Breckenridge Summer Travel Guide

BRECKENRIDGE
SUMMER TRAVEL GUIDE
2016

Breckenridge’s rich history will be apparent as soon as you see Main Street. Most of its
buildings are over 100 years old. Throughout the town, there are more than 350 historic
structures, making Breckenridge one of the largest historic districts in the state. All of these
buildings have been beautifully preserved, giving the town an Old West feel that’s
simultaneously quaint and quirky.
The town got its start in 1859 during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush. Gold was discovered in the area, which
brought a number of fortune seekers to town. As with many mountain mining towns, Breckenridge
experienced quite a few population busts and booms over the years due to new mining discoveries,
changes in the mining industry, and the effects of wartime economies during the Civil War and both
World Wars. By 1950, Breckenridge’s population had declined to fewer than 300 people.
A decade would bring a dramatic change to the area, though. The Breckenridge Ski Resort opened in
1961 and started another boom for the town. In the early 1970s, the Eisenhower Tunnel opened on
I-70, making travel from Denver easier and helping to fuel Breckenridge’s growth. Presently, the town
has a population of over 4,500 and it’s become a world-renowned destination for both winter and
summer recreational activities.

DID YOU KNOW...?
On average, Breckenridge receives 300 inches of snow and has 300 days
of sunshine every year.
Both “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and “Dumb and Dumber”
had scenes filmed in Breckenridge.
Breckenridge was the first major ski resort in Colorado to allow snowboarding.
There are three mountains over 14,000 feet in elevation in Summit
County, all of them visible from Breckenridge.
Every year, the resort sees approximately 1.5 million skiers.
The resort’s longest trail is Four O’Clock Run at 3.5 miles.
There are 2,908 skiable acres in the ski resort as
well as 25 acres of terrain parks.
The largest gold nugget ever discovered in Colorado was found outside of
Breckenridge. Known as Tom’s Baby, it weighed in at almost 13.5 pounds
and then went missing for about 70 years. When it was re-discovered,
the nugget was about 3 pounds lighter.
The town was originally named “Breckinridge” after then-Vice President
John C. Breckinridge. This was in an attempt to get a Post Office established
in town (which was successful). When the Civil War broke out
in 1861, Breckinridge aligned himself with the Confederates. However,
the town supported the Union Army and soon after, changed the
spelling to what is now.
The Gold Pan Saloon, located at 103 North Main Street, is the oldest operating bar
in the county and it has one of the oldest liquor licenses west of the Mississippi.

AWESOME RESTAURANTS
From mouth-watering steaks to cheese-covered nachos, there are restaurants aplenty
in Breckenridge to please every type of palate.
TOP 3 FINE DINING RESTAURANTS
HEARTHSTONE: Located at
130 South Ridge Street,
Hearthstone provides
guests with top-notch food
offerings, wonderful service,
and an eclectic and inviting
atmosphere. Open for
dinner every night, their
menu includes naturally
raised beef and game as
well as sustainable seafood
and more than 220 types of
wine. Vegetarian and gluten-free
options are also
available.
MODIS: You’ll find a winning
combination of contemporary
cuisine and
prohibition-era cocktails at
Modis. The menu items are
fresh and flavorful with
gluten-free and vegetarian
options, too. Modis is open
nightly for dinner and has
two happy hours, one
starting at 3 p.m. Reservations
are recommended.
The restaurant is at 113
Main Street.
EMBER: At Ember, you’ll
enjoy inventive and intriguing
menu options that
boast unique flavor combinations.
Of particular note
is the restaurant’s cocktail
menu, which features a
number of drinks that
you’re unlikely to have ever
enjoyed before. Vegetarian
and gluten-free options
are available. The restaurant
is open every night
but Sunday and it’s located
at 106 East Adams
Avenue.

TOP 3 CASUAL RESTAURANTS
DOWNSTAIRS AT ERIC’S:
There’s no shortage of
friendly service, good
food, flat-screen TVs, or
arcade games at Downstairs
at Eric’s. It’s an especially
great atmosphere
for families. Their menu
has a little bit of everything,
from soups and
salads to pizza and burgers.
There are also 30
beers on tap and even
more in the bottle. The
restaurant is located at 111
South Main Street.
EMPIRE BURGER: Located
at 500 South Main Street,
Empire Burger is a must
after a long day of hiking
or biking. They offer a
wide selection of filling and
delicious burgers (complete
with an amazing
array of sauces) as well as
sandwiches and salads. A
variety of margaritas,
beers, and cocktails are
also available.
MI CASA: If you find yourself
craving some Mexican
food while in town, you’ll
definitely want to head to
Mi Casa, which is located
at 600 South Park
Avenue. Featuring
hand-shaken margaritas,
their menu also includes
traditional Mexican favorites
as well as some new
twists on familiar recipes
(like their mango duck
quesadillas).

OTHER TOP STOPS IN BRECKENRIDGE
If you’re on the prowl for even more delicious food and drink, make sure you
don’t leave Breck without hitting up some of these wonderful establishments!
BEST FOOD CART - CREPES A LA CART: Head to 307
South Main Street and treat yourself to some
mouth-watering crepes. Whether you’re in the mood for
sweet or savory, you’ll find something on the menu to
enjoy. You can even craft your own crepe if that’s what
strikes your fancy. A word of warning, Crepes a la Cart is
very popular, so be prepared for a bit of a wait during
peak times.
BEST COFFEE SHOP - CUPPA JOE: If you need a
caffeine pick-me-up during your vacation, head to
Cuppa Joe on the second floor at 118 South Ridge
Street. They offer a wide variety of craft coffee
drinks (including their famous oatmeal latte) as
well as tea, bagels, and huge breakfast burritos. It’s
a great place to relax a bit before you start your
adventures.
BEST SMOOTHIE - LOLO JUICE: Whether you’ve been
hitting the trails hard or maybe the high altitude has hit
you hard, a smoothie from LoLo Juice will help you feel
right as rain in no time. Their smoothies are made with
fresh, organic ingredients and served in recyclable containers.
In addition to smoothies, they serve juices,
wraps, oatmeal, and more. They’re located at 505 South
Main Street in Suite B4b.
BEST BREAKFAST - COLUMBINE CAFE: For a filling
and delectable breakfast, you’ll love the Columbine
Cafe. Located at 109 South Main Street, the restaurant
is known for its hearty portions, reasonable
prices, and homemade corned beef hash. Even
better, it’s a cozy restaurant with great service!

5 CAN’T MISS EVENTS
Throughout the summer season, you’ll be treated a number of fun festivities and
events that are sure to make your Breck vacation that much more memorable.
Here are our 5 favorite events that you can (and should!) attend while you’re in
town:
KINGDOM DAYS: Celebrate Breckenridge’s colorful history with an assortment
of events and festivities. This heritage festival highlights Breckenridge’s early
days and offers a number of walking tours, vendor booths, and even gold
panning at Blue River Plaza. One of the festival’s main events is the Outhouse
Races, where teams build their own wheeled outhouses and compete to see
who can pull or push them across the finish line with the fastest time. Typically
Kingdom Days happen in mid-June.
BRECK DEMO DAYS: If you’re a bicycling enthusiast, you’ll love Breck Demo
Days! For several days in late June, Breckenridge becomes home to a number
of cycling clinics and group rides. You can participate in a bike crawl down Main
Street and tour some of the town’s best bars. Or you can try out the Strider
bike track or any number of the newest demo bikes from several different
brands.
FOURTH OF JULY: Spending Independence Day in Breckenridge gives you the
chance to experience small town Americana at its finest. One of the first
events of the day is the Main Street parade, which is complete with homemade
floats and lots of unique costumes. There are two arts festivals in town,
one of which primarily showcases graffiti art, chalk art, and 3D pavement
drawings. And, at the end of the day, you’ll enjoy a professional fireworks display
set off from between Peaks 8 and 9.
BRECKENRIDGE SUMMER BEER FESTIVAL: This festival is one of Breck’s most
popular events. In addition to offering samples from dozens of breweries
from Colorado and around the world, there’s also live music and great food.
It’s held in the parking lot of the Beaver Run Resort, so you’ll enjoy world-class
views, too! The festival changes dates from year to year, but may be held
anytime from early July to late August.
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ARTS: Relatively new to the Breckenridge festival
scene, the International Festival of Arts brings a unique and eclectic mix of
visual arts, dance, and musical performers from all over the globe. Typically
held in late August, the festival lasts 10 days and is held in venues throughout
town.

KID-FRIENDLY OPTIONS
If you’re coming to Breckenridge with the family, you won’t be disappointed!
There are plenty of fun activities to keep everyone entertained for your whole
trip. Here are some of our picks for our favorite kid-friendly activities.
PEAK 8 FUN PARK: The Fun Park typically
opens for the season in mid-June and
it’s a great choice for kids of all ages. It
features the Gold Runner Coaster, which
boasts 2,500 feet of elevated track complete
with hairpin twists and turns. There’s
also the Alpine SuperSlide, with three
2,600-foot long tracks. An all-day tickets
gives you access to these rides as well as
the bounces house, miniature golf, and
more. You can add other activities like
zipline rides or guided segway tours.
HIKING & BIKING: There’s no better way
to experience the natural beauty of
Breckenridge than by getting out there
and seeing it firsthand. There are hundreds
of miles of hiking trails in Breckenridge
and Summit County, lots of which
are great for family outings and close to
Main Street. If your kids are more into
bicycling, there are a number of road
biking routes and mountain biking trails
that are perfect for beginners and pros
alike.
BRECKENRIDGE SKATE PARK: If, after a
long day of adventure, your kids still have
plenty of energy to burn, head to the
Breckenridge Skate Park. It’s located next
to the Breckenridge Rec Center. The park
covers 0.4 of an acre and it boasts beginner
and advanced bowls, plus features for
skaters of all abilities. If your kids don’t
know how to skate, a number of programs
are available.
GOLDMINE TOURS: You’ll find three mines
that are close to Breckenridge. Their
opening dates vary, but are typically in
late May to early June. Each of these
mines offer tours where you and your
children can learn more about the role
that mining played in the town’s history as
well as how the mines worked. Everyone
can also try their hand at gold panning
and, if you find anything, it’s yours to keep!

BRECKENRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS
You’ll have a variety of options when it comes to places to stay in Breckenridge.
We’ve broken down some of the more popular neighborhoods, so you can get a
better understanding of your choices before your trip.
DOWNTOWN: If you want to be right in the thick of things, downtown Breckenridge is
for you! You’ll be within walking distance of all the great shops, bars, and restaurants
on Main Street as well as a number of hiking and biking trails. There are free shuttle
stops all throughout downtown to take you wherever you need to go should you
want to explore a bit more. In downtown, you’ll find a mix of condos, townhomes,
and private homes.
PEAK 7: Those of you who prefer to stay somewhere a bit more private will love
staying in the Peak 7 neighborhood. You’ll be surrounded by forest, so you’ll have no
problem experiencing Breckenridge’s natural beauty. There are a number of large,
luxury homes in this area. Many hiking trails are easily accessible and some homes
are within walking distance of the Gondola. The more secluded your location, the
more likely it is that you’ll have to take a short drive to get to Main Street.
PEAK 8: If you want to stay in a location that’s convenient to both the Peak 8 Fun
Park and Main Street, Peak 8 makes a great home base. Hiking and biking trails are
nearby and Main Street is just a short shuttle or Gondola ride away. In this area,
you’ll find a broad mix of property types, from cozy condos to expansive chalets.
PEAK 9: As with Peak 8, Peak 9 offers easy access to hiking and biking trails as well
as Main Street. In this area, you’ll predominantly find hotels and condos, although
there are some homes available for rent, too. Many of the hotels in this area offer
amenities like pools, hot tubs, and fitness centers, too.
WARRIOR’S MARK: This neighborhood is between Peaks 9 and 10 and it includes a
diverse mix of condos, townhomes, and luxury homes. Most properties are either
within walking distance of the trails or on the free shuttle route. Main Street is also
easily accessible. This neighborhood is very picturesque, with many properties boasting
lovely mountain views. Wildlife is also prominent in the area thanks to nearby
ponds and streams.
HIGHLANDS AND HIGHLAND GREENS: These neighborhoods are located on the north
end of Breckenridge. The Highlands is located right on the golf course, while the Highland
Greens are across from the golf course. Both of these neighborhoods are quite
beautiful with newer constructions. You’ll find gorgeous properties in both areas. The
Highlands includes homes, while Highland Greens has condos, townhomes, and duplexes.
Main Street is just a short drive away.

NEED-TO-KNOW INFO
The more information you have on hand prior to your Breckenridge vacation the
better. It’ll be much easier to enjoy yourself on your trip when you’re armed with
all the facts. Here’s the need-to-know info that might help to make your experience
just a little bit smoother.
THE FREE SHUTTLE - You’ll find free
shuttle stops all over town. They vary in
style from poles to bus shelters, but
they all show a Free Ride sign. If you get
to a shuttle stop and want to know
when the next bus is coming, you’ll find
a unique identifier code at each stop.
Text that code to 41411 and you’ll
receive a text back telling you the estimated
time of arrival of the next bus
(any standard message/data fees may
apply). You can also find shuttle schedules/routes
at Breckenridge Station or
online.
The Orange Route is best for exploring
downtown Breckenridge as it has stops
up and down Main Street.
THE BRECKCONNECT GONDOLA - The
Gondola station is located at 170 Watson
Avenue. It typically opens for the summer
in mid-June, when the Peak 8 Fun Park
opens, with hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
When the Fun Park closes for the season,
usually in early September, so does the
Gondola. The Gondola is free to ride.
There is free parking near the Gondola
base and all free shuttles stop at Breckenridge
Station, which is also at the Gondola
base. You can take your bicycle on the
Gondola, but you will have to pay a bike
haul fee. If you’d like to take your dog hiking
with you, the Gondola is dog-friendly.
PARKING IN BRECKENRIDGE - You most likely won’t have to worry about parking while
you’re in town since many properties are just a short walk or shuttle ride from area
attractions. But should you find yourself in need of some in-town parking during your
stay, summer parking is a breeze. There are a number of free, three-hour lots and
parking spaces along Main Street. You’ll also find several lots close to Main Street that
offer free all-day parking.

WILDLIFE - Breckenridge is a haven for wildlife and, during your Breck trip, you’re
likely to come across at least some of the area’s native species. In addition to
about 50 species of birds, you might also see marmots, porcupines, foxes, deer,
and elk. While most animal encounters will pose little danger, always remember to
respect every animal’s space, keep away from their young, and always properly
store/dispose of food.
The most dangerous large mammals you might see in the Breckenridge area are
black bears, mountain lions, and moose. While these animals tend to shy away
from humans, sightings are not uncommon. If you’re out hiking, make noises as you
go so that you don’t startle any animals. If you come across one of these animals,
keep your distance. Talk to the animal in a soft yet assertive tone, don’t make eye
contact, and back away slowly while making yourself look big or spread out. If a
moose feels threatened (by unleashed dogs, for example), it may charge. Most
charges are bluffs, but you should still seek protection from trees or boulders.
MOUNTAIN WEATHER - Afternoon
thunderstorms are a common occurrence
in Breckenridge. You’ll want to
plan your outdoor activities for the
morning with a return by late lunch.
Mountain weather is fickle, so check
weather forecasts often. Thunderstorms
can sneak up on you. So, while
you’re out and about, keep an eye on
the horizon for clouds. If the clouds
start to build, watch them for lightning.
You should head back or get to shelter
as quickly as possible if the clouds start
to build and/or you see lightning. The
storm will get to you faster than you
think it will and lightning strikes pose a
real danger, especially above treeline.
ALTITUDE SICKNESS - If you’ve never been to
a high elevation before, you may feel some
effects of altitude sickness after you arrive.
Drink plenty of water before your trip and
keep that habit up after your arrive. Dehydration
can make the symptoms of altitude sickness
a lot worse. Focus on eating healthy
foods and not overexerting yourself once in
town. Symptoms of altitude sickness are usually
mild and can include headaches, problems
sleeping, nausea, and a loss of appetite.
In rare cases, altitude sickness can be more
dangerous. Symptoms like fever, confusion,
excessive drowsiness, or coughing up a frothy
saliva could indicate a severe form of altitude
sickness and you should seek medical treatment
immediately.

COOL DAY TRIPS FROM BRECKENRIDGE
You’ll have more than enough to keep you busy while you’re in Breckenridge. If,
however, you find yourself wanting to explore even more of the beautiful Rocky
Mountains during your stay, there are several options for some amazing day
trips.
FRISCO: Frisco is about 9 miles north of
Breckenridge on Highway 9. Chances are, you
passed it on your way into Breck. It sits on the
shores of Lake Dillon, where, during the
summer months you can go fishing or rent
canoes, stand up paddle boards, and more.
The Frisco Adventure Park features mountain
biking and disc golf. In town, there are plenty
of great shops, restaurants, and museums to
keep you busy all day long.
COPPER MOUNTAIN: Copper Mountain Resort
is a great summertime stop. You can go hiking
or mountain biking, play some golf, or maybe
enroll your kids in one of the summer camps.
There are a number of music festivals, too,
which tend to bring some great regional and
national artists. From Breckenridge, take
Highway 9 north to I-70 W. Take the interstate
to exit 195. Copper Mountain is approximately
19 miles from Breck.
KEYSTONE: You’ll find even more opportunities
for hiking and biking in Keystone, which is about
15 miles from Breckenridge. For family fun, the
Keystone Adventure Park has mini golf, a
bounce house, a climbing wall, and more. There
are two golf courses, stables, boat rentals, and
scenic lift rides. To get to Keystone, take Highway
9 north to Swan Mountain Road and turn
right. Continue on to US-6 E and take another
right. Keystone will be about a mile up the road.

Thanks to Breckenridge’s central location, there are a number of incredible destinations
within a short drive (way more than we’ve listed here, by the way). So,
get out there and explore. You’re bound to discover something amazing on your
adventures!
VAIL: If you’re interested in hitting up
some world-class shops and restaurants
on your trip, Vail is a wonderful destination.
It’s full of incredible establishments
with everything you might ever want.
There’s also no shortage of great outdoor
activities, either, including horseback
riding, rafting, and fishing. Vail is about 40
miles northwest of Breckenridge. To get
there, take Highway 9 north to I-70 W
and continue on the interstate to exit 176.
CENTRAL CITY & BLACK HAWK: Those
among you who are feeling lucky should
head to Black Hawk or its sister city, Central
City. Between the two towns, which
are located less a mile apart from one
another, there are over 20 casinos. From
Breckenridge, take Highway 9 north to
I-70 E. Take the interstate to the Central
City Parkway, which will take you directly
into Central City. Continue through the
town to get to Black Hawk.
COLORADO WINE COUNTRY: Wine lovers
will love a day trip out to some of Colorado’s
amazing vineyards and wineries.
Many vineyards are located near Grand
Junction, which is about a three-hour
drive west of Breckenridge on I-70. But
you’ll find wineries throughout the state
(there are over 80 of them). If you take a
tour of any of these, you’ll discover that
Colorado’s brisk nights and warm days
make for some delicious wines.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN BRECKENRIDGE!
For lodging options, give us a call at: 866-213-0547
or check out our site: BreckenridgeLodging.com
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