Daily Archives: December 8, 2011

Most of the ski towns of today were once the mining towns of yesteryear. Some have undergone so much renovation and modernization that they have removed all traces of their illustrious past. Breckenridge Colorado is the exception to the rule. Its planners are quite serious about preserving the town’s historic integrity. Don’t even think about tearing down a building the has survived since the 1800s. You can renovate, but you can’t annihilate. Even new buildings must conform to the the Victorian architectural style.

Stroll along Main Street, and almost every shop and restaurant has a story behind it. Then, walk uphill to French and Harris Streets and explore the elegant Victorian homes and mansions. The museums of Breckenridge recount fascinating stories of the town’s quirky history, and many of these anecdotes appeal to all ages.

You already know that Breckenridge is a world-class ski resort, which boasts the highest chairlift in North America, but these off-slope activities put the icing on the cake, because:

1. They give your non-skiing and riding friends, significant others and family members a reason to accompany you on your ski trip.
2. They provide you with activities to do during the fist day, while you acclimate to the town’s high elevation.
3. They provide an alternate activity when Breckenridge is experiencing one of those high-wind days. There’s a reason why they call it “Breckenwind!”

Exploring the Town of Breckenridge

The Welcome Center on South Main Street provides information about lodging, dining, activities and events, but the back of the first floor and the entire upper floor functions as a museum. The first floor has a “then and now” exhibit, which displays the buildings of the past, their history, and their current appearance and function. This exhibit provides a convenient means of mapping out the places you would like to visit. The upstairs portion of the museum has a kid-friendly section, where children can mine for gold, and check out the typical kids clothing and bedroom furniture of the past.