5 Best Day Trips From Breckenridge
We may be biased, but Breckenridge is hands down the best town in Colorado. If you happen to find yourself here and have extra time on your hands, there might be a few other amazing Colorado towns you’d like to check out. Lucky for you, Breckenridge is centrally located and provides accessibility to towns chock full of Colorado history and adventure. Take a mini road trip with us to the best five day trips from Breckenridge.
Frisco Main Street
Drive time: 15 minutes
You’ll likely drive right through Frisco on your way to Breckenridge if you are taking I-70, but don’t just breeze by. Frisco has all the small-town charm of Breckenridge with some unique features. Main Street is a great place to shop, enjoy a bite to eat and even learn about local history. In addition, Frisco sits on Lake Dillon and offers a marina with a beach, paddleboard and kayak rentals and even a tiki bar.
If you’re looking to make the most out of your day, try renting e-bikes and taking the scenic route from Breckenridge to Frisco via the Blue River Recreation Path. In the summer explore hiking trails right from Main Street and in the winter enjoy snow tubing and sledding at Frisco Adventure Park.
Drive time: 30 minutes
Located in South Park sits the historic mining settlement of Fairplay. This isn’t the South Park that you might imagine from the popular cartoon “South Park,” instead you’ll find remnants of one of the earliest settlements of the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush. For history buffs, the main attraction is South Park City, a 19th century mining town with over 60,000 artifacts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Before you leave, check out the local watering holes like South Park Brewing and Snitching Lady Distillery.
Drive time: 45 minutes
Colorado towns are full of history and Georgetown is no exception. This is a great spot to stop on your way to or from Breckenridge if you are arriving in Denver. You can explore Georgetown’s rich mining history through museums and mine tours or via the Georgetown Loop Railroad, one of the most popular attractions. On the Georgetown Loop Railroad, you’ll take a step back in time as you board a historic steam engine. Be sure to check their calendar of events as the trains are transformed during special times of the year like the holiday season.
Leadville’s Downtown During the Ski Joring Event
Drive time: 50 minutes
Leadville is the highest incorporated city in North America sitting at 10,200 feet but that is not its only attraction. As you walk downtown, it’s easy to picture Leadville as the wild west town it once was with its prominent Victorian architecture. Be sure to stop into the legendary Silver Dollar Saloon where figures like Doc Holiday and Molly Brown were frequent patrons.
The surrounding areas of Leadville offer excellent opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Nearby Turquoise and Twin Lakes make for a great day on the water in the summer. In the winter, don’t miss the Leadville Ski Joring weekend where skiers are pulled by horses and riders over a series of jumps right on Leadville’s snow-packed downtown.
General Store in St. Elmo Ghost Town
Drive time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Our last stop on this day trip journey is Buena Vista, Spanish for good view, and we can promise the good views! Buena Vista sits in a valley with a backdrop of the stunning Collegiate Peaks rising from the horizon. The town is best known for outdoor adventures including white water rafting in the summers with many guided tours in the area. We recommend taking time to explore the historic St. Elmo ghost town and soaking in the surrounding natural hot springs.
