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We'll be in in Colorado for six days at the end of July, and plan to spend most of our time in and around Boulder and the Rocky Mountain National Park. We want to make a side trip while we're in CO to one of the ski resorts and thought Breckenridge might fit the bill, as it's not too far away (we don't want to spend too much of our precious vacation time in the car!) and, from what I recall from a trip 15 years ago, is a lovely town. Any advice or alternative destinations? We're hoping to be able to take in the scenery with a gondola/chairlift ride and enjoy the surrounding town.
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Breckenridge a good stop during our 6 day Colorado trip?
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I think Brek is really nice, but GlenWood Springs is just an additional 1/2 hour-45 min drive (map quest it), catch the caverns at their Adverntureland Park, and you get to take a short cable car lift for a decent view. The drive through the Eisenhower Tunnel (don't think of Steven King's the Stand while driving through)to Brek is nice. The Maroon Bells are not too much further from Glenwood either!
I also recommend Rip Baording/ River boarding in Golden CO, and a tour of the Brewery! http://www.ripboard.com/
Have a great Trip!
Rachel
PS- I am looking for any fun sites to see between here and Georgia. I would love any fun siteseeing, etc ideas betwen CO- GA ( KS, MO, IN, KY, TN?) See my last post!
There are several things to do in Breck for a day or 2, including walking around the town, going to the Alpine Slide (if you have children or teenagers), horseback riding, tour of gold mine, bike rental in town or in nearby Frisco to ride around Lake Dillion. Breck is one of my favorite towns in CO. it is more laid back and far less upscale than Aspen and Vail
We have lived in Loveland,CO (just an hour from RMNP) for the past 5 years and have been to Breck for skiing, never in the summer though. I don't think you will be disappointed--the town is great and has alot to offer. The only negatives I can think of is that there is alot of pine beetle devastation in the Breck, Dillon, Silverthorne area. Also the Eisenhower tunnel can get backed up on Sunday afternoons from everybody going back to Denver etc. from the mountains. Since you will be in the RMNP area, I might suggest doing some whitewater rafting. North of Boulder is a river called the Cache la Poudre which has river rafting opportunities. We have had alot of rain this past spring -- even lately -- and everything is still nice and green and the rivers are all running real good. Get a guide through a rafting company -- don't do it on your own unless of course you are experienced. Colorado is a great state for outdoor activities.
Is Estes Park on your places to go? They also have an aerial tram with fantastic views. http://www.estestram.com/
Breck is a good choice if you'll be at RMNP. Winter park is closer to RMNP but there is really not much there (except skiing in the winter).
Most of the prior recommendations are decent except that rchearn times and distance are off by about a hundred percent. The distance from Breck to Glenwood Springs is closer to two hours and maybe a little less if you really pushed it. The Maroon Bells are another 45 mins or so southeast of Glenwood Springs -- almost to Aspen than turn west.
Georgetown and the Georgetown Loop (railroad) just before the climb to Eisenhower/Johnson tunnels is a nice stop. And he silver mine tour as a part of the railroad is very well done in the sense that almost nothing has been done to the mine. Gives you are real feel for a hard rock miner.
The Copper Mt., Vail, Glenwood Springs, Aspen, Independence Pass, Leadville, and back to Copper makes for a great loop BUT a lot more driving than you probably want or need.
Breckenridge is fine, but Vail is definitely prettier and worth the extra drive in my opinion. It would not be difficult to do both in a day. Also, as mentioned already, Estes Park is also a nice stop while you are at RMNP and also has a tram.
I guess it is a function of what you think is prettier. Vail is constructed, at least the old part is, to look like a Swiss Alpine village so everything looks similar. Breckenridge is an old mining town with a Victorian look coupled with some bad redevelopment but it is a really town with real people that live and work there. From my perspective, Breckenridge is more attractive but Vail probably is prettier -- if you like pretty.