearly anything: Carl’s Pharmacy
Your go-to general store for anything you forgot, underestimated, or suddenly need at 11:47 PM.
If Carl’s doesn’t have it, you probably will not find it anywhere else in town.
Hours: 9 AM–6 PM
Address: 306 E Main St, Aspen, CO 81611
4. How to say gondola
In Aspen, it is “GON-dola.”
Emphasis on “gon.”
People will notice immediately if you say it the other way. Even if no one corrects you out loud.
5. Pedestrians: BEWARE
Look both ways before crossing streets.
Yes, pedestrians technically have the right of way. No, that does not guarantee anyone will stop in time.
During peak Aspen Food & Wine weekend energy, assume everyone is distracted.
6. Drivers: read this
Pedestrians in Aspen aren't always paying attention. Some are admiring the mountains. Others are heading to their next tasting.
Drive accordingly.
Also, road directions can and do change. One-way streets may surprise you. Treat every intersection like a new situation.
7. Visit Herron Park to take a breath
If you need a reset, this is your spot.
Quiet, open, and close enough to the center of everything without being in it.
8. Kemo Sabe: We love you
And so does everyone else in town.
Yes, locals wear it. No, it is not necessarily meant for a 2 AM full outfit moment.
9. Sunscreen: Use it
The Aspen sun is beautiful, relentless, and completely indifferent to your plans. Skip the SPF, and you'll be serving "overcooked crustacean" by Saturday afternoon.
10. Water: Drink lots of it
More than you think you need. Then more again.
Altitude plus salt plus cocktails equals faster-than-expected dehydration.
11. What not to do on hikes
If everyone on the trail can hear your playlist, congratulations—you've just announced you're not from here.
12. Drinking and driving
A weekend built around food and wine is probably not the time to test your driving skills.
Fortunately, Aspen's Tipsy Taxi program makes getting home easy. Here's everything you need to know before your first ride: Tipsy Taxi
Fun Fact: The Tipsy Taxi program is largely funded by Jimmy Buffett.
13. Woody Creek Tavern
A short ride outside of town and a classic detour if you want to escape the main event energy for a bit.
Hours: 11 AM-9 PM
Address: 2858 Upper River Rd, Woody Creek, CO 81656
Ready for more tips?
Love discovering the local tips that make an experience better? Join Partytrick for insider guides, hosting inspiration, curated playlists, and practical shortcuts that help you gather, host, and explore like you know exactly what you're doing.
Header image courtesy of Aspen Food & Wine.
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