9 Top Things to Do in Breckenridge for an Unforgettable Mountain Escape
When the mountains are calling, let a trip to Breckenridge be your answer. This quaint and colorful town in Summit County, Colorado sits against the Rockies, offering year-round fun for every traveler.
Whether you’d like to get outdoors with world-class skiing and hiking, indulge your inner foodie downtown, or find all the family-friendly fun, Breckenridge promises a memorable adventure.
Start by booking one of our vacation rentals (a home with mountain views is always a crowd-pleaser), then slip into vacation mode with these top things to do.
In This Article:
Best Outdoor Activities in Breckenridge
Nestled in the Rocky Mountains and sunny year-round, visiting Breckenridge in the summer, fall, or winter is a dream for nature enthusiasts. From iconic sports to scenic exploration, these are the best outdoor activities to get you out enjoying that fresh mountain air.
1. Ski or Snowmobile in Style
With four ski resorts in the Breckenridge area, tons of backcountry to explore, and the highest chairlift in North America, snowy days are best spent on the slopes. Enjoy five jaw-dropping peaks at Breckenridge Ski Resort, or make the quick trip to nearby Copper Mountain (known not only as a great resort for experts, but kids and beginners too).
If swooshing down the slopes isn’t your style, you can also opt for a thrill-seeking snowmobile ride. Local companies like Good Times Adventures and Breckenridge Snowmobiling Tours & Rentals give guests the opportunity to motor down thousands of manicured trails or more rugged terrain, depending on how far off the beaten path you’d like to go.
2. Capture Scenic Views at Hoosier Pass
At over 11,500 feet, this high mountain pass cuts between two national forests and offers epic 360-degree views. Hike amongst wildflowers on the Hoosier Pass Loop in summer months, take a leaf-peeping drive come autumn, or snowshoe down trails with Instagram-worthy snow-capped peaks (only severe weather closes the pass).
3. Go Whitewater Rafting
There are plenty of things to do in Breckenridge in the summer, but there’s no doubt that whitewater rafting tops the list. You can sail down one of five Colorado rivers with a Breckenridge Whitewater Rafting adventure, ranging from easier courses the whole family can enjoy to choppier channels for thrill-seekers.
For a more relaxed view of the area’s crisp waters, there’s the option to take a scenic float, or even set up on shore with some fly fishing.
Best Foodie Activities in Breckenridge
A day spent exploring nature is bound to work up an appetite. Downtown Breckenridge is a wonderland for foodies (or really anyone looking for some good grub and drinks) with these top things to do.
1. Show Your Spirits
Known as the “world’s highest,” Breckenridge Distillery makes award-winning whiskey and other spirits (try their vodka if the dark stuff isn’t your thing). It can be your final stop on a Fat Bike tour of local distilleries, or it can be a full afternoon excursion of its own with complimentary tastings happening daily.
For a full behind-the-scenes experience though, it’s worth scheduling an After Hours Tour: your group will get an inside look at the bourbon-making process, and you might even get to try not-yet-released products. (There are tons of other visitor experiences you could look into, too.)
When you’re ready to soak up your spirits with a world-class meal, pop over to Breckenridge Distillery’s Restaurant. Helmed by celebrity chef David Burke and James Beard Award nominee David Root, you’ll dig into pretty unforgettable local and seasonal modern American cuisine.
2. Taste Your Way Down Main Street
Explore Breckenridge’s main drag for some seriously good eats. Transport yourself to Paris with a sweet or savory crepe from Crepes A La Cart (which now has a brick-and-mortar store in addition to its iconic Main Street cart), or test your palette at Ridge Street Wine (a little après-ski charcuterie never hurt).
For a kid-friendly meal, try Downstairs at Eric’s. A local favorite buzzing with energy, this family restaurant serves casual comfort food and 30 beers on tap. Antsy little ones (and, let’s be honest, adults) can also Skee Ball and Pac Man to their hearts’ content in the fully-outfitted arcade.
When you’re ready for dessert, indulge in some gooey goodness from Mountain Top Cookie Shop — or better yet, grab a dozen to bring back to your home base.
3. Toast Your Vacation at a Local Brewery
Colorado boasts some of the country’s best breweries, and Breckenridge is no exception. Start your tour at the largest of the bunch: Breckenridge Brewery produces over 70,000 barrels of signature beer a year and sits right on Main Street, so it’s an easy commute pre- or post-lunch.
Pop over to Broken Compass Brewing in the evening for weekly Tuesday trivia and live music on Sundays. (It’s, as they put it, “where lost beer souls are found.”) Or, get a taste of Gold Rush history at the Gold Pan Saloon. Established in 1879, it’s a living piece of Wild West memorabilia you can experience firsthand, just as miners did 150 years ago.
Best Kid-Friendly Activities in Breckenridge
There’s no shortage of things to do in Breckenridge when you have the kids in tow. In addition to spending time on bunny hills or satisfying your little one’s sweet tooth in town, these activities will keep the whole family entertained.
1. Have Mountains of Fun at Epic Discovery
Located at the base of Peak 8 in Breckenridge Ski Resort, this popular amusement park turns up the excitement meter for those visiting Breckenridge in the summer.
From alpine slides and the Gold Runner Coaster to activities fit for Lil’ Nuggets like tubing, zipline, and a ropes course, Epic Discovery offers a range of thrilling summer recreation for kids of all ages.
2. Carve Out Time to See Giant Snow Sculptures
If you’re looking for things to do in Breckenridge in the winter, a trip to the International Snow Sculpture Championships won’t disappoint.
Held at the end of every January in the heart of town, this free pop-up event brings together 16 teams from around the world to carve massive works of art out of 20-ton blocks of snow…entirely by hand. Carving Week typically goes through the last full week of the month, and visitors can view the finished sculptures for several days afterwards.
3. Compete in the Great Rubber Duck Race
Infuse your vacation with a healthy dose of family competition when you enter the Great Rubber Duck Race.
Each September, thousands of racers and bystanders go to downtown Breckenridge to watch hundreds of rubber duckies sail along the Blue River. Kids under 12 compete first (you can grab a duck day-of for $10), and older children and adults can get in on the fun a bit later for the chance to win a $1,500 grand prize.
Explore More of Breckenridge, CO
Whether you’re aching for fresh air, ready to tickle your tastebuds, or excited by endless kid-friendly recreation, Breckenridge is the mountain getaway of a lifetime. To learn more about visiting Breckenridge — including where to find a great vacation rental to serve as your home base — check out our vacation-made-easy guide to Breckenridge. (Expand your horizons by exploring our broader Summit County guide, too.)
Rest Easy with Evolve
The moment you book your vacation, you should start looking forward to your trip — not worrying about the little details. When you choose Evolve for your Breckenridge vacation, you can trust the home you book will be clean, ready, and as-advertised.
Every Evolve vacation rental comes with a team of hospitality experts, and we’re here to make your stay comfortable 24/7. To help you feel even more confident, we created our Rest Easy Promise: if a stay doesn’t match our standards, we’ll make it right.