Spooktacular Sights: Haunted Places in Breckenridge, Colorado

As the foliage turns fiery shades of red and gold and the crisp mountain air fills with an eerie chill, there’s no denying that Halloween is creeping around the corner. While Breck is known for its world-class skiing and stunning natural beauty, did you know that our charming mountain town has a spooky side too? Join us as we uncover the haunted history of Breckenridge and explore spine-tingling spots you can visit this Halloween season.

 

1. Ollie’s AKA The Dredge Boat

The dredge boat in breckenridge

History: The Dredge Boat, once a formidable gold mining vessel, now rests on the shores of the Blue River. Between 1898 and 1942 Dredge boats were allowed to operate and were used to dredge the riverbed in search of precious metals. 

Haunting: The tale goes that one night the foreman was awoken by the sound of an alarm coming from the boat and left his cottage (now Starbucks on main street) to investigate the disturbance. As OSHA was nonexistent at the time, the entrance to the dredge was a single-width plank of wood that crossed over the pond. It was a freezing winter night when the foreman went to check on the dredge and accidentally slipped into the pond, tragically freezing to death. His body was recovered in the spring and had been so well-preserved that at his funeral he was displayed with an open casket. 

2. The Gold Pan Saloon 

History: Opening in 1861, the Gold Pan is considered the oldest saloon west of the Mississippi. From the miners of the gold rush all the way to today’s visitors the Gold Pan has been quenching thirsts after a hard day of work or on the mountain. In its long history, it has seen bar fights, shoot-outs, and survived the prohibition era. Legend has it that Tom’s Baby, the largest gold nugget ever found resided in the Gold Pan’s safe for safekeeping before leaving Breckenridge. 

Haunting: Owners and guests of the saloon describe spooky experiences such as flickering lights and doors opening on their own. Several tenants of the upper apartments have also noted the presence of a woman who seems to enjoy caring for the male inhabitants as they sleep, waking them up with the cold sensations of touch on their cheeks.

3. Apres

History: Originally a boarding house, the building now houses Après Handcrafted Libations, a craft tasting room offering a wide variety of craft beers, mixed drinks, and a large library of board games to play.   

Haunting: A ghost named Sylvia is said to haunt the building, she had lost her husband and worked at the boarding house looking for a suitable replacement until her demise. The bar staff leaves a shot of liquor on the bar at night for Sylvia and rumor has it they will come back to an empty glass at times. Sylvia has an affinity for men and occupants of the apartments above Après have reported their clothes being mysteriously folded or their space tidied up not by their own hand. 

4. The Briggle House

History: Located in Alice G Milne Memorial Park, the Briggle house was once inhabited by the socialites Kathleen and William Briggle. The Briggle’s purchased the home in 1898 and at the time the one-bedroom abode was considered one of the largest and nicest houses in Breckenridge.  

Haunting: Tour guests have noticed strange sensations and one time even witnessed a can fly unexpectedly off the shelf. So many reports have come in that the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance even let a group of paranormal investigators conduct experiments on the house, while there they claim to have had their flashlights go out while calling to the late Mrs. Briggle. 

5. Country Boy Mine 

History: Founded in 1887 Country Boy Mine was one of Summit County’s most successful mines in producing gold and silver. Country Boy Mine became an integral part of the war effort during World War II with its production of lead and zinc supplies. Today the mine is operated for historical attractions, gold panning, treasure hunting, and mine tours that take you more than 1,000 feet underground.  

Haunting: Owners and guests alike have reported spooky happenings such as a feeling of being shoved in the back while in the mine. When visitors look at photos they’ve taken in the mine they report seeing ghostly apparitions, orbs, or auras appearing which were not visible to the naked eye.  

6. Haunted Forrest, Breckenridge Ski Resort’s Kids Adventure Zone

History: Looking for something a little less scary? Breckenridge Ski Resort has a Kids Adventure Zone located on Peak 9 that lets you ski through a Haunted Forrest complete with bats, skeletons, and a giant spider! 

Want even more scares this Halloween season? Check out a guided walking ghost tour through town or see how scarily low the prices are at one of our favorite places to stay, the Grand Colorado on Peak 8! 

 

Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Breckenridge

Let Breckenridge sweep you off your feet this Valentine’s Day. Star-filled nights, snow-covered peaks, Main Street strolls among thousands of lights and endless date options make for the perfect romantic retreat despite chilly February temps.

100 Things To Do in Breckenridge

Here are 100 things for you to experience on your next trip to Breckenridge. Winter or summer, there are so many activities and adventures to explore.

Great Indoor Activities in Breckenridge

Don’t let the weather get you down on your next Breckenridge vacation. Instead, enjoy all of these fun indoor activities to stay entertained.

Trivia Nights in Summit County

Trivia, great beer and great food, what more could you want? Almost every night of the week you can find a great spot to challenge your friends to some trivia and have some weeknight fun. From Breckenridge to Dillon, we’ve got you covered with all the trivia nights in Summit County. 

Mondays

Rocky Mountain Underground | Breckenridge | 6–8 p.m. 

Cozy up and test your knowledge with local beers and handcrafted cocktails. Prizes for first, second and third place will bring out your competitive side.  

Tuesdays 

Broken Compass Brewing OG Taproom | Breckenridge | 7–9 p.m.  

Broken Compass is a local favorite for trivia all year long. Bring your own food and your four-legged friends for a howling good time. Prizes include free beer tabs for the top three teams every week! 

Outer Range Brewing | Frisco | 7–9 p.m. 

If you’re an IPA lover, Outer Range is the perfect spot for a hoppy pint and a trivia night. First prize earns each team member an Outer Range four pack. 

Blue Bird Market | Silverthorne | 6–8 p.m.  

Join Quizmaster Katie from the Summit County Library for seven rounds of team trivia at Mighty Bar inside Blue Bird Market. Choose from empanadas, burgers, wood-fired pizzas and more to fuel your trivia game in this modern food hall. 

Saved by the Wine | Dillon | 7 p.m. 

A night of wine and wisdom is a recipe for fun. Grab some friends, a wine flight and a charcuterie board and take in breathtaking mountain views from this welcoming wine bar. 

Wednesdays 

Highside Brewing | Frisco | 7–9 p.m. 

Can you tell we love beer here in the high country? Highside offers a unique and diverse line up of beers along with trivia prizes for the top three teams every week. 

Broken Compass Brewing Main Street Taproom | Breckenridge | 7–9 p.m. 

If you love Broken Compass and their trivia, why only go once a week? Join in on some trivia fun at their convenient Main Street location.  

A-BAR at The Pad | Silverthorne | 7–9 p.m. 

Study up for six rounds of trivia—four themes, one music, one general knowledge—at A-BAR at The Pad, a boutique hostel and hotel. This unique bar features 26 taps in order to reduce the waste from packaging, shipping and disposal that traditional establishments face.  

Thursdays 

Angry James Brewing | Silverthorne | 7–9 p.m. 

We might consider Angry James a hidden gem in Summit County as it’s off the beaten path. This is another great brewery to grab a beer at while you play four rounds of trivia with a chance to win beer and Angry James gift cards. 

Motherloaded Tavern | Breckenridge | 9–10 p.m. 

Motherloaded Tavern truly lives up to its name with a warm atmosphere and comfort food. On trivia nights, be sure to try a mason jar cocktail and order the Fried Mac ‘N Cheese Bites from the late-night menu.  

Rita’s | Breckenridge | 8–10:30 p.m. 

This local’s basement is so much more than just a basement. Head downstairs to Rita’s for fresh squeezed margaritas and delicious tacos while you test your skills and knowledge. Prizes are awarded to the top three teams every week. Good luck! 

 

Breckenridge Main Street shops

The Ultimate Breckenridge Shopping Guide

When you think of Breckenridge, mountain sports are usually the first thing that come to mind. There are all types of activities here in the heart of the Rockies, such as skiing, riding, biking, snowshoeing, hiking, dogsledding, rock climbing, snowmobiling, camping, tubing, skating and….shopping. Yes, shopping!

Since mountain towns are often associated with rugged landscapes and harsh conditions, the world-class retail therapy opportunities here are often overlooked. But, today’s your lucky day. We have compiled the ultimate Breckenridge shopping guide to satisfy every consumer’s palate. With over 200 stores in town, you’ll be sure to find something to write home about.

Apparel & Accessories:

Bhava Boutique 

Beloved

Big City Blues

Breckenridge Hat Company

Burton Breckenridge

Columbia Breckenridge

Folcland

Fun Vs. Awesome

Goods

Limber Grove

Mountain Goat Clothing Co

Patagonia at Breckenridge

Shirt & Ernie’s/Shirt Off My Back

Sunlogic

Teton Gravity Research

Valley Girl Boutique

Art, Galleries & Jewelry:

Collier Gallery

Gary Soles Gallery

JK Studio

Portfolio Gallery

Raitman Art Galleries

Boutiques & Specialty:

Chocolate & Cashmere

Magical Scraps

Marigolds Farmhouse Funk and Junk

Nature’s Own

Overland Sheepskin

Timeless Collections

Woodland

Vintage Sweet & Chic

Children’s Accessories & Toys:

Breck Kidz

Fuzziwig’s Candy Factory

Peak-A-Boo Toys

Rocket Fizz

Yoyo Loco

Equipment & Rentals:

A Racer’s Edge

Alpine Sports

Avalanche Sports

Base Mountain Sports

Blue River Spots

Breck Sports

Carver’s Breckenridge Ski Shop

Christy Sports (at Grand Timber Lodge)

Craniologie

Main Street Sports

Food & Spirits:

Bjorn’s Colorado Honey

Breckenridge Market & Liquor

Breck Wine & Cheese

City Market Food and Pharmacy

Local Market and Liquor Shed

Olive Fusion

Rocky Mountain Cannery

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

Spice & Tea Merchants

The Cheese Shop of Breckenridge

Novelty & Gift Shops:

The Christmas Store

Creatures Great & Small

Fresh Soap Company

Global Candle Gallery

Joy of Sox

Wandering Daisy

Sporting Goods & Services:

Breckenridge Outfitters

Mountain Angler

Mountain Outfitters

Pup’s Glide Shop

Ridden

Rocky Mountain Underground

Slope Style

SureFoot

Underground Snowboards

Shopping Tips & Tricks

Now that you know what your options are, you should know when is best to buy. If you’re not a skier or rider, we recommend shopping while others are skiing. The shops will be less crowded and you’ll be able to visit more stores quicker between the hours of 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Otherwise, happy hour is always a good time to get the stores to yourself and enjoy some libations in between transactions.

If you’re shopping for winter gear, the biggest sales happen at the end of the season, so plan to purchase in April, May or June to get the biggest bang for your buck. The same goes for off-season gear and apparel—shop at the end of the summer season and you will find great deals on spring and summer clothing and equipment. Regardless of when you come, the shopping options and fun to be had while browsing are endless.

Book your stay now and take advantage of huge deals and promotional rates. Find the best Breck lodging deals at The Grand Colorado on Peak 8, The Grand Lodge on Peak 7 or Grand Timber Lodge.