Sometimes you take a trip you’ll never forget, and one of those trips for us was to Breckenridge, Colorado. Local transplants will tell you they came for the skiing, but they stayed for the many things to do in Breckenridge in summer.
After visiting Breck in the summer, I totally get that statement, and you will too once you visit. Read on to find out all the best summer activities in Breckenridge, Colorado, and start making your list for the best vacation ever. Just be careful – you, like us, might find yourself packing your house and moving here!
COOLEST PLACES TO STAY IN BRECKENRIDGE
- Best for Activities: When spring wildflowers begin to bloom, warm weather adventures kick into high gear. Hike, bike, golf and fish your way through the summer months until the aspens shimmer gold. Grand Timber Lodge features a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center and bar, along with movie theaters and a family fun center. You’ll never run out of things to do here!
- Best for Dining with a View: Sevens Restaurant is conveniently located inside the Grand Lodge on Peak 7 and offers a family-friendly, casual dining experience, along with spectacular mountain views. You’ll also find a spa, outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and movie theater here.
- Best Tried and True Hotel: The Residence Inn by Marriott Breckenridge has a variety of amenities, great views of the Rocky Mountains and an excellent location on the vibrant Main Street in Breckenridge, Colorado. You’ll find this comfortable, log cabin style lodge is convenient to ski lifts, shops, bars and restaurants.
POPULAR THINGS TO DO IN BRECKENRIDGE IN SUMMER
Visit the Breck Troll
Isak Heartstone is a 15-foot tall wooden troll sculpture located on the Trollstigen Trail just on the edge of Downtown. You can see just how huge he is in the photo about, with Cooper and Elliot’s heads barely reaching his belly.
He was created by the Danish artist Thomas Dambo, who is known worldwide for bringing awareness to recycling and upcycling by building great things out of trash.
The attention to detail and sheer size of the troll is truly impressive and will leave you in awe. As you approach, you can see the intricate features carved into the rock and the expressions on its face are just priceless!
The troll is nestled in a beautiful forest, surrounded by the mountains and you can’t help but feel a sense of peace and serenity as you stand before it – even if it’s only 400 feet in. It’s hard to believe that such a magnificent work of art was created by a local artist, almost entirely by hand!
Breckenridge Welcome Center
The best place to start a visit here is at the Breckenridge Welcome Center in downtown Breckenridge. In addition to information about all the things going on in Breck, they have an awesome free museum.
The museum is full of interactive exhibits about the town’s history and environmental accomplishments. Tour the renovated 19th century log cabin that was discovered during the demolition of the original building to make way for the Welcome Center.
The Welcome Center and museum is open everyday except Mondays.
Relax by the Blue River Plaza
Outside the Welcome Center is the Blue River Plaza, which has a play area for toddlers and small children, and older kids can splash in the Blue River.
The Plaza sits next to the Riverwalk where kids and adults can’t help hopping the rocks to cross the Blue River. Head across the bridge and enjoy the grass on the Riverwalk lawn, or feed the fish at the dredge pond.
This is also the gathering spot for the town of Breckenridge. You’re guaranteed to find a good time here.
Visit a Real-Life Gold Mine
Country Boy Mine is a must-do activity from May – October. In addition to going down in a real-life gold mine, you can also pan for gold in the chilly rivers.
Go 1,000-feet into the gold mine and learn more about the history of the mine. In the summer, you can also take part in one of their treasure/scavenger hunts. Follow the clues to find treasure with a metal detector. Pan for gold while you’re here, and keep what you find.
Look for Fox
Breckenridge still feels like an old Western town, and one reason is the resident foxes. Right next door to commercial buildings and a parking lot, we saw them.
In fact, Breckenridge is home to many furry residents. To keep them – and you – safe, you shouldn’t approach and always observe from a distance.
Breck’s Funky Shops
Breck has lots of fun and unique shops. My favorite is Marigold’s Farmhouse Funk and Junk. You never know what you’ll find there.
Wander Through Breck’s Art Galleries
The town of Breckenridge has several art galleries. I enjoyed perusing the artwork, and at one even watched as a painter created a piece.
Special Events
Summer or winter, plan a trip to take advantage of one of the many special events hosted by the Town of Breckenridge. During our summer stay, we were there for Breck Bike Week and the Fourth of July.
Sadly, Breck Bike Week is no more, but there is the Gold Panning Championships or WAVE, an interactive art event. Get the latest on summer festivals here.
I have on my list to visit Breck during the snow sculpture championships in January. My son who loves Vikings would probably enjoy the Ullr Fest too.
Read More: Breckenridge Colorado Christmas: 11 Best Ways to Celebrate
ADVENTUROUS THINGS TO DO IN BRECKENRIDGE IN SUMMER
Ride the Free Breck Connect Gondola
Take the BreckConnect Gondola up to Breckenridge Ski Resort. The free ride offers a beautiful view of the Rocky Mountains and you can hike down, or play at the Epic Discovery Fun Park at the base of Peak 8.
You can also bring your bike up with you and then bike down the mountain. Best of all, the gondola is free!
Read More: Why We Love Breckenridge Ski Resort (+ 25 More Things To Do in Breck in Winter)
Visit Breckenridge’s (sort of) Theme Park
The Breckenridge Ski Resort isn’t just for wintertime fun.
In summer the mountain turns into a small theme park called Epic Discovery with a gold coaster, zip line, challenge course, climbing wall, and our all-time absolute favorite, the alpine slide.
Read More: Have Fun at Breckenridge Alpine Slide & Epic Discovery (Sort of) Theme Park
Pump It Up
The Town of Breckenridge maintains a kid-friendly pump track and bike park in a nearby neighborhood on the Breck FreeRide bus route. Bring your bike and see if you can make it all the way around without pedaling.
There is another pump track at the top of Peak 8 too. The pump tracks are a fun activity on their own, but also a great place to prepare for a mountain bike adventure.
OUTDOOR THINGS TO DO IN BRECKENRIDGE IN SUMMER
Go Hiking No Matter What
One of our favorite summertime activities is exploring the many world-class hiking trails in and around Breckenridge and Summit County.
We did a combination of finding our own trails, as well as going on guided hikes through the Breckenridge History and the Town of Breckenridge.
Make sure to make time to check out the Mohawk Lakes Trail.
Read More: Our 5 Favorite Breckenridge Hikes (That You’ll Love Too!)
Go Fly Fishing
Fly fishing in Breckenridge in the summer is a popular activity. Because Breckenridge is near the headwaters of five major rivers, there are plenty of places to take part in fly fishing.
Local outfitters, Mountain Angler and Breckenridge Outfitters, are great places to go to pick up gear or learn more about the best places to go during certain times of year. You can also get your fishing license at either place, and they each offer guided fishing trips.
The Breckenridge Rec Center for Visitors
The Breckenridge Rec Center is a hidden gem the received a $17 million renovation in 2019. There is an indoor pool with a zero-entry for little ones and a lap pool for swimmers. In addition, there is a water slide, lazy river, rope swing, basketball nets, and a climbing wall.
To ease the aches from being so active, there are two hot tubs. The Rec Center also has tennis, a rock wall, and complete workout facilities. Visitors can come for the day, or get a punch card for multiple visits.
During our summer in Breck, we purchased a monthly pass to the rec center. The boys loved the aqua wall and rope swing and the older ones were excited to use the rock climbing wall.
Skate or Watch at the Skateboarding Park
Just outside the Breckenridge Rec Center is a free skateboarding park. Whether you board or not, it’s fun to watch.
Go Ice Skating in Summer
The Stephen C West Ice Arena is on the southside of town. You can take a lesson, or visit during the public sessions. If you’d rather watch than skate, you can also take in a Breckenridge Bucs hockey game.
Enjoy Happy Hour on the Blue River
There are so many amazing restaurants in Breckenridge, but taking the family can put a dent in your budget. Thankfully many of the best restaurants also have incredible happy hours.
Bonus, folks coming from the East Coast are ready to eat early anyway!
Check out the Main Street taproom of Broken Compass Brewing Company too!
Read More: 14 Best Breckenridge Happy Hour Deals for Families (+ Fav Restaurants)
Golf The Bear or The Elk
Breckenridge has three championship nine-hole courses, the BEAR the BEAVER and the ELK.
All three nines are Jack Nicklaus-designed courses with panoramic views of the snowcapped Colorado Rockies from every hole.
Ride into the Sunset at Breckenridge Stables
Riding through the mountains on horseback was at the top of my list of things to do during our summer visit.
Our family enjoys horseback riding, but we are not skilled riders, so Breckenridge Stables nose-to-tail ride was perfect for us. The route we took through the mountains was pretty and crossed varied terrain.
The rides go out rain or shine, as we found out, so you may want to bring a slicker just in case. Anyone who has spent a summer in Breckenridge knows the weather can change quickly.
TOURS, MUSEUMS, AND MORE
Take a Tour from the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance
I love history and Breckenridge History members know all about Breck’s colorful past. In addition to managing several historic residences in town that are free to visit, they also offer guided hikes and historic tours. Here are three of our favorites.
- Walk Through History Tour. This is Breckenridge History’s signature tour of Breckenridge’s National Historic District. View historic buildings from log cabins to stately residences. Hear stories of gold strikes, robberies, business booms and busts, skiing pioneers and much more.
- Walk Through the Darker History Tour. This downtown stroll explores the seedier side of Breckenridge history. You will learn local saloon lore, from madams and mayhem to murder, from rot-gut whiskey to the goings-on of the red light district.
- Tombstone Tales Tour. This walking tour through the Valley Brook Cemetery reveals who’s who on the ornate carved gravestones as well as several unmarked graves. Hear stories about Breckenridge’s movers and shakers, miners, widows and paupers – as well tales of widespread illness, accidents and conflict.
Wander through a Museum
In addition to the free Welcome Center Museum, the town of Breckenridge has several other museums including the Barney Ford House Museum and Edwin Carter Museum.
Take in a Show at the Backstage Theatre
The Backstage Theatre has shows year-round.
Check out their latest season and take a break from more strenuous activities to take in a show.
Make an Art Project
Lean into your creative side with a class at Breck Create. Check their website for an updated list of classes.
Tips for your Breckenridge Trip
- Try to make as many reservations in advance as possible (Epic Discovery, rentals, activities and dining experiences). Breckenridge’s popular activities do fill up during peak times.
- Breckenridge is a casual mountain town where comfort and function take priority during the day, and jeans are acceptable for the nicest dinners.
- Breckenridge is a straw-free community, BYOS (bring your own straw) if you can’t live without.
- The best way to explore Breckenridge’s quaint historic streets is with boots and bikes, leave the car at home.
- Hop on the Breck Free Ride. The Breck Free Ride is a community-wide free transit system complete with an easy app and routes designed to get you to where you want to go.
- The greater Breckenridge area has hundreds of miles of trails, 66 miles of which are managed by the Town of Breckenridge. By staying on the trails you’re helping natural areas stay natural.
BRECKENRIDGE IN SUMMER FAQ
Is there anything to do in Breckenridge in the summer?
Yes! There are lots of amazing things to do in Breckenridge in the summer. From scenic chairlift rides, to fly fishing, to tours, to mountain biking, you won’t run out of things to do here…even in the summer months.
Is the Breckenridge gondola free in the summer?
Yes, the Breckenridge gondola is free in the summer! The BreckConnect Gondola is open in the summer to transport you between the town and the base at Peak 8.
Why is Breckenridge so popular?
Breckenridge is well known for its awesome ski resort, its amazing mountain scenery, and plenty of outdoor recreation. This fun town is also full of great restaurants, shops and saloons, and its downtown area is easy very walkable.
MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO COLORADO
- YOUR COLORADO VACATION
- BRECK IN WINTER: Why We Love Breckenridge Ski Resort (+ 25 More Things To Do In Breck In Winter)
- CO RESORTS: 21 Amazing Colorado Resorts For Every Type Of Traveler
- VAIL: 33 Sensational Things To Do In Vail
- BUENA VISTA: 9 Of The Very Best Things To Do In Buena Vista CO
WHERE TO STAY IN BRECKENRIDGE
Follow us here: Facebook | X | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | MSN | TripAdvisor | Flipboard | NewsBreak
All articles belong to 365 Atlanta Family LLC, and all photos belong to us as well, unless otherwise noted. It’s all copyrighted. Please don’t repost anything elsewhere without asking me first. All rights reserved. This site uses cookies to enhance your experience.
We make no guarantees of any price listed on our site. We are not responsible for content on external web sites linked from ours, including linked resources, an external blog post, any partner site, hotel property sites, or affiliate sites. We only write about places we love in an attempt to help you in your adventures, but we can’t guarantee you will love them, too.
Posts may contain affiliate links at no cost to you. Several of our trips are also compensated by the respective tourism boards for the city or state we are visiting, restaurants, attractions or brands. This never impacts how we share the destination with you – opinions are always our own and we pride ourselves on that. We do not sell links or accept unsolicited guest posts under any circumstances. Don’t even ask.
United States Copyright, 365 Atlanta Family, LLC
View our Privacy Policy | Subscribe to our Newsletter | Contact Site Owner | View Terms & Conditions | About Us
