Ready for a quick vacation to one of the best mountain towns in Colorado? While it’s easy to experience everything this Colorado gem has to offer over a week-long stay, what if you’re just looking for a weekend getaway? Or maybe this is just a pit-stop on your road trip? Let this be your guide to cramming the best of Frisco into just 24 hours!
Frisco?
Yes Frisco! Frisco is a small mountain town located off I-70 about one and a half hours from Denver. Called “The Main Street of the Rockies,” Frisco sports an amazing Main Street scene filled with unique shops, restaurants and bars. The town also has amazing views of the surrounding mountains including Mount Royal, a steep peak that rises southwest of town that casts its shadow on downtown during the evening, and Buffalo Mountain, a stunning and distinct peak to the northwest of town. Known for its proximity to a number of world-class ski resorts, Frisco is also closely situated to Dillon Reservoir where visitors and locals can enjoy boating, fishing, and walking or biking the paved trails that circle the waterway. Often used as a base camp for visitors looking to ski the nearby Breckenridge Resort, Copper Mountain, Keystone Resort and Arapahoe Basin, Frisco also makes for a great summer vacation destination.
What to Bring
When you’re out enjoying the mountains of Colorado, it’s important to have a few things with you so you don’t get caught off guard by the quickly changing weather conditions. I recommend bringing a light jacket that will keep the rain off if a summer storm moves through. And don’t forget to bring plenty of water, snacks, and a camera for saving the awesome memories you’re about to create!
The Early Bird Gets the Worm
First things first. It’s time to get fueled up for a day packed full of fun and adventure. I usually stop by Butterhorn Bakery on Mainstreet on my way to my first adventure. This bakery is a popular spot for breakfast, so get there early to beat the crowds and as a bonus you may get freshly baked goods that are still warm from the oven! You can grab some carbs to go if you’re in a hurry to start having fun or you can sit down and choose from their full menu of delicious homemade breakfast plates. My favorite is the ham and swiss stuffed croissant.
Pro Tip – Grab a loaf of bread on your way out the door. Butterhorn Bakery bakes the best bread in the high country. And the best bread makes the best sandwiches!
After wolfing down some baked goods, it’s time to hit the lake! I usually get on the lake early in the morning to beat the motorboats and their wakes. The cool morning air often creates fog that hangs on top of the glass-like water making for an exceptional early morning experience. I’m partial to my canoe, but stand-up paddle boards are all the rave nowadays. Another option is a sit-on-top kayak for one or two people. You can rent any of these watercrafts from the Frisco Bay Marina. Once you’re on the water, head to the south and check out the islands that line the southwestern bank of the lake. If you’re lucky you’ll catch a glimpse of the large birds that nest in the trees on these islands. Take a moment to listen. Hear that? That’s right, it’s silence. Soak in the serenity of a cool and calm morning on the lake’s perfectly flat water. If you’re lucky enough you may catch some of the surrounding peaks in the lake’s reflection as the fog slowly dissipates.
Pro Tip – Leave the fishing rod at home and instead take advantage of the early morning quiet. The best fishing is across the lake and best accessed from another launch site.
Lunch Time
After you take full advantage of a quiet morning on the lake and your 2-hour watercraft rental, head back to the marina and get ready to grab some more fuel for your next adventure. I prefer to enjoy a local craft micro-brew with my lunch and there is no place better to grab lunch and a beer than Highside Brewery, located just across the street from the Frisco Marina. Highside Brewery is new to the brewery scene in Frisco and has made a splash with their spectacular barbeque and micro brews.
Afternoon
After you grab a bite to eat, it’s time to partake in the other must-do Frisco activity, biking in the Colorado Rockies. Nothing beats riding the paved trail from the summit of Vail Pass to Frisco. This gently sloping bike path descends 14 miles from the summit of Vail pass right back into downtown Frisco, making for an incredibly scenic ride for ability levels. Big mountain peaks surround you as you ride through lush mountain meadows with clear watered mountain streams paralleling the bike path. This is truly the Colorado Rockies at their finest! I recommend renting bikes from Rebel Sports, located in downtown Frisco. You can rent a bike for 24-hours from this shop and they will provide a free shuttle to the summit of Vail Pass.
Pro Tip - If you’re looking to extend your time on this ride, make a stop by Copper Mountain along the way. You can grab a drink or hop on the scenic chairlift ride for excellent views of the surrounding mountains. Copper Mountain also has go carts for the kids!
Early Evening
After you cruise your bike back to downtown Frisco, it’s time to grab some more fuel before a night out on the town! I recommend the happy hour at Kemosabe Sushi where you can get cheap drinks and great happy hour specials at one of the best sushi restaurants in Summit County! After such a long day of fun and adventure you’ll probably need to freshen up before heading out for dinner, drinks and a show!
Prop Tip – Try the Tsunami.
The Night Life
After heading to your rental and taking a much-needed break and shower it’s time to rally for a fun night checking out downtown Frisco. What’s first? How about some dinner? I recommend Greco’s Pasatria where you can get excellent Italian food with a relaxed atmosphere.
Once you finish with dinner stop into Prost next door and enjoy a German beer while soaking in the authentic German atmosphere. If you’re lucky you will catch some lederhosen clad lads playing some classic German music!
Now it’s time to hurry down Mainstreet to 10 Mile Music Hall where the best music in Summit County can be found nearly every weekend night! Check their website to see who is playing next!
After a long day of enjoying everything Frisco has to offer, it’s time to head back to your base camp for the night. Save the big hotel chains for the city and stay in one of Summit Mountain Rental’s numerous authentic and comfortable vacation rentals! We have properties all over Frisco including directly downtown and even overlooking Dillon Reservoir! Click to search online or give us a call at (970) 453-7370 and we will find the perfect property for your stay!