School may be amping up but it’s never too early to plan your Fall/Winter vacation especially if Breckenridge, CO has been on your mind,  Many in Louisiana take advantage of the cheaper flight rates and head out to the Denver/Breckenridge area.  Its gorgeous winter views are like nothing we ever get here in Louisiana, the crunchy laid-back vibe is magnetizing, and the list of things to do is endless.  We’ve narrowed down the list to a few must-dos that you could check off in a long weekend.

1) DOWNTOWN

Downtown Breckenridge, a postcard-pretty National Historic District, is best seen on foot. Start your tour at the open plaza at the corner of South Main Street and East Washington Avenue, and walk along the Blue River, a winding riparian corridor where the valley’s mining industry once flourished. When your feet tire, join the modern-day ski bums in cardigans who are reading Kerouac and playing board games by the fireplaces at the Crown Cafe and Tavern.

2) TRUFFLE CHIPS

There are loads of New American restaurants with moody lighting and rustic-modern décor. At Relish you can go casual and snack on potato chips with truffles, or formal in the white-linen dining room. The menu changes with the seasons, but any of the locally sourced buffalo, lamb or trout is a safe bet.

3) THEATER

At the center of Breck’s upstart Arts District along Ridge Street is the Breckenridge Theatre, a 100-seat nonprofit theater. The theater produces about a half-dozen contemporary plays each year, as well as the occasional “Othello” and other classics. Come early to peruse the lobby, which has rotating exhibitions by local artists.

4) BREAKFAST JOINT

Early in the morning you’ll see local skiers heading uphill. What’s the rush? As the alpenglow illuminates the Continental Divide, grab a leisurely breakfast at Daylight Donuts, a traditional diner you can fuel up on the Daylight Special — two eggs and bacon or sausage on a plate-sized pancake.

9) NIGHT LIFE

Start ar Sherpa & Yeti’s, a basement club that’s known as much for the bands who have played there such as North Mississippi Allstars and DJ Logic. Afterward, with ears still ringing, swing through the doors of the Gold Pan Saloon and Restaurant, it’s open till 2 a.m.

10) FUEL UP

Stop by Helen’s Coffee Cart for a cup of strong java and a canister of flavored oxygen starting at $8.  We heard the Pink Grapefruit flavor is delish.

11) GET GOING!

Breckenridge may be known for its ample snow and giant half pipes, but it also has more than 30 miles of cross-country trails, plus an additional 25 trails in the surrounding White River National Forest. The Beaver Meadows trail offers a 2.2-mile intermediate loop around Cucumber Gulch, a wetland where the resort built “toad condos” for the endangered boreal toads. Just watch out for the ill-tempered moose said to linger near the base of Peak 7. Equipment and trail maps are available at the Breckenridge Nordic Center. Or, if you’re feeling lazy, let a pack of Siberian huskies do the work. Good Times Adventures hour long dogsled tours along the Swan River for $65.

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