Hiking A 14er: Quandry Peak
The toughest hike weve ever been on was Quandry Peak, just south of Breckenridge. Quandry is one of Colorados famed 14ers mountains exceeding 14,000 feet at the summit. Thats really high.especially when youre climbing up 3,326 feet during your hike.
Dont let the tough-guy hiking message board reviewers who scoff at the challenge of this hike fool you. While it is heavily trafficked and as a result youll want to arrive at the parking lot as early as you can manage and sunrise allows its 6.6 miles up a severe incline and 6.6 miles back down over scree loose rock. Going up is more physically demanding. Coming down is more dangerous, particularly on jelly legs.
It took my husband and me 8 HOURS to complete this hike and we were physically shot for the rest of the trip. Reserve this hike for the end of your stay when you can recuperate on the way home and have had a few days to acclimate to the altitude.
Be honest with yourself about your ability to take on this challenge. Every year without fail, someone gets lost or in over their head on Quandry and needs rescue.
If youre primarily interested in good views, pictures and wildlife, that can be found on numerous other hikes at a much less severe cost. If you want to experience the challenge of a 14er and are looking for a memory, Quandry is for you. Ive now checked hiking a 14er off my bucket list!
Be sure to say hello to the mountain goats along the way .
Visitbreck Summer Essentials Packing List
Ready for your adventure? Make sure to bring
Your Camera
Whether its your phone camera, a vintage polaroid or your digital you take on all your travels, dont forget your camera to capture your Breckenridge vacation! While youre here, make sure to follow us on , and and tag #visitbreck so we can follow along and share your adventures!
Your Reusable Water Bottle
Do yourself and the environment a favor by bringing a reusable water bottle with you to Breckenridge! Hydration is critical up here at high altitude and with fresh mountain spring water at every turn, there is no excuse not to drink up all day, every day!
Your Favorite Hats
Packing your favorite brimmed hat or beanie is another must-bring. Bring a brimmed hat that will protect your skin from the sun on adventures and your go-to beanie that will keep you warm in the evenings on hikes, in town, or during a soak in the hot tub!
Your Backpack
Bringing your backpack along on your trip and your daily adventures is a necessity. The perfect day pack is one that allows you to be on-the-move . Whether youre soaring above the trees on a zip-line at Epic Discovery, on a long hike or bike ride, or just walking around town, youll want to be prepared for sudden weather changes and have that extra fuel and hydration.
Your Sunscreen + Sunglasses
Your Rain Jacket
Your Favorite Sweater or Hoodie
Your Hiking Pants, Shorts + Favorite Jeans
Your Hiking Boots or Waterproof Shoes
Take A Gold Mine Tour
Breckenridge, along with its various amusements and attractions, boasts a rich mining history, and visitors have a chance to walk through its mining past when taking a Gold Mine Tour.
The Colorado ski town offers various mining tours, the most famous of which is the Real Gold Mine Tour with Country Boy Mine. It provides trips to the only real open mine in the area.
Youâll go 1000 feet underground, try your luck with a little gold panning, slide the ore chute, and walk around the historic site. Youngsters will also have a chance to feed and pet the burros!
This is a fantastic thing to do when taking a break from skiing in Breckenridge!
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Best Things To Do In Summer In Breckenridge
Sitting at 9,600 elevation at the town center, the air is thin but the activities are not! Theres so many things to do in Breckenridge in summer that no matter your vacation style, youll find as much adventure or relaxation as you desire.
This guide leans toward family-friendly fun with some high-adventure activities. But the nice thing about a destination like this is that you can make it your own.
Breckenridge Average Summer Temperatures:
Also if youre looking for an affordable vacation in Breckenridge, summertime is perfect! With many free or cheap outdoor activities, its a great time for couples, families or individuals to explore the area.
The cons to visiting Breckenridge in summer is that a lot of other people also want to see this beautiful mountain town, too! That means the pricing for accommodations can be higher, more crowds and long lines for certain activities.
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Tour And Sample Some Spirits At Breckenridge Distillery
The worlds highest distillery, Breckenridge Distillery on Airport Road, offers complimentary tastings of their award-winning spirits. Guests can upgrade their tasting experience for a small fee. Beginning March of 2021, Breckenridge Distillery will be offering an expanded whiskey experience including small-bite and spirits pairings, chocolate and spirits pairings, and allowing guests to blend their own whiskey. The Rocky Mountain snowmelt water makes the hard liquor smooth, and vertical barrel aging is necessary due to the dry mountain air. Both contribute to making Breckenridge Distillerys spirits unique. They run a complimentary shuttle daily so that everyone can enjoy the libations with the designated shuttle driver.
11 Beautiful Breckenridge Vacation Rentals For Your Mountain Getaway
Ride The Main Street Trolley
A great way to take in the sites and sounds of Breckenridge is to ride the Main Street Trolley.
This free trolley runs every 30 minutes from 9am to 11pm daily.
This historic tour passes many of Breckenridges most iconic and beloved buildings.
We recommend starting at the Welcome Center near the Riverwalk center and enjoying the journey south on Main Street.
Along the way youll see lots of historic architecture, statures, and hear stories of Brecks history.
As the tour continues, the trolley turns onto Boreas Pass Road, where youll pass the Highline Railroad Park & Museum.
This was the original route of the Breckenridge narrow gauge railroad back in the late 1880s and early 1900s.
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Average Winter Temperatures In Breckenridge
The temperature in Breckenridge during the winter is fairly consistent throughout the winter but can vary during the shoulder season around it despite snow still being prevalent.
These are the average winter temperatures in Breckenridge:
- Breckenridge in December: Day time 30° F, night 19° F
- Breckenridge in January: Day time 31° F, night 19° F
- Breckenridge in February: Day time 31° F, night 19° F
Drink Craft Beer In Breckenridge
The small Colorado town is a haven for craft beer and enthusiasts will find visiting them one of the best things to do in winter in Breckenridge!
The largest craft brewery in Breckenridge is the Breckenridge Brewery, dating back to 1990. This craft beer brewery is also the 5th largest in Colorado, producing 70000 barrels of beer annually.
Visit Breck Brew Pub, located in the heart of the town and enjoy some of their beers. Another great option is Broken Compass Brewing, with various flavorful brews and acoustic events organized every weekend.
You can dine in a cozy atmosphere and try an array of beers at CB and Potts. If you want to try some Mexican food and choose among 37 beers on tap, check out the Breckenridge Tap House.
Other spots include Ollieâs Pub and Grub, Après Handcrafted Libations, and Kenosha. And, even better, you can attend the Big Beers Festival organized annually in Breckenridge in January!
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Ritas Margaritas And Tacos
If youre a fan of margaritas, tequila or tacos, you need this place in your life.Seriously.
Ritas margs are the best we had in all of Summit County . When you walk in and see tequila lining the bar, you know youre in a good spot for margaritas!
Anyway, its not the most kid-friendly place , however for older kids and vacations without kids, this place is a must!
Afternoon At Lake Dillon
Perhaps one of my favorite things to do in the Breckenridge area is to visit Lake Dillon. Located about 25 minutes northeast, this beautiful lake will win your heart.
With scenic views surrounding the entire lake, youll find theres quite a lot of things to do in Dillon CO, too!
How to spend an afternoon at Lake Dillon:
- Visit the Sapphire Point Overlook
- Rent a boat and enjoy the water
- Bike parts of the 26 scenic mile shoreline
- Hike the Old Dillon Reservoir trail for epic lake views
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Things To Do In Breckenridge Colorado: Peak 8 Fun Park
The Peak 8 Fun Park is a summer adventure destination on Breckenridge’s Peak 8 that is accessed by a scenic gondola ride up to the peak. Activities include an elevated roller coaster track known as the Breckenridge Gold Runner Coaster as well as three alpine slide courses, a bounce house, a climbing wall, and a bungee trampoline. The park also features the largest human maze in the state and a picturesque miniature golf course. Mountain bikers can haul their bikes up to the top on a lift and enjoy the exhilarating ride back down. The Kids Zip Line and Ropes Course gives young adventurers an adrenaline-pumping thrill. The Fun Park is open from June to September.
320 North Park Avenue, Breckenridge, CO 80424, Phone: 970-453-5000
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Backpack The Colorado Trail
For a taste of the trail without the commitment of a thru-hike, backpack Segment 6 of the Colorado Trail. Running 33 miles from Kenosha Pass to Gold Hill, this is the longest segment of the Colorado Trail and features beautiful mountain passes and great campsites to stop along the way. Not to mention, this segment is one of the most scenic backpacking routes in Colorado.
Local Tip: Youll need to shuttle cars from Kenosha Pass to Breckenridge. If youre on a thru-hike, the shuttle bus stops right near the trailhead for quick access into Breck.
- Duration: 3 days
- Cost: Free
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Mountain Top Children’s Museum Breckenridge Colorado
The Mountain Top Children’s Museum is an interactive educational museum that promotes learning and fun through hands-on exhibits and programming. The museum is designed for children aged 10 and under in the company of their families. Museum exhibits include a Rocky Mountain Wildlife Exhibit that teaches all about animals native to Colorado and the Rockies and there is a small planetarium and play “lab” where kids can experiment with mixing colors. The Kidstruction Zone gives kids the chance to build while dressing the part with hard hats and aprons. There is also a creative arts section and a stage for kids to express themselves. The museum features a dedicated area for children aged 2 and under.
103 S Harris St, Breckenridge, CO 80424, Phone: 970-453-7878
The Best Restaurants In Breckenridge
For Pizza in Breckenridge
The Breckenridge pizza game was forever changed in 2021 when Tin Plate opened. It quickly earned the distinction as my favorite pizza in Breckenridge!
The atmosphere is just as perfect as the pizza. Tin Plate occupies a 138-year-old mining cabin that was once where Colorados largest gold nugget, Toms Baby, was cleaned and weighed in at 13.5 pounds.
When I visited in August 2021, the Peach & Prosciutto pizza was the big crowd pleaser for our large group. Topped with roasted peaches , prosciutto, mozzarella, bleu cheese, chili, honey and basil, it was a universally beloved choice.
Tin Plate describes its pizza as upscale, but thats referring to the variety of interesting flavors and combinations, not the atmosphere. Like most restaurants in Breckenridge, youll be totally comfortable here in anything . Its not stuff or pretentious, its just the best pizza in town.
Other oldies but goodies are Fattyswhich has a sports bar atmosphereand Giampetros. Both locals and longtime visitors recommended these to us over and over when we first started visiting and weve enjoyed both.
For Fine Dining in Breckenridge
Briar Rose Chophouse and Saloon is my personal favorite, and I never miss it when Im in Breckenridge. The bar has a more casual atmosphere if you want fine dining level food without having to sit at a white tablecloth-clad table. Thats exactly how I like to do Briar Rose.
For Breakfast in Breckenridge
For Nachos
For Tacos
For Barbecue
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Visit The Breckenridge Troll
Isak Heartstone, AKA the Breckenridge Troll is a fun, free attraction for kids and adults alike. Its one of the most Insta-worthy attractions in Breckenridge in summer.
The troll was originally created for the Breckenridge International Festival of Arts and is now a popular tourist attraction.
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Located about a mile from downtown Breckenridge, getting to the troll is relatively easy. Here are specific directions to find the troll from the city of Breckenridge.
Pro tip: the official directions will tell you to walk to the troll. However, if youre traveling with young kids, know that its a steep walk uphill in high elevation and can be quite exhausting.
Id recommend to take the free shuttle from downtown. Alternatively, if you navigate to the Illinois Creek Trailhead, youll find parking near the trailhead to the troll. Then its just a short walk to see Isak.
Youll probably need about an hours time to get to the troll, hang out and take a few photos and get back to your vehicle.
Stroll The Breckenridge Arts District
The Breckenridge Arts District is the cultural heart of the downtown containing hosting studios, galleries, performance spaces, historic sites, public art, and several restaurants.
You will also find numerous cultural events, including ceramics, drawing, printmaking, metalsmithing, textiles, and painting and musical performances.
Get your hands dirty and take part in various workshops when youre there! It is a great thing to do when taking a break from the slopes! Below are some interactive and hands-on experiences to enjoy!
Stop at BreckCreate to try your skills at ceramics, candle-making, woodshop, painting, and more. The Arts District offers an open-house walk every second Saturday of the month.
Start from the Old Masonic Hall for Exhibitions, then visit the Quandary Antiques Cabin for Kidsâ Crafts. Also dont miss the chance to check out the Ceramic Studio and Randall Barn for Co-op Artists. Visitors of all ages are welcome and the galleries remain open until 8pm.
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Prepping For That Altitude
Breckenridge sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains Tenmile Range, and is at 9,600-foot elevation . This means you better prepare yourself for possible altitude sickness something that can affect anyone. Symptoms of altitude sickness include shortness of breath, a rapid pulse, fatigue, headache, diarrhea, loss of appetite and nausea. Yeah, it doesnt sound like a good time.
How can you beat it? According to Breckenridge Resort, a few days before your arrival, start prepping by drinking at least 2 liters of water a day, eating a well balanced diet and getting a good amount of sleep. Upon your arrival, take it easy and maybe skip alcohol that evening, and drink at least a liter more of water a day than you normally would during your stay. Its important to know that traveling to a high elevation should be taken seriously with more water and sunscreen, notes Dineen.
Experience The Rapids While Whitewater Rafting
For a more intense adventure on the water, go on a guided whitewater rafting tour down one of the many rivers near Breckenridge. Rafting companies, including Breckenridge Whitewater Rafting and AVA offer a variety of adventures on Browns Canyon, the Arkansas River, the Colorado River, Blue River, and Clear Creek. You can choose whether you want a chill float or a ride on some real rapids.
- Duration: Half day to full day
- Cost: Varies
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What To Pack For Your Summer Adventure
Your Breckenridge summer getaway is days away. Dream lodging is booked, and activities are planned for the whole family. Now its time to get your suitcase packed and ready for the ultimate Rocky Mountain vacation. Check out the VisitBreck Summer Essentials Packing List below to make sure you are ready for your upcoming Colorado adventure.
Pack your bags, next stop Breckenridge!
Spend The Afternoon In Frisco
Known more to locals than tourists, Frisco is a local hot spot thats located right at the waters edge. Theres a lot to do in Frisco, from enjoying the charming main street to climbing the famous Mount Royal.
The marina offers plenty of water sports. And if youre into road biking, Frisco is a great spot to try biking along the paved path to Vail. You can even bike from Breck to Frisco, or take the bus.
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Things To Do In Breckenridge Colorado: High Line Railroad Park
High Line Railroad Park is a railroad heritage park in downtown. The centerpiece of the park is Engine No. 9, which was one of two that rode the narrow-gauge track through Colorado’s difficult and dangerous terrain. The train stands as a reminder of Colorado’s railroad and mining past. Visitors can see a restored rotary snowplow that is one of only five known to exist today. These snowplows were used to clean the tracks from the many feet snow that fall in Colorado’s mountains in the winter time. Additional exhibits include a flatcar exhibit, a boxcar diorama, and a replica of a C& S caboose.
189 Boreas Pass Rd, Breckenridge, CO 80424, Phone: 970-453-9767
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