What to do in Breckenridge

Breckenridge Activities for Cheap

1. Take a stroll down Main Street

Breckenridge is perhaps best know for its quaint yet bustling Main Street (in addition to the world class skiing). It doesn't cost a thing to window shop and the town does an excellent job of putting up Christmas decorations. Lights and garlands tend to go up early, before Thanksgiving, and don't come down until well after the Spring Break rush. There are gift shops, ski shops, upscale clothing boutiques, toy stores, art galleries, and coffee shops.

Cost: Free

2. Breckenridge Rec Center

If the weather is too gnarly for you, take the whole family for a day at the Breckenridge Recreation Center. In addition to your typical rec center stuff (yoga and fitness classes, weight room, gym, indoor track) the list of special activities is huge, so see if there is any drop-in kid play time or drop-in adult sports. There's also two pools, one for kids with a waterslide and one for laps for adults. Check their schedule for times when the rope swing comes out for use in the big pool. No hot tub at the hotel? No worries, the rec center has one indoors, one outdoors and an indoor sauna and steam room. There are also outdoor and indoor basketball courts (I'm pretty sure the outdoor ones are free) and ball fields next door. There is also bike path access here and a free skate park.
Tip: Check the back of your City Market grocery receipt to recieve $2 off regular admission (2012- now up to $15 for adults!). Cost: $12 with coupon

3. Historical Museums

Learn a little bit about Breckenridge's colorful past, from its boomtown mining days to boomtown ski days to all the ups and downs in-between. Check out the historical society for a full list of museums. They even do a walking tour around town. One place to start is the Barney Ford House Museum (pictured at left). It's free but you should give the folks a little donation (5 bucks or so) for good karma. They will then point you in the right direction to check out the other museums in town.

Location: Across from the Blue River Plaza, just off Main Street

Cost: Free with $5 suggested donation

4. Ride the free buses around town

This is a great sight-seeing option for the older folks in your group, or the pregnant folks, or the very wee folks whose little legs get weary after a long day of activity. Yes, you heard it right, all the buses in the county are free! I love living in a place with such a high tax base to pull money from. The people who own all the expensive homes pay taxes to help pay for perks like a free bus system. In addition to the local buses around Breck, you can take the Summit Stage into Frisco or even all the way to Keystone.

Location: Various stops around town, main transportation center located at Gondola
Cost: Free

5. Summit County Library - Breckenridge Branch

Left your laptop at home? Want to check email? The library has a few computers that you can come in and use. Or go the old-fashioned route and browse their stacks, including a collection of magazines and newspapers. I always find my local librarians very friendly and helpful!

Also, when you're visiting or if you live here, it can sometimes be a chore finding activities to help keep a toddler entertained. Luckily, the Breck library offers a great storytime on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 11am. Little ones as young as 18 months are welcome all the way up to 5 year olds.

Location: 504 Airport road
Cost: Free

6. Breck Visitor's Center

It's a mini museum but also staffed with knowledgeable locals who can help answer all your questions about our town. Plus, there are nice clean bathrooms (go in the front door and down the stairs) and water fountains. The visitor's center is the yellow building pictured on the left, located in the heart of Main Street.

Location: Blue River Plaza, Main Street
Cost: Free

7. Grab a snack - how about the best cookie you've ever had?

Mary's Mountain Cookies makes some monster sized cookies all out of their tiny little shop on Main Street. Don't even waste time with the plain cookies - you've gotta get the ones that are stuffed with icing filling. My favorite is called The Avalanche. It's the bomb. It fills me up so much I can barely manage to finish the entire thing before my head is reeling from a sugar rush.

Cost: $3-$5

8. Enjoy Blue River and Blue River Plaza

Usually there's some sort of event going on if it's a busy weekend, but my favorite times are when the Blue River Plaza area is nice and open. There are sculptures, a nice bridge to overlook the river, and a small play area for the kids (a little snow-covered in the winter). In the summertime if the water is low, you can wade in the river and there is a big grassy field for a picnic. They even have sculptures in the river that you can wade out to. Overall, a nice place to sit and people-watch.

Location: The heart of Main Street
Cost: Free

9. Take a drive (or hike) to view the fall foliage

Every fall the aspen trees explode in bright golds, fiery reds, and deep oranges. With chilly temperatures and muddy trails, what better way to spend an afternoon than a nice drive to view the fall landscape. I'd recommend a trip over Boreas Pass Road. This dirt road takes you through the aspens and provides killer views. It closes in November but is open in October when the leaves are at their best. Or, if there's not yet flurries in the air, take a walk up the bike path from Frisco to Copper Mtn along the river, or take a hike up Ten Mile trail. Both trail heads are located near the round-a-bout off the main street Frisco exit off I-70.

Cost:Free

10. Check your email in style

Head over to The Crown coffee shop and take advantage of their free wifi. One great thing about The Crown is that, unlike Starbucks, you can enjoy a shot of Bailey's in your coffee. Nice comfy chairs, internet, and cozy atmosphere, and a coffeehouse that serves liquor... it's all you'll need to unwind after a hectic day. Did I mention they have a great patio out back for summer days?

Cost: The price of a coffee
Location: Breck Main Street

11. Sledding

Kids tired of skiing? Parents tired of paying outrageous ski school prices? Why not try sledding? Much cheaper than skiing and I bet your little kids will love it almost as much (or maybe even better). Carter Park in Breckenridge, right near the elementary school, has a great steep free sledding hill. Frisco also has a free sledding hill right near their huge tubing hill. Bundle up the kids and let them tire themselves out hiking up and sledding down.

Cost: Free

12. Ride the gondola

For all the non-skiers out there, this is a great way to see the mountain and get a great view of the town. Load the gondola for free near the transportation center in the middle of town. It will take you up to Peak 7 and Peak 8, two ski base areas, then right back down again. This is a great ride for little kids who have never ridden in a gondola before and for any folks in your party who might want to meet up with your group for a mid-ski-day lunch but who don't want to ski. (Foot passenger tickets on all other lifts are quite pricey!).

Location: Load Gondola near transportation center in the middle of town
Cost: Free

13. Ice skating

On the south end of town you'll find the Stephen C. West Ice Arena. With daily public skate times, if the weather is too bitterly cold or the snow is dumping too thickly, head on over for an indoor skate. If the weather outside is ideal, and it's cold enough, and you just don't feel like paying to skate, visit the pond behind the Walmart in Frisco. You need to bring your own skates but admission is free and the pond is even maintained by zamboni.

14. Historic Walking Tours

Visit the welcome center, located in the middle of main street, to sign up for a historic walking tour of Breckenridge. Tours cost $10 per adult ($4 per child) and no reservations are necessary. Tours typically leave twice daily and give a great overview of the town's lively history.

Location: Visitor's Center, Main Street
Cost: $10/person