"The mountains are calling and I must go." - John Muir
Growing up in Colorado, I took the mountains for granted. The Rocky Mountains were a constant backdrop to my days and mainly served as a convenient reference for this directionally challenged girl (in Denver, mountains are always to the west). Don't get me wrong, I took advantage of living so close to the mountains. On a sunny day I might pause to admire them in the distance and I frequently took day trips to enjoy skiing with family or friends. But it wasn't until I took a recent ski vacation to Breckenridge that I feel like I truly appreciated the beauty and majesty of the Colorado Rockies for the first time. I have lived on the East Coast for the past 17 years, so I guess absence does make the heart grow fonder.
Breckenridge is a former mining town that started as a gold rush base camp in the 1850's. This history gives the town a quaint Victorian feel that is preserved in the Breckenridge National Historic District which runs along Main Street in the center of the town. Colorfully painted buildings from the 1880's and 90's house over 300+ boutiques, shops and restaurants.
Breckenridge is a year-round resort that has so much to offer it should be a "must see" on your travel bucket list. Here are a few of the highlights to encourage you to start planning your own mountain getaway.
Best Place to Stay:
Breckenridge is filled with hotels and condos so you should have no problem finding a place to stay. My go-to is to reserve a condo/house through Airbnb. I usually find a spacious place that is cheaper then a hotel room and we then have access to a kitchen to help cut costs on eating out. The condo we stayed at in Breckenridge was beautiful and had an awesome location walking distance to the lifts on Peak 9 and the downtown area. I highly recommend it!
Best Things to Do:
Ski or snowboard, of course! Breckenridge is mostly known as a ski area, so skiing and snowboarding are the most obvious choices. The ski area has 5 Peaks (Peaks 6-10), 187 ski trails, 2,908 acres to ski or board and the highest lift-served terrain in North America! Each Peak has its' own "personality, charm and stats". Check out the descriptions for each Peak here. In addition to incredible runs, Breck (as the locals call it) also offers a few different terrain parks for the more adventurous among us. The expansiveness of the area calls for some planning when you are skiing. You need to make sure that towards the end of the day you will end up at the bottom of the Peak closest to your accommodations. But no worries, if you don't end up in the right spot, there are free shuttles that can take you back to your starting location.
If you aren't a ski/snowboard enthusiast, do not despair! Breck offers many other options. In the winter, you can go tubing, snowmobiling or cross country skiing. If you find yourself in the mountains in the spring or summer, there are awesome hiking trails, bike trails/paths and alpine slides. There is no shortage of outdoor activities to keep you occupied.
If you are tuckered out from all of the mountain activities, take a rest day and leisurely stroll down historic Main Street. Wander in and out of the local stores (see my favorites in Where to Shop below), check out the art galleries and grab a bite at one of the many restaurants (see What to Eat below). Main Street is also a beautiful place for a night time stroll.
YOU CAN SKIP: The outlets in Dillon. They are run down and many stores are closed. It is not worth the drive to Dillon. There were more interesting shops right in Breckenridge!
Best Places to Eat:
Breckenridge has a plethora of different restaurants to satisfy any craving you may have. We used the kitchen in our condo to fix most meals. You can buy groceries at the Safeway or the Walmart just a short trip down the road in Frisco. But who wants to cook every night on vacation? So we did take the opportunity to eat at a few of the local spots. Here are some of my favorites:
Flipside Burgers: Flipside is a chef-driven burger and shake joint. They use locally sourced ingredients and the burgers are made with grass-fed beef. Many of the burgers and shakes are created interesting ingredients and gourmet flair. They also offer grilled chicken sandwiches and other tasty entrees. One of the best cheeseburgers I have ever had! Find more information and the menu here.
Fiesta Jalisco: One thing I have missed living on the East Coast is authentic Mexican food! I hit the jackpot here. Fiesta Jalisco is a family owned restaurant with authentic Mexican cuisine. They provide delicious food and fast table service. The margarita was the finishing touch! Find more information and the menu here.
Breckenridge Brewery: One of the nation's top craft breweries is located right on Main Street in Breckenridge. They still brew all their beers on site so you can't get a fresher beer on tap. They have a tasty pub menu with typical bar food so you can drink your craft beers on a full stomach. Find more information about their various craft beers and the menu here.
Mountain Top Cookie Shop: You cannot come to Breckenridge and not stop at the Mountain Top Cookie Shop! There is always a line (which should tell you something), but the cookies are worth the wait. You can get your favorite Chocolate Chip cookie, but Mountain Top takes it to the next level with the variety of flavors you can choose from. To make it easier for you to pick, they offer a Buy 6, Get 2 Free deal. If you are a real bargain hunter, you can buy day old packs in the store. They do ship cookies world wide so you don't have to wait to get to Breckenridge to try these yummy treats! Order here.
Crepes Ala Cart: DISCLAIMER: I did not actually eat at Crepes Ala Cart. However, my sister gave a glowing review of the crepes served out of a trailer on Main Street. Even without my sister's input, I would have figured out that this was a hot spot given the long line at any given time. Therefore, I would be remiss if I did not include this spot on the Where to Eat list. Crepes Ala Cart offers a wide variety of both sweet and savory crepes and you also have the option to create your own unique Crepe! Will definitely have to brave the line the next time I am in Breckenridge! See all of your choices here.
Best Places to Shop:
There are so many great shops to wander in and out of as you stroll up and down Main Street and the surrounding area. The stores run the gamut from fine art to tacky tourist souvenirs, fashionable clothing to T-shirts/sweatshirts splashed with "Breckenridge", unique home decor to unusual decorative socks. Anything you are looking for, you can probably find on Main Street. Two particular stores stood out to me and I went back to browse more than once! First, Marigolds Farmhouse Funk & Junk sounds just like its name. It is an eclectic store filled with all kinds of "funk" and "junk". You can spend hours roaming in this store looking at everything crammed into the space in an artsy, decorative manner; new unique gift items masterfully interwoven with old antiques that are all available for purchase. The second store I loved was Ruby Jane's which sells women's clothing, shoes, jewelry and unique home decor items. Again, products are artfully displayed and the whole vibe is very calming and cozy.
SO WHAT'S STOPPING YOU?
Even if the current ski season is wrapping up, you can get started planning a Colorado mountain getaway at Breckenridge for next season. Or, if you don't want to wait that long, Breck has plenty to offer during the summer, so pack your bags! Let's go!