The top things to do in Breckenridge, Frisco, and Keystone involve exploring the high alpine terrain and local culture of Summit County. You can ride the BreckConnect Gondola up to Peak 8, rent a pontoon boat at the Frisco Bay Marina on Dillon Reservoir, or experience night skiing at Keystone Resort. Visitors also enjoy strolling down historic Main Street and relaxing around River Run Village.
Summit County rewards the traveler at every turn. When you unpack your bags in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, you immediately feel the energy of a region built entirely around alpine exploration.
We spend our winters skiing these slopes and our summers hiking the trails, so we want to use our local expertise to help you get the most out of your stay. Every community offers a distinct personality, and discovering those differences is the best part of the journey.
Let us guide you through the specific attractions and hidden gems that will help you create a highly memorable trip.
A Little About Us Before We Jump In
Summit County Mountain Retreats is a locally rooted vacation rental management company with over 15 years of experience in Summit County. Backed by a team of 150+ professionals, we combine real-time data, dynamic pricing, and targeted marketing with hands-on local expertise to maximize revenue, maintain high occupancy, and deliver a seamless ownership experience.
Visit our blog to read extensive guides on topics such as Summit County hidden gems and landmarks, hiking and biking trails in Summit County, and many more.
Contents
1. Your Guide to Exploring Breckenridge
2. How You Can Experience the Best of Frisco
3. Uncover Your Favorite Activities in Keystone
4. Book Your Summit County Basecamp
Your Guide to Exploring Breckenridge
Breckenridge sits high in the Rocky Mountains and holds onto a rich gold rush history that dates back to the late nineteenth century. You will notice the colorful Victorian architecture lining the downtown streets almost immediately upon arrival.
This bustling hub seamlessly combines historical charm with modern outdoor recreation, so we find it best to get a feel for the local layout downtown before you head up into the higher elevations.
Ride the BreckConnect Gondola
One of the most scenic and easily accessible activities in town is taking a free ride on the BreckConnect Gondola. You can board the cabins near the center of town and glide quietly over the Cucumber Gulch Wildlife Preserve. Keep an eye out for moose and blue herons below as you ascend toward the base of Peak 8.
During the winter, this lift drops you right at the heart of Breckenridge Ski Resort for immediate access to the slopes. When the snow melts, the Peak 8 base area turns into Epic Discovery, a summer adventure park that features climbing walls, an alpine slide, and mini golf to keep the whole family entertained for hours.
Walk Down Historic Main Street
After coming down from the mountain, spend the afternoon walking along historic Main Street to breathe in the crisp alpine air and soak in the local culture. As you stroll past the colorful wooden storefronts, you will discover a distinct collection of locally owned shops, art galleries, and restaurants tucked inside beautifully restored mining-era buildings.
We love stopping by the Breckenridge Distillery tasting room to sample local spirits created with Rocky Mountain water. If you want a quick treat, you can grab a warm snack at the famous Crêpes à la Cart.
We also like the pedestrian-friendly layout of Main Street, which encourages us to take our time and browse the unique boutiques at our own pace.
Meet Isak Heartstone or Hike McCullough Gulch
Breckenridge offers hundreds of miles of trails, and you can find a route for any skill level. Families looking for a short and highly rewarding walk should head out to find Isak Heartstone. This popular wooden troll sculpture hides just a few minutes into the forest and is a highly photographed local landmark.
If you want a more challenging excursion, we suggest hiking McCullough Gulch. This trail rewards hikers with stunning waterfalls and pristine alpine lakes tucked deep in the mountains. You should secure a parking reservation early if you plan to visit this popular trailhead during the busy summer months.
How You Can Experience the Best of Frisco
Frisco sits right in the middle of Summit County and acts as a central hub for all your mountain adventures. You will find this charming town resting directly on the shores of Dillon Reservoir and surrounded by expansive public lands.
We often base our trips here because the location allows for easy travel to the neighboring resorts and communities, and the town maintains a relaxed atmosphere that pairs well with the abundant outdoor access located just steps away from the downtown core.
Get on the Water at the Frisco Bay Marina
The area really comes alive during the warmer months when the Frisco Bay Marina opens for the season, allowing you to access the thousands of acres of water that Dillon Reservoir provides for boating and paddling. It is incredibly easy to rent a pontoon boat for the afternoon so you can cruise around the scenic islands scattered throughout the lake.
If you prefer a more active experience, grab a kayak or a stand-up paddleboard to explore the quieter coves along the shoreline. The marina also features a sandy beach area where you can relax in the sun and watch the sailboats glide across the water.
Play All Day at the Frisco Adventure Park
Just down the road, the Frisco Adventure Park offers activities for every season within the Peninsula Recreation Area. When the snow falls, this facility becomes a premier destination for snow tubing where you can ride the surface lift to the top of the hill and race your family down multiple groomed lanes.
The park also features a small beginner ski and ride hill to help new learners practice their turns in a low-pressure environment. During the summer, the snowy hills turn into a network of mountain biking trails. You will also find an extensive disc golf course woven through the pine trees.
Step Back in Time at the Frisco Historic Park and Museum
You can take a break from outdoor recreation and learn about the local heritage at the Frisco Historic Park and Museum. This free attraction sits right on Main Street and features a collection of original log cabins preserved from the early days of the town.
You will enjoy walking through the old schoolhouse and the original jail to see actual artifacts from the local mining era. After exploring the museum grounds, you can easily continue your afternoon by walking to the nearby coffee shops and breweries to grab a warm drink or a craft beer.
Uncover Your Favorite Activities in Keystone
Keystone presents a laid-back, family-focused atmosphere spread across three distinct mountain peaks.
We like how this community prioritizes convenience and accessibility for visitors of all ages. We also like the straightforward layout of the base areas because this thoughtful design allows you to spend less time navigating confusing maps and more time enjoying the outdoors.
The resort operates with a specific focus on creating engaging experiences for younger travelers and those looking for a relaxed alpine getaway. And with the Summit Stage free public transit system, you can get here without needing a rental vehicle.
Hit the Slopes at Keystone Resort
If you love the winter, you can head over to Keystone Resort to explore thousands of acres of skiable terrain spread across Dercum Mountain, North Peak, and the Outback. We also recommend taking the River Run Gondola to the top of Dercum Mountain to experience the sprawling Kidtopia snow fort. This giant icy castle features interactive tunnels and slides that keep children entertained for hours.
And if you want to maximize your time on the snow, you can take advantage of the rare opportunity to go night skiing. Keystone illuminates multiple trails after sunset, and this unique feature gives you the chance to ski under the stars long after the other Summit County resorts have closed.
Freestyle skiers and snowboarders should also check out the A51 terrain park to practice on some of the best jumps and rails in Colorado.
Relax Around Keystone Lake at Lakeside Village
Lakeside Village offers a serene alternative to the bustling ski slopes. During the winter, the five-acre Keystone Lake freezes over to become the largest Zamboni-maintained outdoor ice rink in North America.
At the lake, you can rent skates on-site and glide across the smooth surface while listening to festive music. Specific areas of the lake are sectioned for pickup hockey games too, so visitors can jump into pickup games without interfering with casual skaters.
When the ice melts in the summer, this area turns into a hub for warm-weather recreation where visitors rent paddleboats to cruise around the water and hop on bicycles to ride along the paved recreation path that skirts the shoreline.
Here are a few ways to maximize your time at the lake:
- Rent ice skates and hockey gear directly at the adventure center.
- Take a scenic walk along the paved paths surrounding the water.
- Enjoy a relaxing paddleboat ride during the summer months.
- Feed the fish from the wooden boardwalks on a sunny afternoon.
Dine and Shop at River Run Village
River Run Village is the primary pedestrian base area for the mountain. There, you will find a concentrated mix of restaurants, gear shops, and cozy cafes lining the walkways. If you're bringing the whole family, we suggest grabbing a warm cup of coffee and finding a spot near the communal fire pits to roast marshmallows with your family.
The village layout allows you to walk directly from your morning breakfast spot to the gondola line in just a few minutes, and the area remains just as inviting after the lifts close. You can spend your evenings browsing the boutique stores for souvenirs or enjoying a hearty meal at one of the local pubs, as the cobblestone streets and cheerful atmosphere encourage you to linger well into the night.
Book Your Summit County Basecamp
Breckenridge, Frisco, and Keystone each bring something distinct to a Summit County trip — and the best visits find a way to experience all three. The gondola ride, the reservoir, the night skiing, the cobblestone streets of River Run Village at dusk — these are the details that make people come back year after year.
When you're ready to book, Summit County Mountain Retreats offers a wide selection of premium properties across all three communities. Browse our listings and find the right home base for your alpine getaway.
