Experience a Weekend in Breckenridge, Colorado — Both On and Off the Slopes

Breckenridge, Colorado, is a favorite for travelers seeking a mountain getaway, be it a romantic trip à deux or a family weekend. No matter the season, outdoor attractions abound in this Rocky Mountain town, with skiing, snowboarding and tubing in the winter months and hiking, rafting and fly-fishing come summer.

And Breck is also home to nearly 300 shops and restaurants, plus plenty of indoor activities — think skating rinks, cozy cocktail bars and chic galleries — to keep you busy no matter the weather.

As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.

Friday: Explore Downtown and Colorado Mining History

The day’s first stop is Daylight Donuts, a local favorite that serves cake and raised doughnuts, plus a full breakfast menu. It’s on scenic Main Street, set against a gorgeous mountain backdrop, and your base for exploring downtown Breck.

Because the main lodge, lifts and gondola are just a few minutes away, many of the shops cater to that crowd — from ski-wear boutiques to après-ski bars. Browse Ruby Jane for boho-chic apparel, Ohana for design-forward housewares from Colorado makers and Fuzziwig’s for a Wonka-esque array of candies.

For lunch, grab a bite and a local pint at Breckenridge Brewery & Pub before venturing out for a busy afternoon. Your first stop is a visit to the Breckenridge troll, Isak Heartstone, a 25-foot art installation made of recycled materials, located just off the Illinois Creek Trailhead.

From there, head to Country Boy Mine, a 10-minute drive away. This is the state’s best gold mine tour for reflecting the true conditions of a working gold rush mine, and you’ll get to venture 1,000 feet underground to learn about life in 19th-century Colorado. Other on-site activities include treasure hunts, extreme sledding, snowshoeing and more.

It’s happy hour! At local institution Downstairs at Eric’s, you can sip a glass of wine or local whiskey and if you have kids in tow, they can indulge in arcade games and hot chocolate.

Then it’s time for a memorable dinner at Modis. This Main Street dining destination serves up contemporary, elevated dishes, such as Champagne-poached salmon and a New York strip with Brie foam and truffled potatoes. For the kid-free crowd, follow up with drinks served in style at Après Handcrafted Libations before calling it a night.

Saturday: Head Outdoors For Rocky Mountain Adventures

Start your day with locally roasted coffee and a breakfast sandwich or cinnamon roll at the Main Street staple the Crown. Then, depending on the season, it’s time to either hit the slopes with a day at Breckenridge Ski Resort, or take the BreckConnect Gondola to Epic Discovery outdoor adventure park for mountain coasters, alpine slides, zip lining and more.

Some of the city’s best dining spots are on Breckenridge Mountain — and our pick for a fabulous on-mountain lunch is Sevens, just steps from the BreckConnect Gondola.

The rest of the afternoon is a choose-your-own adventure. Kids will love exploring the interactive exhibits that the children’s museum at the Mountain Top Explorium has to offer or the High Line Railroad Park (which also has a great museum focused on the state’s railroad history), while older kids and adults will enjoy paddleboarding on Maggie Pond.

Dinner is served family-style at Giampietro Pasta & Pizzeria. Be sure to save room for cannolis and tiramisu.

For nightlife, you’ve got plenty of walkable options on Main Street, but your first stop should be the Gold Pan Saloon, a Breck institution for 140 years. Order up a barrel-aged Manhattan (made with Breckenridge bourbon) and revel in the Old West vibes, or visit the adjoining winery to try a glass of Colorado-grown tempranillo or cab franc.

Sunday: Take In the Scenic Views for Lasting Memories

Begin your last day the Breckenridge way: with a classic American breakfast at Blue Moose, Summit Country’s top morning destination (besides the slopes, of course). Order a round of bacon-garnished Bloody Marys and the famous frosted cinnamon bun for the table, then set about deciding whether you’re in a breakfast pot pie or a huevos rancheros kind of mood.

After breakfast, head to Hoosier Pass Loop for one of the area’s most scenic hikes — at 2.8 miles, it’s manageable for most older kids, and the views are killer — or, if snow’s on the ground, try your hand at Nordic skiing at Breckenridge Nordic Center in North Breck.

Weather not cooperating with your grand outdoor plans? The Stephen C. West Ice Arena is a great place to spend an hour or two brushing up on your ice skating or hockey skills.

For lunch, it’s back to Main Street. BoLD offers a Mediterranean spin on Rocky Mountain cuisine with dishes like spanakopita and falafel burgers, plus plenty of kid-friendly options. Save room for dessert with a stuffed cookie at Mountain Top Cookie Shop.

Next, it’s time to check out the workshops, exhibitions and public art tours offered by Breckenridge Creative Arts. The group has three downtown gallery spaces with differing exhibitions and events at each, plus a lineup of one-off courses with options like toddler art classes or family fiber-arts workshops.

Alternatively, if you’d rather get your adrenaline pumping, book an afternoon of whitewater rafting on the Blue River.

Go big by splurging on dinner at Aurum, an upscale (yet kid-friendly!) spot with options like cioppino and duck confit. In the winter, reserve one of the outdoor yurts for dining in what looks, fittingly, like a snow globe. Stick around after dinner — and fortify yourself for the journey home — with the house hot toddy, served in a French press for easy sharing.