What kind of summer adventurer are you? Easy breezy: Planning a casual, comfortable Breckenridge vacation

Easy breezy: Planning a casual, comfortable Breckenridge vacation
What kind of summer adventurer are you? Part 4 of 5

You’re the go-with-the-flow type. Unwinding and unplugging is the name of the summer vacation game and quality time together is paramount.

Your family has perfected chilling out together. Here’s how to take it to the mountains and handcraft that ideal, no-stress Breckenridge mountain retreat.

Explore at your own pace
First, set up a cushy home base. (Be the hero and book one with a hot tub and/or pools to unwind in at the end of the day.) Use the Breck Lodging Finder to score that idyllic family-friendly, multi-family, or friends’ getaway hotel, condo or house. Be sure to check out the latest discounts and vacation deals.

Soaking up the high country sun next to the river is bliss. Grab-n-go breakfast or lunch from Euro-Deli is perfect for a riverside picnic downtown. Traveling with a big-ish group? Scout interests and nail down some must-dos at the Visitors Center on Main Street, where you’ll find tons of inspirational brochures and knowledgeable staff who can share their favorite hiking and fishing spots.

Wander over to the Breckenridge Distillery tasting room and sample their award-winning small-batch bourbon. Mosey up and down historic Main Street, stopping for the requisite souvenir gear, homemade fudge and ice cream whenever the mood strikes.

Authentic alpine activities
Take the free gondola from town to the base of Peak 8 and discover all that the Breck Summer Fun Park has to offer: Gold Runner Coaster, Alpine Slide, mini-golf, a climbing wall, bungee trampoline, bounce house, gem stone panning, scenic chairlift rides and more. Money-saving tip: Discounted All-Day Fun Park tickets for ages 3 to 6 are available online.

Get to know the lay of the land on a guided group hike. The French Gulch Gold Mine & Dredge Hike is a good trek for most ability levels and ages. (Don’t forget sunscreen and drink lots of water!)

Give your family that quintessential Colorado experience and bond over a whitewater rafting day trip or guided horseback riding adventure.

Patios, food and views
Everything tastes better on a sunny patio surrounded by mountains and a bluebird sky. Head to the base of Peak 7 or Peak 8 to enjoy brews or cocktails and snacks on Sevens or T-Bar patios.

Snag an al fresco table at Kenosha Steakhouse for tasty barbecue and burgers, Quandary Grille for 2-for-1 apps happy hour, or Breckenridge Brewery for guilty pleasure beer cheese fries and microbrews. Go lakeside in nearby Frisco and kick back on the deck at the Island Grill. Snap postcard shots of the Continental Divide, catch free live music on Fridays and book a sunset tour with Kayak Lake Dillon.

Happy relaxing!

– Lisa Pogue