Breckenridge

Breckenridge is another of Colorado's better-known ski resorts. The town of Breckenridge is a great place to spend a full day, just wandering around the town visiting the shops, sampling food from the many restaurants, enjoying the scenery, etc.

From Keystone, get back onto US Highway 6 going west (as if you were returning to Interstate 70 back to Denver). Within a mile or so you will turn left onto Swan Mountain Road, which should be marked with signs pointing to Breckenridge (and perhaps to Frisco as well). This road passes on the east side of Lake Dillon (more properly, Dillon Reservoir, since it is a man-made lake), and takes you directly into Breckenridge.

Once in Breckenridge, you will find one of the best-preserved early mining towns in Colorado, with most of the original Victorian buildings now housing shops and restaurants. There is free public parking just off the main street; you should park your car there and get out and walk through the town. Most of the shops are small specialty stores, and the restaurants range from the commonplace hamburger joints to more exotic fare such as a Thai restaurant.

You can also get to Breckenridge on the Summit County Stage, a free bus service provided by sales tax receipts in Summit County. And for the well-conditioned, there is a paved bicycle path from Keystone to Breckenridge that follows the route outlined above.