I am sure you have heard of Breckenridge as a luxurious winter vacation spot in the USA, but it should not be overlooked in the summer! This one weekend in Breckenridge itinerary is filled with epic hikes, mountain-side adventures, delicious restaurants, and strolls along the quaint Mainstreet. After 3 summer days in Breckenridge, you will surely be planning your return trip in the cooler months to check it out as a winter wonderland!
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Table of Contents
How do I get to Breckenridge?
Although there is no airport located directly in Breckenridge, it is still pretty easy to get to. You have the choice to fly into Denver (95 miles) or Vail (60 miles). After arriving, you can then rent a car right at the airport or take a shuttle directly to Breckenridge.
Shuttles Available:
Tip! If renting a car, check out the DiscoverCars Search Engine to find the best deal!
Looking for more weekend trips from Denver? Check out this post!
When is the best time to visit Breckenridge?
This question is of course up for negotiation. There truly is no bad time to visit Breckenridge as each season brings its own unique things to do and views to see. If you are an avid skier or snowboarder, then you are of course going to want to visit in the winter. If you are looking to avoid some of the crowds and hike in mild temperatures then you should visit in early fall or late spring.
Finally, if you are hoping to enjoy the summer activities at the Breckenridge Ski Resort and the nice weather, then you will have to plan your visit between June 17th and September 5th.
Where Should I Stay in Breckenridge?
There are plenty of hotels and stays in Breckenridge to fit everyone’s needs. Breckenridge is known for being notoriously expensive, so add a little extra in the budget if you want to stay right downtown. If you are up for a short drive, you can always look for hotels in the surrounding areas such as Frisco.
For those wanting to stay right in the middle of all the action, you can stay at One Ski Hill Place which is at the Base of the ski resort mountain. Gravity Haus is a pet-friendly option with cute mountain decor. For those looking to save a bit of money, you can check out Hotel Frisco or the Snowshoe Motel in nearby Frisco.
How to Spend One Weekend in Breckenridge in the Summer
Day 1 in Breckenridge
Morning:
Start your first day with a hike up Mount Royal. This trail is actually located about 20 minutes away in Frisco, CO, but it’s a great little detour. Park at Zach’s Stop and take the trailhead to the right. The trail is only about 2 miles to the top, but it is very steep. Be sure to have shoes with great traction for the way down!
Afternoon:
After climbing the mountain (I was exhausted), take the other trailhead at the parking lot (to the left) Rainbow Lake for a much more leisurely stroll. Once you make it to the lake, this is a great spot for a picnic lunch! This is just about a 1.5 mile round-trip hike.
Evening:
After a busy day of hiking, head back into Breckenridge and pay a visit to the famous troll. The troll is located down a short and easy trail. This 15-foot outdoor art exhibit is a must-stop in Breckenridge! To avoid having to pay for parking, you can park in the Satellite Lot on your way into town (via I-70) and ride the Breck Free Ride bus into town.
After visiting with Isak Heartstone (the troll), end your night with a delicious sushi dinner at Blue Fish and a cocktail at RMU.
Day 2 in Breckenridge:
Morning:
As long as your summer Breckenridge vacation is taking place somewhere between June 17th and September 5th, Day 2 will be spent at the Breckenridge Ski Resort (Epic Discovery). Start your morning with a free Gondala ride up to Epic Discovery via the BreckConnect. You then will have the choice between an Adventure Pass (unlimited access) or a Pioneer Pass (3 activities).
Epic Discovery offers an alpine slide, ropes course, bungie trampoline, Gold Runner Coaster, Gold panning, a rock wall, and mini golf.
(If you are visiting outside of these dates, check out the “Other things to do in Breckenridge” section for other options!)
Afternoon:
After an exciting morning of fun, grab a late lunch at the Vista Haus located over 11,000 ft. above sea-level (at the top of the Colorado Chairlift)! Then head back down the mountain towards Mainstreet.
Evening:
If you aren’t too exhausted, head to Mountain Time Escape Rooms for an exciting challenge! You get to choose from one of their 3 themes and then try to beat the clock to escape. After you escape room adventures, head to Kenosha Breck for a late night dinner! They are known for their steak and BBQ and have over 32 beers on tap!
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Day 3 in Breckenridge:
Morning:
Mayflower Gulch is a moderate hike that passes an old gold mining cabins. At the parking lot, you can choose to drive the road (in the summer only with 4×4), or hike it. If hiking it, it is an easy 2 mile hike to the cabins and valley view. From here, you can choose to continue further up the trail for some views from above.
Afternoon:
Head to Alpine Sports for your next adventure. Here you can choose from renting a mountain bike, e-bike, or stand-up paddle board. If you choose to paddle, you can head to Maggie Pond which is located right off of Main Street.
If choosing to bike, Alpine Sports also offers guided mountain biking tours! If you prefer to bike alone, you can check out this guide for the best trails to hit depending on your level!
Evening:
Spend your last night relaxing and shopping along Main Street. There are over 200 shops to choose from. Everything from art galleries to sporting goods to cute boutiques. Or you can explore downtown with a self-guided scavenger hunt of Breckenridge with Let’s Roam.
Then head to Southridge Seafood Grill for a delicious meal on their amazing outdoor patio. If you arent a fan of seafood you can grab some authentic Mexican food at Fiesta Jalisco.
Have an extra day? Take a day trip to Strawberry Park Hot Springs (2 hours North in Steamboat Springs). It’s also a cute town to explore after your soak!
Other things to do in Breckenridge in the Summer
- Hike a 14er: Quandary Peak is located close to Breckenridge and is known as the “easiest” 14er in Colorado. I say easiest in quotations because it is still extremely hard if you are not prepared. It’s a total of 6.6 miles with a 3,326-foot elevation gain.
- Hike to Mccullough Gulch: This is another beautiful, but tough hike. When we visited in early June, we only made it to the waterfall due to snow so be sure to check the conditions before visiting. *You need a permit for parking for both of these trails. Find more information here.
- Gold Mine Tour: Country Boy’s Mine offers the only real gold mine tour in Summit County.
- Continue your Colorado Road Trip south to Colorado Springs for more hiking and unique things to do!
- Visit the Edwin Carter Museum: Learn about the histoyr of Breckenridge at this small museum!
- Tour a working dog-sledding kennel: Although there isn’t enough snow to actual dog sled in the summer, you can tour the Good Times Adventure Kennels in the summer!
- Go whitewater rafting: Breckenridge Whitewater Rafting company offers a variety of tours from mile to the most challenging.
- Take a ghost tour: Explore the darker side of Breckenridge during this creepy and informative ghost tour! Ghost hunting gear included!
Other Things to Know Before Visiting Breckenridge
- Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the summer months so plan accordingly.
- Breckenridge is situated at 9,000+ ft above sea level. Hikes may seem tougher. Do not be afraid to take it slow.
- The high elevation also leads to your skin burning easier. Pack all the sunscreen and hats.
3-day Breckenridge Weekend Trip Itinerary Recap:
- Day 1: Hike Mount Royal, hike Rainbow Lake, visit the troll, & sushi for dinner
- Day 2: Epic Discovery, Vista Haus, Mountain Time Escape Room, & Kenosha Breck for dinner
- Day 3: Mayflower Gulch, biking or paddle boarding, shopping along Mainstreet
One Weekend In Breckenridge Isn’t Enough
As you can see, there’s SO much to do in Breckenridge that one weekend would never be enough to see it all. You can customize your 3-day summer Breckenridge itinerary based on what interests you. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find plenty of entertaining activities to create your own fun-filled, jam-packed adventure weekend in Breckenridge!
What else would you add to this “One Weekend in Breckenridge” Itinerary?
Tip! Make sure to follow me on Instagram for more USA weekend getaways and dog-friendly adventures!
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