Destination Colorado – Breckenridge

If you’ve ever done your research on places to visit in Colorado, I bet Google told you to visit Breckenridge. And that’s not surprising at all – it’s the perfect mountain town. The town is right at the base of Breckenridge Ski Resort, so you never have to decide between the mountains and a laid-back town with all the charm. 

Even better? Breck has an average 300 days of sunshine and an annual snowfall of 366 inches! It’s a snowbird’s paradise from October through May. In the summer you can expect mid 70s which is perfect weather to hit the trails or the pool. Let’s get into the other need-to-know deets before you plan your Breckenridge trip.

How to Get There

The town and resort of Breckenridge are tucked up into the mountains, so it’ll take you around two hours to get there from downtown Denver, or about an hour and a half from the Denver International Airport or Colorado Springs Airport. A day or two before you leave, it’s SO important to check your route. If you’re coming from downtown Denver, you’ll be going through the Loveland Pass and the Eisenhower tunnel, which can close somewhat frequently during the winter. When those are closed, it’s harder to get into the mountains and adds more time to your trip. Make sure you’re informed before you hit the road! 

Where to Stay

Breckenridge is a popular spot all year round, which means Airbnbs can be just as expensive as a regular hotel. I would still suggest looking at your options through Airbnb, but if you’d rather book a hotel room, some of the hottest spots in Breck are the Residence Inn by Marriott, One Ski Hill Place, The Lodge at Breckenridge, and River Mountain Lodge. For something a little different, check out Fireside Inn and the Bivvi Hostel, which both offer dorm-style rooms!

What to Do

• The Arts District has grown so much over the past couple of years, and I’m here for it. If you’re interested in taking a fun class on your trip, check out Breckcreate’s schedule of art classes.
• Speaking of art, Arts Alive features local artists all year round. They showcase all kinds of art you can purchase and bring home as a memory from your trip to Breck. 
• Axe throwing is super trendy right now (y’all are crazy) and Breck has hopped on the bandwagon by opening MTN AXE Breck. You can book a throwing lane (excuse me is this bowling?) by the hour for groups of four or more. And don’t worry, they’ll teach you how to throw safely! 
• If you need more art, I would totally recommend Art Around Town. It’s a free, hour-long gallery walk that takes visitors to see public art around the Breckenridge community. 

How to Adventure

If you’re coming to Breck, there better be outdoor activities on your list. Here are some ideas to get you started. 

• Breckenridge Ski Resort has five peaks, 2,908 skiable acres, 187 trails, four terrain parks, and the tallest chairlift in North America. I’m a newbie to skiing, but Alex has been boarding for years and he always has great things to say about the trails! 
• Mountain biking is another popular activity up in the mountains.  Most people who go in Breckenridge are new, so there are plenty of guides and businesses that offer lessons and guided rides. 
  • Colorado Adventure Guides offers guided beginner lessons, guided rides, and intermediate lessons
  • The ski resort offers beginner lessons, and the best part is you can take the chairlift up!
• There are hundreds of trails in Breck, from easy trails to difficult summits that you can do regardless of the season. Check out some of your options here, and please please please don’t forget about Leave No Trace

Where to Eat

It’s so easy to be overwhelmed with the food options when you’re walking around town, so here are some local favorites for you to check out.

• Blue River Bistro – if you want some live music while you eat, this place has jazz and blues on the reg. They have lunch, dinner, and brunch on the weekends featuring rustic American classics and fancy-ass cocktails. 
• Cabin Juice – Where are my trendy buddies? Cabin Juice has your name all over it. It’s inside the Gravity Haus hotel, and all the ingredients are from small Colorado. Word on the street is they have some of the best avocado toast in town!
• Briar Rose Chophouse and Saloon – If you need somewhere to celebrate, nothing goes over better than a fancy steak (so I’ve been told). This chophouse has USDA steak, chops and prime rib along with classic sides like baked mac n cheese.
• Mountain Flying Fish – Alex and I love sushi, so obvi I have to include a sushi place on the list! The chef here was trained in Japan under master chefs and uses only the highest quality fish. 
• Rita’s – This place is a local secret that has some of the best house-made salsa, hand-pressed margaritas, tacos, and just a cool vibe. 

What to Pack

Just me again reminding you that in Colorado it can be hailing one minute and then be 90 degrees 10 minutes later. Be prepared and pack for everything. Thanks for coming to my TED talk. Here’s a good list to get you started:

• Reusable shopping bags – Breckenridge charges 10 cents per bag at grocery stores and around town, so bring your own
• Sunscreen
• Walking shoes
• Winter hat and gloves
• A water bottle – there are water filling stations all over town
• Rain jacket
• Clothing that’s easy to layer
• Swimsuit

What’s your favorite part about Breckenridge?

Tell me tell me!