Breckenridge Travelers Recommend

Surrounded by the Rocky Mountains and its lakes, rivers, forests, and waterfalls, the old mining town of Breckenridge is a great place for nature enthusiasts to spend a day. Whether you’re visiting in summer or winter, there are a variety of ways to enjoy 24 hours in this family-friendly destination.

Morning: Discover the Alpine Environment

The Colorado lifestyle is an active one, so start the day off right with an outdoor activity: Hike to a mountain lake (try the McCullough Gulch Trail), zip line above the Arkansas River, or go stand-up paddleboarding on the Colorado River. Even whitewater rafting—the ultimate summer adventure in this neck of the woods—can be done in just half a day if you choose a morning departure time. If you’re visiting in winter, you’ll want to hit the slopes early to get as much time as possible on Breckenridge’s five peaks, which offer skiing and snowboarding terrain for all levels.

Afternoon: Walk Around Town

Breckenridge also boasts a charming downtown, a National Historic District where buildings from the late 1800s house restaurants, bars, and boutiques that provide plenty of places to refuel and relax after a calorie-burning morning outdoors. Stroll along Main Street and the surrounding blocks to find the perfect spot for an alfresco lunch, then browse for souvenirs and outdoor gear in the neighborhood’s many shops. Later in the afternoon, you can get to know the local brewing scene on a bike tour that takes you to both breweries and distilleries, such as Broken Compass Brewing and Breckenridge Distillery, where you can try their vodka, gin, and several whiskeys.

Night: Enjoy unique local experiences

While Breckenridge is chock full of restaurants, you shouldn’t miss the chance to do something a little different for dinner: enjoy an evening float on the Arkansas River. You’ll paddle an inflatable raft through mild rapids to a riverside restaurant. If you’re looking for after-dinner entertainment, opt for a ghost tour to learn a little about Breck’s history, which dates back to the Gold Rush mining days of the 1880s. If you’ve spent the day skiing, enjoy the local après scene at bars and eateries, such as Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant and Breckenridge Brewery, at the base of the mountain.

With 48 hours in Breckenridge, you can enjoy several activities that highlight the natural attractions of this Rocky Mountain hotspot, located less than two hours from Denver. Here are a few ways to build a 2-day itinerary for either winter or summer adventures.

Day 1: Get Active in the Mountains

**Morning:**If you’re visiting in the winter, get your rental gear together and head to the chairlifts as soon as they open to make the most of your time on Breckenridge Ski Resort’s five peaks, which provide a variety of terrain for all levels. In the summer, try stand-up paddleboarding, zip lining, or hiking to get your Rocky Mountain high.

**Afternoon:**Explore the downtown National Historic District, home to a variety of shops and restaurants. If you want to stay active (while also exploring the town), opt for a bike tour that introduces you to local beer and spirits at venues like Broken Compass Brewing and Breckenridge Distillery.

**Night:**In the winter, skiers and snowboarders head to the many bars and eateries along Main Street for well-earned drinks and dinner. If you’re visiting in the summer, try something different with an evening float on the Arkansas River to a riverside restaurant just outside of town.

Day 2: Discover Alpine Thrills

**Morning:**Whitewater rafting a must-do summertime adventure in Colorado, and Breckenridge’s proximity to both the Colorado and Arkansas rivers provides options that suit most visitors. Sections of the Arkansas River such as the Numbers and Browns Canyon are particularly popular, while the Colorado River offers a calmer experience suitable for beginners.

**Afternoon:**If you’re visiting in winter, take a break from the slopes and enjoy a snowmobiling tour that will give you a chance to enjoy the Rockies from another perspective. Or head to the Breckenridge Nordic Center to try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing—two alternatives to downhill skiing that don’t require any experience.

**Night:**Learn about the ghosts of Breckenridge’s Gold Rush past on an evening walking tour. You’ll learn a bit about the town’s mining history, beginning with the events of the 1880s, as you visit a variety of supposedly haunted spots.

With three days in Breckenridge, you can get to know the town and its surroundings, and also enjoy outdoor opportunities a little farther afield in the Colorado Rockies through a variety of seasonal activities. Here are some of our favorite ways to spend a fun-filled 72 hours in this all-seasons destination.

Day 1: Choose Your Rocky Mountain Adventure

If you’re visiting in the winter, organize your rental equipment and hit the slopes early to make the most of your time on the five peaks of Breckenridge Ski Resort, which offers a variety of terrain for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. If you’re visiting in the summer, start your trip by getting straight into the mountains with an outdoor activity such as ziplining, hiking, biking, or stand-up paddleboarding on the Colorado River. Then head to downtown Breck’s National Historic District for an alfresco lunch and some shopping at the many restaurants and boutiques housed in the neighborhood’s historic buildings. When evening rolls around, avoid the crowded eateries in town with a float trip down the Arkansas to a riverside restaurant.

Day 2: More Alpine Thrills

For summertime visitors, whitewater rafting is Colorado’s must-do activity, and you’ll see nearly every type of group—from families to bachelor parties—out on the rivers. Breckenridge’s location near both the Colorado and Arkansas rivers provides options that suit most visitors. Sections of the Arkansas River, such as Browns Canyon and the Numbers, are famous for their rapids and scenery, while the Colorado River offers a gentler experience for beginners. 

If you’re visiting in the winter and are not planning to ski, you can still get outside and enjoy being in the mountains. Take advantage of alternative snow activities, including snowmobile tours and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at the Breckenridge Nordic Center. For evening entertainment, learn a bit about Breckenridge’s Gold Rush history, which dates back to the 1880s, on a ghost-themed walking tour of the town.

Day 3: Day Trips to Natural Landmarks

On your third day in Breckenridge, head out to Rocky Mountain National Park, which you can access via the Kawuneeche Visitor Center—located roughly 90 miles (150 km) north of Breckenridge—without having to go through Denver. Visitors from Denver typically enter the park through Estes Park, on the east side, so you’ll avoid some of the crowds by entering from the west side. The park boasts lakes, hiking trails, picnic spots, and Rocky Mountain views from various overlooks along Trail Ridge Road, which reaches as high as 12,000 feet. 

Alternatively, head south of Breckenridge to Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, also about 90 miles away, in Cañon City. A narrow canyon on the Arkansas River, the gorge is known for its dramatic scenery and vertigo-inducing bridge and can be explored on a river-rafting tour. Then head back to Breck to enjoy one last evening of the town’s vibrant nightlife.