cathee

Two couples will be spending 4 nights in aspn in mid july. We want to spend the other 3 nights somewhere else on the way back to Denver. Which town would give us more to do. We like to walk, hike (not too strenous)bike, golf, concerts, good restaurants, water sports, shop. Also I've heard that Vail undergoes lots of construction in summer and don't know how that would impact us. Since we will be in Aspen, which town do you think would give us more of a different feel/experience so we wouldnt be going to two towns which pretty much the same things to do?

Grassshopper

I'd pick Breckenridge because you want a different experience. It's more of an old Western town than Vail. You will find plenty of what you're looking for at either place.

yale

I would choose Breckenridge as well.

sylvia3

You do realize that Aspen is only a couple of hours from Breckinridge, etc., at most in July?

cathee

Yes, we know its about a halfway point--we were thinking we would get bored staying in aspen the whole time--and staying in two places would cut down on the driving between places.

Grassshopper

I doubt you'll get bored after three nights. That's barely enough to make a dent in the restaurants. But I don't think it's a bad idea to try two places. When you drive from Aspen to Breck, I recommend you take the long way and go over Independent Pass and by Twin Lakes, through Leadville and out to I70. It's more than 2 hours but it's an amazing trip.

cathee

thanks for the advice---if you can think of anything not to be missed, please let me know

Grassshopper

Cathee, I just saw your other post about biking beaches. If you like to bike, you'll love both Aspen and Summit County. There are miles and miles of bike paths. One really fun ride is to get a ride up to the top of Vail Pass and ride back to either Frisco, Breck, Dillon or Keystone. There's a bike shop in Keystone that will take you up (for a price) and rent you bikes. They'll pick you up in Frisco. But you can also take the Summit Stage, a free bus with bike racks that has routes all over the county.

The good thing is the first half of the ride is downhill (but not scary) and you can ride back to your point of origin or take the bus when you get worn out. (Remember, you'll be at elevation!)

Gretchen

It is half way, but the drive is nothing. If you want something very different, go up to Estes Park and spend a couple of days there in the Park.

fmpden

As a local, Estes Park is generally one of the last places I recommend. However, that is personal opinion. The recommendation to use Independent Pass through Leadville is good. Leadville has a terrific, paved, 12 miles hiking/biking loop through the old mining district. An overlooked jewel !!!! Consider a day trip up to Glenwood Springs -- world's largest hot tub !!! A couple of city block square. The bike path along the Colorado River from Glenwood Sprngs east to Desorto is a great ride. Pack a picnic.

Breckenridge is authenic simply because it is real town as opposed to a fake European ski village (Vail). From Breck take Hooiser Pass to Fairplay and back to Denver on 285, Fairplay has an interesting outdoor museum. And if you don't want to that, Georgetown is an interesting stop on the way back and the narrow gauge railroad is worth the time.

Center core of Vail will be fine this summer. The Loinshead area (west side) is undergoing massive redevelopment and nothing is there but construction. Vail is kind of an Aspen on steroids with regard to shops and restaurants.

Good luck.

cathee

I like your descrition of Vail--i think,based on that, we will stay in Breckenridge. Thanks for your other recommendations of things to do.

fmpden

Cathee, It is Independence Pass -- not Independent -- somedays my spell checker doesn't work well. If you are into some serious biking, Frisco is the hub of the bike trails in Summit Cty (Breck area) In summer I actually prefer Frisco since it is slightly more convenient to everything including Lake Dillon.

mrt

The advise given by Author: fmpden ([email protected])is good advice. Estes park is horrible - don't consider it.
I have done exactly the trip you are planning. I would actually say stay in Vail. There is a moderately price Mariott that you could consider. Breckenridge is about a half hour drive from Vail. It would be fine for driving for dinner but I don't know if I want to saty there for three days. Brewckenridge does have an Alpine slide which is fun. I think Vail is more interesting and livlier with more upscale shops and restaurants.

We have rented bikes in Copper Mountain and rode to Frisco and then around (most of Lake Dillon. It is a great ride through the canyon.

historytraveler

Breckinridge is certainly superior to Estes Park. Vail is great but similar to Aspen. I wouldn't recommend driving to Vail from Breck just to eat. There are good enough restaurants in Breck and I believe it's more than a half hour drive.

Leadville and Glenwood Springs are also good choices for the reasons already given.

mrt

I disaagree about Leadville and Glenwood Springs. Leadvillw is tiny with little to offer (although I had a great fried chicken lunch at a quaint restaurant). Glenwood Springs is more blue collar than any of the places mentioned above. It is a place wher people live but not where prople go for vacation. It does have a pretty cool cave if you like to tour caves.

happytotravel

I disagree about Breckenridge over Vail, I don't find Breckenridge to be anywhere as pretty as Vail. Vail is beautiful in July, tons of flowers, great restaurants and plenty to do. Summer is wonderful. And as others have said, you shouldn't miss the caves in Glenwood and there are plenty of places to go river rafting near Glenwood.

historytraveler

I don't think anyone suggested that Breck was 'prettier' than Vail, just that it would be a different experience from Aspen and that's what the OP was requesting.

Re Glenwood Springs: It could well be considered blue collar compared to Aspen/Vail, but that doesn't mean it couldn't quailfy as a destination for a couple of days. There's hiking nearby as well as rafting, and the bike path to Desorto makes for a great ride or walk. The mineral baths and pool are also a popular spot.

mikesmom

My husband and I have been to Vail twice and love it. Breckenridge is very nice, but we like Vail better. If you are interested, there are concerts at the Ford Amphitheater in Vail which is very nice. You don't even have to take the car.

We stayed at the Sonnenalp and it is lovely. I can highly recommend.

happytotravel

I would recommend Glenwood Springs as a day trip only, accommadations are not very nice, but it has a lot to offer for day tripping.

cathee

thanks for all of your advice. I originally made reservations in Aspen and Vail--I was all ready to change the Vail to Breckenridge--but based on all of your comments--i think i'll leavae it the way it is--and definitely take a day trip to Breckenridge from Vail.