Best Family Vacations: Breckenridge Summer Guide

The lazy days of summer aren’t so lazy in Breckenridge.  There are over 100 things to do and an almost endless line-up of special events and plenty of hiking trails, parks and activities that are sure to satisfy everyone in your group.

Family-Friendly Hiking

Take in the views and enjoy the scenery on one of Breckenridge’s hiking trails.

For your family’s first day in Breckenridge it’s great to start with the easy stuff. You’ve come for the views and cool mountain air, so grab breakfast then head out for an easy hike to get your bearings.

Use our family hiking articles to find the best hikes for your family:

• Beginners Guide To Hiking
• Tips for Hiking with Kids
• Easy Hiking Trails
• 3 Easy Hikes From Downtown Breckenridge
• Hiking in Breckenridge Without A Car

Kid-Approved Biking

Discover Breckenridge’s hundreds of miles of Mountain Biking terrain.

Did you know Breckenridge is one of the best places to take kids on a bike ride? There are options for easy, paved rides, and the Town of Breckenridge is continuously expanding and improving its trail system for mountain bikers at every level. Nearly every ski rental shop in town becomes a bike rental shop in the summer, so there are plenty of bikes for every age and ability.

Learn More About Family Friendly Biking

• Kid-Friendly Mountain Biking Trails
• Easy Biking Trails
• The 3 Easiest and 3 Toughest Mountain Biking Trails

Local’s Tips:  If your clan isn’t ready for dirt quite yet, jump on the Blue River Rec-Path and ride around town, following the Blue River. Bring a lunch and pull over at any point to take a break and refuel. Remember to always pack-it in and pack-it out.

Top Guided Adventures For Families

While teens may love the larger rapids that can feel as fast as a roller-coaster ride, there are also slower rapids that are more like a Huck Finn paddle for younger kids

It’s always fun to try new activities and adventures on vacation especially ones you’d never be able to do at home.  In Breckenridge, we make it easy for the whole family to try something new thanks to the variety of guided activities in town.

Guided activities are great because they typically include:

• All the gear you need for the activity
• An expert to teach you the activity, keep you safe, take photos and possibly provide lunch or snacks

Best Guided Family Activities To Try:

• Guided Hiking Tours
• Summer Dog Sledding
• Horseback Riding
• Whitewater Rafting
• Epic Discovery

Best Kid-Friendly Activities From Main Street

In the 1800s, prospectors flooded what was to become Breckenridge with the hopes of striking gold (and they found it). Today, travelers will discover a mountain community rich in adventure and history.

Everyone in the family will love exploring historic Main Street. You can do so on foot or try the free Main Street trolley. Throughout Main Street, you’ll find delightful pocket parks that are perfect for any, “I don’t wanna shop” sidequest. Our favorite park is Blue River Plaza, right in the center of Breckenridge, which has a unique playground on the bank of the Blue River.

5 Things Your Kids Can Do In Town

• Play at one of the parks on and around Main Street
• Feed the fish at Ollie’s on the Dredge
• Ride the free BreckConnect Gondola
• Paddleboard at Maggie Pond
• Visit the Mountain Top Explorium’s free children’s museum (perfect for when those summer rain showers hit.)

You’ll also want to check out the Breckenridge Creative Arts District – or BreckCreate for short – for afternoon crafts, music and more.

Top Indoor Activities For Kids

Come and hang out 1000′ feet down a real Gold Mine and see what life was like for a miner in the 1880s.

It’s hard to believe, but there are some days that are less sunny than others in Breckenridge (though the sun shines more than 300 days a year here). If you’re in the mood for a more low-key day or want to spend some time exercising your brain, there are plenty of options in Breckenridge.

Kid-Approved Indoor Adventures

• Explore a real gold mine then try your luck at gold panning at Country Boy Mine
• Check out Breckenridge Heritage Alliance for museums and tours
• Head to the Breckenridge Arts District which offers a wide variety of interactive arts workshops, classes and events.
• Breckenridge also has a world-class recreation center, complete with an indoor pool, slides and hot tubs. Once you’re done swimming, be sure to try the indoor rock-climbing wall or the new tennis center.
• Seek clues, solve unique puzzles, answer questions and work together to try to escape one of our all-age-friendly escape rooms.

Find 5 More Picks For A Rainy Day in Breckenridge

Tip: Rain showers typically occur in the afternoon around 2 or 3 p.m. in the summer. Try to plan your outdoor activities in the morning if possible, but if the forecast calls for rain, don’t worry! Showers are usually quick and the skies clear up within minutes. Just make sure you pack that rain jacket to be safe!

Explore the top decks and patios in Breckenridge while sampling a kid-friendly feast. Finding a family-friendly spot for eating out in Breckenridge can have its challenges, especially since many restaurants in town don’t take reservations. The best way to avoid hangry kids is to head to dinner early. Places like Fatty’s Pizzeria, Downstairs at Eric’s and Mi Casa are family-friendly staples in town with large enough tables for a party of six or more. If you can make a 6:00pm dinner, you will increase your chances for a shorter wait time.

Another tip: If your family is bigger than six, think about splitting up into two tables; that will help the restaurant seat you faster.  Other strategies include hitting up happy hour for pre-dinner snacks, arriving at least an hour earlier than you’d normally eat, or visiting one of the off-the-beaten-path restaurants.

• Find more suggestions in our family restaurant guide

Explore over 200+ retail locations and small businesses in Breckenridge, Colorado. No trip to Breckenridge is complete without a day to explore Main Street. It’s just shy of a mile long, perfect for a light afternoon or evening stroll through the hub of town.

The Main Street Trolley is a free transportation shuttle that services downtown Breckenridge. Breckenridge’s easy walkability and redesigned pathways and sidewalks make it easy to get around with a stroller, wagon or a handholding child.  When your kid’s pint-sized legs get tired, hop on the Breck Free Ride. The Breck Free Ride is a community-wide free transit system complete with an easy app and routes designed to get you to where you want to be. Plus, the majority major of lodges offer complimentary shuttles to get around town with ease.

Fun ways to get around town

• Don’t miss out; the BreckConnect Gondola is free to ride in the winter and summer.
• Try two wheels. Did you know that Breckenridge’s bike lanes were awarded the highest level as a bicycle-friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists? Rent a bike and check it out!
• Breckenridge’s Trolley loops up and down Main Street. It’s a perfect way to get from Point A to Point B as well as a great activity for all truck-loving kids.

Local Tip: Direct shuttles leave nearby airports almost hourly to Breckenridge.

Soak in the views from a pool or hot tub.

One of the best things about Breckenridge is its size.  No matter where you stay you’ll be able to walk to town or a bus stop that’ll take you to town.  Instead of focusing on location, we recommend choosing your place to stay based on amenities, room count and decor.  Search Lodging in Breckenridge.

Here are a few articles to help you decide:

• Best Lodging Amenities in Breckenridge
• Green Lodging in Breckenridge
• Best Pools in Breckenridge
• Top 8 Hot Tubs in Breckenridge
• A Guide to Dog-Friendly Breckenridge