Explore Books

Explore Books Aspen's iconic bookstore where each book-lined room offers the excitement of finding something important, engaging, enriching... a place to Explore.

A rambling Victorian filled with an eclectic collection of books in a small town world-renowned for cultural achievement and intellectual leadership... there is no other bookstore in the world quite like Explore. It is an Aspen institution... for locals a vibrant part of the community; for many distinguished visitors, their favorite purveyor of the written word. More than a book store, Explore is

an intellectual gathering place, where books, ideas and the free-flowing conversation they initiate are part of the environment. Where you’ll find not only classic literature and seminal non-fiction, but obscure, hard-to-find delights on a vast array of subjects. Where customers stay on the leading edge with quality new fiction, landmark biographies, political expose’ and social commentary. Where you'll find not only the bestsellers, but frequently the authors who wrote them – signing books, browsing, or perched on one of the step stools we use to reach the upper shelves catching up on their own reading. Where each book-lined room offers the excitement of finding something important, engaging, enriching... a place to Explore.

What books has Aspen been loving this month?
08/31/2026

What books has Aspen been loving this month?

UPDATE: To accommodate more people, this event is being moved to the Pitkin County Library 's community room. See you th...
08/18/2026

UPDATE: To accommodate more people, this event is being moved to the Pitkin County Library 's community room. See you there!

Ken Salazar, who previously held the titles of U.S. Ambassador and Interior Secretary, will be in Aspen this week to discuss his new memoir and join a diplomacy panel, in addition to receiving a lifetime...

Thanks so much for coming in!
08/17/2026

Thanks so much for coming in!

Join us on Friday.
08/17/2026

Join us on Friday.

Ken Salazar, who previously held the titles of U.S. Ambassador and Interior Secretary, will be in Aspen this week to discuss his new memoir and join a diplomacy panel, in addition to receiving a lifetime...

It’s hard to own a copy of Toni Morrison’s Sula without covering it in post-it notes and underlining entire passages— it...
08/13/2026

It’s hard to own a copy of Toni Morrison’s Sula without covering it in post-it notes and underlining entire passages— it’s that powerful of a novel. Published in 1973, it is the second book of Morrison, and it’s regarded by many as a key book in the formation of black feminist literary criticism. It might be just under 200 pages, but it packs so much emotion, life, tragedy— and still yet, humor!— into it’s pages that it’s impossible to forget what a genius the author is, how important it is to read about Sula and Nel in 2026.
Join our book club in our discussion of rebellion, conformity, community, independence, the sheer beauty of the prose... and so much more! This Friday, August 14th, at 5:30.

What a treat to have Patrick Summers visit the store and celebrate his new book, Tapestries.
08/12/2026

What a treat to have Patrick Summers visit the store and celebrate his new book, Tapestries.

Impossible not to love Aspen— the mountains are certainly stunning, but the community is where the real gold is. The boo...
05/25/2026

Impossible not to love Aspen— the mountains are certainly stunning, but the community is where the real gold is. The bookstore loves you!

05/24/2026
Explore’s Book Buyer, Clare, is attending the Mountain Words Festival in Crested Butte this weekend.
05/23/2026

Explore’s Book Buyer, Clare, is attending the Mountain Words Festival in Crested Butte this weekend.

Getting ready for tomorrow’s planting event in front of the store. 🪏🪴🪻🌱🌼🐝
05/23/2026

Getting ready for tomorrow’s planting event in front of the store. 🪏🪴🪻🌱🌼🐝

Address

221 E Main Street
Aspen, CO
81611

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday 8am - 8pm
Sunday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+19709255336

Website

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