Head up the mountain for hiking, biking and skiing; then back down for fine dining, craft breweries, and indulgent spa days
Your weekender guide to the best things to see and do in Breckenridge, Colorado. Find more travel inspiration for your next Vrbo vacation here.
Most ski towns, no matter how charming, tend to have a whiff of artifice—they were created solely to be ski resorts. Breckenridge is different. It’s the real deal. The town’s history is steeped in the gold rush of the 1850s, when prospectors flocked to the mountains to make their fortunes.
Today you can feel that history and local pride. While you won’t find gold in them thar hills, you will find well-preserved Victorian-era architecture, a thriving arts scene, breweries galore, and of course world-class skiing, snowboarding, and every other outdoorsy mountain activity you can imagine.
There’s no bad time of the year to visit Breck, as locals often call it. In the winter it’s a snow-coated skier’s paradise; in the warmer months you can hike a seemingly endless network of trails at the base of the Rockies.
And if you’re allergic to both skiing and hiking? The culture itself is a worthy draw, as flagship events like the Breckenridge Food and Wine festival (held in late July), the 10-day Breckenridge International Festival of Arts (mid to late August), and the delightfully named Breckenridge Hogfest Bacon & Bourbon festival (late August) prove there’s more to the town than ski lifts and hiking trails, with plenty to do in a three-day weekend. (That said, do check out the ski lifts and hiking trails.)
8am: Fuel up
Grab a bite at Amazing Grace natural eatery (think veggie sausages and granola) or Daylight Donuts, where the surprise star of the menu is arguably the breakfast burrito, not the pastries.
9am: Shop ’n’ stroll
Get the lay of the land by strolling through the wide sidewalks of Main Street, which is dotted with more than 200 shops and restaurants set in historic buildings, some of which date back to the 19th century.
10am: Get to know Breck’s creative side
Find inspiration at the Breckenridge Arts District, aka “BreckCreate,” the cultural hub that’s packed with art installations, exhibits, work studios, community projects, film screenings, and ceramics and pottery workshops open to all.
12pm: Gear up for a mountain adventure
Fuel up at Giampietro Pasta & Pizzeria or Soupz On, then change into ski or hiking gear, depending on the season and your agenda. You’ll find hikes for every ability level, ranging from the 1.3-mile Sawmill Trail to the demanding “14er” (14,000-feet in elevation) of Quandary Peak. (For all hikes, be sure to check local conditions to ensure the trail is open and safe, and that you leave early enough in the day to complete it.)
6pm: Wind down with bubbles and beer
Recover and relax, then grab a bite (and a craft beer) at the Gold Pan Saloon—one of Breck’s oldest and most iconic venues. If you still have energy, move on for drinks at the frisky Motherloaded Tavern, which features live music from local musicians.
9am: Hit the slopes or trails
Kick off the day at Clint’s Bakery & Coffeehouse (try the Rainbow Lake breakfast sandwich with egg, tomato, spinach, and Swiss cheese), then head to the ski lift or the trails. If hiking, consider the Mohawk Lakes Trail (4.3 miles, boasting panoramic views of the surrounding mountains) or Spruce Creek Trail (six miles), which leads to the Mohawk Lakes and Continental Falls.
1pm: Patties and pancakes
Grab lunch at Empire Burger (don’t skip the chili cheese fries) or the legendary Crêpes a la Cart, a small outdoor stand serving sweet and savory crêpes—it’s worth the inevitable line.
2pm: Go for gold
Learn a bit about Colorado’s mining history with a gold-mine tour (such as the Country Boy Mine). You’ll venture into original mine shafts, appreciate the underground conditions of historic miners, and even get a chance to pan for some gold. Feel free to keep any gold flakes you find.
5pm: Indulge in a spa afternoon
Even if your Vrbo has its own one, soak in the hot tubs at the Breckenridge Recreation Center, or explore the rest of the town’s extensive spa scene, where you can treat yourself to self-care like The Spa at Breckenridge’s Mountain Recovery Massage.
7pm: Treat yourself to delicious dinner
Splurge on fine dining at the Hearthstone Restaurant, a converted Victorian-era home that serves locally sourced, seasonal ingredients in dishes like blackberry elk, bison short ribs, and Colorado rack of lamb.
9am: Go big at breakfast
Indulge in a heartier and more leisurely breakfast—hey, you’ve earned it—at Columbine Café, which serves ginormous portions of Columbine Benedict (with homemade hollandaise) or the Breck Scramble, loaded with fresh veggies.
11pm: Take one last jaunt through the mountains
Squeeze in some final runs on the slopes or one last hike; consider the McCullough Gulch Trail (6.4 miles), known for its alpine lakes, endless flora, and wildflower meadows.
2pm: Enjoy a scenic drive
Lunch at Breckenridge Brewpub, where you’ll find a sprawling selection of craft beer and solid fish-and-chips. Then give your weary legs a rest by taking a scenic drive. Head up Boreas Pass Road for one last sweeping view of the mountains; at an elevation of 11,481 feet, the route is a spectacular perch from which to see the Blue River Valley and the Tenmile Range.
6pm: Shop and dine one last time
Stroll down Main Street one final time for some last-minute shopping. Explore Colorado’s (underrated) Mexican food scene at Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, which is as festive as it is colorful, and ideal for a rousing send-off. Then conclude your trip in style with a nightcap at Aurum, an upscale bar and restaurant with choice craft cocktails—whiskey enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Smoked Orange Old Fashioned.
Shaun White: “Anytime I go riding, I bring friends along”
Jeff Wilser is the author of seven books, a frequent traveler (living in 24 countries in the three years to 2020), and a contributor to The New York Times, GQ, and Fast Company.
