Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains at the base of Tenmile Range, Breckenridge, Colorado, offers visitors a year-round haven for adventure and relaxation. With breathtaking landscapes in every season and a charming historic downtown rich in history and culture, “Colorado’s Playground” invites exploration, discovery, and unforgettable memories to share with family and friends.
This guide will cover the town of Breckenridge, which is more than just its world-famous, Breckenridge Ski Resort. While both are often referred to simply as, “Breckenridge,” so we completely understand how that might get confusing! Locals and visitors alike affectionately call the town, “Breck,” but there’s one more nickname that has an interesting backstory: The Kingdom of Breckenridge.
Originally founded as a booming gold mining town in 1859 after prospectors found gold in the Blue River, Breckenridge’s mining days came to an eventual end, leaving the town in danger of becoming a ghost town. In need of rejuvenation, the “Kingdom of Breckenridge” became a sort of marketing ploy after locals found a map from 1880 that accidentally left it off completely. Embracing its “independent territory” status, the town hosted its first No Man’s Land festival in 1936, later inspiring spin-offs like the beloved Ullr Dag, that’s still celebrated every December as Ullr Fest.
Peak 8 at the Breckenridge Ski Resort opened in 1961, welcoming 17,000 skiers in its first year. The more the resort expanded, adding more lifts and opening more trails, Breck’s identity as a ski town solidified and became world-renowned. Whether you’re planning on visiting Breckenridge during the ski season or not, your group will have plenty to do and plenty to see.
The historic Main Street is the center of town. Surrounded by stunning mountain peaks, the street is full of charming, Victorian buildings that make up one of Colorado’s largest historic districts. A great meeting place to catch up with friends and family after hitting the slopes, hiking trails, and more, Main Street has plenty of places to eat, drink, and dance the night away if you’re so inclined. The town’s culinary scene does not disappoint, ranging from casual eateries to fine dining experiences. Breckenridge also offers a variety of local breweries and distilleries in addition to fan-favorite bars and pubs like the Gold Pan Saloon, the oldest saloon west of the Mississippi. Kids and visitors with a major sweet tooth will also love the variety of ice cream shops and other local stops where you can pick up some candy or chocolate.
Main Street is a great starting point to get your bearings in Breckenridge. Head to the Welcome Center to not only gather more helpful tips and local recommendations for what to do and where to go, but you’ll also find a hands-on interpretive museum that is also where you’d start your Breckenridge History tour.
You’ll also find that this main hub connects a lot of the town, allowing visitors easy access to the Breckenridge Ski Resort by taking the BreckConnect Gondola located at the north end of Main Street. A quick walk from the Welcome Center, you’ll be able to ascend the mountain free of charge. If you’re looking for other ways to get around, Breckenridge offers the Free Ride bus system that’ll get you where you need to go.
Of course, don’t miss out on exploring Main Street on foot, as there’s much to see and do! The Blue River Recreation Path will take you on an easy walk along the river, and there are three great hiking trails that start in downtown Breckenridge: Burro Trail at the bottom of Lehman ski trail, Sawmill Trail at the bottom of Snowflake Lift, and the uphill hike from Carter Park that will connect you to other trailheads in the area.
If hiking is your thing, you’ll find plenty of trails to explore during your time in Breck. And we’re not joking, there are hundreds to choose from. While some are designated hiking trails, there are multi-use trails that are popular for hikers and bikers of all skill levels, some of which are used for skiing in winter. Discover waterfalls, wildflower fields, and some seriously stunning scenery on easy, moderate, and difficult trails in the area. And keep in mind that Breck’s base elevation is 9,600 ft., so if you’re not used to that altitude, try starting off on an easier trail.
Biking is also a popular pastime in Breckenridge, and you’ll find all sorts of trails from paved pathways to dirt roads. You can either bring your bikes if you’re traveling by car, or, you can rent various types of bikes that’ll be best suited for what you’re interested in doing. That also includes a selection of children’s sizes and even e-bikes. There are numerous rental shops throughout the downtown area to choose from.
While it’s nice to warm up by the fire or gather together at coffee shops and other restaurants to get out of the cold, Breckenridge is designed to be an outdoor paradise throughout the year. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, visitors can play in the snow and see the sights by sledding, dog sledding, snowshoeing, and even taking a sleigh ride. FatBiking is a fun way to ride around town even when there’s snow on the ground. For adventure seekers, try snowmobiling or taking a snowcat tour.
Of course, when in Breckenridge, you’ll definitely want to hit the slopes! While you don’t have to, why not try Breck’s most popular activity during the winter season? There are multiple ski resorts within Summit County, but the most convenient when staying in Breckenridge is the Breckenridge Ski Resort. Many avid skiers like spending their stay exploring nearby ski resorts like Copper Mountain, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin. There are certain lift passes available that will allow you to visit multiple ski resorts around Breckenridge.
When the snow all melts away and the sunshine warms up the longer summer days, you’ll want to get out on the water. Head to either the Blue, Colorado, or Arkansas Rivers, or visit an alpine lake for a paddle either by kayak or paddle board. Whitewater rafting is a thrilling choice for visitors who are up for it, and it’s easy to find guides within a relatively short driving distance of Breckenridge.
For the fishermen among you, you’ll already know that fly fishing is extremely popular throughout Colorado. Hook trout in beautiful locations in and around Breckenridge, or enjoy a guided fly-fishing trip that ranges from a few hours to an entire day’s outing. Purchase a fishing license online or pick one up along with some gear at a local authorized outdoor shop. Recommended spots to check out are the Dillon Lake Reservoir, Blue River, and the Clinton Gulch Dam Reservoir.
History buffs will have plenty to do during their time in Breckenridge! Step back in time while visiting historic sites and museums and learning about the mining town’s past. In addition to the Welcome Center, the Barney Ford and Edwin Carter museums each make great stops and highlight the lives of these two men. Located in the historic district, visit the Alice G. Milne Memorial Park to see three historic homes that include exhibit spaces and offer educational programs.
Learn about the region’s history as a mining town at Washington Mine and Milling Exhibit, Lomax Placer Mine, or visit the outdoor, Breckenridge Sawmill Exhibit, to see first-hand what sawmill operations would’ve looked like and how large a part they played in growing mining communities like Breckenridge. Furthering the growth even further, visitors can visit the High Line Railroad Park to learn how the arrival of the railroad allowed Breckenridge to prosper and grow. Traveling with kiddos? They’ll love the Mountain Top Explorium, a children’s museum downtown.
While Breckenridge, CO is a year-round travel destination, it’s one that heavily relies on its seasons and weather. If you want classic Breckenridge, visit during the town’s peak season from December to March. It’s during the winter that you’ll be able to ski, snowboard, and have a dreamy winter wonderland escape. That is, along with all the other visitors trying to do the same thing. Still, it’s worth the crowds and higher prices if you do want to visit Breck in the winter.
If you love the outdoors but aren’t that into skiing or just snow in general, head to Breckenridge in summer. From June to August, you’ll experience temperate weather (think highs in the 70s°F) that’s perfect for exploring the outdoors. With low humidity and cool evenings, you’ll have a great time enjoying the sunshine without overheating. Summer is a great time to visit for families, too!
Do we have any fellow leaf-peepers out there? Enjoy fewer crowds paired with the same number of outdoor adventures that feature breathtaking fall foliage. Make sure to bring your cameras, because you’ll be stopping to snap pictures nonstop. If you visit later in the fall, you might even see some snow, since it’s known to fall as early as October.
Annual Events in Breckenridge, CO:
- Breck Film Festival, September
- Breckenridge Oktoberfest, September
- Breckenridge Wine Classic, September
- Lighting of Breckenridge, December
- Ullr Fest, December
- International Snow Sculpture Championships, January
- Independence Day Celebration, July
- Breckenridge International Festival of Arts, August
Another reason why Breckenridge is such a great destination for skiers is that it offers many ski-in/ski-out lodging options. That means, that you can access the slopes directly from where you’re staying without ever needing to hop into a car or shuttle to get there. While it’s a convenient way to start your day, you’ll also have no wait or anything stopping you from skiing right to your door.
There are various neighborhoods and areas to look into when booking your trip to Breck. Staying as close as possible to Historic Downtown Breckenridge gives you easy access to restaurants, bars, shopping, and nightlife. Nearby areas that are popular with tourists are Tyra and Four O’Clock. Peak 8 is always a great option that offers ski-in/ski-out lodging and is very family-friendly. If you’re looking to slow down the pace and stay in a quieter setting, look into Baldy Mountain where you’ll have beautiful views of the town below.
You’ll have no problem at all finding accommodations in Breckenridge by using your Palmera Vacation Club membership. For members wanting to use their membership points, start by exploring what’s available on the RCI Exchange. Expand your search to nearby Copper Mountain, Frisco, or Keystone to expand your lodging options. Here are a few examples we found while searching through RCI:
Prices and availability subject to change.
If you don’t find exactly what you’re looking for, and you’re fine not using your points to book your trip, take a look at what Quest Travel Club has in store for you! With an impressive collection of hotels and resorts, you’ll be able to find exactly where you want to stay for the best price! Fellow travelers also leave reviews, so you’ll be able to really narrow down what accommodation option would fit your family or group best. And don’t forget you can do the same thing when looking up activities to do while you’re in town!
Here are a few examples we found while searching through Quest Travel Club:
Prices, discounts, and availability subject to change.
