Breckenridge, Colorado—or “Breck” as locals call it—draws visitors from around the world every season, and for good reason. Most people know it as a world-class ski destination, alongside the likes of Aspen, Telluride, and Vail. What surprises first-timers is how much Breck delivers in the summer—outdoor adventures, gold mine tours, incredible restaurants, lively shops, and yes, actual saloons. This former mining town has serious range.
On our first trip to Breckenridge, Chris and I laced up our hiking boots and hit the McCullough Gulch Trail—starting at 11,000 feet, which is a humbling way to discover your altitude limitations. It’s classified as hard, and it earns that label with boulder scrambles and rocky terrain before rewarding you with views of the Upper Blue Reservoir. Fair warning: there are plenty of hikes in Breckenridge better suited to families and anyone still getting their mountain legs. We’ll get to those.
21 Things to Do In Breckenridge This Summer
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Breckenridge, Colorado has long been synonymous with winter adventures and world-class skiing—but summer? It’s a whole different kind of magic. One of the most popular stops on a Colorado road trip, Breck delivers year-round. Chris and I spent a couple of days here during the warmer months and came away thoroughly impressed.
From hiking and mountain biking to gold mine tours and rooftop dining, there are plenty of things to do in Breckenridge, Colorado that have nothing to do with snow. And according to both US News & World Report and CBS News, we’re not the only ones who’ve figured that out—Breckenridge consistently ranks among the best mountain towns in the country for a reason.
1. Experience Epic Discovery in Breckenridge
Experience Epic Discovery Breckenridge with the Adventure Pass. You’ll get unlimited, all-day access to these fun summer activities:
- Ride the Chairlift
- Mini Golf
- Gold Runner Coaster
- Bungee Trampoline
- Pan for Gemstones
- Ropes Course for Your Little Peeps
- Try the Alpineer Challenge Course
- Gold Summit Climbing
If you don’t have time for an all-day adventure, try the Pioneer Pass for 3 total uses on adventures you love. If that means you want to ride the Gold Runner Coaster three times in a row, GO FOR IT!
Discover Tours in Breckenridge on Viator
2. Ride the Breckenridge Alpine Slide
Everybody loves an alpine slide and the slides in Breckenridge are always a fan favorite. You have three 2,600 foot-long thrilling slides to choose from. Not a speed demon? You are in control of the speed of your cart as you zoom through the course over berms, around turns and down the straightaways.
- Single Rider: Rider must meet the 48 inch height requirement.
- Double Rider: Driver must be at least 16 years old and the passenger must be at least 3 years old and between 35 and 47 inches tall.
- Closed-toe Shoes Required: No heels, flip flops, crocs, etc. Tennis shoes are ideal.
3. Hike in Breckenridge
For all of you hiking enthusiasts, AllTrails.com has ranked the top ten Breckenridge hiking trails. These hikes range in a difficulty level from Easy to Hard.
- McCullough Gulch Trail
- Spruce Creek Trail to Mohawk Lakes Trail
- Mayflower Lake to Mohawk Lakes
- Sawmill Reservoir
- B&B to Reiling to Minnie Mine
- Hoosier Pass Loop
- Spruce Creek Loop
- Sallie Barber Mine Trail
- Boreas Pass
- Trollstigen, Southside and Illinois Creek Low Trail
There are many hikes in Colorado that are best suited to families and anyone not acclimated to the high altitude in Breckenridge Colorado. The Hoosier Pass Loop is one of the easy to moderate Breckenridge hiking trails you might enjoy with only 700 feet of elevation gain. Follow the 2.8 mile loop above tree line for stunning 360° views of the valley below.
If you have a little more time in Colorado, drive toward Aspen Snowmass and experience more hikes, ghost towns, and adventures.
Related Post: My #1 Favorite Crossbody Bag for Travel and Hiking
4. Downhill Bike in Breckenridge this Summer
Depending on the conditions and whether or not the winter snow has melted, the trails around Breckenridge are typically open for riders starting in July.
One of the great things to do in Breckenridge is to take a mountain biking lesson or two if you are a beginner or think you need a refresher course. Bike rentals are available.
TIP * Check out my husband’s favorite Mountain Biking Gear on Amazon.
5. Try an Escape Room
Try your sleuthing skills at a local escape room. Perfect for a slower afternoon and a change of pace. Seriously, you’ll be posting your narrow escapes to Instagram.
6. Explore Nearby Ghost Towns
Plan an adventure to a nearby ghost town. Did you know that Colorado has numerous Ghost Towns that you can visit? Check out Dyersville just 6 miles to the south of Breckenridge in Indian Gulch. Chris and I visited St. Elmo Ghost Town in Buena Vista, Colorado. It would be a 75-minute day trip with beautiful mountain views to Buena Vista from Breckenridge.
7. Try Stand Up Paddle Boarding at Frisco Bay Marina
Frisco is a short twenty-mile drive from Breckenridge; Frisco Bay Marina is the perfect choice for an afternoon on the water. Frisco Bay joins with Dillon Reservoir and is a certified clean marina. It boasts cobalt blue water and fantastic mountain scenery
Don’t worry about bring all of your gear with you. Rentals are available at the marina for all types of water sports:
- Pontoon Boats
- Power Fishing Boats
- Stand Up Paddle Boards
- Canoes
- Kayaks
- Fishing Boats and Equipment
- Sailboats
Frisco Bay Marina is a popular summer destinations with a variety of rentals, so make your reservations early when you are planning things to do in Breckenridge.
8. Book a Kayak Tour on Dillon Marina
Dillon and Frisco, Colorado are connected by the Dillon Reservoir with the Frisco Bay Marina on one end and Dillon Marina on the other. All kinds of water sports, rentals, and tours are available on the reservoir:
- Kayak Rentals and Lessons
- Sailing Lessons and Rentals
- Boat Rentals
- Stand Up Paddleboards
- Evening Sailing Cruise
9. Experience Gold Mine Tours
Once word spread that gold and silver had been discovered in and around Breckenridge in the 1880s, hundreds of mines sprang up and people flocked to the area.
Seriously, mining was the THING to do in Breckenridge in the late 1800s.
While no longer operating as mines today, a few of the mines are still open for gold mine tours.
- Country Boy Mine
- Washington Gold Mine
- Lomax Placer Mine
10. Pan for Gold
Breckenridge had its beginnings as a Gold Mining town. General George Spencer founded Breck in 1859 and led miners to the area once gold was discovered in the Blue River. The town had humble beginnings of 75-100 residents. Once the gold boom hit, the town’s population soared to over 2,000 people.
Today, you can combine a gold mine tour with panning for gold at Lomax Gulch. Step back in time with your guides when panning involved collecting dirt on the side of a creek in a shallow pan, swirling the contents, and hoping that gold settled to the bottom of the pan!
Lomax Mine is located at 301 Ski Hill Rd. Turn onto Ski Hill Road and head toward the ski area. You’ll find the mine one mile up the road on the left.
11. Attend a Breckenridge Summer Orchestra Performance
Enjoy a performance with the The National Repertory Orchestra.
This unique orchestra is a summer symphony orchestra that provides training for young professional musicians and prepares them for future musical careers. If selected, musicians receive free tuition and housing, a food stipend, solo performance opportunities and the chance to learn under the direction of Michael Stern in Breckenridge.
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12. Enjoy Epic Mountain Views on Scenic Drives
Colorado has scenery and scenic drives that will keep your camera busy for days. And Breckenridge is one of the best places in Colorado for picturesque vistas and mountain views. Put away the electronics, plan for a day trip, and enjoy the drive.
Are you planning a quick trip to the mountains? Breckenridge this weekend, or any weekend for that matter, is the perfect place to go. You’ll love these drives:
- French Gulch
- Boreas Pass
- Boreas Pass to Lake Como, Fairplay and Alma
- Highway 9 Next to the Blue River
For everyone to enjoy the mountain roads, be sure to observe scenic driving etiquette. Also, come prepared, wear your seatbelt, observe the speed limits, and pull over to allow others to pass if you are driving slow or stopping to enjoy the scenery. Don’t forget to take lots of photos for Instagrammable moments!
Related Post: 30 Best Tips for Driving in the Mountains
Some Great Questions to Ask Along Your Scenic Drives
13. Enjoy Breckenridge Restaurants
Eating is a top activity for many anywhere in the world; it is one of the highlights of things to do in Breckenridge. Here are the top 10 ranked Breckenridge summer restaurants from Yelp for you foodies out there:
- The Canteen Taphouse and Tavern
- Twist
- Hearthstone Restaurant
- Rootstalk
- Bird & Cow
- Aurum Food & Wine Breckenridge
- Blue River Bistro
- Breckenridge Distillery Restaurant
- Tin Plate
- Yo Mamas Cantina
Those restaurant suggestions are just the tip of the “mountain” for the amazing Breckenridge restaurants. Chris and I have also enjoyed:
- Whiskey Star Smokehouse
- Crepes a la Cart Bluebird
- Myla Rose Saloon in Blue River, Colorado (about 10 miles from Breckenridge)
- Picnic lunches
14. Explore the Breckenridge Arts District
Discover the Breckenridge Creative Arts District with a variety of studio spaces in downtown Breckenridge. Pick from courses in:
- Ceramics
- Metalsmithing
- Glasswork
- Printwork
- Mosaics
- Jewelry Making
- Painting
- Children’s Classes
15. Attend a Festival
There are a variety of interactive festivals with a little something for everyone all year long in Breckenridge.
Breckenridge Festivals
- Peaks & Beats” at the base of Peak 8: April
- Breck Sunday Market: June – September
- Breck Pride: June
- Breckenridge Agave Festival: June
- 4th of July in Breckenridge: July 4
- Breckenridge Summer Beer Festival: July
- Breckenridge Food and Wine Festival: July
- Breckenridge International Festival of Arts: August
- Breck Epic: August
- Breckenridge Wine Classic: August
- Breckenridge Hogfest: Bacon and Bourbon: August
- Labor Day Weekend in Breckenridge
- Breckenridge Oktoberfest: September
- Breckenridge Film Festival: September
- Breckenridge Bluegrass + Beer Festival: September
- Lighting of Breckenridge + Race of the Santas: December
- Breckenridge Ullr Fest: December
- New Year’s Eve Fireworks and Torchlight Parade: December 31
- International Snow Sculpture Championships: January
If you are planning your Breckenridge summer or winter trip around these festivals, be sure to book your hotel or vrbo early as places sell out fast.
16. Get Outdoors
Are you an outdoor adventure enthusiast? There are plenty of opportunities for camping, fishing, golfing, mini-golf, and horseback riding.
17. Try the BreckConnect Gondola
What could be better? Riding the BreckConnect Gondola is FREE. It runs in the winter as a great way for skiers to access the mountain but also in the summer for visitors to take advantage of the amazing things to do in Breckenridge on the mountain. Hop on the gondola at 170 Watson Avenue and ride for about 10 minutes to the base of Peak 8 and Peak 7.
18. Find the Breckenridge Troll
As one of most popular outdoor art exhibits, the Breckenridge troll, Isak Heartstone, is located on the Trollstigen Trail in the southeast corner of the Ice Area parking lot (next to Illinois Gulch Trailhead). The troll came to life under the hands of the Danish artist Thomas Dambo as an exhibit for the Breckenridge International Festival of Arts in 2018.
At 15-feet tall, this wooden troll is intended to bring awareness to recycling and upcycling. Isak was built from trash. As long as the public respects the sculpture, it will remain a popular feature in Breckenridge.
19. Whitewater Rafting
If you are looking for something new, exciting and memorable, you can’t go wrong with a whitewater rafting adventure during your visit to Breckenridge. Rafting starts in the spring with the awesome spring runoff. If you are planning this adventure, you may wish to begin booking your vacation well in advance, ie., the summer before.
The closest whitewater rafting guide adventures are based in Frisco on the Blue River (about 20 minutes from Breckenridge).
20. Tour the Firefighter Museum
The Red, White and Blue Firefighter Museum is located next to the Main Station on Main Street in Breckenridge. Today, Breck’s fire department is trained to respond to all hazards. Discover the equipment and artifacts of years past when the “all volunteer” department protected the town.
21. Soak in Hot Springs
While there aren’t any natural hot springs within the boundaries of Breckenridge, you can find a few hot springs around an hour to an hour and a half away.
- Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa: 80 minutes away
- Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort in Nathrop, CO: 80 minutes away
- Cottonwood Hot Springs in Buena Vista, CO: 80 minutes away
- Indian Hot Springs in Idaho Springs, CO: 60 minutes away
- Radium Hot Springs close to Bond, CO: 90 minutes away
Don’t forget your hot springs etiquette. Yes, there are do’s and don’ts!
How Do You Get to Breckenridge, Colorado from Denver?
If you plan to fly into Denver International Airport, Breckenridge, Colorado is approximately 80 miles from Denver along the I-70 Corridor in the Rocky Mountains. You’ll drive past Silverthorne and Frisco before reaching Breck.
Where to Stay in Breckenridge in Summer
There are plenty of apartments, vacation rentals and hotels within Breckenridge. The trick is finding the one that best suits your needs.
On our recent trip to Breck, we stayed in a vacation rental in Blue River about ten minutes outside of Breckenridge. It was quiet, the mountain views were outstanding, and we even spied a mama moose and her baby as we drove.
Check out Booking.com for a Place to Stay for Your Next Trip
Gear to Bring
Electronics & Camera Gear
- Canon 6d Mark II
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens
- Portable Charger
- iPhone
- Bose Noise-Canceling Headphones
- Apple Watch
Basic Adventure Gear
Day Hiking Gear
- Plenty of extra water and a Camelbak hydropack or hiking backpack with hydration pack. Zipfizz is great to add to your water bottle for a little extra oomph.
- Snacks.
- Bug spray.
- Extra sun protection: sunscreen, a hat/visor, and sunglasses.
- Packable rain jacket.
- Hiking or trekking poles.
- A bag to pack out all of your trash: fruit peels/cores, snack bags, toilet paper, and other waste.
- I just bring my smartphone when hiking.
- The North Face Recon backpack for Chris and The North Face Surge Luxe for me.
- Hiking boots are essential for all hikes—sturdy, comfortable footwear. Chris loves his Merrells. I am breaking in a new pair of Vasque Hiking Boots.
- Fleece layer or puffy jacket (depending on the time of year) — If you are planning a day hike in the winter months, you really need winter hiking equipment. There is a Hiking & Cold Weather Gear section on my Amazon Storefront.
- Winter day hikes means you also get to be in the cool kids crampons club (they are so helpful)! These are the best microspikes for your winter hikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Breckenridge so famous…and popular?
Breckenridge’s big claim to fame is its luxe ski resort, stunning mountain views, and endless recreation and adventure opportunities. It attracts visitors from all around the world.
Is Breckenridge a walkable town?
Yes. You’ll enjoy easy access to a variety of activities, Breckenridge restaurants, shops, saloons, and places to stay.
Is Breckenridge worth a visit?
Definitely. There are plenty of things to do in Breckenridge, Colorado for every adventurer’s bucket list all year long.
Should I visit Breckenridge in the fall?
Beyond the fall foliage and mountain views, Breck also hosts the annual Breckenridge Oktoberfest. This three-day celebration usually happens in the middle of September.
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Don’t Wait for Snow: Breckenridge Is Epic Year-Round
Breckenridge has spent decades building its reputation as a world-class ski destination—and it earned every bit of it. But if you’re only showing up when there’s powder on the mountain, you’re missing half the story. Summer in Breck means wildflower-lined trails, mountain biking, gold mine tours, rooftop patios, and a historic Main Street that’s worth wandering any time of year. The mountains don’t take a season off, and neither should you.
Before you hit the trails, make sure you’re packed and ready to go with my Day Hike Packing List.
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I like the idea of visiting ski resorts in off season. So would definitely put Breckenridge on our travel plans for Colorado. That Adventure Pass has so many fun days. It will keep us engaged for many days between exciting hikes. Good thing there are some great options for food!
Sounds as though you need to start exploring Colorado.
Always wanted to try mountain biking and this looks like a great place to do that. Looks like it is beginner-friendly as well, so extra points for that haha. Other things on this list look fun as well! Thanks for sharing!
Mh husband is big into mountain biking and loves being able to take gondolas up the mountain and zoom down.
Colorado is on my list of US places to visit, but I had never heard of Breckenridge before. It sounds lovely and I love that fact that there are ghost towns nearby. They fascinate me, as we don’t have many (if any) here in Canada
There are a number of ghost towns in Colorado
So many cool things to do in Breckenridge, Colorado in the summer. Would love to hike and explore here!
Now that you have hiked all of Minnesota, you need to start working on Colorado!
I’ve never skied, so I haven’t been to any of the popular destinations in Colorado. That being said, I really ought to go to Breckenridge to explore the “non-skiing” options. I would love to check out the nearby ghost town.
It is pretty great place to visit in the summer.
The hikes are beautiful, especially in the Fall.
Looks like there is a ton of outdoor adventures in Breckenridge. My kind of destination! I would take advantage of the hiking, and my husband loves mountain biking. Great overview for those planning a getaway here.
My husband goes mountain biking every chance he gets!
What a place to hike! Never realised what a paradise it is summer! Thanks for sharing.
Paradise is a good description.
Summer is a great season for visiting Breckenridge. I have been to Colorado once and look forward to visiting again!
I love summer in the mountains.
Thanks for sharing this, the hiking looks like it would be so much fun! There are a lot of fun things to do and the scenery looks amazing!
I love the combination of hiking and taking pictures along the way.
Taking a mining tour and eating are right up my alley! It looks like there are more things to do than I realized.
It is always a good time for a meal!
I would love to try mountain biking in this area. Colorado is high on my us travel list; it looks so beautiful.
Colorado is one of my favorite states!
This is so 100% up my alley, I could definitely use some of this Breckenridge air!
You would love it.
Looks like there are lots of fun things to do in Colorado. I’d love to check out some of their hiking! Thanks so much for sharing. Saving this for later!
Agreed. My husband and I have explored a lot of the hikes in the area.
Seems like the town name “Breckinridge” is a common one in several states but this one is certainly way cooler than the one I lived in!!! (MN) How cool. I’m particularly fascinated by the nearby ghost towns
This was such a detailed article, I’ve never heard of this place but it seems there’s a lot to do there. Thanks for sharing!
What a lot of great ideas to do in the area. Thanks for all this wonderful information.
I visited Breckenridge in the wintertime a few years back so this has me intrigued about going in the summer. I had no clue about the adventure pass that sounds like a great deal. Also those hiking pictures are gorgeous! What a view.
We have Colorado on our plans for a long visit one day. We definitely want to spend some time in Breckenridge. Great to know there is lots to see and do to keep us busy for a few days.
Such a pretty place in summer. My favorites on your list are paddling on Lake Dillon and Boreas Pass.
I love the variety of things to do in Breckenridge, Colorado. Looks like a beautiful (and challenging) place to hike. Exploring the ghost towns would be cool also.
Hiking in Breckenridge is definitely on my to-do list, and now I’m adding ghost towns and gold mine tours.
Love it! Thank you for the suggestions, ill be marking these down for my next visit.
I clearly need to go back to Breck!
Hadn’t considered visiting Breckenridge in the summer before, but it looks like there is a ton to do!