A fall visit to Lodge by The Blue means a sea of orange and gold as the aspens change. In autumn, the peaks of Breckenridge become dotted with groves of brilliant changing aspens.
No matter the mode of transportation – car, ATV, horseback, foot or bicycle – fall leaf-seekers will uncover golden foliage around town and on the surrounding mountains.
So you’ve booked your dream trip to Lodge by The Blue! For those driving in from Denver (many of you probably are), there are several stops along the way that are worth pulling over for. Take your time and enjoy the wonders of Colorado!
Now that summer has come to an end and the kids are back to school, our thoughts turn to the next obvious thing: Thanksgiving, of course!
You’ve probably already made your November travel plans (and we hope they include Lodge by The Blue), so why not start planning your Thanksgiving dining adventures now?
It’s no wonder hot air balloons can often be seen gliding through Colorado skies: the landscape is tailor-made for a bird’s-eye view.
If you’re ready to take to the skies on your next visit to Lodge by The Blue, Colorado Hot Air Balloon Rides has you covered.
The Breckenridge Wine Classic is nearly upon us, and there’s no better way to experience local wines and food. If you’re at Lodge by The Blue September 15-18, get to the high country for some one-of-a-kind wine and sweet eats. (more…)
Fall is simply beautiful in Breckenridge, and there are so many festivals coming up it justifies a trip to Lodge by The Blue, don’t you think?
Fall in Breckenridge is (rightfully) recognized for tunnels of golden aspens and one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in the Rocky Mountains. Beyond the beer and brilliant golds, a grassroots arts scene thrives and local flavors emerge. Check out Breckenridge’s top fall festivals below. -GoBreck.com
Labor Day in Breckenridge: Sept. 2-5
Bid farewell to summer with the challenge of a mountain trail run or the fun of a fundraiser Rubber Duck Race. Sidewalk Sale Days lets gear junkies get great prices on summer favorites and the Great Divide Arts Festival features more than 100 artists. Family tip: Take part and purchase a duck – it gets kids excited to watch the race, and the event supports local charities.
Prost! to Breckenridge Oktoberfest: Sept. 9-11
Breck’s Oktoberfest brings a weekend of parties, German cuisine and plenty of Paulaner beer. It’s one of the largest Oktoberfests in the Rocky Mountain region and offers collectible steins imported from Germany. Family tip: Local families tend to hit the event Friday or Sunday afternoon, when crowds are fewer. On Saturday, more people at Oktoberfest means more runs on the alpine slide at the Breckenridge Fun Park.
Fall Fest: Oct. 15
Family Fun Fest at the Riverwalk Center is a day of pumpkin carving, music, face painting, and sweet treats such as caramel apples. It’s a great activity for families this fall, and it’s the perfect way to gear up for Halloween in a cozy indoor setting.
Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival: Oct. 21-23
Craft distillers each year gather in Breckenridge for the Craft Spirits Festival, which features a grand tasting, restaurant specials, a downtown pub crawl and historic saloon tours.
Born of Colorado’s – and the nation’s – rapidly-growing artisan spirits industry, the Breckenridge fest is the first of its kind in Colorado and last year added new bar glass art sessions and cooking demos. Family tip: Leave the kids with relatives and make this trip all about Mom and Dad.
Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Started in 2014 with the expansion of the Breckenridge Arts District, this celebration of Day of the Dead festivities showcases music, hands-on workshops, art installations and altars. Mariachis will roam the costumed crowds, Aztec dancers will perform, and skeleton faces will be painted throughout the streets of downtown Breckenridge. More details to be announced at BreckCreate.org.
Of course, be sure to stay tuned to Lodge by The Blue for details on some great upcoming events.
Have you experienced a fall festival in Breck? Which would you recommend?
When your daytime adventures are over, you’ve relaxed in the Lodge by The Blue hot tub, you’re showered, fed and refreshed, there’s only one thing left to do: hit the town for some Breckenridge nightlife.
Our friends at GoBreck.com took one for the team (well, probably more than one) and went to 11 bars in 11 nights to give us a great snapshot of the best places to party in Breck. Here are some of the most popular bars.
There’s a lot to fall in love with when you visit Breckenridge. Even though snow, skiing, hiking and other outdoor activity are the first things that comes to mind, your next visit to Lodge by The Blue could lead to surprising discoveries.
That’s what happened to Kat Burrington, a blogger at TravelwithKat.com, when she discovered the Glass Art Company.
In the wake of the tragic story about Taylor Terrell, the Georgia news anchor who died after being swept over a waterfall, it’s important to remember that waterfalls, like many natural wonders, are powerful forces of nature.
There are plenty of beautiful places to observe waterfalls near Lodge by The Blue, but also observe these safety tips when you go.
There’s nothing more beautiful than fresh powder that’s just fallen on the mountains and trails of Breckenridge. Or is there?
When you’re visiting Lodge by The Blue and it’s not ski season, there are some exquisite wildflowers to see. GoBreck has put together a handy guide for when and where to find them.
Wildflowers bloom in Breckenridge from late-April through early-October, which means if it isn’t ski season, it’s wildflower season. The first spring blossoms peer out from under a late dusting of snow, and the last compete to spread their seeds before winter’s snowy inundation. We High Country dwellers treasure our wildflowers for their beauty and because they mark time: colorful Pasqueflowers tell us that spring has arrived, and the bright magenta Fireweed lets us know when winter is on its way. -GoBreck.com
The earliest wildflowers will be found in sage meadows as soon as the snow melts. The scrubby plants serve as shade and protection for the tiny beauties to be discovered there. Some of the first flowers to bloom will be Pasqueflowers, Low Chiming Bells and the appropriately named Snowdrops. As spring makes way to summer, look to the sage/forest edge for the “wow” combination of red and purple together, the Scarlet Gilia and Silvery Lupine.
Wildflowers really take off in late June and climax by the third week in July, with a slow diminishing of blooms through the fall. If wildflowers are your thing, be sure to visit Breckenridge in mid- to late-July for the most glorious show.
Wet areas will host the charming Elephant Heads and Tall Chiming Bells. Forests will add yellow Arnica, Wild Roses, and the elusive Fairy Slipper Orchids to their mix. Meadows will see Sneezeweed, several kinds of Penstemon, and the famous Colorado State Flower, the Columbine.
The high alpine zone is the place to check for late summer flowers, such as the diminutive Forget-Me-Not, brilliant red Queen’s Crown, and several varieties of Gentian. As summer turns to fall, watch for the brilliant pink Fireweed. According to some Old Wives, when the Fireweed blooms to the top of its stalk, winter’s snows are 6 weeks away.
Ice Rink and Sawmill Museum Trails: Park at the Sawmill Museum on Boreas Pass Road and venture along the Blue River Trail for some of the best wildflowers in any season.
Carter Museum and Carter Park: The great 19th century naturalist, Edwin Carter, left a legacy of natural lands. In any season you’ll find a variety of Penstemons and other wildflowers with almost no effort. Or venture to Carter Park at the south end of High Street and take a short walk up the hill for a combination of views and wildflowers that you won’t soon forget.
Boreas Pass Road: It’s a dirt road, but easily passable by most vehicles. As you approach the alpine zone, you’ll find huge meadows of brilliant yellow Alpine Sunflower.
Burro Trail: Starting at Beaver Run Resort on Village Road, follow the Burro Trail along Lehman Creek for a gentle climb, a burbling creek, and plenty of water-loving wildflowers.
Combine hiking with flower hunting for a great daytime activity during your stay at Lodge by The Blue.
Have you spotted especially pretty flora in Breck? Give us your tips on where to go.
Read the source article at Breckenridge CO Blog. All photos by Leigh Girvin.