Our visit to Breckenridge was brief, but even in the short time we spent there, this charming mountain town left a lasting impression. With only a few hours to explore, we made the most of it by indulging in some delicious eats and soaking in as much of the stunning scenery as we could. Breckenridge gave us just a taste of what it has to offer, and it’s clear that this town has so much more to explore. From cozy cafes to breathtaking mountain views, we’re already planning our return trip to dive deeper into everything Breck has in store.
My husband, Jay, and I made a quick trip to Breckenridge after a friend told me about the Breckenridge Troll. Until then, all I knew about Breckenridge was that it had a great brewery, so we were excited to check out something different and a bit more ‘obscure.’ I had seen photos of other trolls installed around the country, so the chance to see one in person was a no-brainer!
We ventured to Breckenridge after spending the day exploring the Georgetown Railroad Loop (more on that in a future post), so unfortunately, our time in Breck was limited. I had two things I wanted to do while we were there: see the Troll and visit the Brewery. Parking was a bit of a challenge, with few free options available, so we opted to pay to park behind the Starbucks on Main St., thinking it wouldn’t be too bad of a walk to the Troll and back to town. In hindsight, I wish we had planned better. It turns out the Troll actually has its own parking lot (if only we had known!). There’s also a little trolley that runs around the area, but we missed it.
Making Waves: The Breckenridge Troll, named “Isak Heartstone,” was created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo using reclaimed wood. Originally installed in 2018 for the Breckenridge International Festival of Arts, this giant wooden troll quickly became a popular attraction. After a brief removal due to visitor impact, Isak was reinstalled in 2019 in a new location, where he continues to captivate visitors with his whimsical charm.
After a 20-30 minute trek, we finally made it to Isak Heartstone! The entrance is located in the parking lot of the indoor skating complex (where we should’ve parked!). Cute little signs led us straight to the Troll, and it was an amazing sight to see. The size of him was impressive, and it felt like such a cool connection to nature. We were fortunate enough to have another passerby take a quick photo of us, and the unexpected snow added an extra touch of whimsy.
On our way back into town, we stopped at Breckenridge Brewery—I was so excited to finally visit! Their beer has been a favorite of mine for a while, so getting to go to the source was a real treat. Inside, it was fascinating to see the stills and brewing equipment up close. Jay and I both ordered beer flights to sample as much as we could without getting too full (or buzzed—still had a long drive ahead!). We also snacked on some cheese curds. (I must note, nothing was gluten-free—shame on me—but when in Rome, there are always my pills, lol). As for the beer, we sampled the following: Avalanche Amber Ale, Seat Dropper, Vanilla Porter, Palisade Peach Wheat, Lime in da Coconut, Mexican Cerveza, and their Witbier. Please note that their taps are seasonal and always rotating, so these may not always be available. Everything was delicious, and I can’t wait to return to try more from their menu. Of course, we didn’t leave without picking up a few goodies from their merch area.
View the Breckenridge Brewery Menu here
Afterward, we made our way to Rita’s Agave Y Tacos! You’re probably thinking, ‘tacos and margaritas in Colorado?’ But one thing about me: tacos are my weakness. We passed this cute little spot on the way to the Troll and knew we had to check it out.
Upon walking down the stairs, we were greeted by a quaint little place with bar and table seating. The bartender/server handed us a Taco Order Sheet (I love this idea!). It laid out all the taco options step by step, making it a breeze to order. Although they offer more than tacos, we didn’t venture that far into the menu. We did, however, explore the drink menu, which is quite extensive—their tequila and mezcal selections are very impressive. We opted for the house margarita, dubbed Señor Rita, and the freshly squeezed orange juice put it over the top!
View Ritas menu here
We definitely could have spent more time in Breck and cannot wait to go back—with more time to spare! Maybe even an overnight stay!
The Breckenridge Brewery & Rita’s are both fairly moderate and I would price them at 2.5/5.
Breckenridge and everything it has to offer definitely deserves 5/5 waves.
The address to Isak Heartstone is off of the Illinois Gulch Trailhead. Put this address into your GPS: 189 Boreas Pass Rd, Breckenridge, CO 80424
Breckenridge Brewery: 600 S Main St, Breckenridge, CO 80424
Rita’s Agave Y Tacos: 301 South Main Street, Breckenridge, CO 80424