I’ve gotten to know Breckenridge pretty well after living here for a few years. I’m very fortunate (and have put in a lot of hard work) to explore the area and experience the Colorado Rocky Mountains to the fullest.
I’ve tried pretty much every fun activity on every to-do list on the internet.
And now I’m taking my experiences and putting them into a list of my favorites.
You don’t need any other Breckenridge summer to-do list because these activities are the best of the best.
#1: Go Hiking
First and foremost, hiking is easily the best thing to do in Breckenridge. The mountains have countless miles of hiking trails just waiting to be explored.
The trails feature wildflowers, pine forests, alpine lakes, aspens, rivers and streams, and so much more.
Their difficulty ranges from easy walks in the woods to strenuous treks that summit mountains, and everything in between. Read our list of the best hiking trails in Breckenridge – but here’s a few snippets of our favorites:
- For a short walk for the whole family, visit Blue Lakes north of town, and explore the two alpine lakes connected by a beautiful waterfall.
- If you’re in good shape and want to challenge yourself, seek new heights by summiting Black Powder Pass or making the trek up to Mohawk Lakes.
- If you want a once-in-a-lifetime experience, train to summit a 14er and climb to the top of Quandary Peak, Breckenridge’s local 14,000-foot peak.
I’ve also put together some lists of my favorite hikes based on features: best waterfalls near Breckenridge, Best Wildflower Hikes near Breckenridge, and Best Hoosier Pass Hikes.
#2: Drive Boreas Pass Road
The best scenic drive near Breckenridge is Boreas Pass, a dirt and gravel road that takes you up to the historic town of Boreas which was thriving in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The road is rich in history and you’ll see evidence of its past as a Gold Rush trail, then a railroad, and now as a scenic drive.
Starting in Breckenridge, it’s about 9 miles one way to the summit of the pass, which is also part of the Great Continental Divide. You can either turn around there or continue over into the town of Como then take the highway back to Breckenridge.
Along the way, we recommend stopping at any overlooks that catch your attention. There are several that offer incredible views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
If you’re a hiker, some of our favorite hikes start from this road (like Aspen Alley). Once you reach the summit, there are lots of signs about the history of the old town – it’s worth walking around and exploring.
#3: Discover Something Epic
During the peak summer months, Breckenridge Ski Resort transforms into an activity area called Epic Discovery, and it’s home to some of the best outdoor activities in the area.
Start by taking the gondola from town to the base of Peak 8, then visit a ticket window to purchase tickets (or purchase ahead of time online).
At the base area, you’ll find mini golf, bungee trampolines, and several restaurants. You can even speed down the mountain on the GoldRunner Coaster.
One of our favorite things to do is the scenic chairlift ride on the Colorado Superchair up to 11,000 feet. You’ll get unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains and you don’t even have to hike up a few thousand feet to get there.
At the top, there are even more activities like a climbing wall for rock climbing, gemstone panning, a ropes course, and several hiking trails.
If you’re into mountain biking, there are tons of bike-specific trails here. Rent a mountain bike from the gear shop at the base, then take the lift up. There’s no pedaling uphill so you can focus on flying down the ski slopes.
This could easily be made into an all-day activity, but make sure to save it for a day with perfect weather, otherwise, some activities could be closed. Get there early to beat the crowds!
#4: Time Your Visit with a Festival
Breckenridge is a bustling and exciting mountain town that is home to several festivals over the year. We love attending their summer festivals, which are an eclectic mix that ranges from monthly art festivals to wine and food events.
Some examples include the Food & Wine Festival, the Breckenridge Bourbon & Bacon Festival, the Summer Beer Festival, and the nearby Blue Grass & Beer in Keystone.
Even if you don’t time your visit with one of these events, you should check the calendar and see what’s going on that week or weekend, as there’s always something happening in downtown Breckenridge or the surrounding area of Summit County.
#5: Take a Walk Through Time
If you enjoy history, especially the Gold Rush and gold mining, the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance offers several walking tours and museums that are very engaging and informative.
Our favorite tour is their Walk Through History Tour that covers downtown Breckenridge and we also highly recommend visiting the High Line Railroad Park and Barney Ford Museum.
Visit their website at BreckHistory.org or see them in person at the Breckenridge Welcome Center in Blue River Plaza (downtown Breckenridge) for more information.
If you want a spooky and unique experience, take a ghost tour! And if you want to visit a real mine, visit the Country Boy Mine.
#6: Get Wet on Lake Dillon (or the river)
Just 10 minutes outside of Breckenridge is Dillon Reservoir, a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. The Dillon Marina is the world’s highest deep-water marina and offers lakeside dining and sailing tours, as well as pontoon boat, SUP, and kayak rentals.
There’s a beach that’s a great place for launching small watercraft, but know that the water is too cold for swimming and you’re only allowed to wade in shallow water. For an incredible view of the lake from above, make sure you stop at nearby Sapphire Point Overlook and hike the 1-mile loop.
Another great way to get in the water is by booking a white water rafting trip with a local outfitter. The rivers in Colorado offer some of the best places to raft in the country, and there’s something for all skill levels. There are adventures on the Colorado River, Arkansas River, Browns Canyon, and more.
#7: Rent Bikes
Several outfitters in Breckenridge and Frisco offer bike rentals for both regular pedal bikes and e-bikes. This has become one of our favorite ways to explore the area because of all the paved bike trails that take you around Dillon Reservoir and the surrounding towns.
Our favorite bike route is booking a Vail Pass bike ride with an outfitter like Rebel Sports in Frisco. They will shuttle you and your bike to the top of Vail Pass, then you get to ride 14 miles downhill back into town.
If you want to rent e-bikes, you can ride that route yourself, but we prefer taking e-bikes on the 18-mile trail around Lake Dillon – it’s the best way to see the lake without getting in the water.
#8: Try Something New
Breckenridge is home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the country.
Are you not normally a hiker? Go hiking.
Don’t normally fish? Take a fly fishing guided trip.
Never ridden a horse? Go horseback riding.
One of our favorite things we’ve done was rent four-wheelers. Adventure Time Rentals gives you the toys and will show you where to go for an amazing and fun outdoor adventure.
There’s an adventure waiting for everyone! Step outside your comfort zone and do something amazing.
#9: Shop Downtown
Main Street in the town of Breckenridge is beautiful and picturesque, and each colorful building that lines the street is just waiting to be explored.
There are countless small boutique shops, jewelry stores, rock shops, an olive oil store, and several outdoor gear brands. Most of the buildings are historic, so you’ll hear the creak of floorboards at each store you enter.
Even if you’re not much of a shopper, it’s worth a lap down Main Street.
#10: Discover Summit County
Breckenridge is located in an amazing region of the Rocky Mountains, an area where there are several towns within a short drive of each other and each town has its own set of fun activities.
Use Breckenridge as a base camp, and take the time to explore the other small towns like Keystone, Copper Mountain, Vail, Frisco, Dillon, and Silverthorne.
If you don’t have a vehicle, you could still get around Breckenridge and the surrounding area by taking the Free Ride bus or Summit Stage bus. If you go over Hoosier Pass south of town, you have access to even more outdoor recreation like fly fishing, horseback riding trail rides, ATVing, and more.
#11: Go Tasting
No matter which type of food or alcohol you enjoy, there’s definitely something for you. This could be a great indoor activity for a rainy day, but most places also have outdoor patios that are perfect for ideal weather as well.
For wine tasting, visit Carboy Winery, Continental Divide Winery, and Ridge Street Wine.
For spirits, the Breckenridge Dillistery has a tasting room downtown or an amazing restaurant outside of town.
If you enjoy beer, our favorite places are Breckenridge Brewery, Broken Compass, and the Breckenridge Tap House.
If food is more your style, there are several options for high-class dining that will make your taste buds go crazy. Our favorite restaurants are Roostalk, Briar Rose, and the Breckenridge Distillery restaurant.
#12: Rainy Day? Here’s What to Do Inside
It will rain almost every day in the summer, but that’s what makes the mountains so green and full of life. When the weather keeps you indoors, there’s still lots to do!
Read our article about Breckenridge Indoor Activities, but here are some examples:
The Stephen C. West Ice Arena offers public ice skating and even has disco skating on select Friday nights. This is the home of the Breckenridge Vipers, a semi-professional hockey team. If they’re playing during your visit, it’s a must-see!
The Breckenridge Recreation Center has a fun indoor water park that’s a great spot for the entire family. It includes a water slide, hot tubs, and a lap pool. Your day pass would include access to the other facilities, so you could work out, swim laps, take a group class, play racquetball, and more.
Some other activities include axe throwing, a treasure hunt at Country Boy Mine, and seeing a movie at the historical Eclipse Theater.
When to Visit
Breckenridge is known as a world-class ski resort, but when the snow melts and the skis get put away, the mountains turn into an incredible summer vacation destination.
The slopes shift from snowy ribbons to wildflower-filled meadows and the temperature rarely gets above 80 degrees. The sun shines bright and warm, and there’s an endless amount of activities for anyone and everyone.
But this transition to summer happens WAY later than the rest of the country. High-elevation hikes aren’t snow-free until at least July, with lower-elevation ones starting to open up in May and June.
July is the best month if you want to visit during the real peak summer season. June can still host large snow packs but August is when things start to dry out in the heat of summer.
If you can’t make it during the summer months but you want to visit Breckenridge not during ski season, then the next choice would be late September or early October for incredible fall colors.
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