It was the discovery of gold that first brought travelers to the modern day mountain town of Breckenridge, Colo. in the 1850s, but today, it’s the promise of epic powder, the award-winning craft beer scene, and countless outdoor adventures that draw visitors to this small but vibrant town each year. With the promise of more snow on the horizon and several weekends left in winter begging to be filled, it’s time to pack your bags and plan a weekend getaway to the beautiful little resort town of Breckenridge.
EAT
Start your morning with a hearty mountain town breakfast at The Crown where you’ll find delicious coffee and a tasty and affordable meal, like the Four O’Clock bagel sandwich which is packed with hummus, cucumber, sprouts, tomato, avocado, and basically everything you need to start your day off right. For a post-ride beer or cocktail, head to Après Handcrafted Libations located in downtown Breckenridge. At this boozy joint, you’ll find 30 rotating craft beer taps plus 40+ rotating bottles and cans along with an impressive menu of small batch whiskeys and handcrafted cocktails. For dinner, check out Breckenridge Distillery’s beautiful new restaurant. Small bites and shared plates are being cooked up in the open kitchen in this cozy and inviting restaurant space—all of which go nicely with the delicious cocktails made with the distillery’s award-winning spirits. This popular spot is located a short drive from Breckenridge’s main drag, so expect to drive, or hop on one of the free town-run buses that regularly loops near the distillery. And because curiosity will probably get the best of you, go ahead and jump in that line you see outside of that mysterious tiny restaurant in downtown. Crepes a la Cart is one hopping place that offers up over 70 different crepes ranging from sweet to savory, and locals and visitors to Breckenridge are going crazy for them. Thankfully, this little dining gem is open from breakfast to late night, which means you can get your crepe fill at any time of the day.
SLEEP
In a resort town like Breckenridge, there certainly isn’t a shortage of places to rest your head for the night. But if you’re looking for a budget-friendly place to stay with all of the amenities and soul of a rustic mountain lodge, check out The Bivvi Hostel. Located a short bus ride or walk from Breckenridge’s downtown drag, The Bivvi offers up a variety of beautifully decorated dorms and private rooms as well as complimentary breakfast and WiFi. The beds at The Bivvi book up quickly, so be sure to plan your stay in advance. If first tracks are the only thing on your mind when choosing a place to stay on your visit, check out the Wedgwood Lodge, a family-owned and operated lodge located a stone’s throw from the Snowflake chairlift. Here, you’ll find accommodations for one, two, or a comfortable place to stay for the entire crew. Take advantage of the Wedgewood’s spring lodging special of 15% off during the dates of March 17 through April 15.
PLAY
There’s still plenty of time left in the winter season to explore Breckenridge Ski Resort’s 2,908 skiable acres and ample snowfall, but if you already have biking on the brain, break out the fat bike and tour this small town’s big libations scene on two wheels. Beer & Bike Tours’ Breckenridge Fat Bike Adventures is a guided 6.5-mile loop for riders of all levels that stops at Broken Compass Brewing, the Breckenridge Distillery, and the Breckenridge Brewpub. Tour costs are $100 for Monday through Thursday trips, and $125 for weekend tours. Fat bike rentals are included in the cost of the ticket price. If craft beer is really your thing, don’t miss out on the popular Breck Spring Beer Festival which is set to take place on Saturday, April 8 at the Main Street Station & The Village at Breckenridge. Over 50+ craft breweries from across the country will be pouring beer this year. Tickets start at $30 per person. Between hitting the slopes and discovering the town’s après gems, be sure to carve out some time on your visit to enjoy one of the area’s best natural features: the gold medal waters of the Blue River. Surrounded by 360-degree views of the beautiful landscape that defines the Centennial State, the Blue River is full of hungry trout and a great place to spend a morning. The fun-loving guides at the Breckenridge Outfitters fly shop have everything you need to get out in the water of the best local fishing holes. Guide trips at this shop range from a two-hour walk and wade trip for $85 per person, to an overnight float trip, and everything in between.
