One of the most common tips you’ll hear when planning a trip to Breckenridge is plan in advance. If you want to take a guided tour – make reservations before your trip. If you want to go out to dinner – book a reservation or plan to arrive well before you get hungry. It’s a lot to think about and if you’re planning for more than two people, factoring in all the wishes and whens of your group can get overwhelming fast. Thankfully, Breckenridge offers plenty of impromptu ways to enjoy your vacation. Explore our summer guide to Breckenridge’s last minute and drop-in activities for non-planners.
Explore Charming Main Street
Main Street offers a vibrant collection of boutiques, gear shops, artisan goods and local restaurants to explore. Plus, with Breckenridge being so easy to get around, that means you can walk almost anywhere in town! Wander in and out of quaint shops, follow the path along the Blue River up to Maggie Pond and be sure to stop for lunch at one of the many local restaurants and cafes. Enjoy happy hour on the patio and take in magnificent views of the mountains to end out a perfect day.
- Local’s Tip: Swing by the Breckenridge Welcome Center in the heart of town for local info, trip planning advice and what’s happening in Breckenridge today!
Hiking & Biking
If you truly want to experience Breckenridge’s breathtaking beauty, hit the trails! There are hundreds of hiking and binking trails in and around Breckenridge, from gentle dirt roads to challenging summits. Rent road bikes to leisurely cruise through town or explore the backcountry via Mountain Bike.
While you’re in town, sign up for a free guided hike with our Breckenridge naturalists to explore local ecology, learn about native flora and fauna, and gain a deeper appreciation for our natural heritage.
- Local’s Tip: Be sure to review and follow Leave No Trace principles before heading out and always be prepared for your adventure!
Wildflower Peeping
Wildflowers bloom in Breckenridge from late-April through early-October, which means if it isn’t ski season, it’s wildflower season. The first spring blossoms peer out from under a late dusting of snow, and the last compete to spread their seeds before winter’s snowy inundation. No matter the summer month you visit Breckenridge, you’ll find a variety of nature’s blossoms to delight you.
- Local’s Tip: Check out the Wildflower Watch to find out what’s blooming in Breckenridge!
Art Classes, Workshops & Live Music
Bop around the Breckenridge Arts District for an entertaining conglomeration of studios, galleries, historic landmarks and public art. Request a tour, watch artists at work and inquire about kids camps and family classes. Catch a free concert at the AirStage or drop-into a workshop or art class.
Breckenridge’s bars, restaurants and event venues feature weekly bands and DJs- enjoy happy hour with local tunes or get ready for a night out to dance, rejoice and sing along. Check out the BreckCreate schedule or the community calendar for events happening during your stay!
Cozy up and let your creative juices fly inside Breckenridge’s paint your own pottery studio, Ready, Paint, Fire! Enjoy fun projects like pottery and canvas painting, candle making, mosaic art, glass fusing and more! Guests can follow tutorials or let their imagination flow. Unwind and relax with a glass of wine or beer, or bring your own snacks to indulge while you craft. Ready Paint Fire is the perfect evening activity for all ages, those who don’t want to ski, or those who need to take a rest!
DIY Art Tours
Breckenridge boasts an impressive open-air art collection with dozens of public art displays strategically placed around town. You can tour the collection anytime through a self-guided public art tour on your smartphone. If you’re in the market for new decor, we encourage you to tour a few of the art galleries around town.
Free Museums & Parks
Breckenridge is rooted in its past and boasts one of the largest historic districts in Colorado. Stroll through Breckenridge’s free and family-friendly museums, then peek inside Breckenridge’s storied mining and wild west past on a walking tour. Breckenridge History offers a range of tours, including a walk through history, Victorian tea experience, ghost tours and mining site gold panning.
- Local’s Tip: If you’re interested in booking a guided historic tour, you’ll want to call 48 hours ahead.
If you’ve got the kiddos in tow, Breckenridge offers playgrounds throughout the town, each easily accessible from lodging and recreational locations. Breckenridge playgrounds have unique offerings and themes, with elements suitable for kids of all ages.
Breckenridge Recreation Center
Spend an afternoon exploring the Breckenridge Recreation Center to find something everyone will love. For the ambitious athlete in the family, you will find an indoor running track, a newly renovated and expanded free weight room, circuit weights, cardiovascular equipment and two fitness studios. After a full day on the mountain, the steam room, hot tubs, sauna and a lap pool with a hydraulic lift, will aid in well-deserved relaxation. The kids love the leisure pool with water slide, vortex and kiddie fountain. Childcare programs are also available. If you want to soak up some summer sun, head outside to the tennis courts or skatepark.
Find Isak, the Breckenridge Troll
Find the Breckenridge Troll. Isak Heartstone is a 15-foot tall wooden troll sculpture located on the Trollstigen Trail in Breckenridge, Colorado. The newly constructed trailhead is located in the southeast corner of the Stephen C. West Ice Arena parking lot, next to Illinois Gulch Trailhead. Originally built as a part of the annual Breckenridge International Festival of Arts (BIFA) held in August, Isak was created by the Danish artist Thomas Dambo, who is known worldwide for bringing awareness to recycling and upcycling by building great things out of trash.
- Local’s Tip: Going carless in Breckenridge is a breeze! Take the free downtown trolley to all your favorite destinations, including the Troll!
Indoor Ice Skating
After you’re done finding the troll, head to the Stephen C. West Ice Arena for ice skating, freestyle (competitive figure skating), hockey and games for the whole family all year round in their indoor skating rink. Public skating and hockey sessions are generally offered daily.
Brewery & Distillery Tours & Tastings
Catching up with friends over pints and craft spirits is a ski town pastime that never gets old. Visit the pup-friendly Broken Compass for a chocolate coffee stout and some pinball or the Breckenridge Brewery for the latest seasonal taps and a cheesy plate of nachos. Take a tour at the Breckenridge Distillery and then settle in for a multi-course culinary treat in the stylish restaurant space. Swirl award-winning wines at the Continental Divide tasting room and sign up for a custom wine blending experience.
- Local’s Tip: Rent bikes and make it a ride and taste tour!
Find more ideas on where to sip wine, linger over happy hours and discover grown-up nightlife scenes.
Soak up Some Sun with a Pool Day
While Breckenridge is known for its mild summer temperatures, it’s still warm enough to soak up some mountain rays by the pool, and perfect for a dip after a long day on the trails. And what’s better than tiring out the kiddos while you get to work on your tan? Take in views of the Tenmile Range during the day, then come back by night to experience stunning stargazing via hot tub.
Escape Rooms
Reservations are needed, but with multiple options around town, an escape room could be the perfect indoor entertainment for your group. Choose from three family-friendly themes at Mountain Time Escape Rooms (add on holograms or computer-generated imagery). Escape Room Breckenridge gives you an opportunity to pool your wits to solve riddles and uncover clues in a race against time.
Free Gondola & Epic Discovery
Breckenridge Ski Resort’s Epic Discovery offers family-friendly summer activities located at the base of Peak 8 and easily accessed by the free scenic BreckConnect Gondola from town. As soon as you exit the gondola you will be entering Peak 8 Base Camp — home to tons of summer activities and fun for the whole family including the Alpine Slide, Gold Runner Roller Coaster, ropes courses, miniature golf, trampolines, mazes and more!
- Local’s Tip: Watch out for moose below the gondola in the Cucumber Gulch Wildlife Preserve!
Mine Tours & Gold Panning
Dig into a real Breckenridge gold mining experience at Country Boy Mine, where you’ll have the chance to head underground and tour a historic gold mine. After your done, pan for gold, take an award-winning scavenger hunt and meet the local burros!
- Local’s Tip: You’ll want to call or make a reservation before heading over, but they tend to have last minute availability.
For more historic adventures, check out mining relics on a historic hike, pan for gold at Lomax Gulch or opt for a guided tour through Breck History.
