Okay, I've been planning this trip (see earlier posts) and now a friend at work has told me that Breckenridge will most likely be dead in Summer. He said that there are definite 'winter towns' and 'summer towns' and that Breckenridge is a 'winter town'. He thinks my family would have more to do in Grand Lake or Estes Park. What do you think? Also, the lodging in those areas seems to be harder to come by and more expensive. What do you think?

Breckenridge is beautiful in the summer. The flowers and cute shops are great and not too crowded. The ski slope has a "dry" sled ride down the hill. The ski lift is running. We had a great time.

I can assure you that your co-worker has never been to Breckenridge in the summer! It is very active and alive with families like yours on vacation. The plus is that the wait for restaurants is not like during ski season. Grand Lake and Estes Park are certainly "summer" towns. I have never been to either but have heard that Estes is very crowded. Your boys may be too bored at Grand Lake, although it's on my list as a place to try. But my idea of a good Colorado summer place is an occasional hike, a few nice places to eat, and a lot of time enjoying the outdoors in the cool mountain air! Can't say much about lodging, I've checked VRBO for Grand Lake and there are some options, but not nearly as many as Breckenridge. One thing I will add - if you are planning your trip for late May or early June, there may still be some places that are closed for the season.

Cammie, if anything Breck is MORE crowded in the summer! Most of the record breaking taffic has occured in Summer months, only once in the winter.

Stop worrying, your going to have a blast! You have made a good choice by staying in Summit County.

There's a saying in a lot of Colorado towns that people move here for the winters, but stay for the summers. Enjoy your trip!

There is plenty to do in the summer. Lake Dillon is nearby (despite being low this year). Vail is a short drive away. Keystone is it's neighbor. There is hiking everywhere, you can bike from Breckenridge to Vail if you can handle the altitude, and horse back riding. If shopping interests you, there are the outlet malls. Each town has summer events especially on the weekends. Check web sites for info. Estes Park and Grand Lake are busy in the summer because of the Rocky Mountain national Park, and the lake. But, there is plenty to do elsewhere in the state. By the way, the YMCA of the Rockies has some great rooms on both sides of the park in Estes Park and near Granby that probably are priced better. But, Breckenridge is great and you'll enjoy it.

I don't think your co-worker has ever been here in the summer. There's more to do here in the summer then you could ever do on just a vacation. Kima is right, the summers are now as popular as the winters. When I moved here 14 years ago, the summers were dead. Since then, every year is busier and busier with more things to do. I can't think of a better place to be in the summer. If you need some specifics, let me know about when you're coming and I'd be happy to help give you some ideas. I would recommend taking a jeep trip, the alpine slide, seeing a concert at the Riverwalk, hiking, mountain or road biking (we have miles of paved trails), fly fishing (you can take a lesson), driving trips to Vail or Aspen (over Independence Pass through Leadville), rafting, or just sitting on your deck with a marg watching the sunset. That's pretty good, huh, and no one pays me to do this!!

We stopped in Breckenridge during a cross country car trip last year with our teens. Only spent a day but we all loved it and hope to go back. We did the alpine slide and the maze and walked the riverwalk. We also hung out at an excellent public park that had a skateboard park in it where we watched some very talented boarders pull great tricks. Fun, fun!