Things To do

Planning a trip to Breckenridge soon? Whether you’re heading here for a winter ski trip or visiting for the summer for some hiking, you’re sure to have a great time. It’s a top vacation destination for a reason! After a long day on the slopes or out on the trails, though, you’ll need a break. If you’re someone who likes to kick back with a nice craft beer, you may be wondering: where can you find the best beer in Breckenridge?

There are so many options to choose from that it can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry! We’re here to settle the score. Follow along with our guide to the best Breckenridge breweries!

Breckenridge Brew Pub

We’d be remiss not to include this iconic spot on our list of the best Breckenridge breweries. Breckenridge’s original brew pub has been serving up incredible brews on South Main Street since 1990. Stop in for a wide selection of brews, from traditional ales and lagers to sours and saisons, and stay for the mountain views. You can’t beat them!

Location: 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge, CO 80424

Hours: Open daily from 11 AM to Close

Top Brews: Avalanche Amber Ale, Palisade Peach Wheat, Funslinger Lager

Is There Food at Breckenridge Brew Pub?

Yes! There are plenty of food options, including burgers, sandwiches, appetizers like chicken wings, and even a kids’ menu.

Are Dogs Welcome?

You can take your dog if you’d like to sit on the outdoor patio! All dogs must be leashed.

Breckenridge Tap House

If you’re searching for the perfect pub food to devour after a day on the slopes, this local favorite is the place to be. One of the best breweries in town, Breckenridge Tap House has 37 beers on tap, plus spirits like tequila and whiskey, delicious wines, and even can’t-resist Mexican food!

One of our favorite après ski options is the Apres Nachos—a heaping serving of corn chips smothered in queso, sour cream, guacamole, and more. They also have hearty options like burgers, quesadillas, and sandwiches! Breckenridge Tap House is the perfect place to stop for great food, stellar service, and incredible beer. What more could you ask for?

Location: 105 N Main ST, Breckenridge, CO 80424

Hours: Open Daily 11 AM to Midnight

Top Brews: There’s a rotating selection, so you’ll have to stop in to see!

Is There Food at Breckenridge Tap House?

Yep! They have an extensive food menu.

Are Dogs Welcome?

Yes! Dogs are welcome outdoors on the patio. Make sure to keep them on a leash!

Broken Compass Brewing

This is the perfect spot for those who’ve ever felt a little lost or out of place—and let’s face it, who hasn’t? The owners of Broken Compass firmly believe that departing from the norm can lead to amazing possibilities—and their brewery is a testament to that statement!

Broken Compass Brewing opened its doors in Breckenridge in 2014, and it’s served as a place for not just quality local brews but also community building ever since. Stop in and try one of their craft brews; you’ll be glad you did! There are also plenty of events here, from Tuesday Night Trivia to their Acoustic Sunday music series. Choose from their two taproom locations for an incredible Breckenridge brewery experience.

Location:

Original Tap Room: 68 Continental Ct., Unit B-12 Breckenridge, CO 80424

Main Street Location:  520 S. Main St. Breckenridge, CO 80424

Hours: Both Tap Rooms Open Daily 11 to Close

Top Brews: Towdo Bien Mexican Lager, Strawberry Blonde, Ginger Pale Ale

Is There Food at Broken Compass Brewing?

Yes! You can bring your own food from anywhere into either taproom. The Main Street location also partners with Breckfest, which provides food service from 11 AM-7 PM Thursday through Sunday and 11 AM-2 PM Monday through Wednesday. The original taproom has snacks like chips, pretzels, and kettle corn.

Are Dogs Welcome?

Yes, as long as they’re kept on a leash!

Outer Range Brewing

Just a short drive away in Frisco lies Outer Range. With hand-selected hops, high-quality malts, and overall brewing expertise, you’ll taste the true rugged mountain beauty of the Rockies in every sip. Outer Range’s second location is in the French Alps, so it’s safe to say their Breckenridge Tap Room is in good company.

Location: 182 Lusher Ct Frisco, CO, 80443

Hours: 11 AM – 10 PM Daily

Top Brews: Purple Waves, Sunrise Dreams, Camp Lager

Is There Food at Outer Range Brewing?

Yes! Delectable food from Bird Craft Thai is available from 11 AM to 8 PM daily. Their Thai Fried Chicken goes perfectly with Outer Range’s craft brews!

Mountain Dweller Coffee also serves delicious coffee every day from 7 AM to 4 PM. The café is family-owned and roasts its carefully curated beans on-site. It also has a sweet selection of handmade pastries!

Is it Dog-Friendly?

Yes! Dogs are allowed on the lower level patio at Outer Range.

Book Your Stay in Breckenridge Directly with Alpine Edge!

Yum! Just reading this makes us want to go grab a pint and stay for a while at one of these incredible spots. If you’re itching to try these top Breckenridge breweries, too, what are you waiting for? It’s time to book that vacation.

Alpine Edge is the top choice for luxury Breckenridge vacation rentals. Whether you’re looking to stay in a rental with a gorgeous mountain view or want a home with a hot tub to relax in, we’re confident you’ll find the perfect fit in our extensive rental catalog.

You can’t go wrong when you stay with us! Our team is here to help you every step of the way. Browse our available Breckenridge vacation rentals now and book your trip to Breckenridge directly with Alpine Edge!

Breckenridge, Colorado, sits at an elevation of 9,603 feet at the base of the mountain and rises up to a peak of 12,998 feet. It gets about 300 days of sunshine, 353 inches of snow, and more than three million visitors each year. If you’re planning on being one of those three million this year, you may be wondering what there is to do in this alpine wonderland.

Breckenridge is famous for its skiing (more than half the visitors each year go to ski), but there’s lots to do beyond just hitting the slopes! Read on to learn more about things to do in Breckenridge that the whole family will love.

1. Skiing

Of course, one of the most popular things to do in Breckenridge is to ski. Breckenridge has five peaks that boast more than 180 skiable trails and the tallest chair lift on the continent. With almost 3,000 acres of skiing terrain and four different terrain parks, the only question you’ll have is where you want to go that day.

2. Snowshoeing

If you want a slower way to enjoy the natural beauty of Breckenridge, snowshoeing might be the activity for you. You can take a guided tour on snowshoes or explore on your own with a self-guided tour. You can choose from several different trails that offer a blend of fascinating history, stunning views, and different elevation options.

3. Tubing

Tubing is the perfect Breckenridge entertainment for people who want to relive their childhood days of flying down a hill on a sled. (We should also note that sledding is available in Breckenridge and is very popular as well.) There are a few different sledding hills available near Breckenridge vacation rentals, some of which offer various levels of difficulty.

4. Wine Tasting, Distilleries, and Craft Beer

If you’d prefer to find somewhere cozy with a warming drink, don’t worry – Breckenridge has plenty of options available. The city has wineries, distilleries, and breweries, many of which offer tours and tastings. You can taste wines at the Continental Divide Winery (and even make your own wine blend), tour the Breckenridge Distillery, or visit the Breckenridge Brewery.

5. Ice Fishing

If you enjoy spending weekends with a fishing pole in hand, you won’t want to miss the ice fishing opportunities in Breckenridge. Lake Dillon boasts an elevation of 9,000 feet and a population including rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, Arctic char, kokanee salmon, and more. You can take a guided tour of the lake and rent a warming hut, tackle, bait, gear, and heaters.

6. Cultural Attractions

Although the area is known for their skiing opportunities, Breckenridge offers some top-notch cultural attractions. The Breckenridge Arts District has galleries, performance spaces, and workshops for you to enjoy. You can learn about ceramics, woodworking, candle making, painting, and more, as well as browsing local artworks.

7. Cross-Country Skiing

When most of us think about skiing in Breckenridge, our minds go to downhill skiing, but that’s not your only option. Cross-country skiing can be a more relaxing way to enjoy the scenery and explore the trails around the city. There are two Nordic ski centers where you can start a guided tour or explore on your own.

8. Dog Sledding

Dog sledding is one of those activities most of us grow up hearing about and think only people who live in Alaska get to do. But did you know you can go dog sledding in Breckenridge? You can take an hour-long husky safari that winds six miles through the Swan River Valley, and you can even hang out with the dogs before your tour begins.

9. Snowcat Tours

If you’d prefer a tour with a little less fur involved, you can opt to take a snowcat tour of Breckenridge. These vehicles have all-glass cabins that allow for unrivaled views of the woodlands while still keeping you toasty warm. You’ll be accompanied by a guide who will tell you about the background of the area and enjoy hot chocolate at a historic cabin along the way.

10. Snow Sculpture Competitions

If you’re the artistic sort, you may want to try your hand at snow sculpture while you’re in Breckenridge lodging. And if you want to learn from the best in this field, there’s no place better to do it. Breckenridge is home to the annual International Snow Sculpture Championship, during which sixteen teams of sculptors from all over the world transform twenty-ton blocks of snow into breathtaking sculptures.

11. Ghost Tours

Breckenridge also has a spooky side for those of you who wish Halloween never had to end. The Ghostly Tales tour will take you around to all of Breckenridge’s haunted buildings as guides tell you ghost stories from the area. You can even do some ghost hunting yourself, complete with all the proper tools and equipment for the job!

12. Gold Mine Tours

In addition to being one of the premier ski locations in the world, Breckenridge is also home to historic gold mines. You can tour some of these mines, one of which is the only real open mine in the region. You can slide the ore chute, pan for gold, and even meet the burros used to haul equipment in and out of the mines.

Discover More Things to Do in Breckenridge

Breckenridge is an amazing place to plan a vacation, even if some members of your family aren’t comfortable on skis. You can, of course, try your hand at downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, ice fishing, dog sledding, and more. You can also tour mines, distilleries, wineries, galleries, and miles of gorgeous alpine wilderness.

If you’d like to discover more things to do in Breckenridge, check out the rest of our site at Alpine Edge. We offer condo rentals, ski lodging, cabins, and more for a superb Breckenridge vacation experience. Search our vacation rentals by feature and start planning your perfect vacation to Colorado.

When it comes to taking a trip to Breckenridge, you need to know when to go. This guide covers the best time to visit Breckenridge.

As the weather warms up and pandemic restrictions continue to lift, you may be daydreaming about your next family vacation. Breckenridge, Colorado, is a dream vacation spot for many families, and it’s easy to see why. From top-notch skiing and gorgeous mountain views to stunning fall foliage and mild summers, Breckenridge has it all.

If you’re planning your next vacation, you might wonder when is the best time to visit Breckenridge. Read on to learn more about this gorgeous area and discover the perfect time to plan your trip.

Breckenridge Seasons

When you’re planning your trip to Breckenridge, the first thing you need to know is what the seasons in this area look like. Breckenridge sits at an elevation of nearly 10,000 feet, so the fall and winter tend to be longer, and the spring and summer tend to be more brief. Knowing what to expect each month will help you plan your activities and figure out the best time for your trip.

During the spring and fall months, Breckenridge tends to have temperatures in the fifties and sixties up to the seventies and eighties. Summer days are usually in the seventies and eighties, although the nights can get down to the low fifties. The winter months, on the other hand, tend to plunge into the teens, although temperatures can reach the thirties on warmer days.

Winter Activities

Of course, one of the main reasons people visit Breckenridge is because of the amazing skiing there. Breckenridge boasts five peaks and nearly 3,000 acres of skiable terrain. The area gets an average of over 300 inches of snow each year, meaning you can count on deep powder and pristine slopes.

If skiing isn’t your speed, you might prefer to take a snowshoe tour from the Breckenridge Nordic Center. You might also enjoy partying at the Ullr Fest, held every December in Breckenridge. The festival honors the Norse god of winter with parades, shotski events, and bonfires.

Spring Activities

Thanks to Breckenridge’s high elevation, the skiing fun doesn’t have to stop after the spring equinox. In fact, for many years, skiing continues right up into the end of May before the snow starts melting. If you plan to ski during your spring visit to Breckenridge, be sure to check the ski resort pages to make sure the slopes are still open.

Springtime also brings a variety of other activities to Breckenridge. You can tour the mine, going down to a depth of 1,000 feet and even panning for gold, or you can take tours of the local distilleries. Spring is a popular time to visit Breckenridge since prices tend to be the cheapest during this season.

Summer Activities

Many people like visiting Breckenridge in the summer, when the kids are out of school and the mountains are in full bloom. Temperatures rarely rise above 80 even in the depths of summer in Breckenridge, and the clear blue mountain skies are hard to resist. Baskets of flowers line the streets of downtown Breckenridge, and you’ll fall in love with the idyllic beauty of the region in summer.

Summer visitors to Breckenridge enjoy spending their days in nature, mountain biking, and fly fishing. You can see some of the local wildlife in their natural habitat or relax in a hot tub under the starry night sky. And it will come as no surprise that hiking is a lifestyle in Breckenridge, which has miles upon miles of trails at all skill levels.

Fall Activities

Breckenridge can be gorgeous in fall, although it is a bit more unpredictable. During the fall months, pop-up storms can make hiking dangerous, and it’s important to take appropriate safety precautions and check the radar. But the gorgeous fall colors of the area make the hiking more than worth it as the weather turns crisp.

If hiking isn’t your cup of tea, you can still enjoy the beautiful fall foliage in Breckenridge on a leaf-peeping tour. Many people like to plan their Breckenridge visit in September and October, before the weather really turns cold and the crowds come out in force. You’ll love the crisp nights and stunning colors the mountains have to offer in the fall.

Overall Best Time to Visit Breckenridge

Although Breckenridge is always beautiful, we think the overall best time to visit Breckenridge is in the spring. Depending on the weather and how early you go, you can still catch some late-season skiing on the famous slopes. But you can avoid the frigid weather that many visitors have to deal with in the depths of the winter months.

Truth be told, however, the best time to visit Breckenridge will depend on what you want to do there. If your interest is in hiking and seeing wildlife, the summer and fall months will be best for you. If snow-covered slopes call your name, plan your trip to Breckenridge between October and April.

Start Planning Your Breckenridge Visit

Breckenridge, Colorado, is a gorgeous area with some of the best outdoor activities in the country. In the colder months, you’ll be hard-pressed to find better skiing anywhere in the country. During the summer and early fall, you’ll love the hiking opportunities and gorgeous weather the area offers.

If you’d like to discover the best time to visit Breckenridge, check out the rest of our site at Alpine Edge. We offer vacation rentals at some of Breckenridge’s best luxury homes. Browse our luxury rental listings and start planning your next vacation the right way.

The Wonders of Fall in Breckenridge

Are you ready to discover what wonders await you during fall in Breckenridge? Click here to learn just a few examples of what you could discover.

Sometimes, what you really need is a vacation. When work has been busy, and your nights and weekends have been filled with life’s responsibilities, you can feel incredibly stressed, feeling like you never have any time off.

Fortunately, you can take a vacation, enjoying fall in Breckenridge. It’s magical to spend time in a mountain ski town, even in the time between the shoulder season and the official beginning of ski season.

In this article, we’ll review what to do in Breckenridge in the fall. Finally, you can enjoy your well-deserved vacation by participating in some of the fall activities in Breckenridge. Read on to learn more.

Great Dining Discounts

In Breckenridge in the fall, many restaurants and taverns offer great discounts. And there are plenty to choose from, considering that this town has over 75 bars and restaurants. One of the best ways to save money is with the Breckenridge Dining Passport.

This dining passport, available through the many local restaurants that are collaborating with the Breckenridge Restaurant Association can get you special happy hour prices, a free appetizer with a meal, and two-for-one entrees.

The cost of this passport is only $10, which means you can quickly get your money back (and more) with all your savings!

When using the pass, make sure you check the fine print and which restaurants are open so you can use it most efficiently.

Fall Foliage Viewing

If you’re a nature lover who can’t help but be moved by the beauty of leaves changing color in the autumn season, then one of the best activities you can do during this time is to see the fall foliage in Breckenridge. This area has been called “the first to fall.”

What does this refer to? In Breckenridge, the aspens (which include the Boxelders and Rocky Mountain Maple) change their colors earlier than in other areas in the U.S. They turn a beautiful, golden shade early on.

This is because of the high altitude where you find these trees in Breckenridge.

Other trees will have colors such as green and orange, so you’ll see a great variety of colors set against the high peaks and the bright blue sky as you complete scenic drives in this area.

So if you want to enjoy the changing of the leaves as early as September, this is one of the best things to do during the fall in Breckenridge.

The best places for fall foliage viewing scenic drives in this area include the French Gulch Pass and the Boreas Pass.

Fall Biking and Hiking

If you love exploring nature by bike or by foot, then fall activities in Breckenridge that might interest you include fall biking and hiking. This area has over sixty trails that are interconnected, many of which are accessible from the downtown area of the town.

Some great trails for both cyclists and hikers include the Hermit Placer Trail and the Sawmill Trail.

As for biking trails, some easier ones include the Lower Flume Trails and the River Trail. If you want a biking trail that’s more challenging, consider going along the Breckenridge “B” Line and the Colorado Trail.

Are you a history lover? Then you should definitely see if you can go on a guided hike available through the Breckenridge History Alliance.

Because you’ll be visiting Breckenridge during the fall shoulder season, the crowds won’t be as large. This means your adventures out in the wild will feel more like adventures than ever.

Fall Festivals

In Breckenridge in the fall, there are many fall festivals you can enjoy. In September, there’s the Breckenridge Wine Classic. In this festival, winemakers, chefs, and sommeliers will invite you to enjoy wine while dining in the beautiful autumnal environment of Breckenridge.

Another September fall festival is The Breck Film. You can enjoy outdoor viewings, parties, and film screenings.

Many of these screenings occur in theaters in town and have afterparties, so you can use one of these evenings as a reason to feel cultured and glamorous while enjoying everything else the town has to offer during the fall.

Additionally, the Brecktoberfest occurs in September. This event, which is hosted at the Riverwalk Center and lawn, celebrates German beer as well as culture.

Are you more of a local beer lover? No need to worry! In addition to German beers, there will be many fall-themed ones available that come from Colorado as well as the Rockies.

Note that this is a ticketed event, so you’ll have to reserve in advance.

At the same time as this festival, the Fall Family Fair will be going on for free. This is a great option if you’ve got kids!

Finally, in October, there’s the Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival. You can enjoy drinks distilled by the best distilleries in Colorado. You can start off this festival at the first event, The Still on the Hill Grand Tasting.

Want to Learn More About Fall in Breckenridge?

Now that you’ve learned about the wonders of the fall in Breckenridge, you might want to learn more. Maybe you want to find out about specific trails that would interest you or you’d like to learn more about the best bars and restaurants to visit.

Whatever information you need, we can help. At Alpine Edge, we’re experts when it comes to enjoying Breckenridge.

We also provide vacation rentals during the fall shoulder season. So if you’re looking for a place to stay, you should stay with us. To book your vacation rental with us, contact us now.