A Teen’s Adventure in Breckenridge

Breckenridge is a great town for a family vacation. Endless recreational activities, shopping, and dining make it easy for just about anyone to have a good time. (A world-class ski resort and the magnificent beauty of the Ten Mile Range don't make for bad additions either.) Still, bringing the whole family along on vacation can sometimes be challenging, especially if your family includes teenagers who would rather avoid family activities all together. Rest assured; Breckenridge offers plenty of activities that can even entertain the most difficult customers.

Breckenridge Skateboard Park: If you can't get much excitement out of your kids, try enticing them with a skateboard park that's 8,000 feet above sea level. With 12,000 square feet of section bowls, pipes, rails, and a street course, the youth of Breckenridge flock to this free skate park. Open from dawn to dusk, rollerbladers and bikers are also welcome. And, if your kids leave their boards at home, they can easily be covered with a rental from the park's shop.

Breckenridge Terrain Park: The Breckenridge Terrain Park is perhaps the most extreme place skiers and boarders can hang out at the Breckenridge Ski Resort. If your kids are getting into snowboarding, this is one section of the mountain that will encourage them to spend endless hours honing their skills. Combined together, peaks 8 and 9 house five terrain parks with pipes suitable for all experience levels.

Breckenridge Recreation Center: While the word playground might lead your teens' noses to turn straight up in the air, they might feel differently once they visit the Breckenridge Recreation Center. Whether they are in to climbing, swimming, basketball, racquetball, soccer, tennis, or a slew of other sports, they can quickly find something to entice them at the Rec. Center.

Main Street: While you might not want to empty your pocket books on day one of vacation, Main Street is a great place for kids of all ages to explore. If the boutiques and arcades don't please them, the homemade candy and ice cream shops are sure to do the trick. And, because Breckenridge provides a free town shuttle, you don't have to worry about toting them around (or, perhaps worse, letting them borrow the car). Most Breckenridge accommodations are in close proximity to either Main Street or shuttle stops, offering both yourself and your kids more independence.

The Backyard: One of the reasons families enjoy vacations at Breckenridge is because of the lodging options. Renting a Breckenridge condo or vacation home not only gives your family more room, but also allows more freedoms than a hotel. You'll likely enjoy a large living area where the whole family can relax by the fire, challenge one another to card or board games, or watch a movie. Plus, a fully-equipped kitchen means you can save money by not eating every meal out. Many Breckenridge accommodations also have hot tubs or extra amenities that are sure to get the kids excited. Regardless of your location, however, Breckenridge's backyard opens endless opportunities for your whole family to explore. From biking in the summer to snowshoeing in the winter, the Breckenridge trails are well maintained to offer easy access through the mountains.

Of course, if your kids are still craving more, there's a stash of activity and entertainment that you can use on reserve. Horseback riding, ATV or snowmobile riding, fly fishing, whitewater rafting, mining, and many more are all within your family's reach in Breckenridge. In the end, if your kids are happy, you'll be happy as well. Breckenridge is certain to bring all smiles!