While Breckenridge, Colorado, is best known for it’s world-class ski resorts, it’s an equally delightful place to visit for folks that aren’t into high-adrenaline downhill winter sports. Throughout all four seasons, Breckenridge is a place where the colorful beauty of Colorado is represented in all of it’s glory.
Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Breckenridge is a veritable oasis for all those who enjoy outdoor activities. Obviously, winter sports are what the town is primarily known for, but you’d be surprised how many other outdoor staples can be found here.
Besides skiing and snowboarding, Breckenridge has some truly amazing biking and hiking trails. Climbers are also quite fond of the area. Nature lovers flock to this mountainous region of Colorado to take in the unparalleled views. But besides being a quaint little mountain town and outdoor wonderland, Breckenridge is a town that boasts a rich and vibrant history. Additionally, it has a lively arts and culture scene, a phenomenal assortment of restaurants to try, and some pretty fantastic shopping spots as well.
If you’re planning a visit to Breckenridge in the near future and are wondering where to start, keep watching to learn all about the Best Things to Do in Breckenridge, Colorado (Besides Skiing).
Take A Historic Trolley Tour Around Town
One of the things that we love the most about Breckenridge is the free trolley the city offers that services visitors and locals alike. The trolley line starts at the Breckenridge Welcome Center over at Blue River Plaza and then makes a loop around Main Street before returning back to the first stop in about thirty minutes. Taking the trolley is a great way to familiarize yourself with the town while seeing numerous historic sites along the route.
Stay At The Gravity Haus
While the town of Breckenridge has an almost overwhelming abundance of vacation rentals to choose from, we highly recommend considering a stay at the Gravity Haus. It can be found at the base of Peak 9, just a short walk from downtown’s Main Street. This delightfully eclectic and cozy boutique inn is the ideal base from which you can venture out and explore the town at your leisure.
The Breckenridge Ski Resort
If you don’t plan on hitting the slopes, a visit to the Breckenridge Ski Resort might still be up your alley. During the warmer months, the resort offers things like Ziplining tours, hiking trails, and scenic chairlift rides.
For more fun, head on over to the Peak 8 Fun Park, where you can ride the Gold Runner Coaster, bounce about at Riparoo’s Bounce House, or fly 20 feet into the air on the bungee trampoline.
Take A Drive Down Boreas Pass Road
Colorado is known for it’s scenic mountain vistas. On this stunningly beautiful 22-mile drive, you’ll be treated to all the scenic vistas and overlooks you can handle. Traversing the Rockies, this roadway connects Como in Park County to Breckenridge.
As you drive along Boreas Pass Road, you’ll be blown away by the majestic beauty of the Blue River Valley. The drive will also take you to points that grant you mind-blowingly beautiful views over the Tenmile Range as you cross the Continental Divide.
If you feel up to doing a bit of hiking, park at Bakers Tank Trailhead and mosey along one of the area’s numerous hiking trails. Come wintertime, many of the hiking trails around this area double as cross-country skiing trails.
If you need a place to pitch a tent for the evening, campsites are available at Selkirk campground in Summit County. The campground features 15 campsites that are available first-come-first-serve.
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Go Snowshoeing At Breckenridge Nordic Center
If you’re all about the winter life but don’t care much for downhill skiing, consider visiting the Breckenridge Nordic Center, where you can take part in some of the areas best snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails.
The center has over 20 miles of trails and is without a doubt one of our favorite spots to visit for a little bit of outdoor wintertime fun.
The center offers one-hour Snowshoe Adventure trips that lead you down it’s perfectly groomed trails. You can either fly solo or tackle the trails with a group.
On the Snowcat Adventure Tour, visitors can ride around the trails in the comfort of a heated, glass cabin. The tour takes guests to see some jaw-dropping views of the Cucumber Gulch Wildlife Preserve. You’ll also get a chance to learn all about the center’s fascinating history while enjoying a nice toasty mug of hot cocoa.
Forgot to bring your gear? No worries! You can rent or buy equipment over at the center’s shopping arena.
Stroll Through Breckenridge’s Historic District
If you’re interested in learning about the rich history of Breckenridge, take a stroll around the Breckenridge Historic District to take in all of the interweaving elements that make this old Colorado mining town so noteworthy.
As you walk around downtown, you’ll see a nice blend of residential, commercial, and religious buildings. At the heart of the historic district, you can marvel at the facades of three churches constructed in the 19th century as well as a handful of other beautiful Victorian structures.
Most of the districts most aesthetically pleasing buildings can be found along Ridge Street, Lincoln Avenue, and Main Street. If you’re an art aficionado, jaunt on down to South Main Street, where you’ll find Breckenridge Gallery and Gary Soles Gallery. These two galleries are among the city’s finest.
If you work up an appetite, consider grabbing a bite to eat at the upscale Hearthstone Restaurant. For a dining option that’s a bit more family-friendly, we recommend checking out Downstairs at Eric’s. Regardless of where your downtown journey takes you, make sure you take a moment to appreciate the panoramic views of the surrounding snow-covered mountains while you roam around Breckenridge’s historic buildings.
Discover What It’s Like to Be A Miner At Country Boy Mine
Ever wonder what it was like to be a miner during the gold rush? If so, take a drive on out to the Country Boy Mine in Summit County to unravel the region’s long history of mining.
At Country Boy Mine, you’ll discover what the lives were like of miners who lived through the gold rush in the 19th century. You can go on a gold mine tour that will plunge you 1,000 feet below ground while getting to see old mining implements like shovels, chisels, and hammers. You can also opt to slide down the mine’s 65-feet ore chute if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous.
We highly recommend this stop to families. For those traveling with children, the treasure hunt events are particularly entertaining. Be sure to follow all of the provided clues and keep your eyes out for buried treasure as you scour around with a metal detector. Who knows, you might even find something pretty awesome!
Put On Your Conductor’s Hat And Explore High Line Railroad Park
If you’re like me and have always had an interest in trains, head on over to High Line Railroad Park downtown to discover the region’s fascinating railroad history. For train lovers, this historic locale is one of the coolest places to visit in the entire Breckenridge area.
Be sure to walk through the small, yet captivating, museum at the park to appreciate all of the vintage rotary plows and locomotives on display. The park’s primary attraction, Engine Number 9, can be seen at the Rotary Snowplow Park. Make sure you devote some time to explore all of the other interactive, hands-on exhibits as well. The park has a really cool flatcar exhibit as well as a replica of an old C&S caboose and a boxcar diorama.
If you’re traveling with little ones, let them loose and let them have a blast at the park’s railroad-themed playground. Kids will absolutely go nuts blowing Engine Number 9’s whistle!
Go Sightseeing At Quandary Peak
If you’re looking for a bit more challenge when it comes to hiking trails around Breckenridge, look no further than Quandary Peak in White River National Forest. There, you will feel the elevation gain with each step that you take.
Quandary Peak is actually the tallest summit in the Tenmile Range. It can be accessed at Hoosier Pass. The hike to the summit is only 6.75 miles roundtrip, but the trail ascends over 3,400 feet over quite rocky and strenuous terrain. If you can make it through the hike, however, you’ll be treated to some of the most beautiful views of the Tenmile Range found anywhere in the region. It’s well worth it to trek through the hike and try to complete it. In the end, you’ll relish in the soul-enriching views of the Rockies while seeing several ‘Fourteeners’ such as Mt. Lincoln, Mt Bross, and Mt Cameron, lingering in the distance.
Stretch Your Legs At The Breckenridge Recreation Center
If you’ve been spending a lot of time in the car and need to get out and stretch your body during your trip, venture out to the Breckenridge Recreation Center to limber up with a bit of exercise.
Sprawling across an area of more than 69,000 square feet, this recreation center offers a wide range of both indoor and outdoor activities to take part in.
If you’re visiting in the summer months, cooling off in the swimming pool or burning off a few calories in the lap pull is ideal. The pool even has a two-story water slide!
For a bit of R&R, head on over to the sauna and spa for a session. After loosening up your body, hit up the tennis court, basketball court, or softball field. The center additionally has a skate park if you’re traveling with your deck.
Well there you have it. That about wraps up our list of the top things to do in Breckenridge, Colorado, besides skiing. If you’ve had the pleasure of visiting Breckenridge before, we’d love to hear what your favorite attractions are around town. Let us know in the comments.
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As always, thanks for watching and happy travels!