Adventuring Abounds: A Weekend in Breckenridge, Colorado

Although I was born and raised in Colorado, I feel like I am constantly discovering hidden gems around the state that offer a whole new side of adventure and play. My family and I recently took a long weekend in Breckenridge and absolutely fell in love with the variety of activities and serene views. Check out my weekend itinerary for exploring Breckenridge, Colorado!

How to Get to Breckenridge + Where to Stay

Breckenridge is located about an hour and a half outside of Denver and there is limited public transportation to get you there – I do NOT recommend Ubering! When visiting Colorado, your money is best spent on renting a car to have the flexibility and freedom to traverse the mountains. There are a few different ways to get up to Breckenridge, some of which include tolls, so just do your research on Google Maps before heading out – traffic can be an absolute headache getting into the mountains sometimes. If renting a car is outside your comfort zone, you can also map out some travels on the Bustang. Once you are in Breckenridge, there are plenty of hotel options but personally, we preferred to stay at an Airbnb. Our stay in a condo near downtown perfectly fit our needs and I would definitely stay there again! Airbnbs can be quite a bit cheaper if you are traveling in a group but hotels or a hostel (I recommend booking with Hostelworld!) may work better for smaller groups or solo travelers. 

Day One: Bike to Frisco!

One of our favorite parts about visiting Breckenridge are the incredible bike paths in and around the city! An absolute must-do is the Breckenridge to Frisco Bike Path, which is a 9.2 mile (one way) bike trail from Breckenridge to the nearby city of Frisco! This path is off major roads and goes through BEAUTIFUL scenery. I highly recommend visiting during July so you can see all the colorful wildflowers in bloom! Once you make it to Frisco, there are plenty of cute shops, cafes, and restaurants to explore. We rented e-bikes which made the 18.4 mile trek (roundtrip) completely manageable + enjoyable! Plenty of people were on regular bikes as well so it is not required, just be prepared for the 173 feet of elevation gain. Make sure you pack plenty of water and snacks for the journey!

Day Two: Hike and Explore Downtown

The actual city itself really leans into the charm of mountain life here in Colorado. The shops are absolutely adorable + even the gas stations look like they stepped out of a Disney production. My personal favorite pastime is popping into all the boutiques and souvenir stores…and of course all the bookstores! Strolling the main street truly can’t lead you astray…it’s a beautiful town! One of my favorite recommendations for a hike that is located right near downtown is the Little Mountain Hike. This is a moderate trail (just due to elevation gain, not distance) and you can also visit Isak Heartstone via Trollstigen, which is a wooden troll statue created by Thomas Dambo. These troll statues are all around the world and make for a fun addition to your Breckenridge stay! You can see the troll with a quick walk (just follow the troll signs or Google Maps) from the parking lot for the Little Mountain Hike. Make sure to pack some water, some great traction shoes, and sunscreen!

Additional Considerations

Breckenridge is a beautiful city to visit in the Rocky Mountains, but it also requires some preparation! The elevation in Colorado is NO JOKE – make sure you always have sunscreen and plenty of water. Altitude sickness is not a good time and can completely ruin your mountain weekend away. Be aware of wildlife (you never know what you’ll run into in Colorado!) and keep an eye out for cyclists and joggers when commuting around the city. Breckenridge is a very popular tourist destination so be prepared for plenty of people and make reservations in advance when possible. Enjoy your trip to Breckenridge and safe travels!