Breckenridge in the Summer
What a week! We’ve been to Breckenridge many a times in the winter, but this was our first summer trip. There was so much to do and the weather was amazing. Not to mention, we never wanted to leave our Airbnb. Here are some of the highlights from our family trip!
Bison Ridge Lodge
Bison Ridge Lodge
We spent hours, days looking for the perfect Airbnb ahead of our trip. We had a family of 9 which included two one-year olds. It was important to us to find a spot that we felt comfortable, as we anticipated spending a lot of time at the house. Location was also super important as we wanted to be walking distance to Main Street. Last but not least, we needed dog-friendly accommodations.
What we got with Bison Ridge Lodge were all our must-haves and SO much more. First off…AMENITIES! This home was stocked. They had all the baby gear we could possibly need including (but not limited to): a mini crib, multiple pack and plays, a changing table, a hiking backpack, stroller, highchair, baby-proofing items like outlet covers and corner protectors, children’s cups and plates, noise machines, and an entire kid’s playroom with toys. Traveling with kids isn’t always the easiest, but let me tell you — this was the easiest. We really didn’t need to bring a thing. You can see all the rest of the amenities here!
The kitchen was fully stocked with all appliances (including a Vitamix!) and a ton of spices. We cooked at home a few times and they had everything we could possibly need. They provided towels, sandals, and robes specifically for the hot tub. The garage was stocked with outdoor games like cornhole and giant Jenga. We also saw a boot and glove dryer/warmer in the garage which would be clutch for winter trips. Upstairs, they had an entire adult game room with a bumper pool table, Pacman machine, board games, and an Xbox. Off of the adult game room was the kids’ playroom. The girls absolutely loved this area and we enjoyed having a place for them to safely play. There was also an Ipad connected to speakers around the home so you could play music. The homeowners went above and beyond to create a place you feel at home, and it shows!
Between soaking in the hot tub and enjoying a cocktail on the patio with a mountain view, we could have simply stayed at the house all week and still had an amazing trip. We honestly cannot wait to go back! You can check out their availability and book here.
Dining
Since we were less than a mile to Breckenridge’s historic Main Street, we took advantage and walked to all of our meals! For dinner, we dined at Mi Casa and Breckenridge Brewery, which were both able to accommodate a large group easily and perfect for kiddos. If you’re looking for a nicer dinner, The Carlin was a delicious seafood spot. Our favorite breakfast stops included Semplice Cafe and Daylight Donuts. Another hidden gem that came highly recommended was Mimi and Pin Churros and Waffles. Holy amazing — don’t miss these when you’re in town! Our favorite brewery was Broken Compass Brewing (we went to the Main Street taproom) with A+ service and beers. For takeout, we opted for Soupz On with a rotating menu of soups and salads. We had a lot of rain during our visit so we weren’t able to enjoy as many patios as we’d planned. Next trip, we will be sure to hit up Kenosha Steakhouse for happy hour on their huge patio!
Activities
So many activities! We were a bit limited with two one-year-olds, but we still had plenty to do. Our favorite was the hike to Sawmill Reservoir. It was an easy out-and-back hike with a beautiful reservoir at the end. You can walk around the lake, fish, kayak, or enjoy a picnic lunch. We spent a day shopping on Main Street. They have so many great little shops. We rode the free Gondola to the base of Peak 8, which the girls loved (also dog friendly!). And no trip to Breckenridge is complete without a walk to the troll. This one was super easy — a 5 minute shaded stroll through the woods. We loved the Railroad Park near the troll hike, too! Another cool spot for families is the Blue River Plaza. There were lots of kiddos playing in the river and families picnicking on lawn. Perhaps one of the coolest things about Breckenridge is their free bus system. We were either able to walk to every activity or take the free bus (there was a bus stop ~5 minute walk from our house). And as is everything in Breckenridge, the bus is dog friendly!
I can’t think of a better spot to have had our first family trip. You know it’s a great vacation when you’re planning a trip back WHILE you’re still there! We can’t thank the hosts Kelly and Dan from Bison Ridge Lodge enough for creating the perfect home away from home. We will be back!