About Us

A rambling Victorian filled with an eclectic collection of books and a vegetarian restaurant 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 and a pleasingly different place to eat.

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.

Upstairs, the Bistro is Aspen’s only vegetarian restaurant, committed to local, sustainably grown organic foods, as well as organic wines and beer. Seated near the fireplace in our cozy Victorian dining room or in our sunny (or starry) conservatory, you'll enjoy distinctive, delicious, healthy cuisine.

Whether it's food for thought, or food for your appetite, Explore Booksellers and Bistro will pull you in... and hold you content for hours.