AuburnAngel

Looking for low budget ideas in and around the area of Breckenridge, CO, from mid-September to early October? Bonus if it user-friendly for those with disabilities and those living with cancer.

MoBro

AuburnAngel

Was hoping for some suggestions from personal experience or local knowledge.

Gretchen

You never really know. Look at what is available and then ask about them?

fmpden

What do you mean by "low budget?" What are your interests? It is the transition period from fall to winter especially as you get into Oct. The possibility of snow increases daily after Oct 1st and, of course, freezing weather. There is a vast number of options available from bicycling to the Georgetown Loop railroad, the Mineral Belt trail in Leadville, gold mine tours in Breckenridge, hot springs pool in Glenwood Springs, hanging lake hike in Glenwood canyon, etc., etc. etc. Some are free and some have fees and some are more accessible than others. Accommodations will be very cheap and even dining promotions will be common. Hard to write a guide book for you without some hints.

MmePerdu

My first thought was also the possibility of snow during that time. I recall a big wet snowstorm on September 21st when I lived outside Denver, remembered because it was my sister's birthday & I had a flight to catch. Cheers to the shuttle driver who got me to the airport! But if you'd be impacted by weather because of your particular situation, you might want to re-think.

MoBro

We need to know more, before being able to make recommendations.

How many people in your group? Ages? Interests? Budget? Number of nights?

You ask for ideas, but are you looking for lodging or just activities?

fmpden

MP, you are correct we can get snow in September. In the 40 years we lived here I can remember a number of early September snows but the probability is low but snow around Breckenridge at that time is much higher. Most of the ski areas will be trying to be open by mid to late October. And they need snow for that.

AuburnAngel

This is new to me so thanks for your patience. Our lodging for a week will be taken care of and we're hoping to catch it before much snow. This will be an end of life sort of trip, to give our family and close friends time to connect, relax, laugh and create memories. We could have up to 7 adults and 2 teens. Not everyone will necessarily participate in all activities. Some may be interested in gentle hikes, horseback riding, train rides, stage theatre, African American history in the area, live music, sightseeing of course. Where do the local nerds hang out? Comic book shop, gaming places, hobby shops? Some would love some nice relaxing activities where we can relieve the magnitude of stress upon us. It would be helpful to know of places that wouldn't require much walking as a couple of our guests have disabilities and limitations. Budget wise, free and cheap things will be most helpful. We had been told that September was a good time for the fall colors.
Hopefully, this is more of the details you're looking for. Please ask further questions if you have them.
Thanks for any help or suggestions.

Gretchen

This is what I found about possible African American historical sites. https://www.historycolorado.org/stor...story-colorado

I think the leaf change may be early to mid September and the yellows of the aspens are truly beautiful. But they have had a LOT of rain this year so if it is like here in the East, it may be later. But the Colorado folks can maybe confirm that.

MoBro

Ok, thanks, that clarifies your original post.
I thought you wanted lodging.
September weather can be fabulous, whether or not there are any aspens turning yet.
For stress relief, you'll be in a beautiful place with lots of fresh air, mountain breezes, and trees.

Sorry I don't know about the activities in Breckenridge to make any specific recommendations. It's a cute little town for just walking around.
You could drive to Vail for the day, if anyone is interested. It's relatively expensive to eat there, but people might want to see it, to say they were there.

fmpden

I am trying to be carefully with my response so that it doesn't sound discouraging. Do you know where your lodging is -- name, street, ?? and your exact week. Unfortunately this is kind of a dead time in the year. It is the transition from summer activities to the ski season that hopefully will start about third or fourth week of Oct. It is often referred to as the "Dead Season." Christy Sports will be converting their inventory from summer patio furniture, umbrellas, etc., to ski rentals and ski gear. Many restaurants will use this time to rehab for the coming winter season. Some will be closed and many on limited hours and service. Some will be on vacation schedule. It will be very quiet and very laid back. There are no comic book shops and not sure what you mean by gaming. If looking for casinos it is hour and half drive back towards Denver. There is no gambling in Summit County. The fall color at that elevation (roughly 9,000) will peak around Sept 1. And if any of your group has a compromised breathing problems, altitude sickness becomes a real possibility. Even healthy people sometimes have altitude sickness of various degrees.

But it will be very relaxing. No crowds anywhere with bargains at the restaurants especially for the early dinners. I just don't want you to get the expectation that you are going to an area with a high activity level. Things like stage theater or live music will simply not be available as it would be in the summer. I doubt if you will find any bar bands playing either. The rec center will be open with a great indoor pool. You need to get on the Breckenridge web site and check the calendar for September.

Gretchen

Not being a local but a frequent visitor I wondered if what fmpden has now said wouldn't be the case. With the description of music, game/hobby shops etc. I began to wonder if Summit County was the place to go. I had wondered if Boulder might not be what they might want with day trips to the mountains. But of course, October will be big student time and maybe "relaxing" with big crowds wouldn't be the word!!
But the OP does seem to know the area from an answer posted to another thread about Greeley.

MoBro

I agree with fmpden's description. But actually that's why we enjoy the off-season in the mountains. Being locals, we love the times when the mountains are all ours again!
There will be plenty of restaurants open. This doesn't sound like a party crowd, anyway. And the weather is usually glorious.

Melnq8

Sept 1, the peak for fall color?

I don't agree with that. We live at 8,500 feet in CO and have never seen the trees peak that early.

We also take CO fall color trips every year - IME peak color is more like the second or third week of September, although there are certainly no guarantees.

Colorado Shows Off

fmpden

Melnq, you are in the Colorado Springs areas and that area peaks later. In the Denver area we well peak around mid-Sep towards Oct but at 9,000 feet in the central mountains the peak is always closer to the 1st. There is variation but I would not count on strong color in the higher mountains much beyond the first week of September. And if we get any rain or windy in that time frame, it is over in a hurry.

MoBro is correct and that is when we prefer Breckenridge for the same reasons. And the same for Vail. Some of my best ski gear has been bought at very low prices in Vail in late September. You can actually get into the Dam Brewery without waiting and early bird special can be terrific. But when the OP started mentioning live music, theater, etc., I want to make sure that they knew what the dead season meant.

I think Boulder would be awful for them at that time. Height of the football season, Parents weekend, etc., while it is great if you are a student or an alum, it is anything but calm.

Melnq8

fmpden, let's just agree to disagree.

Granted, it's different every year.