Family looking at the sunset from Mount Baldy in Breckenridge

Best Family Vacations: Breckenridge Summer Guide

With warm (but not hot) days, incredible views, and tons of activities and events, Breckenridge is sure to be the perfect destination for you and your family this summer. While picking out what to do and keeping all family members happy can be tricky, if you’ve got kiddos in tow, we’ve got you covered. Let this family guide to Breckenridge help you find the best summer adventure for the whole crew.

Visiting Breckenridge With Kids: Summer Guide

Activities & Things To Do

The lazy days of summer aren’t so lazy in Breckenridge.  There are over 100 things to do and an almost endless line-up of special events and plenty of hiking trails, parks and activities that are sure to satisfy everyone in your group.

Family-Friendly Hiking

A family hiking on one of Breckenridge's hiking trails.

Take in the views and enjoy the scenery on one of Breckenridge’s hiking trails.

For your family’s first day in Breckenridge it’s great to start with the easy stuff. You’ve come for the views and cool mountain air, so grab breakfast then head out for an easy hike to get your bearings.

Use our family hiking articles to find the best hikes for your family:

Kid-Approved Biking

A family Mountain Biking in Breckenridge.

Discover Breckenridge’s hundreds of miles of Mountain Biking terrain.

Did you know Breckenridge is one of the best places to take kids on a bike ride? There are options for easy, paved rides, and the Town of Breckenridge is continuously expanding and improving its trail system for mountain bikers at every level. Nearly every ski rental shop in town becomes a bike rental shop in the summer, so there are plenty of bikes for every age and ability.

Learn More About Family Friendly Biking

Local’s Tips:  If your clan isn’t ready for dirt quite yet, jump on the Blue River Rec-Path and ride around town, following the Blue River. Bring a lunch and pull over at any point to take a break and refuel. Remember to always pack-it in and pack-it out.

Top Guided Adventures For Families

Rafting with parents and kids in the Blue River in Colorado

While teens may love the larger rapids that can feel as fast as a roller-coaster ride, there are also slower rapids that are more like a Huck Finn paddle for younger kids

It’s always fun to try new activities and adventures on vacation especially ones you’d never be able to do at home.  In Breckenridge, we make it easy for the whole family to try something new thanks to the variety of guided activities in town.

Guided activities are great because they typically include:

  • All the gear you need for the activity
  • An expert to teach you the activity, keep you safe, take photos and possibly provide lunch or snacks

Best Guided Family Activities To Try:

Best Kid-Friendly Activities From Main Street

Summer sunset over downtown Breckenridge

In the 1800s, prospectors flooded what was to become Breckenridge with the hopes of striking gold (and they found it). Today, travelers will discover a mountain community rich in adventure and history.

Everyone in the family will love exploring historic Main Street. You can stay on foot or try the free Main Street trolley. Younger kids will enjoy the ride, and it has multiple stops on Breckenridge’s main artery. This is a great way to get a little shopping in and see where you want to take the family for lunch or dinner. Throughout Main Street, you’ll find small intimate pocket parks that are perfect for any, “I don’t wanna shop” breakdown. Our favorite park is Blue River Plaza, right in the center of Breckenridge, has a unique playground that sits right on the bank of the Blue River.

5 Things Your Kids Can Do In Town

  • Play at one of the parks on and around Main Street
  • Feed the fish at Ollie’s on the Dredge
  • Ride the free BreckConnect Gondola
  • Play in the Blue River Plaza
  • Paddleboard at Maggie Pond

You’ll also want to check out the Breckenridge Creative Arts District – or BreckCreate for short – for afternoon crafts, music and more.

Top Indoor Activities For Kids

family at Country Boy Mine

Come and hang out 1000′ feet down a real Gold Mine and see what life was like for a miner in the 1880s.

It’s hard to believe, but there are some days that are less sunny than others in Breckenridge (though the sun shines more than 300 days a year here). If you’re in the mood for a less physical day or want to spend some time exercising your brain, there are plenty of options in Breckenridge.

Kid-Approved Indoor Adventures

  • Explore a real gold mine then try your luck at gold panning at Country Boy Mine
  • Check out Breckenridge Heritage Alliance for museums and tours
  • Head to the Breckenridge Arts District which offers a wide variety of interactive arts workshops, classes and events.
  • Breckenridge also has a world-class recreation center, complete with an indoor pool, slides and hot tubs. Once you’re done swimming, be sure to try the indoor rock-climbing wall or the new tennis center.
  • Seek clues, solve unique puzzles, answer questions and work together to try to escape one of our all-age-friendly escape rooms.

Find 5 More Picks For A Rainy Day in Breckenridge

Tip: Rain showers typically occur in the afternoon around 2 or 3 p.m. in the summer. Try to plan your outdoor activities in the morning if possible, but if the forecast calls for rain, don’t worry! Showers are usually quick and the skies clear up within minutes. Just make sure you pack that rain jacket to be safe!

Visiting Breckenridge With Kids: Summer Guide

Dining

family dining outside in Breckenridge

Explore the top decks and patios in Breckenridge while sampling a kid-friendly feast. Finding a family-friendly spot for eating out in Breckenridge can have its challenges, especially since many restaurants in town don’t take reservations. The best way to avoid hangry kids is to head to dinner early. Places like Fatty’s Pizzeria, Downstairs at Eric’s and Mi Casa are family-friendly staples in town with large enough tables for a party of six or more. If you can make a 6:00pm dinner, you will increase your chances for a shorter wait time.

Another tip: If your family is bigger than six, think about splitting up into two tables; that will help the restaurant seat you faster.  Other strategies include hitting up happy hour for pre-dinner snacks, arriving at least an hour earlier than you’d normally eat, or visiting one of the off-the-beaten-path restaurants.

Visiting Breckenridge With Kids: Summer Guide

Shopping

family walking on Main Street Breckenridge

Explore over 200+ retail locations and small businesses in Breckenridge, Colorado. No trip to Breckenridge is complete without a day to explore Main Street. It’s just shy of a mile long, perfect for a light afternoon or evening stroll through the hub of town.

Visiting Breckenridge With Kids: Summer Guide

Transportation & Parking

The Main Street Trolley in downtown Breckenridge.

The Main Street Trolley is a free transportation shuttle that services downtown Breckenridge. Breckenridge’s easy walkability and redesigned pathways and sidewalks make it easy to get around with a stroller, wagon or a handholding child.  When your kid’s pint-sized legs get tired, hop on the Breck Free Ride. The Breck Free Ride is a community-wide free transit system complete with an easy app and routes designed to get you to where you want to be. Plus, the majority major of lodges offer complimentary shuttles to get around town with ease.

Fun ways to get around town

  • Don’t miss out; the BreckConnect Gondola is free to ride in the winter and summer.
  • Try two wheels. Did you know that Breckenridge’s bike lanes were awarded the highest level as a bicycle-friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists? Rent a bike and check it out!
  • Breckenridge’s Trolley loops up and down Main Street. It’s a perfect way to get from Point A to Point B as well as a great activity for all truck-loving kids.

Local Tip: Direct shuttles leave nearby airports almost hourly to Breckenridge.

Visiting Breckenridge With Kids: Summer Guide

Where To Stay

Residence Inn Pool with views of the mountains

Soak in the views from a pool or hot tub.

One of the best things about Breckenridge is its size.  No matter where you stay you’ll be able to walk to town or a bus stop that’ll take you to town.  Instead of focusing on location, we recommend choosing your place to stay based on amenities, room count and decor.  Search Lodging in Breckenridge.

Here are a few articles to help you decide:

By Breck Editorial
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downtown Breckenridge at dusk
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