There are almost too many options for sweet and refreshing treats in Breckenridge. How could you ever pick one to enjoy on a warm summer day?

The secret? Don’t pick just one. 

This walking tour of Breckenridge will bring you to some of the most doted-on delights downtown, though it isn’t a complete list. There are ever-changing options in all of Summit County — these are just some favorites. 

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This walking tour starts on the north side of downtown with a breakfast option and bops down main street before concluding with the best dessert in the county to end the day. 

There are three ice cream or gelato options, milkshakes, cupcakes, donuts and more.

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While you don’t have to limit yourself to one, eating all of this in one go is probably not the best idea. Consider breaking up the trail into a multi-day adventure, exploring the shops in each district since many are tucked away!

Daylight Donuts

Let’s start with breakfast, or brunch. Daylight Donuts has fresh donuts as well as twists, long johns, fritters, bear claws and even cinnamon rolls. Donut flavors include maple, pumpkin, buttermilk, blueberry, and cinnamon as well as classics like chocolate, glazed and vanilla sprinkle. 

They also have more standard breakfast options such as burritos, eggs or pancakes if you’re looking to start your day with a real meal before eating the rest of these sugary treats. 

Make sure to bring cash since Daylight Donuts require a $10 spending minimum to use credit cards, according to their website. 

Where: 305 N. Main St., Unit C 
Hours: 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (breakfast until noon)
Website: DaylightDonutsBreck.com

Higgles Ice Cream

There’s a reason locals and visitors alike love Higgles. Actually, there are many. Every flavor is made in-house and incorporates local ingredients as often as possible. The flavors are endless and constantly changing, making each trip to Higgles a treat. 

Consider the Colorado honey and lavender flavor, or a scoop of Palisade Peach. Or, get the crazy looking, but very delicious, blue ice cream that captures the spirit of Summit County.

“We don’t use food coloring,” said owner Anna Higgins. “It is vanilla ice cream, but we color it with blue spirulina so it makes this really cool light blue, and then we put in Swedish fish, which do have artificial coloring. But we do that to honor the Blue River that unites all of Summit County.”

To keep up with the 300 rotating flavors, check out Higgles.com, which is updated with what’s being scooped that day. Or, just walk in for a sweet surprise!

Where: 100 N. Main St., No. 207 
Hours: Sundays to Thursdays, 12-8 p.,m.; Fridays to Saturdays, 12-9 p.m.
Most popular: Truly everything
Website: HigglesIceCream.com 

I Scream Gelato

If you prefer something cold and creamy but not ice cream, I Scream Gelato is the place to go. It has dozens of flavors ranging from bright and fruity to rich and chocolatey with a variety of toppings. 

Be sure to try one of the newest offerings: gelato popsicles.

Owner Nadav Abergel said the shop doesn’t limit itself to just gelato, though, as there are crepes and beverages on the menu as well.

“We definitely have one of the best coffees in the area,” he said. “Iced coffees, milkshakes and smoothies, those are very popular in the summer and people should definitely try it. We make milkshakes from the gelato.”

Where: 105 S. Main St.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., daily
Most popular flavors: Mango, coconut, pistachio, strawberry
Website: IScream-Gelato.com/locations/breckenridge-co/

Bonus: Stop by the large arcade upstairs

Mountain Top Cookies

Craving something less cold and more cozy? Seek out this cookie shop in the heart of downtown Breck. Forty flavors of cookies with fun names will make choosing a difficult task. There are also sandwich cookies filled with frostings and fillings, plus chocolate-dipped options. If you’re feeling indulgent, consider a cookie ice cream sandwich.

Where: 128 S. Main St.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily

Crepes a la Cart

Whether you’re craving a crepe at breakfast, or as a late-night snack, this cart in the center of Breckenridge will be there for you. 

Order anything from a classic Nutella crepe, to an apple and brie combination, or a summer smore’s option. For the savory folks, there are plenty of options, too. 

This cart draws a crowd on busy summer days, but the sun-soaked patio makes it hard to pass by.

Where: 307 S. Main St.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily
Website: CrepesALaCarts.com

Flip Side

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For three years running, Flip Side has been voted the Best Milkshake/Smoothie in all of Summit County after years of being a finalist. 

These are not just your basic chocolate and vanilla shakes. These are rich, decadent treats with creative flavors including salted caramel, blueberry and apple pie. There’s also boozy options for those over 21. 

Flip Side is also a full-service restaurant with many entree options, so you can fill up on lunch or dinner here before continuing down the Sweet Tooth Trail.

Where: 320 S. Main St.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., daily
Website: FlipsideBurger.com

Stir Pan Creamery

Stir Pan Creamery is more than just an ice cream spot — it’s an experience. At Stir Pan you can watch your order of rolled ice cream made right in front of you. It’s where you can fulfill a specific craving and then post a gorgeous photo of your custom creation.

“I start from scratch with a liquid base, and we pour it onto a pan and basically churn it right in front of you,” said owner Brandon Munoz. “Most people see ice cream in a bucket and no one actually sees the process of it being made.” 

Most people come to Stir Pan to build their own ice cream, but the Upscale Vandal flavor is the next most popular. It’s a salted oreo banana pudding combination, and it’s a major favorite. 

Where: 500 S Main St. No. 2r
Hours: 1-9 p.m., daily
Most popular: S’mores, Upscale Vandal
What’s new: Fun lemonade flavors
Website: StirPanCreamery.com

LoLo Juice

Looking for something to cleanse the system after your taste buds have been in vacation mode? Look no further than LoLo Juice. 

Across the street from Stir Pan and near the farmers market, LoLo Juice specializes in smoothies and juices with fresh, natural ingredients. The business is thoughtful and sustainable and the recipes are delicious.

“It’s all very much a labor of love,” said operator Lorrie Krebs.

Smoothies are very popular in the summer, and while there are about a dozen on the menu, people can also build a custom smoothie.

“There is a sort of stigma around juices, people think they are kale and crunchy and woke, but our juices are so good. I wish more people would get over the stigma of that,” Krebs said. “We’ve created flavors that anybody can enjoy.”

She said the Alpenglow is a great gateway juice, but the Lemonhead might be the best. The apple and lemon juice is LoLo’s take on lemonade and the perfect thing for a warm summer day. 

Where: 505 S. Main St., Suite B4b
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily
Most popular: Anything peach
Most underrated: Juices. Try the Lemonhead or Alpenglow
Website: LoLoJuiceBreck.com

Baked in Breck

Hopefully you’ve saved some room, because this baker’s creations were voted the best dessert in all of Summit County, as well as the best wedding cake or dessert. 

Her cakes and cupcakes are probably the most popular, but owner Nicci Russell also brings jumbo muffins, cookies, ice cream sandwiches and fresh lemonade. 

Her brown butter sea salt chocolate chip cookies typically sell out, as does her s’mores brownie.

“It’s a graham cracker crust with a super rich, chocolatey brownie and a toasted marshmallow merengue on top,” Russell said. “And my cupcakes — the Vanilla Bean Dream is always the first one to go.”

New this year will be cake jars, which is essentially a cake you can carry. A jar will include bits of cake, filling and frosting to give people a taste of the cakes that got Baked in Breck its best wedding cake win in the 2024 Best of Summit reader-driven contest. Flavors will include Matcha Madness, Strawberry Shortcake and more.

“I’m really excited for that because that’ll be a way for people to try these fun cake flavors that I offer,” Russell said. “I don’t normally sell my cakes at the markets. It’s quite a large thing to buy, but the cake jars will be that perfect thing for people to be able to try.”

Where: Breckenridge Sunday Market, Friday Dillon Farmers Market
Most popular: Brown Butter Sea Salt Chocolate Chip cookie, S’mores Brownie
New this year: Cake jars
Bonus: Your dog can enjoy a pup cup
Website: BakedInBreck.com

This story previously published in the summer 2025 edition of Explore Summit magazine.