Where to Eat and Drink

Start your morning at Ginger and Baker, housed in a renovated historic grain mill. The sprawling property includes a café, restaurant, teaching kitchen and market. Don’t leave without a slice of pie.

For a sweet stop, visit Nuance Chocolate in Old Town. Tasting chocolates made with cacao from different regions is surprisingly similar to comparing wines.

Jessup Farm Artisan Village is another fun stop for coffee, food, drinks and locally owned shops. The businesses have changed since my original visit, so check the current directory before going.

 

What to Do

Walk the trails at Riverbend Ponds Natural Area, a 200-plus-acre landscape of ponds, wetlands and stretches of the Cache la Poudre River. It’s a wonderful place for birdwatching. I even spotted pelicans during my visit.

For a longer hike, head to Arthur’s Rock in Lory State Park. The landscape is similar to Horsetooth Mountain, but it often feels a little less hectic. Red Mountain Open Space offers another unusual hiking experience among rocks dating back more than a billion years. Check seasonal closures before making the drive north.

Breckenridge: Mountain Scenery and Mining History

Drive time from Denver: About 1 hour, 30 minutes without heavy traffic

Breckenridge combines Rocky Mountain scenery with a walkable historic downtown, excellent restaurants and trails that lead into its mining past.

Where to Stay in Breckenridge

One Ski Hill Place sits at the base of Peak 8. Its condo-style rooms are convenient for families and groups, while the location puts you steps from seasonal mountain activities.

The resort also offers transportation into town, so you don’t have to search for downtown parking.

Clint’s Bakery – Grab a coffee and bagel from Clint’s and head out the backdoor to sit on the rocks on the Blue River.  It’s breakfast with a view!

Sancho Taco & Tequila – Breck needed a great taco joint and this is the newest dining spot in town.  Enjoy a gourmet taco or two out on the porch while you sip a margarita.

Relish – This is my favorite dinner place in Breck.  The food and service are always wonderful and they have a great wine list.  Go for the trout – it’s outstanding.  Save a little room for a Baked Alaska for the table to split!

Where to Eat and Drink

Grab coffee and breakfast from Clint’s Bakery before wandering along the Blue River. Another fabulous options is Threefold Bakery.

Sancho Tacos and Tequilas remains a fun stop for street tacos and margaritas, particularly when the patio is open. Gold Pan Saloon is a surprisingly good spot for lunch. It’s historic and boasts the longest continuous liquor license west of the Mississippi.

Relish closed in 2022, but Rootstalk by chef Matt Vawter opened the same location. It’s a James Beard award winning restaurant. Other favorites are Briar Rose Chophouse, The Carlin, and Breckenridge Distillery.

What to Do

Stroll Main Street and browse Breckenridge’s boutiques, galleries and historic buildings. The town’s Victorian architecture is part of its charm, especially when paired with mountain views.

During summer, Peak 8 offers a rotating selection of family activities. Offerings and operating dates change, so check Breckenridge Resort’s current schedule before planning your day.

For a hike with history, head to the Jessie Mill and remains of Preston Ghost Town from Gold Run Road. The roughly three-mile route passes mining remnants and the weathered remains of a settlement that once had about 150 residents.

More challenging hiking options near Breckenridge include Mohawk Lakes and Quandary Peak. Quandary is a high-elevation fourteener requiring preparation, an early start and a parking or shuttle reservation during the regulated season.

Snow Mountain Ranch: Family Adventure Near Winter Park

Drive time from Denver: About 1 hour, 45 minutes

Snow Mountain Ranch near Granby is a wonderful choice for families, groups or anyone wanting to park the car and enjoy a full slate of mountain activities.

Where to Stay

Lodging options include lodge rooms, cabins, campsites and yurts. The cabins work well for larger families and groups, while lodge rooms provide simple, no-frills accommodations close to the activities.

I’ve stayed in both a cabin and lodge room. A yurt is still on my list for a summer or early-fall visit.

Where to Eat

On-site dining includes an all-you-can-eat buffet and quicker grab-and-go options. Meal plans are especially convenient for groups, but availability and requirements vary by lodging type.

What to Do

Snow Mountain Ranch offers a long list of seasonal activities, including archery, canoeing, horseback riding, disc golf, mountain biking and summer tubing. Some activities are included with lodging or a day pass, while others require reservations and an additional fee.

The summer tubing hill is pure fun. You slide down a hill covered in synthetic material rather than snow, and laughter is practically guaranteed.

You can also canoe at Gaylord Reservoir or hike one of the ranch’s trails.

Hiking at Snow Mountain Ranch

God’s Mailbox is reached along the Grand View Trail on Nine Mile Mountain. Hikers leave notes in a mailbox with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains.

The Waterfall Trail is another family-friendly option. The roughly 2.5-mile round-trip hike follows a creek through the forest to a small cascade. It’s especially pretty when runoff is flowing in late spring and early summer.

Choosing Your Colorado Road Trip

Pick Fort Collins for restaurants, breweries and Old Town charm. Choose Breckenridge for mountain scenery, historic streets and mining trails. Head to Snow Mountain Ranch when you want an activity-filled escape without leaving the property.

All three are close enough for a spontaneous weekend but offer enough to keep you coming back.

For easy overnight trips in Colorado, check out Glenwood Springs or Red Feather Lakes. Check out this post for longer road trips in Southwest Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.