5 Perfect Fall Days in Breckenridge

Looking for the perfect mix of fall foliage, outdoor activities, and small town vibes? We’ve set up the perfect Breckenridge fall itinerary to hit the best of our mountain town during any week this upcoming golden autumn season. Autumn in the Rockies is undeniably gorgeous, and it’s the perfect time of year to plan a getaway to the mountains to cool off and take in the views. Start planning your itinerary with our 5 perfect fall days in Breckenridge.

Breckenridge Fall Itinerary

Day 1:

AM – Soak in the Views 

For your first day in Breckenridge, we’re sending you to a local hotspot, BreckFast. Enjoy quality breakfast and lunch without the wait. Their gourmet options are made fresh daily with quality ingredients at an affordable price. BreckFast specializes in creating unique handheld breakfast and lunch options that are made fresh in under 10 minutes so your life doesn’t have to be placed on hold. They offer organic juices, a full espresso bar and even signature cocktails. Take a seat on the patio at their new location on Main Street!

Take it easy on your first day to get acclimated and take in the views. Start with a scenic drive over Boreas Pass Road, which ascends from downtown Breckenridge to over 11,400 feet. The fall foliage towers over the road as if you are driving through a golden tunnel. Not only will you be surrounded by vibrant fall colors, but you’ll also be able to take in the views of downtown, the ski resort and other peaks surrounding Breckenridge. Drive to the top of Boreas Pass and back again, or make it a loop and take the entire 17 mile trip to Como and Fairplay and come back to Breckenridge on Highway 9 over Hoosier pass.

Aspen fall colors from the Aspen Alley Trail overlooking the fall colored mountain ranges

PM – Explore Historic Main Street  

Main Street Breckenridge is known for its incredible shopping and dining scene, but it also serves as the central hub of everything Breckenridge with fun events, festivals, live music and an abundance of activities for all ages and interests happening all year long. The best part is, once you park the car or take the shuttle in for your trip, you can walk anywhere, which means more time outside enjoying the mountains and enjoying the views. Grab lunch on one of Breckenridge’s sun-soaked patios and take in views of the Tenmile mountain range.

With over 200 shops and boutiques to choose from, you shouldn’t head home empty-handed. Breckenridge prides itself on unique made-in-Breckenridge goodies. We are talking about hand-made soaps, candles, skis, spirits and brews, jewelry and more. Not to mention that a lot of the shops will have some killer fall sales, perfect timing for early bird Christmas shopping. For dinner, check out one of our favorite family restaurants around town!

Stroll historic Main Street and discover unique shops and tasty restaurants.

Day 2:

AM – Hit the Trails With so much fun planned, it’s important to fuel up. Cuppa Joe pours some of the best coffee in town. Ordering a latte? Expect some amazing latte art to accompany; the original owner won latte art competitions and passed the tradition to the staff and new owners. We suggest combining your beverage with a delicious breakfast burrito (try the sweet potato burrito — and expect leftovers). Take a seat outside or near a window to take in the views of Breckenridge Ski Resort with every savory bite.

Now you’re energized and ready to take on the day. Hike or bike the trails that wind in and out of Breckenridge’s backcountry, while still viewing the spectacular fall colors. The French Gulch area passes through some of Breckenridge’s richest mining regions where you’ll pass dozens of old mine remnants and cabins. One of our favorites is the Reiling Gold Dredge. While you’re in that area, check out the B&B Trail, Minnie Mine or the X10U8 Trail.

The key to fall hiking? Layer-up to ensure you’re ready for changing conditions. Wondering where to hike? Here are some of our favorite places to see the fall colors in Breckenridge.

Explore the hundreds of miles of trails in and around Breckenridge.

PM – Golf 

Need a snack to hold you over? How does a warm crepe sound? Grab a light handheld bite at the original Crepes a la Carte in the heart of downtown Breckenridge. Their “secret recipe” in their home-made crepes will leave you saying…it was worth the wait. Warm-up next to the fire pit, people-watch and save room for a sweet treat. Head down a couple blocks to the Mountain Top Cookie Shop, another local favorite. You can smell the freshly baked cookies from a mile away.

After the sugar rush dies down a bit, head to the Jack Nicklaus designed Breckenridge Golf Club for a round of 9, 18 or 27 holes with three different courses to choose from. The course is situated in the breathtaking, glacier-sculpted Upper Blue River Valley at an elevation of 9,324 feet. Get an immediate confidence boost as the golf ball flies farther and straighter than at lower elevations due to less air resistance.

The second nine to open, in 1987, was the Beaver. The Beaver nine has the narrowest fairways of any of the nines.

Day 3:

AM – Enjoy One of Breckenridge’s Signature Events

Did we mention that fall is festival season?  Check out Breckenridge Wine Classic and stroll along Main Street sampling wines, the Breck Film Festival featuring filmmakers gathered from around the globe, and the Craft Spirits Festival with tons of great small-batch sampling. If one of our Extend your trip or plan your Breckenridge Fall itinerary around one of these fall festivities and you’ll be sure to leave with more than one reason to come back.  If you’re visiting between festivals,  find live-music, theatre productions and local happening around town.

View community events

Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival featuring small-batch distillers, artisan spirit seminars, a spirited cooking class, scavenger hunt, fine local cuisine and of course, plenty of sampling.

PM – Relax and Reset 

After a large brunch consisting of a few Bavarian pretzels and Schweinebraten, maybe it’s time for a little R&R. Recharge the body and spirit with a recovery massage or relaxation treatment. The spa scene in Breckenridge is blossoming – this small mountain town is home to more than 13 spas and wellness centers – and it goes far beyond massage: think acupuncture, herbal medicine, yoga and all-inclusive relaxation packages and treatments to combat the thin, dry air and intense sun of this high-altitude environment.

Once you’ve recharged, keep the mellow feels flowing and head to Twist on Ridge street for a modern take on traditional comfort foods. Grab a sweater and relax on the patio with towering trees and string lights to set the mood.

Day 4:

AM- Bike Ride

Fuel up to get those muscles moving. Head to Amazing Grace Natural Eatery– their unique and delicious house-made baked goods, breakfasts, lunches and coffee drinks are fresh-made to order and sourced from natural or organic ingredients whenever possible. Try the Opus, a local favorite, featuring scrambled eggs with melted cheese on a deliciously decadent housemade biscuit, topped with spinach & tomato.

In our opinion, biking only goes uphill in the fall. No, we don’t mean just climbing the hundreds of miles of trails in and around Breckenridge. We mean it only gets better- the cooler weather means you won’t heat up on the uphills, the number of people on the trails decrease, and you’re surrounded by breathtaking views and golden aspen leaves. Take your pick of endless dirt trails or enjoy fall days on the Blue River rec path.

Don’t forget sun protection, a re-usable water bottle and extra layers for all your Breckenridge Fall Activities!

Stick to the trails or head into town and explore on two wheels.

After a long morning on the trails, it’s time to enjoy some Colorado craft brews. Head over to the Breckenridge Brewery on Main Street or Broken Compass Brewing on Airport Road for laid-back vibes and, of course, amazing beer. Both are family-friendly – the Breckenridge Brewery offers dining options sure to please the little ones, and Broken Compass offers board games, a food truck and even a free shuttle to and from Main Street.

PM- Ghost Tour/Country Boy Mine

Prepare to be haunted by eerie tales of Breckenridge’s past on historic walking and hiking tours by night. Take a guided stroll around town to explore the darker side of the wild west with chilling tales of the ghosts that remain here and other strange events. The Breckenridge Heritage Alliance and Breckenridge Ghost Tours offer a number of walking and hiking tours of historic sites and museums surrounding the area, including saloon, ghost, and gold panning! All tours can be made family-friendly and are a great way to discover Breckenridge’s historic buildings and stories of the past. The Country Boy Mine is another top on our list- head underground for a tour of a real gold mine, pet the burros, slide down the ore chute, visit the General Store and pan for gold at the original mine.

Once you’re chilled to the bone with haunting wild west stories, head back to town to enjoy some late-night eats. With over 100 restaurants and bars in Breckenridge, it’s hard to go wrong. If you’re in the mood for pub fare or a juicy burger, head to Empire Burger. They offer some amazing burgers, hand-cut fries and over 20 sauce selections. Be sure to try the Jalapeno Ranch or the Sweet Mango Chutney. Belly up to the bar to catch the game, enjoy an ice-cold brew and fill up on a 1/3 lb. burger. Another good spot for the entire family, Downstairs at Eric’s, has 29 flat screen HDTV’s, 30 beers on tap, 50 beers by the bottle, 25 arcade games and a pizza called the GIGANTOR…enough said. Be sure to order the Baked Wings.

Day 5:

AM – Cool off on the water

While fall in Breckenridge is the start of cooler temperatures, rafting is usually still available come mid-September, and fly-fishing is available year-round. Fall can be one of our favorite times to fish, as spring runoff is unpredictable and summer monsoons can drop heavy rains leaving freshwater rivers looking more like chocolate milk overnight. In the fall, the weather and water conditions can often be more stable, leading to a nice stretch of amazing dry fly-fishing. Rent gear at one of the many shops around town, go out on your own, or take a guided lesson or float trip to get the inside scoop and tons of tips from the pros.

Whitewater rafting is one of the best-kept secrets in Breckenridge and it isn’t just for thrill seekers. Trips can be customized by age, ability level, and sense of adventure. From adrenaline junkies looking for huge waves and pounding hearts to those looking for a relaxing float trip that showcases scenery, solitude, wildlife, and history; there’s a rafting experience that’s perfect for your group.

Fly-fishing is available year-round in Breckenridge.

PM – Have a Refined Dining Experience

End out your trip exploring art-inspired cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails at one of the Breckenridge restaurants bringing dining to the next level, because hey, you deserve it! The Hearthstone Restaurant resides in the Kaiser House, a Victorian building constructed in the early 1880’s. This romantic house has views of the Breckenridge Ski Resort and the Breckenridge Arts District. The Hearthstone features naturally raised beef and game, Colorado produce and sustainably caught seafood. And let’s not forget that they feature over 220 wines representing every major world wine region.

Relish offers Colorado inspired cuisine, using locally raised and grown products. Matt Fackler, chef and owner, searches for the freshest ingredients, changing the menu seasonally. Relish is in the heart of downtown Breckenridge, with views of the Breckenridge Ski Resort and Main Street.

Hearthstone Restaurant provides one of the best dining views in Breckenridge.