Breckenridge is a fantastic year-round destination in the stunning Colorado Rocky Mountains. The former mining town is now a winter and summer haven for adventure seekers. Many visitors head there to ski at Breckenridge Ski Resort, but there are plenty of things to do in Breckenridge besides hitting the slopes.
Enjoy the quaint Main Street, hike to your heart’s content and enjoy the spectacular views of Breckenridge’s backdrop, the Colorado Rockies. So, check out these 20 amazing things to do in Breckenridge, Colorado.
Also read: 21 Colorado Landmarks
Contents
- 20 Things To Do In Breckenridge
- Things To Do In Breckenridge In Winter
- Things To Do In Breckenridge In Summer
- 10- Go Hiking
- 11- Cycle The Vail Pass Path
- 12- Admire The Reflections At Sawmill Reservoir
- 13- Drive The Boreas Pass Road
- 14- Hike The McCullough Gulch Trail
- 15- See The Breckenridge Troll
- 16- Ride The Breckenridge Gondola
- 17- Breckenridge Recreation Center
- 18- Walk The Peaks Trail
- 19- Get An Adrenalin Rush Whitewater Rafting
- 20- Have Fun At Peak 8 Fun Park
20 Things To Do In Breckenridge
Things To Do In Breckenridge In Winter
1- Go Skiing At Breckenridge Ski Resort
In winter, most people heading to Breckenridge will be hitting the slopes during their visit, and Breckenridge Ski Resort has runs for all abilities.
There’s something for beginners, plenty of intermediate routes, and room for boarders and top-notch skiers.
In total, there are 187 trails at Breckenridge Ski Resort.
There are also moguls, tree skiing, and alpine bowls for the more advanced and adventurous skiers.
At Breckenridge Ski Resort, you might be attracted to the skiing and vast array of trails, but you’ll certainly stay for the spectacular endless Rocky Mountain views.
2- Go Snowmobiling
If you are heading to Breckenridge in winter, you must try snowmobiling as it’s a super-fun way of exploring the Colorado Rockies.
Many companies do these winter excursions, and with miles of stunning trails to explore, snowmobiling is an activity you’ll love.
If you’re worried about the freezing temperatures, you don’t need to worry about those Colorado winter temperatures.
Look for a company with state-of-the-art snowmobiles with hand warmers.
Trips cover a variety of trails along the Swan River Valley, including Georgia Pass and the top of the Continental Divide, which sits at 3531 m above sea level.
This is an excellent experience for adventure seekers and perfect for a day when you’re not hitting the ski slopes.
3- Go Cross Country Skiing
Breckenridge is home to 27 km of perfectly groomed cross-country ski trails, so head to the Breckenridge Nordic Center where you can rent skis and access the trails.
The Nordic Center has a newly refurbished clubhouse where you can get ready for your day of exploring.
After a breathtaking but tiring trip out on the skis, you can head back to the centre for hot chocolate or something a little stronger.
Breckenridge Nordic Center is at 9 Grandview Dr, Breckenridge, CO 80424.
4- Explore Main Street
Breckenridge’s Main Street is a charming and characterful downtown hub.
Stroll along Main Street and dive into the colourful shopfronts during winter for much-needed warmth.
There are places to eat and buy yummy goodies in Breckenridge, like Crêpes à la Cart, where the sweet and savoury crepes are so delicious you’ll smell it from a block away.
Pop into the Mountain Top Cookie Shop or Ridge Street Wines for chocolate, cheese, and wine if you don’t feel that the sugar rush has reached capacity yet.
5- Dine At Aurum Food and Wine
Aurum Food and Wine is one of Breckenridge’s best places to eat.
Located on Ridge Street in downtown Breckenridge, Aurum serves modern American cuisine.
They have room for indoor and outdoor dining and an attractive looking bar.
Happy Hour is between 4 pm and 6 pm, so head down any day for delicious drinks after a day of exploring Breckenridge.
The menu is eclectic and includes Korean Fried Chicken, Duck Leg Confit, Curried Rabbit Pot Pie, Rocky Mountain Trout and plenty of other options.
Make sure you try one of their signature cocktails. How about the Aurum Manhattan? This place does get busy, so make sure if you’re hungry, you head there early.
Aurum Food and Wine is at 209 S. Ridge St, Breckenridge.
6- Sip Whiskey At Breckenridge Distillery
The Breckenridge Distillery is thought to be the “World’s Highest Distillery” and was founded in 2008.
If you like drinking whiskey, you’ll want to visit this distillery for blended bourbon whiskey and high-rye mash American whiskey.
Their Breckenridge Bourbon has won many awards and won the Best American Blended in 2016, 17, 18 and 19 by the World Whiskies Awards.
You can take a complimentary 30-minute tour of the distillery to learn more about how it works.
Of course, you also get to sample the famous Breckenridge Bourbon Whiskey or upgrade your free tour to include a more comprehensive tasting selection.
The Breckenridge Distillery Restaurant is open between Wednesday and Sunday and serves lunch and dinner.
You’ll find Smoked Pork Belly Buns, Kobe New York Strip, Pan Seared Atlantic Scallop, and octopus on the menu.
There is also a food menu exclusively for happy hour between 3 pm and 5 pm.
Breckenridge Distillery is at 1925 Airport Road, north of the main downtown area. The distillery offers a complimentary shuttle as it’s a little out of town.
Breckenridge Distillery is at 1925 Airport Rd, Breckenridge, CO 80424.
7- Visit Barney Ford House Museum
The Barney Ford House Museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Barney Ford, who at age 26, escaped from slavery and began his new life of freedom as a businessman.
During the 1860s, the Pikes Peak Gold Rush attracted Ford to Colorado.
Although his mining business never took off, he had plenty of successful businesses over the years.
Having left for Wyoming, Ford later returned to Breckenridge, where he opened a restaurant and built a grand house above it.
He has been commended for his groundbreaking role in civil rights.
This museum is free to visit and documents Ford’s varied and exciting life.
So, if you’re interested in history, architecture or civil rights, this is a great museum to visit in Breckenridge.
Barney Ford House Museum is at 111 East Washington Ave, Breckenridge, CO 80424.
8- Visit Mountain Top Children’s Museum
Also known as the Mountain Top Explorium, this facility is a must-visit Breckenridge attraction if you’ve got young children.
This museum provides educational learning through explorative play.
There are a bunch of exhibits inside: the Mountain Top Medical Center, Rocky Mountain Wildlife, the Creation Station, STEM Lab, a Kidstruction Zone and the Studio Imagination.
The centre also offers summer day camps and nights out at the museum.
Mountain Top Children’s Museum is at 100 South Park Avenue Unit C100, Breckenridge, CO 80424.
9- Go Sledding In Carter Park
Carter Park is a popular spot, especially in winter, as the park’s hill is used for sledding, and you’ll see lots of people hurling themselves down on plastic trays.
This is a great spot to take the kids, but adults will also have fun.
One of the best things about sledding at Carter Park is that it’s free, a rarity as most other sledding parks charge for using their hills.
This is an excellent spot for a picnic if you are arriving in summer as there are football fields, volleyball and tennis courts and areas for picnicking and barbecuing.
Things To Do In Breckenridge In Summer
10- Go Hiking
When the snow has cleared, and the temperatures warm up, one of the best things to do in Breckenridge is to hike.
The summer and autumn months make way for stunning mountain scenery, green forests, and picturesque pastel-coloured wildflowers.
Here are some great hikes to try when you’re next in Breckenridge.
Easy Trails
- Blue Lakes Trail – 1-mile loop trail along Blue River.
- Boreas Pass Road – 6.5 miles of road with fantastic views of the Tenmile mountain range.
- Gold Run Gulch Loop – this 2.6 miles is not only beautiful but gives you the chance to see moose.
Moderate and Difficult Trails
- Lower Mohawk Lake is a 5.6 miles (9 km) trail with wildflowers and snowcapped mountain views.
- Bald Mountain Trail – This 10.3-mile (16.5 km) trail has an elevation of 3,123 ft (951 m) and has pine forest views.
11- Cycle The Vail Pass Path
Biking or walking the Vail Pass Path is an excellent Breckenridge activity.
This path is a popular 14-mile cycling route from Breckenridge to Frisco.
Unlike a lot of Breckenridge’s surroundings, this pathway is relatively flat, making for a good family activity.
You’ll get to see Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Frisco.
12- Admire The Reflections At Sawmill Reservoir
Sawmill Reservoir is a stunning lake located just over a mile from Breckenridge’s downtown.
This is the perfect short hiking route with mountains in the distance and a dense treelined shore to explore.
Walking around the lake is a perfect leisurely outdoor activity and be sure to bring your camera for reservoir reflection photos.
You can start this 1.5-mile loop trail at the Snowflake Trailhead just off the 4 O’clock Road.
Snowflake Trailhead is at Snowflake Lift, Breckenridge, CO 80424.
13- Drive The Boreas Pass Road
Driving the Boreas Pass Road is a great way to explore Colorado’s beautiful mountains.
The Boreas Pass Road is 3507 m above sea level and is closed during winter, but this mountain road is a beautiful place to explore when the snow clears.
This mountain pass connects Breckenridge to Como.
You’ve got to head along the pass during autumn to see the spectacular rusty oranges and flaming red leaves.
The drive takes about an hour, but longer if you stop for photos (which you will do as the scenery is beautiful).
14- Hike The McCullough Gulch Trail
The McCullough Gulch Trail is a beautiful activity right near Breckenridge.
The trail is a 6.4-mile (10.3 km) out-and-back trail that takes around 3 hours 15 minutes to complete and is considered a difficult trail, so come prepared.
You’ll be treated to attractive lake and mountain views along the trail, well worth the sweat!
The best time to hit the trail for ideal conditions is between June and October.
McCullough Gulch Trail is at 4192 CO-9, Breckenridge, CO 80424.
15- See The Breckenridge Troll
Isak Heartstone is Breckenridge’s very own 15-foot wooden troll that happily sits among the trees.
Danish artist Thomas Dambo created the troll as part of the Breckenridge International Festival of Arts.
You’ll find Isak along the Trollstigen Trailhead.
Starting downtown at the Breckenridge Welcome Center, take a 15-minute walk, and you’ll soon find the troll.
Head south on Main Street towards Peak 9. When you reach the Boreas Pass Road, turn left towards the Stephen C. West Ice Arena, and you’ll find the Trollstigen Trailhead right near the Gulch Trailhead.
There are lovely big troll footprints for you to follow (a little mysterious intrigue for the kids).
16- Ride The Breckenridge Gondola
Riding the Breckenridge Gondola has got to be one of the best free things to do in the area.
It’s not often that you get to take a gondola ride and not pay anything.
The Gondola, otherwise known as BreckConnect, is the perfect place to take in the town and mountain views.
The BreckConnect is a 13-minute one-way trip to Peak 8, where you will find the Grand Colorado Ski Resort and plenty of restaurants.
The Gondola also passes over the Cucumber Gulch Wildlife Preserve, a protected area home to bald eagles, moose and foxes, so keep your eyes peeled.
BreckConnect is at 170 Watson Avenue, Breckenridge, CO 80424.
17- Breckenridge Recreation Center
For a community the size of Breckenridge, the Breckenridge Recreation Center is large.
As well as a traditional gym, there are also opportunities to try rock climbing at the indoor wall.
There is a swimming pool, lap pool, tennis courts, softball fields, football pitches, basketball courts, and a skate park.
Located at the north end of town, the Breckenridge Recreation Center is is at 880 Airport Rd, Breckenridge, CO 80424. It’s easily accessible via the Breckenridge Free Ride Transit System.
18- Walk The Peaks Trail
The Peaks Trail is one of Breckenridge’s most popular hiking or biking trails.
The trail is 6.8 miles one-way and takes under three hours to complete.
Walk along the trail, and you’ll be treated to tranquil mountain meadows and aspen forests.
Starting early on this trail is a good idea because it can become busy with backpackers, campers and hikers.
19- Get An Adrenalin Rush Whitewater Rafting
Whitewater rafting is one of the best water activities in Colorado, and you can do it from Breckenridge.
A couple of tour operators offer rafting trips along the Blue River and it’s the perfect group or family activity.
If you’re prepared to travel further afield, many companies offer rafting trips along the Arkansas River, Colorado River and Clear Creek.
Take in the beautiful scenery as you hurtle down the roaring river.
20- Have Fun At Peak 8 Fun Park
Take the free BreckConnect Gondola to Peak 8, and you’ll find a summer adventure haven with lots to keep you entertained.
In summer, peak 8 has three alpine slides, a bounce house, a climbing wall, trampolines, and the Breckenridge Gold Runner Coaster.
There’s a miniature golf course, a large maze, a kids zipline and a ropes course.
The fun park is open between June and September and is the perfect Breckenridge summer activity.
Plan Your Trip
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