Best Things to Do & See in Breckenridge, CO
Like something out of a fairy tale, Breckenridge has some of the world’s best ski slopes nestled in a quaint town full of exciting things to do and see. Surrounded entirely by the Rockies, Breck is known for its beautiful, snowy landscape in the winter months and its green, hiking trails during the summer. The family-friendly environment is perfect for those who enjoy outdoor activities for all ages.
Located 9,600 feet above sea level, Breckenridge is the perfect romantic getaway or those adventurers who enjoy the cold-weather activities. Have a fun-filled day of snowboarding, skiing, tubing or shopping ’til you drop! Wrap up the day with an après-ski drink and a hot meal followed by a relaxing evening by the fire.
Breckenridge has it all! With so much to do and see, it’s is an excellent place for couples, families, or the avid adventurer to spend some time. You’ll want to visit over and over again!
Top 10 Restaurants in Breckenridge
There’s an abundance of delicious restaurants placed throughout Breckenridge’s quaint mountain town and on the slopes. While it’s difficult to choose a favorite, I’ve compiled a list of the 10 most popular spots among locals and tourists alike!
Local favorite mexican food, margaritas and après-ski happy hour.
Hearthstone
Quaint historical victorian house with gorgeous mountain views and delicious cuisine.
The Canteen Tap House and Tavern
Rustic lodge setting with modern American food and local beers.
Relish
Seasonal menu inspired by Colorado’s freshest ingredients.
Twist
Cozy cottage with patio and mountain views serving eclectic American food.
Empire Burger
Voted “Best Burger” in Best Of Summit every year since 2007!
Giampietro Pasta & Pizzeria
Serving delicious italian food and pizza made fresh in house every day of the year.
Blue Moose Restaurant
Traditional American breakfast cafe serving & brunch with cocktails
Downstairs At Eric’s
Family fun sports bar with an arcade and full bar.
Pho Real
Family-owned Vietnamese restaurant serving noodle soups, spring rolls & banh mi sandwiches.
Best 5 Vegan & Gluten-Free in Breckenridge
Piante Pizzeria
- Vegan pizzas with many local ingredients and gluten-free options. They also serve loaded salads, side dishes, dessert, beer & wine in their cozy, rustic-chic setting. There is quaint outdoor seating with a lovely view of downtown Breckenridge and the ski resort mountains towering behind it. The owners Twee and Jason are so welcoming and the friendly staff will welcome you like you’re a part of the family. I have plenty of friends who aren’t vegan at all but are amazed when they taste this cashew-cheese based pizza. You’ll also have to try their Jalapeno Poppers if you like a bit of a spicy treat. They’re so delicious!
BreckFast
- Delicious grab & go breakfast and lunch with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. BreckFast uses fresh, local ingredients for their made-to-order dishes. In a hurry or eager to just get out and play? Call in your order and grab it on the way to your next adventure! The owners are locals and the menu reflects that with locally names menu items. The staff is very friendly and the super laid-back vibes are about as Colorado as it gets! Find them in their new location right on Main Street in downtown Breckenridge.
Soupz On!
- Enjoy some hot soup on a warm winter day! Soupz On! provides a rotating menu of inventive soup, sandwiches & salads. There are plenty of delicious daily options for Vegans, Vegetarians, Gluten-Free diets and other dietary restrictions. Check their website daily to see what’s new! It’s never the same, but so far I have yet to be disappointed in any of their soups or salads. They allow you to sample things so that you can make the best choice in a sea of many temptations! They also have a variety of house-made bread choices that pair perfectly with the hot soups. You can find them right next to the City Market in Breckenridge.
Kiki’s Peak Produce
- Have you tried the Palisade Peaches? What about the Rocky Ford Cantaloupe, Olathe Sweet Corn or the Palisade Cherries? These are just a few popular mentions among the vast amount of delicious produce grown in Colorado. Kiki’s Peak Produce is a local business in the Breckenridge area that also provides delivery. If you’re looking for a variety of delicious fruits and veggies, Kiki’s Peak Produce has you covered! Check the Facebook Page to see the latest variety of fruits and veggies that will be available fresh from the farm each week! If you haven’t already tried the Palisade Peaches, you’ll have to add it to your Colorado bucket list!
Amazing Grace
- Cozy health-focused cafe in Breckenridge that serves breakfast, sandwiches, salads and baked goods prepared from natural ingredients. They are open for breakfast and lunch from 7am-3pm. You can find them at Lincoln and French Street, just a small walk from Main Street in Breckenridge. Amazing Grace is a local favorite. Stop on by and see why!
Breckenridge Desserts, Ice Cream & Sweets Treats!
For those of you who have a sweet tooth, be sure to stop by Mountain Top Cookie Shop for their homemade cookies and fudge. From the usual chocolate chip and sugar cookies, to local favorites like birthday blast and double fudge, Mountain Top Cookies are simply the best on that side of the Rockies! The only thing that truly competes for your favorite sweet tooth treat is Crepes A La Cart, a very popular build-your-own crepe stand that has a line of eager customers all year long. You can’t go wrong with all that Breck has to offer as far as desserts and treats. Try these other great spots for sweets!
Stir-Pan Creamery – Build your own rolled ice cream flavors!
Higgles Ice Cream – New ice cream flavors every day!
Clint’s Bakery & Coffee House – Coffee, ice cream, bagels and breakfast!
Mom’s Baking Co. – Tasty European-style bakery
Daylight Donuts – Fresh daily donuts, baked goods and breakfast
Fuzziwig’s Candy Factory Breckenridge – Over 400 varieties of candies, chocolate and fudge
Breckenridge Cheese & Chocolate – Wine, Cheese & Chocolate
Outdoor Fun in Breckenridge
Skiing & Snowboarding
Experience world-class skiing and riding at one of Colorado’s most popular ski resorts. Breckenridge has 5 peaks, 2,908 acres and 34 lifts. The resort offers trails for all experience levels and provides ski school for beginners of all ages.
Alpine Slide
One of the best way to see the gorgeous views around Breckenridge is on the Gold Runner Alpine Coaster. Cruise 2,500 feet down through a series of twists, turns and loops. The alpine coaster allows riders to control their own speed throughout the ride, making it great for all ages.
Hiking & Biking
Breckenridge has over 84 great trails for hiking, running and mountain biking. If you’re into downhill mountain biking, take a chairlift up and enjoy the ride down! Breckenridge Resort offers a variety of blue, green and black mountain biking specific trails in the summer and fall. As the snow melts, the ski resort transforms into an exciting place to hike, mountain bike and off-road. In the early summer, you can even hike up to some remaining snow and ski or snowboard down! Locals traditionally do this on 4th of July if there is enough snow. The thrill-seeking fun is endless in Breck!
Ice Skating
Go ice skating, play some hockey, watch a hockey game or watch a figure skating show at the Stephen C. West Ice Arena in Breckenridge. Host your next event or gather some friends for disco skate night! They offer lessons for all ages and are also ADA accessible.
Off-Roading
Do you love off-roading? Breck is a great place for all sorts of 4×4 adventures. If you don’t have a vehicle, there are plenty of places that rent Jeeps, Hummers, 4-Wheelers, Dirtbikes, and all sorts of other ATV’s. Boreas Pass is a great beginner trail if you’re just wanting to enjoy the great views without the risk-filled excursion. If you’re looking for something a lot more challenging, try Peak 10 and Crystal Lake Trail. If you’re looking for an escape from the crowd, Alma is right up the road from Breck and has a ton of gorgeous trails with hardly anyone else around.
Snowshoeing & Cross-Country Skiing
Breckenridge has over 30 miles of gorgeous cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails between the town’s two Nordic Centers. Breckenridge Nordic Center and Gold Run Nordic Center have all sorts of manicured trails ready to play on. Looking to explore old mines and dive deep into nature? There are hundreds of ungroomed trails to explore around Breckenridge as well!
Parking in Breckenridge, CO
Parking in Breckenridge can be pretty tricky and there are limited options. There are even hotels that don’t offer free parking for their guests, so it’s wise to know what your options are when visiting. We’ve listed the main options, but there are also some Parking Meters in every spot in town. The price goes up as you get closer to Main street shopping or the ski resort. There are a couple free lots that you can park in if there are spots available. From there, you can take the Breck Free Ride bus to get to your destination.
- Satellite Lot– Free parking during the daytime.
- Satellite Overnight parking is available for $5/night.
- Ice Rink Lot– Free daytime parking, located at 189 Boreas Pass Rd.
- South Gondola Lot– only free during the summer.
- Wellington, Tiger Dredge, and East Sawmill lot– Free after 3.
- F Lot– free after 5.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do in Breckenridge?
- Alpine Slide
- Boating
- Breck Events
- Chartered Fishing & Boat
- Dog Sledding
- Fly Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Ice Fishing
- Ice Skating
- Off-Roading
- Mountain Biking
- Hiking
- Snowshoeing
- Skiing & Snowboarding
- Sledding
- Snowmobiling
- Yoga
- Golf
- Whitewater Rafting
- Theaters
- Concerts
- Restaurants & Bars
- Site-Seeing
- Ice Sculptures
- Gold Panning
- Photography
Is there a direct bus between Denver Airport (DEN) and Breckenridge?
- No, there is no direct bus between Denver Airport and Breckenridge; However, you can take the bus from the airport to downtown and from downtown to Frisco.
How long does it take to get from Denver Airport (DEN) to Breckenridge?
- It takes about 2-3 hours by car and 4-6 hours by bus.
What is the fastest way to get from Denver Airport (DEN) to Breckenridge?
- The fastest way to get from Denver airport to Breckenridge is by requesting an Uber, Lyft or private car.
What is the weather like in Breckenridge, Colorado?
- Summer days: 70 degrees
- Summer Nights: 50 degrees
- Winter Days: 28 degrees
- Winter Nights: 15 degrees
What’s the elevation in Breckenridge Colorado?
- 9,600 feet in town
- 13,000 feet at the ski resort’s summit
Will I get altitude sickness in Breckenridge?
Altitude sickness can happen to anyone despite age, fitness level or health. It usually occurs when you start reaching altitude of 8,000 or more. Take it easy the first day or two and drink plenty of water!
What is there to do in Breckenridge?
- Gold Runner Alpine Coaster
- BreckConnect Gondola
- Epic Discovery at Breckenridge
- Breckenridge Nordic Center
- Breckenridge Ski Resort
- Main Street Breckenridge Shopping
- Performance Tours Rafting
Is there a town shuttle or bus?
- The Free Ride is the town’s free bus. It provides public transportation services throughout Breckenridge.
Allergy Info
Allergy Information Disclaimer: These products were produced in a home kitchen that is not subject to state licensure or inspection and that may also process
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