Content Produced in Partnership with Go Breck
Whether they realize it or not, when people dream of a Rocky Mountain vacation, images of Breckenridge, Colorado flash through their minds. Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and just two hours from Denver, Breckenridge is a mining town turned full-service mountain town unlike any other. With a historic Main Street, premier ski resort, miles of hiking and biking trails, 300+ days of sunshine a year, and hundreds of vacation homes, it's no wonder why so many people are drawn to Breckenridge each year. Why don't you join them?
DAY 1
9AM BREAKFAST AT PARK & MAIN QUALITY FOOD
500 S. MAIN STREET LA CIMA MALL BRECKENRIDGE, CO 80424
Get your Breckenridge vacation started on the right foot with breakfast at Park & Main Quality Food. Conveniently located on the main drag of downtown Breckenridge, this local favorite redefines breakfast favorites. Their pancakes are made with yogurt, for example, and their breakfast bruschetta comes topped high with scrambled eggs and crispy prosciutto. Park & Main is open for lunch and dinner hours as well (with equally fun menus), which gives you a perfect excuse to visit this Main Street locale more than once during your time in Breckenridge.
11AM SUP ON DILLON LAKE
150 MARINA DRIVE DILLON, 80435
Like many places in the Southwest, Breckenridge is known for its quick, late afternoon showers during the summer months. With that in mind, opt to reserve a paddleboard for a mid-morning excursion on Dillon Lake. Located just 20 minutes from Main Street and positioned nearly two miles above sea level, Dillon Lake is considered the highest deep-water marina in the world. Surrounded on all sides by the Rocky Mountains, Dillon Lake is popular with boaters and swimmers of all ages who want to explore the waters at their own pace. You can reserve your rental for a half-day paddleboard excursion from the folks at Alpine Sports, who will happily help you tie the boards up on your car, before sending you on your way to Dillon Lake.
2PM LUNCH AT BRECKENRIDGE TAP HOUSE
105 N MAIN STREET BRECKENRIDGE, CO 80424
Summertime is patio season in Colorado, and The Breckenridge Tap House has a patio with a great view of the gondola going up and down the mountainside all hours of the day. That’s not all it’s known for though. While the historic building has been around since 1873, it’s now better known for its 37 (mostly local) beers on tap, daily happy hours and specialty tacos. From Colorado lamb and buffalo to Portobello mushroom and zucchini, its tacos are unexpectedly authentic with a certain flair you can only expect to find in the Rocky Mountains.
4PM BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF BRECKENRIDGE
WATSON AVENUE, BRECKENRIDGE,CO 80424
Unlike most ski towns, the Breckenridge Gondola is free to the public and has several stopping points up and down the mountainside, giving visitors an opportunity to stop and explore every inch of the mountain along the way. It takes 13 minutes to climb the 7,592 feet to the top known as Peak 8. Once there, you’ll find several restaurants and family-friendly activities, like the Alpine Slide and mini golf. The Breckenridge Gondola runs every day from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
7PM BURGERS AND PINTS AT THE CANTEEN TAP HOUSE AND TAVERN
208 N. MAIN STREET BRECKENRIDGE, CO 80424
Situated toward the end of Main Street near the Breckenridge Gondola, The Canteen has a lively yet cozy atmosphere with one of the best patios and happy hours in Breckenridge. While its beer selection is phenomenal (its craft beers are all Colorado based) and its burgers incredible, its macaroni and cheese is downright impeccable. Made with four cheeses — mild cheddar, jack, extra sharp cheddar, and gruyere — it’s so gooey and delicious that not ordering it would be a crime against humanity.
DAY 2
7AM BREAKFAST AT THE CROWN
215 S. MAIN STREET #L, BRECKENRIDGE, CO 80424
The Crown is the type of place where the barista behind the bar knows your order by heart even if you’ve only been there once before. Most everything on the menu is Colorado sourced, coffee included, and the sandwiches are all named after streets in town. For the ultimate Breck breakfast, order The Watson — egg, bacon, avocado, and cheddar cheese on your choice of bagel — pick a spot on one of the comfy couches, and play a board game (found across the shop) for a little while.
8AM HIKE MOHAWK LAKE TRAIL
US 9 AND SPRUCE CREEK ROAD BRECKENRIDGE, CO 80424
With wildflowers in full bloom in the valleys, mountain peaks still slightly snowcapped, and waterfalls coursing down the mountainside, Mohawk Lake Trail showcases the best of Breck in the summer months. The intermediate 6.8-mile round-trip hike from the lower parking lot takes around four hours to complete, has a 2,000-foot change in elevation, and winds along abandoned 1800s mining equipment and directly to Continental Falls, the highest waterfall in Breckenridge. Note: If you have a 4WD car that can handle the terrain, there is a second parking lot available, which will shave off about a mile and a half from the hike overall.
2PM UNWIND AT THE SPA AT BRECKENRIDGE
42 SNOWFLAKE DRIVE BRECKENRIDGE, CO 80424
Clear your mind and sooth those hardworking muscles with 120 minutes of pure bliss and aromatherapy at The Spa at Breckenridge. The full-body massage uses a series of scrubs, scented oils, and massage techniques to help you truly feel at ease. With hints of chamomile, rosemary, and frankincense floating around you, both your mind and your body will be relaxed and rejuvenated in no time.
5PM DRINKS AT BRECKENRIDGE BREWERY & PUB
600 SOUTH MAIN STREET BRECKENRIDGE, CO 80424
Breckenridge Brewery & Pub has been a principal player on Main Street since 1990, in large part because it knows how to serve up the classics and still stay on top of the latest beer trends. This brewery is constantly experimenting with flavors, so opt to try a flight so you can sip on the newer Unicorn Tears Sour Ale and the always-popular Breckenridge Agave Wheat. Then, take a seat out on the deck and take in the view. It’s hard not to be happy when you’re sipping on local beer in one of the prettiest corners of the USA.
8PM DINNER AT TWIST
200 SOUTH RIDGE STREET BRECKENRIDGE, CO 80424
Go out in style at Twist, a local restaurant that plates up comfort food with, well, a twist. At Twist, the meatloaf is made with elk and beef, the hush puppies have cheese curds, the seasonal desserts include seasonally fresh local berries, and classic cocktails are infused with unexpectedly fun flavors, like habanero and bell pepper.
WHERE TO STAY: THE LODGE AT BRECKENRIDGE
112 OVERLOOK DRIVE BRECKENRIDGE, CO 80424
Pegged as a boutique hotel with million dollar views, The Lodge at Breckenridge lives up to the hype in every way imaginable. Located five miles outside downtown, The Lodge at Breckenridge has 360-degree views of every possible angle of Breckenridge, making the five-minute drive more than worth it. Recently renovated, The Lodge offers complimentary breakfast, outdoor hot tubs, cocktail hours, and a full-service spa so every guest leaves feeling like royalty.
