Aspen's Past To Present Historic Tour

Dean was exceptional! So knowledgeable about Aspen. He really made the history and present come to life with his stories.

Dean is an excellent tour guide - knowledgeable, engaging and friendly. One person in our group lives in Aspen, and even she learned new and interesting things about her city. The walk itself was very comfortable and east.

We took Deans history tour and enjoyed learning more about a city we have visited before. We visited both historic sites as well as modern architecture, and street art. We loved seeing a city through the eyes of a local and learning more about ways the city manages its development and housing challenges. My favorite was seeing the outdoor murals of the same artist who created the Obama murals and graphics. Would love to take another tour with Dean on our next visit.

This was an excellent and informative tour led by a very knowledgeable guide

We enjoyed this easy walking tour of downtown Aspen while learning about its mining history and current tourism industry. Dean is very knowledgeable!

This was the second wonderful tour I've taken with Dean's Aspen Tours. (The first one was the Ghost Tour.) Dean is knowledgeable, engaging, and patient in answering questions.

We had a great time on the Aspen Past and Present Historic Tour. Dean was very personable and knowledgeable. It was a lot of fun and very interesting. Aspen is a great little city!

We had an amazing experience walking around downtown Aspen. Our tour guide Dean explained the history of area and also gave us good recommendations for restaurants.

Interesting, easy walk around Aspen. It turned out there was just me and my friend for the morning’s tour so we probably didn’t need the full 90 mins but we were able to ask our own questions and look inside the fire station at the photographs and memorabilia there which was very interesting. Otherwise good stories about some of the first miners and investors in what became the city of Aspen.

Very comprehensive tour. Our guide provided an informative overview of Aspen’s past, present and future. Our guide even had props! Very enjoyable experience.

If Dean doesn’t know it, it’s probably not worth remembering. Leisurely pace with lots of photo ops. Know that you will be quizzed periodically, so pay attention. Remember “Ute City”. Also know that Dean is hawkeyed and saved us several times from anointing our shoes with dog and bear poop. Much appreciated.

This tour is a great way to learn about Aspen’s history through the present, starting in the pre-historic geological events that shaped the beautiful valley and mountains we know today, the history and culture of the indigenous Ute people, the silver mining boom and bust years, the emergence of Aspen as a world class ski destination, and as a renowned center of the arts—and as a haven for the uber wealthy, making real estate among the most expensive in the country (with public sector programs to offer affordable options for full time residents and workers). Dean covered all of this in a fun 90 minute walk around town, with stops at many historic and contemporary sites along the way. He is friendly, conversational, and knowledgeable. Highly recommended!

This is a great way to appreciate the history of Aspen. It is not physically taxing. Just a walk through the town with a very knowledgeable guide.

5, our guide was very informative. My adult granddaughter and I loved to learn about the history of Aspen and how much the town has changed.

Great tour! Dean is so knowledgeable about Aspen’s history. We highly recommend this tour for your next visit to Aspen.

Dean gave us a great tour - very informative and interesting! We would 100% recommend him and would request him as a guide for future tours!

Dean was a great tour guide! He provided a fun, interesting and informative walking tour of Aspen, starting with the Ute indigenous people to modern day. We discussed the geology and mining to the early settlers to its boom, downturn and revival. Architecture and business development, and some of its famous leaders. Highly recommend this 90 minute tour as a way to enjoy your Aspen stay.

Our guide was very knowledgeable of the area. We enjoyed learning the history of Aspen. We came in early October. The weather was perfect and fall colors were absolutely beautiful!

Dean is knowledgeable and very friendly. He is willing to share his knowledge about Aspen with his guests. No need to wonder around on your own through the streets of Aspen and wonder what this or that is. He will give you the back story and so much more. Loved his tour.

Aspen is a remarkable and beautiful city with a rich history of silver mining. Dean, out tour guide for this lovely 90-minute walking tour, was very knowledgeable of the history and did a great job casually leading us on a walk around town.

Our tour was the best. Visually we saw Aspen from the best vantage points and visited the city’s most beautiful and historic buildings. Most noteworthy for me was Dean’s perfect telling of the Ute creation story, and how the Ute valley came to be. All cultures have creation stories and they are vitally important to truly understanding history.

Dean was a great storyteller. He walked us through town and mentioned a lot of architecture and history. We enjoyed it tremendously!

Easy walking tour and Dean has lots of history to share. Would recommend highly for first timers to Aspen. From the ski slope to the river, we learned all about Aspen. Great after lunch stroll.

This was "ok". Not hugely interesting or amusing. It is certainly a very easy walk. I wouldn't do it again or recommend it to a friend.

The tour was very interesting and Dean was a fabulous guide - extremely knowledgeable and fun to be with. Would take a tour with him anytime.

Dean was an excellent tour guide- very personable and knowledgeable! He gave a great overview of Aspen’s history with many anecdotes, and encouraged questions!!

Excellent Tour Guide Right on Time Unique experience Brought and gave evidence to share of history of Aspen. Hands On Experience

Dean is very animated and knowledgeable. Packed a lot of interesting Information into an hour and a half tour.

This tour was a great way to learn about the city of Aspen. Our tour guide Dean was wonderful and very attentive to all members of our group. He had many interesting facts about Aspen.

Dean provided an excellent tour of Aspen. We have visited Aspen in the past but his knowledge about the historical buildings and people that created Aspen was an interesting and worthwhile tour. I would highly recommend Dean if you are considering a tour

My husband and I went on both the historical tour and the ghost tour and both were very fun. Our guide Dean was amazing at story telling and made both tours very special. We went during the off season and got a private tour! It was wonderful! We learned so much great information about the area and my husband and I can’t wait to come back to Aspen again.

Dean was a great tour guide, very knowledgeable and patient. We toured in pretty cold weather and it didn’t impact his tour at all. Communication prior to the tour was really good as well. Thanks, Dean!

Dean has lived in the areas for more than 20 years…very knowledgeable and gave great insight to the area and its history. Very informative and answered any questions we had. The tour went a little longer than anticipated but was worth every minute. Great for locals, tourists, young and old! Highly recommended.

Dean, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable and personable. He readily answered all of our questions.

If you a first time visitor you should definitely take this tour. If you have visited before but would like to better understand the history of Aspen it’s well worth the time and very reasonably priced.

Dean (our tour guide) was very knowledgeable and friendly. The tour was very interesting and a good way to learn about the Aspen. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

It was an excellent idea for the first day to take this tour. It was an Aspen history lesson, and at the same time, I got an excellent orientation to move around the town. Furthermore, the walking helped with altitude adaptation. Thank you, Dean.

We attended Dean's "Historic Aspen Past to Present" & I really recommend it. The tour lasted one hour and 20 minutes with easy walking and a lot of information. Dean speaks clearly and he was easy to hear and understand as I am hard if hearing even with hearing aids. After your tour, be sure to visit the John Denver Sanctuary.

Dean did an excellent job giving us an overview of Aspen. He was very knowledgeable about current and past history.

Very interesting tour and knowledgeable guides. The store goes to many interesting spots, and is a great activity for families. Just make sure to wear good shoes!

We had a great family tour. All my teenagers and adult children really enjoyed the time with Dean. We reached out to him directly on his cell phone (970-948-4349) to do a last minute custom time tour, and he was willing to accommodate. He gave us a little of the Aspen history as well as the ghost stories! Thank you Dean!

First time in Aspen and pressed for time. Dean's 90 minute walking tour was PERFECT!!! Dean is VERY knowledgeable and a great story teller. This was exactly what we were hoping for. Make this your introduction to Aspen.

Great way to spend time in downtown Aspen and learn along the way. Dean is a great guide and clearly knows and loves his subject. Easy walk around town. Looking forward to taking the evening ghost tour when it is warmer.