Itineraries for Your Trip to Breckenridge
2 Days in Breckenridge for First Timers
To me, Breckenridge represents what makes Colorado so special—well-preserved mining towns with beautiful mountain views. Strolling along Main Street during my visits, I’m able to imagine that I’ve time-traveled back to the Wild West. So much so that I almost expect to see a gold miner or cowboy strut out of the local saloon.
With two days in Breckenridge (or “Breck” as it’s affectionately called by locals), you can explore both the downtown and the surrounding great outdoors, whether you’re in the area to ski or not. Here is a sample itinerary to follow that will help you understand what makes this mountain town tick.
As soon as you step out of the strong Colorado sun you’ll feel a major temperature drop, so layers are your friend.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a walk through the historic center.
One of the main reasons to travel to Breckenridge is to ski, of course, so if you’re in town during the winter, start your day on the slopes. You can rent all the gear you need in town and take lessons if you’re new to snow sports. The mountain offers terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels! If you’re in Breckenridge outside of ski season, go hiking instead.
Long before it was a popular ski resort town, Breckenridge welcomed prospectors during the gold rush. To better understand this chapter in the town’s history, visit an authentic gold mine on a historical tour. You’ll get to descend into the earth to learn about mining firsthand, pan for gold, and even slide down a chute if you’re game.
After dinner and stroll around the historic downtown, soak up the magic of your first night in Breck by admiring the stars. With little light pollution in the area, the night sky is often clear enough to display a dizzying array of constellations. One of the best ways to experience this is through a photography tour, when you’ll learn how to capture pictures of the Milky Way.
Breckenridge is located in excellent road trip territory, so start your day by checking out nearby mountain passes, several of which are open year-round. From Breck you can visit the Continental Divide and take scenic roads like Hoosier Pass and Boreas Pass, stopping in other small mountain towns along the way. If you’re nervous about driving in mountainous terrain, get an expert to do it for you on a guided tour.
The whole state of Colorado is known for its craft beer scene and Breckenridge is no exception. Visitors over 21 can spend this afternoon on a brewery crawl of sorts—the most fun way to do this is by fat bike, pedaling between breweries to sample locally made drinks. There are other bike tours available year-round if you want to skip the beer component.
Grab dinner at one of Breck’s casual or fine dining restaurants before this evening’s activity—a ghost tour. This is a fun (and somewhat spooky) way to immerse yourself in local history. You’ll walk around downtown with a guide, passing by the most haunted buildings as you learn about all the legendary characters who once called Breck home.
