Breckenridge and Frisco in the Colorado Mountains are some of the most beautiful places in the country for fall leaves - with fields of their famous golden yellow aspen trees peaking in mid to late September. Details on how to have a perfect long fall weekend with the best hikes, viewpoints, breweries, hidden gem restaurants, activities and where to stay! 

Day 1: Breckenridge

While Breckenridge and Frisco are only about a 15 minute drive away from each other, spending one day exploring the hikes, views and Main Street of Breckenridge; and the second day exploring the viewpoints and lake in Frisco cuts down on any extra driving time and makes the most sense. There is so much to see and do so close together in these small towns!

Start your trip with an adventurous day in Breckenridge - with plenty of stops for great food and views.

Morning: Hike Bakers Tank Trail and Boreas Pass Loop

The Bakers Tank Trail and Boreas Pass 3 mile loop trail starts with a lush, evergreen forest, which then opens up to more and more aspen trees - and at peak leaves in mid-September all them glow with neon yellow leaves. The trail is not steep or difficult, and very doable for almost all hikers. Start this one early - The parking lot fills up by mid-morning. We arrived around 8AM with plenty of parking available, and by the time we were done a couple of hours later, people were waiting for spots. 

Lunch: Breckenridge Main St

Main St in Breckenridge is the perfect vibrant, walkable mountain small town with tons of restaurants, shops, and cute places to explore. Stroll up and down the street, stopping for lunch and coffee.

A few places to check out:

• Mimi & Pen Churros - The perfect, coziest spot for coffee and a treat, the stuffed churros are highly, highly worth it.
• Blue River Bistro - For a more upscale lunch, Blue River is one of the most popular places in Breckenridge. There is live Jazz music, seasonal menus, an extensive wine list, and a great happy hour.
• Breckenridge Brewery  - Breckenridge Brewery is known for a variety of craft beers and hearty pub food (there is constant mention of the fish and chips and the beer cheese as menu highlights) in a woodsy, mountain lodge space. 
• Oaxacan Bites - Main Street also has a number of very popular outdoor food stalls and trucks up and down the street - which make the perfect lunch stop when you're short on time, looking for a casual vibe, or want to stay outside and enjoy the peak midday sun on a nice fall day. The tacos here look like they are straight out of LA.

Afternoon: Mountain Bike or Hike Aspen Alley

If you are feeling more adventurous,  rent a mountain bike in town and weave your way down the switchbacks and tree canopy of The Aspen Alley trail  - which is simply stunning itself. I have spent a lot of time biking in cities , but this was my first time on an actual mountain bike trail - and this one isn't particularly easy for a beginner due to the narrow trail. But overall it isn't too steep and I made it down without an issue, but if you're not up for it - this is a beautiful hike all on its own!

Sunset: Sapphire Point Overlook

Sapphire Point in Breckenridge is one of the most popular sunset spots in the area for a reason - a picturesque overlook offering stunning panoramic views of Dillon Reservoir and the Tenmile Range. Unlike most amazing viewpoints, Sapphire Point isn't a hike - the views here are just a short, flat 5 minute walk from the parking lot, making it a great place for photos, those unable to hike, and to make a quick stop on a time crunch.

Dinner: Breckenridge Distillery

Breckenridge Distillery has an amazing claim to fame - it is the highest distillery in the world, located at 9,600 feet! Known for its award-winning bourbon, the distillery also has an incredible high-end dinner menu including their famous steaks. While here you can tour the distillery, take tastings of their different spirits, and enjoy their cozy indoor and outdoor restaurant seating and bars. Above are the wasabi brussel sprouts and short ribs - both of which were very flavorful and original dishes.

Day 2: Frisco

While Frisco doesn't have the name recognition that Breckenridge does, the underrated town has so much to offer - namely the incredible, picturesque Dillon Reservoir Lake. 

Morning: Hike Old Dillon Reservoir Trail

Start off the morning taking a hike with a VIEW. The Old Dillon Reservoir Trail is a fairly easy 2 mile out-and-back trail with a slow steady incline to the viewpoint and small lake at the top. The aspens cluster up and down this trail with their bright yellow leaves, and the view from the top is pretty unbeatable.

Coffee Stop: House of Vibes

For a morning warmth and pick-me-up, stop by House of Vibes Coffee and Curio in Silverthorne - only a 5 minute drive away. The coffee here was the best we had on this trip - I had their signature spicy chai latte with espresso and it was pure warmth and spiced autumn in a cup. Not to mention - every little part of this cafe - including a vending machine of tarot cards - is so unique and full of vibes.

Lunch: Island Grill at Frisco Marina

Island Grill Restaurant right along the water at the Frisco Bay Marina is a perfect spot to soak in the sun on a nice, crisp fall day with casual lakeside dining with a menu featuring burgers, tacos, salads, and cocktails. This is an incredibly popular spot in the summer, but on nice days, continues to be a the perfect daytime stop all through the fall as well. 

Afternoon: Canoe or Hire a Sailboat on Dillion Reservoir

Enjoy an afternoon on the lake either by renting a canoe and paddling yourself, or hiring a sailboat for the afternoon - or do both! The lake is a perfect place to see the mountain and colorful tree views from a different perspective - and unlike so many sailing trips I've done, is perfectly calm and smooth - floating on the glasslike water is so easily enjoyable and stress-free.

Check out more information on canoe and kayak rentals here.

Dinner: Outer Range Brewery

Come for the beer, but stay for the "Thai-ish style" fried chicken. Outer Range Brewing is a popular craft brewery, known for its focus on Belgian-style ales and hoppy IPAs, with a rotating beer selection and experimental brews. While there is an outside patio and dining tables on the main floor, head up the stairs for cozy couches and an outdoor balcony with an unbeatable mountain view - this is a perfect place to drink your way through sunset. 

One thing not to miss is the Bird Craft Food Stand, in the back of the brewery, which serves their famous fried chicken (available in everything from small 2 piece plates up to entire whole chickens, and a wide range of spicy sauces - along with a full menu of papaya salads, poke bowls and more. This was one of our major culinary highlights from this trip!

Day 3: Cozy, Easy Morning

For your final day, take a break from the early morning hikes with a long, cozy brunch before departure.

Brunch: Butterhorn Bakery or Bread Salt on Main St, Frisco

Stroll down Frisco's Main Street (which is equally as cute as the same-named street in Breckenridge) and grab a brunch table at the best brunch spots in town. For a classic cozy American diner with huge breakfast specials and an endless selection of baked goods, go to Butterhorn Bakery and Cafe. If you would rather have a more modern, inventive menu with offerings like truffle eggs and duck confit mixed in with classic breakfast and lunch items, then go just one block down to Bread + Salt. You can't go wrong with either spot!

Photo Stop: Dillon Dam Road

Haven't seen enough of the famous aspen leaves? Drive down Dillon Dam Road (just a minute away from the Dillon Reservoir Trail) for one of the most beautiful spots in the area. This road is a bike path looping around the lake, if you would rather grab a bike and get some exercise with a view!

Where to Stay: AC Hotel Frisco

Stay at  The AC Hotel in Frisco, Colorado for a great, central spot to explore all of Frisco and Breckenridge. The AC Hotel’s design strikes a balance between contemporary style and cozy comfort with mountain charm. With a lobby lounge featuring a great breakfast buffet as well as a bar and dinner restaurant, an indoor swimming pool, outdoor firepits and lawn games, a hot tub to soak in after long days of hiking, and very well appointed rooms, this budget-friendly hotel is perfect for a mountain weekend. 

When you first arrive to the hotel, I can't recommend enough hitting the Oxygen bar at the lobby bar to adjust to the altitude instantly. I had never tried this before and the difference in how we felt was immediate - you breathe in concentrated oxygen with soothing scents like lavender and peppermint to help make up for the lack of Oxygen at Frisco's 10,000 altitude and I could not believe how well this worked. One 20 minute session here, and we didn't feel the altitude at all for the rest of our trip. Game changer!

Check out the best prices for the AC Hotel here.

Happy leaf-peeping!

This blog post was made possible in partnership with Marriott Bonvoy, but as always, all opinions are my own.