breckenridge in the summer for family..
 

..would like to take the family to Colorado next summer. Kids are 14/12/8. Where is a good place to stay in Breckenridge for summer activities? Or is there another area that is more suitable for families. Not into hiking/camping. More interested in canoeing, swimming, driving around some to see different things.

Not much swimming in or around Breckenridge. If you want more of a "lake" experience look at Granby or Grand Lake.

I like Breck in summer but it is more suited for hiking and Mtn biking.

I agree with Coskier, you want a lake for canoeing and swimming. Dillon Resevoir might have something, might try Googling that. It is nearby.

Anyone in your family interested in railroads? There are some good railroad sights in the area, but if no one in your family can recognize a turntable covered in grass, it isn't worth it.

There is a gold mine tour back down I70 in Idaho Springs at the Argo Mill.

You can rent kayaks and canoes in Frisco or Dillon. If Lake Dillon is full it's fun to explore all the little islands. Drive to Georgetown to ride the steam train and take the mine tour. You can flyfish on the Blue River. There are also off road tours you can take. The only swimming you're likely to do is in a pool. The lakes in the mountains are awfully cold.

Swimming is not allowed in the Dillon Reservoir. No bodily contact so no jet skis, no waterskiing. The neaest water for that sort of hting is in Heeney, The Green Mountain Reservoir.

Adding, depending on timing, white water rafting is big fun. Buena Vista is not to far for that.

Our family has loved Breckenridge for family vacations. For four summer vacations, we have rented homes in Breckenridge for 10 days each trip. There is a fabulous selection of rental homes on vrbo.com, most have hot tubs. You could find any size home you want there. We would have Breckenridge as our home base and go on day trips from there.

You could do ATVing in Leadville, which was a blast. They let us go on trails by ourselves in the mountains. There were abandoned mines and beautiful scenery. We went white water rafting by the Royal Gorge, which was the one of the high points of the trips. I am not usually a thrill seeker but this was one of the greatest experiences of my life. There are tamer trips too.

You can go into Denver for a day or so. The kids would like Six Flags and the Six Flags water park. And you can have dinner at the ever campy Casa Bonita. There is gorgeous hiking and drives all over the area. Breckenridge is a very charming town with cute shops and good restaurants. The kids liked having a home base where they could have their own rooms and unwind at the end of the day. Breck also has outdoor concerts at night.