31 Best Things to Do in Breckenridge, Colorado (in 2023)

Most people think of Breckenridge, Colorado as a ski town (and they should — it’s home one of the most visited ski resorts in the state). But there are so many more fun things to do in Breckenridge, CO!

Outside of skiing, there are tons of winter activities like snowmobiling, fat tire biking, and cross-country skiing. Summer is no less fun, with plenty of hiking, mine tours, and an adventure park at the ski resort. 

When most people plan what to do in Breckenridge, they stick to the biggies — skiing in winter, hiking in summer, and strolling historic Main Street for food and souvenirs. Those are great activities, but as a Colorado local, I’ve put together this list of the best things to do in Breckenridge, Colorado. It will help you get off the beaten path and explore some lesser-known Breckenridge gems.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• ✨ Best Things to Do in Breckenridge
• ❄️ Things to Do in Winter
• 🎨 Museums & Culture
• ☀️ Things to Do in Summer
• 🍻 Year-Round Activities

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31 Best Things to Do in Breckenridge, Colorado

Breckenridge Ski Resort

Ski at one of the United States’ top resorts

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 453-5000| Website | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm daily | Entrance: $104 & up, adults, $62 & up under 13 | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator

When most people think of things to do in Breckenridge, skiing is the first thing that springs to mind. Part of the Ten Mile Range, Peak 8 is a big draw at Breckenridge Ski Resort, with terrain parks and lots of options for intermediate and advanced skiers. The resort also has lessons for every level.

It’s one of Colorado’s more expensive ski resorts, but it offers on-site food & lodging, excellent customer service, and lots of amenities. 

📚 Related Reading: Check out my guide to the 27 best Colorado ski resorts for even more excellent skiing beyond the Breckenridge ski resort!

Isak Heartstone

See a quirky Breckenridge site

📍 Google Maps | Website 

One of the most fun walks to take with kids (or, let’s face it, with anyone delighted by trolls) is to visit Isak Heartstone. The wood sculpture resembling a troll was created as part of the annual Breckenridge Festival of the Arts, and he now sits at the end of a short trail. 

You can visit year-round, but the trail isn’t maintained in winter so be ready for plenty of snow. He’s one of the most popular things to do in Breckenridge, so during peak season for visiting Breckenridge, you may need to wait a few minutes to get your selfie with Isak.

Main Street 

Wander historic downtown

📍 Google Maps |Phone: (877) 864-0868 | Website | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator

Take a walking tour of Historic Main Street in Breckenridge, full of shops, bars, and restaurants in Victorian-era buildings. Start off at the Visitor Center in the center of town to learn more about the history of this Colorado mining town.

👉 Looking for Breckenridge accommodations? My ultimate guide to where to stay in Breckenridge will guide you to the best areas and hotels.

Things to Do in Winter

Nordic Center

Glide over groomed ski trails

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 453-6855 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily | Trail Pass: $27, adults, under 13 free

You can cross-country ski at either the Gold Run Nordic Center, which is on the outskirts of town, or the Breckenridge Nordic Center, which is near downhill ski areas. Both centers rent skis and snowshoes and offer lessons as well. The Breckenridge Nordic Center also has a lodge and restaurant.

👉 Pro Tip: There’s nothing quite like soaking in hot springs on a freezing winter day. Check out our list of the 23 top Colorado hot springs! 

Dog Sledding

Get pulled along by some furry friends

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 453-7604 | Website | Tours start at 9 am – 3:30 pm daily, Closed Mondays | Tours: $150 all ages, children under 5 & pregnant women not allowed

Try a unique experience you can only get in a few select places! At Good Times Adventures, you and a team of other passengers will switch between running the team of Siberian Huskies, riding on the sled, and riding in a passenger sleigh with the guide. 

👉 Pro Tip: It gets cold out there! These hand and feet warmers are so great to have on-hand (hah!) for outdoor activities in winter. 

Fat Biking

Bike in the snow

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 547-7889 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm daily, Dec – March | Trail Pass: $27, adults, Free under 13] | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator

An off-road bike with fat tires made for winter conditions, fat biking is a great Breckenridge winter activity. You can go for a ride on any of the snowshoe trails at the Gold Run Nordic Center, and the center also offers lessons, day tours, and a full moon tour.

Snowmobiling

Zoom across the frozen tundra

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 455-4040 | Website | Rental Prices: Begin at $170 | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator

Get an adrenaline rush with a snowmobile tour from Breckenridge Colorado Snowmobiling! They offer guided tours over a variety of terrain or self-guided rentals if you know where you’re going.

Monster Truck Sleigh Ride

Take a one-of-a-kind snowy ride

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 453-4405 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 6 pm daily during winter | Entrance: $25, adults, $18 under 13 | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator

This ain’t your typical horse-drawn sleigh ride! Visit parts of Country Boy Mine on a sleigh pulled by a vintage truck (with snow tracks, of course). You can roast s’mores after the ride.

👉 Pro Tip: These rides book fast, so be sure to make reservations ahead of time.

Breckenridge Museums & Culture

Edwin Carter Museum

Learn about a colorful Colorado preservationist

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 453-9767 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 3 pm daily, closed Mondays | Entrance: Free, but a $5 donation is suggested

Edwin Carter was one of the many men who traveled to Breckenridge to try and make a fortune by mining for gold. But unlike most miners, he worried about the negative impact the industry was having on the plants and animals in the area.

He decided to preserve Rocky Mountain wildlife through taxidermy and you can see his work in his cabin, along with other exhibits about his life.

👉 Pro Tip: Renting a car is the best way to get around Breckenridge. We recommend Discover Cars for comparing the best options!

Breckenridge Backstage Theatre

Catch a great show

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 453-0199 | Website | Showtimes vary 

The Breckenridge Backstage Theatre is a fun place to see a show after a day of outdoor activities. The theater has a bar that serves up show-themed cocktails, and just 137 seats so the shows you see will be intimate.

Breckenridge Heritage Alliance

Take a unique tour

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 453-9767 | Website | Cost: $5-$40, depending on the tour

The Heritage Alliance offers several tours of Breckenridge, each with a different focus. The Breckenridge Walk Through History Tour gives you a great overview of the town, while the Bawdy Breckenridge Tour teaches about the town’s scandalous past and is for those aged 21 and up. There are also Breckenridge tours for students, mine tours, and more.

Barney Ford Victorian House

Learn about civil rights in Colorado

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 453-9767 | Website | Entrance: free but a $5 donation is suggested

Learn all about the life and work of Barney Ford at this fabulous museum. Barney Ford escaped slavery to become an entrepreneur and then built a gorgeous Victorian home in Breckenridge for his wife and family. He was one of the earliest advocates for civil rights in Colorado.

Arts District

See art in a variety of mediums

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 453-9767 | Website | Entrance: free 

The Arts District in Breckenridge, CO features one acre of historic cabins, stables, and other buildings that now house studios for working artists.

You can wander through the area and see what artists are working on in art forms like painting, textiles, glasswork, and more. There are children’s workshops as well.

📚 Related Reading: 41 Best Places to Visit in Colorado (By a Local!)

Things to Do in Summer

Country Boy Mine

Pan for gold on this interesting mine tour

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 970 453-4405 | Website | Entrance: $35; under 4 not allowed on tour| 👉 Browse Tours on Viator

Tour the Country Boy Mine and learn about the perils of being a miner in Summit County. Kids can pan for gold, slide down an ore chute, and pet burros. 

Blue River Rec Path

Cycle or walk next to public art and a river

📍 Google Maps | Website

The Blue River Rec Path runs from Frisco and heads right through downtown Breckenridge, CO. You can ride or walk on the path, and there is public art to view along with the scenery of Breckenridge and the Blue River.

Park at the Breckenridge Recreation Center to start, or pick up the Blue River Rec Path near the Visitor’s Center and ride for a bit.

Quandary Peak

Hike a 14er

📍 Google Maps

Quandary Peak is just six miles from downtown Breckenridge and is one of the most popular 14er hiking trails in Colorado (a 14er being a mountainous peak higher than 14,000 feet). The East Ridge route is the most used, and is a 6 ¾ mile roundtrip hike.

👉 Pro Tip: Hikers are required to reserve parking or take a shuttle to the trailhead. Book your 2022 reservations here. 

Valley Brook Cemetery

Learn the history of Breckenridge

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 453-9767 | Website  | Tours: $25, adults, $15, under 13

The final resting place of many unique characters from Breckenridge history, Valley Brook Cemetery was built in 1882 and people are still buried there today. The Heritage Alliance offers Tombstone Tours, where you can learn more about who’s buried here.

Whitewater Rafting

Spend a wild day on the river

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 877-RAFTING | Website | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator

A fabulous adventure company, Breckenridge Whitewater Rafting & Zipline has rafting trips on five different rivers within an hour of Breckenridge. You can do ⅓ day, half-day, full day, and multi-day trips. They also have packages that include ziplining, rock climbing, fishing, and more. 

👉 Also Forget to Pack Something? Check out our list of things to remember to bring to Colorado for commonly forgotten things to pack!

Lomax Placer Mine

Pan for gold and learn how to mine with water

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 453-9767 | Website | Open June – Sept | Entrance: free but a $5 donation is suggested

The Lomax Placer Mine is an awesome place to take a Colorado mining tour. You’ll learn all about how the mining at Lomax used high-pressure water to collect gold and other precious metals, wander through the 1860s buildings, cabin, and mine area, and you can even pan for gold at the end.

Peak 8 Base Camp

Play on the ski slopes in summer

📍 Google Maps | Website | Open June – Sept.

More than just a winter destination, the ski area at Breckenridge, CO has plenty of fun activities in summer, too. There are scenic lift rides, mountain biking, an alpine slide, a ropes course for kids, and more.

📚 Related Reading: Denver, Colorado – The Ultimate Guide (By a Local)

Sawmill Creek Trail

Get out in nature

📍 Google Maps | Website 

This is an easy 1.5-mile loop trail with not much elevation gain, so it’s perfect for families. It begins at the Snowflake lift and wanders next to a stream until you end up at Sawmill Reservoir. 

Breckenridge Golf Club

Practice your golf swing with views of the Tenmile Range

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 453-9104 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 7 pm daily Sun-Tues, Thurs, weekends; 7 am – 7 pm Wed & Fri | Entrance: $30 – $196

The rumors are true, golf balls travel further at altitudes high above sea level! Take advantage of this and get in a round of golf at the Breckenridge Golf Club. There are three championship nines that are all Jack Nicklaus Signature courses. 

👉 Read Next: 59 Best Things to Do and See in Denver, Colorado

Outdoor Yoga

Find your moment of zen

📍 Google Map | Phone: (970) 547-9642 | Website | Class Hours Vary By Season | Cost: $17/class

Meta Yoga offers indoor yoga classes year-round, but in summer you can also do yoga on the outdoor lawn and SUP yoga on the water. It’s a great way to appreciate the beauty of the Rocky Mountains and Breckenridge!

Year-Round Activities in Breckenridge

Breckenridge Distillery

Try some local whiskey samples

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 547-9759 | Website 

Cap off a day of outdoor exercise with a beautiful bourbon… or several! The Breckenridge Distillery claims to be the world’s highest distillery, and you can tour where they make their award-winning bourbon whiskey and gin.

Pop in to the Breckenridge Distillery tasting room on Main St. for some samples, or visit the distillery on Airport Road for tours or to visit the restaurant and bar.

Breckenridge Stables

Try horseback riding

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 453-4438 | Website 

Everyone’s favorite old-school transportation method, Breckenridge Stables is the ideal place to go out on a horseback trail ride in summer, leaving from the base of Peak 9 at the Breckenridge Ski Resort.

In winter, Breckenridge Stables offers sleigh rides at both Peak 9 and at the Gold Run Nordic Center.

High Line Railroad Park

Let the kids burn off some steam

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 453-9767 | Website 

The High Line Railroad Park is a great little stop to let kids run around and chill out a bit after a day of activity. There are several historic trains on display (along with photos of them in their heyday), as well as a great playground for kids. In summer, a docent is on hand to share more information.

The park isn’t far from the Breckenridge Troll, so it’s easy to hit those two stops in a row. The park is also out of the main part of Breckenridge and is a great spot if you’re craving a calmer space to relax.

Stephen C. West Ice Arena

Ice skate year-round

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 547-9974 | Website  | Entrance: $9.50, adults, $7.25 youth & senior, $4 skate rental

Just next to the railroad park is an ice arena where you can skate year-round. Though you can stop in for some freestyle skating, the arena also hosts classes, drop-in hockey and curling, and hockey leagues so be sure to check the website for the schedule.

Breckenridge Gondola

Take a ride up the mountain

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 453-5000 | Website  | Entrance: free

The Breckenridge Gondola runs throughout the winter and summer, with breaks in spring and fall. It’s free for anyone to ride, although there is a fee if you want to bring a bike.

Ride the gondola for winter skiing, visit the Peak 8 Base Camp, or just hop on for a little trip. Kids love it, and it’s one of the most iconic Breckenridge activities!

Breckenridge Recreation Center

Go for a swim in this premier fitness space

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 453-1734 | Website  | Entrance: $18, adults, $9, under 18

The Rec Center has a fitness space with workout gear, a climbing wall, an indoor playground, several pools (one with a water slide!), and indoor and outdoor hot tubs. It’s open to both residents and visitors.

Boreas Pass Road

Take a scenic drive

📍 Google Maps | Website 

Boreas Pass Road is a beautiful drive year-round, and is one of the best things to do near Breckenridge! You’ll get gorgeous views of the White River National Forest while you drive from Breckenridge to Como on a dirt road, but 2WD drive cars can handle it.

The pass closes when the weather makes it hard to drive, but many people will also hike it in winter. There are plenty of hiking trails and roads for mountain bikers as well.

📚 Related Reading: 15 Best Hikes in Colorado (By a Local)

Frisco, Colorado

Check out a nearby mountain town

📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator

Just nine miles from Breckenridge, the town of Frisco, Colorado is smaller than Breckenridge and has a whole different vibe (if you’re up for a walk then hit the hiking trails between the two towns).

There are so many amazing things to do in Frisco, but I recommend that you go boating on the Dillon Reservoir, wander the quaint downtown, or hit up the kayak park for some rapids.

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There’s so much more to Breckenridge than just its awesome skiing!

Hopefully, this list of the best things to do in Breckenridge has given you some ideas of where else you can explore in town and nearby. If you want to explore more of Colorado, be sure to check out my list of 33 Fun Things To Do In Colorado, and our Ultimate Colorado Travel Guide!