While downhill skiing is certainly one of the main draws to Breckenridge, CO, there are tons of other fun activities to do besides skiing. With a nice mix of rich history and modern amenities, the mountain town of Breckenridge exudes a unique ambiance that captivates visitors.
Whether savoring panoramic vistas from local restaurants or embarking on adrenaline-fueled adventures through the mountains on snowmobiles, the options are endless. With a diverse array of winter activities, Breckenridge promises an unforgettable vacation experience.
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1. Explore Historic Downtown Breckenridge
Simply, one of the best things to do in Breckenridge is take a walk downtown. The aesthetic of the town of Breck is stunning with an array of old historic buildings and majestic views of Breckenridge Mountain. Plus there are tons of great stores to pop into and maybe find a souvenir.
2. Stroll To See Isak The Troll
Did you ever think you would see a large-scale troll in your life? Well, you are in luck. The hike starts from the Stephen C. West Ice Arena Parking Lot. It’s a flat and easy ¼ mile loop hike to a massive troll named Isak Heartstone.
But be careful because the trail can be very slippery or snow-covered in the winter.
3. Go For A Dog Sledding Adventure
Wanna go spend the day with a bunch of adorable huskies? Dog Sledding is by far one of the most fun activities to do in Breckenridge besides ski. You still get to feel the fresh mountain air and snowy conditions, but for this activity, you get to mush a team of adorable huskies.
Good Times Adventures is located about 25 minutes from downtown Breckenridge. They offer a 6-mile tour in the Swan River Valley.
Do note, there is a weight limit of 275 pounds per person and over the age of 5 to ride a sled.
4. Cruise Around On A Snowmobiling Tour
Another thrilling adventure to do in Breckenridge, CO besides skiing is to go on a snowmobile tour. Good Times Adventures is a popular company offering tours of over 40 miles of groomed trails for all ability levels.
Each guided tour lasts around 2 hours and generally rides up to panoramic views along Georgia Pass (11,585 feet).
Other snowmobile tour companies near Breckenridge:
5. Go Downhill Sledding
Sledding is a great activity in Breckenridge for the whole family. One location is at Carter Park, just a short walk from Main Street. Or Runaway Sledding Hill on Airport Road.
Both locations have a recycled sledding box, where you can find reusable sleds.
6. Roam Around On Snowshoes
If you enjoy hiking in the summer, then why does it have to stop in winter? Snowshoeing is an awesome activity to get outside in the winter, enjoy some beautiful views, plus get some exercise.
The Breckenridge Nordic Center is a great place to start. They offer rentals and many different trails to choose from. And if you are just starting out, you can also book a guided tour.
If you have your own snowshoes, check out Go Breck’s recommendations on other great snowshoeing trails around town.
7. Rent A Fat Tire Bike
You don’t need the snow to stop you from jumping on your bike. It actually might be more fun in the winter with a fat bike. These massive tires blaze through snow for a fun time on the trails.
The best places to try out a fat bike are on the groomed trails at Gold Run Nordic Center or along the Blue River Recreation Path. Or of course, there are many ungroomed trails around town.
Best places to rent a Fat Bike in Breckenridge:
And if you prefer a guided tour around town, the best option of them all is on a Ridden Fat Bike Beer & Distillery Tour.
8. Enjoy A Cross Country Ski Adventure
Not all skiing in Breckenridge is downhill skiing on the resort. A popular activity in Breckenridge is cross-country skiing. You can find a web of trails at the Breckenridge Nordic Center or Gold Run Nordic Center.
If you have your own cross-country skis, there is a groomed section on the Blue River Recreation Path. It stretched 8 miles between the Breckenridge Rec Center to the Frisco Adventure Park.
9. International Snow Sculptures Championships
Every year, the town of Breckenridge holds the International Snow Sculptures Championship. The competition typically takes place in the last week of January. The artists take about a week to carve their snow sculpture into a masterpiece.
During your visit you may need tickets to view the carvings during certain hours.
You can find more information on their Facebook Page.
10. Ullr Fest
Wanna break the world record for longest shot-ski? Ullr Fest is a Viking-themed party that takes place in Breckenridge every year. It is an homage to Ullr himself, a Norweigan god known for snow, skiing, and skating. Think of it like doing your “snow dance” to bring on the winter season.
The streets line up with locals and tourists ready to partake in the “unofficial” World Record for longest shot ski. You do need to register and purchase tickets to be part of the shot ski record or you can just observe from the sidelines!
There is also a parade where local businesses decorate a parcel that will be judged for the best float. Followed by a raging bonfire.
11. Heated Snowcat Tour
Ever wonder what it was like in one of the grooming snowcats? Well, Breckenridge Nordic Center has thought of it all. The snowcat can fit up to 8 people inside on a 90-minute tour through the woods as they groom the trails. There is a stop at a historic mining cabin for s’mores and hot chocolate.
Learn more about a snowcat tour.
12. Breck Distillery
Grab a premium spirit from the world’s highest distillery. You definitely need to try their blended bourbon whiskey which has won many awards over the years.
Breckenridge Distillery offers free tasting samples of their two foundational spirits every Mon from 11am-6pm and Tuesday – Sunday from 11am-9pm. They also offer more informative tours of the facility and their distilling process.
You can also grab a tasty bite from their steakhouse restaurant.
13. Grab a Brew From One Of The Local Breweries
Breckenridge has a wide assortment of local breweries around town. And to be honest, they all have a great selection of tasty beers, so you can’t go wrong with any of them.
- Broken Compass (locations on Main St & Airport Rd)
- Highside Brewing (locations on Main St in Breck & Frisco)
- Breckenridge Brewery & Pub
- Breckenridge Tap House (Bar with tons of CO local beers)
- Outer Range Brewery (located in Frisco but my all-time favorite brewery in Colorado)
14. Hit Up A Happy Hour (aka Après-ski)
Jake and I tried to hit up as many happy hours as we could when we lived here. It was one of the best ways to try a restaurant without breaking the bank. Especially some of the fancier restaurants, where one main entree will run ya $40+ for each entree.
Some of the best happy hour spots in Breckenridge:
- Rootstalk 4-5pm – $10 gourmet burger + other munchies & $7 cocktails
- Radicato 4-5pm – $11+ apps & $7 specialty cocktails
- Blue River Bistro 2-5pm – 2 for 1 Martini’s & apps
- Aurum 4-6pm – $16 gourmet burger + $5+ apps & $8 cocktails
- Ember 5-6pm – 2 for 1 apps & discounts on beer, wine and cocktails
- The Carlin 4-5pm – $2.50 oysters + $8+ apps, $8 cocktails
- Legends Steak & Italian 3:30pm-6pm – $6+ apps & cocktails
- Mi Casa 3-5pm – 2 for $8 tacos, $10 wings, $3 beers, $9 margs
15. Ride The Gondola
One of the best features of Breckenridge Mountain is the free gondola connecting downtown to the upper ski area. You don’t have to buy an expensive lift ticket for this gondola, you can enjoy the views for free up to the base of Peak 8.
During the winter there is always an inviting vibe at the base of Peak 7 with fun music.
One of our favorite things to do is grab some chicken from The Coop at the base of Peak 7.
16. Play Arcade Games At Downstairs at Eric’s
Downstairs at Eric’s provides a fun scene for the whole family. There are tons of fun arcade games such as Skee Ball, Pac Man, car racing, etc. Their restaurant is known for their famous baked wings. But they also have pizza, burgers, and a large pub menu.
17. Try Your Luck At An Escape Room
There are two different companies in Breckenridge to try your luck at an escape room.
- Mountain Escape Rooms has 3 different locations in downtown Breck. If you escape one, try your luck at another location in town. They offer 4 different fun-themed rooms to try to escape from. Their rooms range from 2-12 players.
- Escape Room Breckenridge has 4 different rooms at their location. Their rooms range from 4-11 players.
18. Ready Paint Fire
Get creative and paint a fun souvenir on your visit to Breckenridge. You can book a table at the facility for $10 per person and choose whatever project speaks to you, whether it be a canvas, pottery, mosaic, etc. (You pay per item which are all priced separately).
You can also book a stool at their Candle Bar, where you can smell, mix, and pour your own candle. (Price starts around $30+).
They also serve drinks, beer, wine, and snacks.
19. Horseback Riding
You probably thought horseback riding was only a summer sport. But actually located in Fairplay (about 30 minutes from Breckenridge) is American Safari Ranch which offers winter horseback rides. They offer 1.5-hour, 2-hour, and private rides throughout the winter season.
20. Ice Skating
Gather the family and head up to the Peak 8 Ice Rink. It costs $12 per person if you have your own skates or $20 with skate rentals.
You can also skate at the Stephen C. West Ice Arena at the indoor rink.
21. Cozy Up With A Warm Coffee or Hot Cocoa
Nothing says perfect winter vacation like a nice warm drink in hand. Especially after a day up on the mountain or cold winter activity.
My favorite place to grab a warm beverage is from The Crown. They have amazing hot cocoa, a variety of different warm coffee drinks, and even some fun boozy cocktails.
Other popular coffee shops in town are Cool River Bistro, Mountain View Coffee Bar, Coffee Depot, Semplice Cafe, and more.
22. Rent a UTV or Side By Side
Have an exhilarating adventure with a UTV or Side-by-side rental in Summit County. Off Road Life Rentals and Adventure Time Rentals offer unique experiences with their 4×4 off-road adventure mobiles.
Neither company offers guided tours, but will drop the vehicle off at any desired trailhead. Reach out to each company to find the perfect off-road trail.
23. Catch Live Music At One Of The Local Bars
Breckenridge does not come up short when it comes to live music. You can catch a live show nearly every night during winter.
Here are the local bars that offer live music:
- Napper Tandy’s Irish Pub
- Motherloaded Tavern
- Highside Brewery
- Broken Compass
- Blue River Bistro
- The Gold Pan Saloon
- RMU (Rocky Mountain Underground)
- The Blue Stag Saloon
- Windy City Pizza
- Cecilia’s Martini Bar & Nightclub
- Whiskey Star
- Burk & Rileys
24. Test Your Knowledge At Trivia Night
A fun local activity to do in Breckenridge, CO is grab a few friends and try your luck at trivia night. Many local bars and breweries around town will host a fun trivia night for the locals and tourists.
- Monday: RMU (Rocky Mountain Underground) 6-8pm
- Tuesday: Broken Compass Brewery 7-9pm (Airport Rd Location)
- Wednesday: Broken Compass Brewery 7-9pm (Main Street location) or Highside Brewing 7-9pm
- Thursday: Motherloaded Tavern 9-10pm or Rita’s 8-10:30pm
25. Catch A Local Hockey Game
Hockey is a pretty popular sport in Summit County. The Breckenridge Vipers play other local mountain teams in their league.
Check to see if they have a scheduled home game while you are in town!
26. Grab A Warm Crepe From Crepes A La Cart
You will likely see the long line wrapping around the building to grab a crepe from Crepes A La Cart.
We were a bit skeptical because of the long wait time and large service fee, but I will admit the crepes are pretty tasty.
Tip: try to go in the evenings rather than breakfast or on weekdays to experience shorter lines.
If you happen to visit on a busy weekend, there is a second location on Ridge Street (Fri-Sun).
27. Enjoy A Wine Tasting At Continental Divide Winery
Check out the world’s highest-altitude winery. You can visit their tasting room or join a wine blending class.
28. Catch A Show At The Riverwalk Center
The Riverwalk Center is located right downtown Breck with a wide array of fun events throughout the winter. Search their live events page to see if a show lines up with you when you are in town.
29. Winter Ziplining Adventure
Zipling doesn’t just have to be a summer activity in Breckenridge. A couple different companies actually offer a unique winter zipline experience. Book with Top Of The Rockies Zipline or Breckenridge Snowmobiling Tours & Rentals.
30. Go On A Spooky Ghost Tour Through Town
If you’re into spooky vibes, join a ghost tour through town with a local guide. The tour will go ghost hunting in the town’s historic and haunted buildings along with many spooky stories told by the host. Book a spooky Ghost Tour in Breckenridge
31. Check Out The Old Train Engine No. 9
Breckenridge, CO was once a popular train stop in the late 1800s. The goal of the train was to have a line of transportation to the Pacific Ocean, but because of the harsh conditions of the Rocky Mountains, it never even made it to the Utah border.
But the train connected Denver to Leadville, transporting mail, fresh seafood, clothing, coal, building supplies to livestock, china, pianos, and mining equipment. And alternatively transported ore, cattle, sheep, and lumber back to Denver.
The last time the train ran was from Leadville to Denver on April 10, 1937. But the train was transported to Breckenridge to serve as a unique piece of history to witness.
32. Ride The Trolley Downtown Main Street
A classic fun thing to do in Breckenridge in Winter is ride the Trolley Downtown. This can be a means of transportation to different parts of town, or simply a fun endeavor. Kids love riding the trolley and sightseeing in downtown in Breckenridge, CO.
33. Tubing Hill At Frisco Adventure Park
One of the most fun activities to do in Breckenridge, CO in winter for the whole family is downhill tubing at the Frisco Adventure Park. There are a few different lanes to choose your own adventure. A magic carpet is provided to bring you back up the hill each time.
Reservations are required, so be sure to book in advance.
34. Winter Sleigh Rides
Enjoy a relaxing sleigh ride with legendary views of the area. There are two unique adventures on either Peak 9 or at the Gold Run Nordic Center. Rides typically last 30-40 minutes. There is also the option to add a dinner sleigh ride where they will cook you a nice buffet-style dinner to enjoy in a yurt up on the hill.
35. Experience An Oxygen Session At The O2 Lounge
The town of Breckenridge sits at 9,600 feet with the highest peak standing 12,998 feet tall. Therefore, you will likely notice it’s a bit harder to breathe up here.
While many people try to acclimate in Denver the night before, it is common to have symptoms of altitude sickness. An oxygen session can also help you battle jet lag, fatigue, and even hangovers.
Book an oxygen session with The O2 Lounge.
36. Pamper Yourself At The Spa
One of the most relaxing things to do on a vacation in Breckenridge is relax and unwind at one of the local spas. There are tons of different treatments to choose from. Here is a list of great spas to choose from:
- Blue Sage Spa
- Harmony Health Massage & Pure O2 Oxygen Wellness Spa
- Sol Impressions Massage & Facials
- Infinity Spa
- Soothe Spa
- Alpine Spa & Salon
- The Spa at Beaver Run
- The Spa At Breckenridge
- Breckenridge Mountain Massage
37. Eclipse Movie Theater
Wind down with a movie at the Eclipse Movie Theater. You can catch a variety of movies, from popular blockbusters, to indies, classics, foreign, and outdoor films, and more.
They also offer film request forms, so if there is a movie you really want to see when you are in town, you can try to see if they can bring it to the theater.
38. Go Ice Fishing on Lake Dillon
Ice Fishing is the perfect winter sport to do in Breckenridge besides skiing. You will still suit up with your warmest winter gear, but a guide will walk you through the process of how to catch a fish in the winter. Book with Alpine Fishing Adventures or Big Ed’s Fishing Ventures
39. Catch A Game At One Of The Local Sports Bars
A vacation in Breckenridge doesn’t have to hinder you from watching your favorite sports teams. It can actually be an inviting scene to watch your favorite team with other locals or tourists around town. Some great sports bars in town are:
- Ollies Pub & Grub
- Kenosha Steakhouse
- Molly Jacks
- Northside Pizza
- Breckenridge Brewery
- Blue Stag Saloon
- H.D. Tavern
- Burk & Rileys
- Fatty’s
- Luigi’s
- Downstairs At Erics
- Ski Town Chicken Joint
- Napper Tandys
Where To Stay In Breckenridge
There are tons of vacation rentals, resorts and hotels to choose from when staying in Breckenridge. Or there are other options in the nearby towns of Frisco, Dillon, or Silverthorne.
Our personal recommendations for accommodation near Breckenridge if you want to stay on the slope:
Or choose from the variety of vacation rentals located right in town.
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