Summer is filled with so much activity in Colorado. Many visit from all over the US to camp, mountain bike, explore the sites, hike, paddle, or fish. Summit County is one of our favorite locations, with its close proximity to Denver and a wide variety of activities to experience. We pulled together our top 5 favorite things to do in Silverthorne. Fun for the entire family to enjoy.
Whitewater Rafting
Experience the natural beauty of Colorado on the river. Only an hour from Denver, the Blue River is waiting to take you on an adventure! Explore about 5 miles of the river by riding its whitewater for a thrilling 3-hour trip. It will get your adrenaline going but is still safe for the entire family. With all gear included, a certified guide along for the ride, and Colorado’s natural beauty, this is the perfect half-day adventure.
Plan your morning trip, seek a secondary adventure for the afternoon, or book an afternoon ride for the late starters! Learn more about Whitewater rafting on the Blue River with Colorado Rafting Company.
Blue River Fly Fishing
Wade through the river in true Colorado style by fly fishing the Blue River. This river runs about 65 miles long, beginning in Kremmling and running through the Outlet mall and over to Breckenridge. This river is a gold standard in the world of fly fishing world, meaning these fish are large, beautiful, and trophy worthy.
Never fly fished before, but dying to learn? Cutthroat Anglers, located right on the river, provides guided tours. Pick between full-day or half-day trips. Wading through the water or floating down the river, these guides know everything about the fish, river conditions, and all the tricks to get your first catch.
Lake Dillon
Lake Dillon is almost 2 miles above sea level and hosts various mountain adventures. With 25 miles of shoreline, boat rentals, world-class sailing, pontoon rides, and stand-up paddleboarding, there is a lot of fun to be had on the water. Sunbathe on your paddleboard, learn to sail, or fish for trout, salmon, and arctic char on Lake Dillon. Rent your boat of choice at the Dillon Marina, open Monday – Friday.
If the water isn’t calling your name, but you want to explore the magnificent mountain views, there are miles and miles of paved trails to hike or bike. Spend your afternoon around Dillon Marina by grabbing lunch at the Tiki Bar or listening to live music at the Amphitheater with lake views.
See how large Lake Dillon is from I-70 scenic lookout. Take the Frisco/Breckenridge exit and explore the 3,000-acre lake from the other side. Grab some Palisade peaches from the farmers’ market and explore Lake Dillon from Frisco Marina. Here you can also rent boats, kayaks, and canoes. Grab a bite to eat at their dining hall or have a picnic at the Marina Park playground.
Visit the Frisco Marina website for more information, boat rentals, and lessons.
Outlets at Silverthorne
Have extra time before one of your scheduled excursions, or need a break from riding in the car. The Outlets at Silverthorne is the best place to stop, stretch your legs from the long drive, take a bathroom break, and fuel up with a Starbucks or food. The outlets are located right off of I-70 at the Silverthorne/Dillon exit, hang a right and begin your shopping extravaganza!
Shop the brands you love while enjoying great savings. Outlets of Silverthorne is home to one of The Colorado Store’s physical locations and big brand names like Columbia, Eddie Bauer, American Eagle, Under Armour, J.Crew, and many more. The outlets even host a wide variety of events all year long. Some include Barks & Brew (dog-friendly, of course), Shopping Extravaganza, and Sunday Art Strolls, to name a few.
Learn more about the Outlets hours, store directories, and events at the Outlets at Silverthorne website.
Good Eats & Drinks
Outer Range Brewing Company
Last but not least, we have a handful of our favorite places to eat or have a tasty beverage. These are not listed by rank but are some of our local favs.
Technically, Outer Range is located in Frisco, but it’s only a few minutes’ drive from Silverthorne. Here, you can have a nice refreshing brew with mountain views. With indoor and outdoor seating, there’s plenty of room.
This place is so great because there are other options within the brewery. Swing by in the morning for Frisco’s favorite coffee and waffles at Mountain Dweller Coffee Roasters. Or finish your day with a brew from Outer Range and grab lunch or dinner at Bird Craft, a Thai-inspired fried chicken place that also offers other delicious food. Even if you might be in a rush to beat the traffic back to Denver, be sure to stop for some beers to go, but don’t drink and drive.
Sauce on the Blue
Celebrating five years in a row as Summit County’s best, Sauce on the Blue is a family pizzeria and Italian Eatery. After a long day adventuring, all that Summit County has to offer, wash up and dress up for a nice dinner and wine on the Blue River. Make your next reservation here.
With the ability to host 120 guests indoors and another 50 on their patio, this place offers private parties and weddings—just another reason to love this little place.
Timberline Craft Kitchen & Cocktails
For a casual yet upscale experience featuring Colorado’s best, Timberline Craft Kitchen & Cocktails is the place. Our favorite is their daily brunch special and weekend breakfast available until the afternoon. Enjoy Colorado Craft beer, domestic and imported wine, and creative cocktails, and make sure to try their specialty Tree Line Bloody Mary.
With the ability to order to go or make reservations, this place is one to keep on your list.
Mint Steakhouse
The Historic Mint Steakhouse has been in business since 1862, fourteen years before Colorado became a state. This restaurant is the locals’ choice for steaks, seafood, & fun! Enjoy this hands-on and delicious experience. Order your meat of choice and cook it to your liking on their community grill; seasonings provided. You won’t just taste the fantastic cut of choice but the history of this business and the years it has been serving happy customers.
With so much to explore and experience in Summit County, this list features only a few of our favorite things to do around Silverthorne. From food adventures, Lake Dillion, mountain biking, festivals, and palisade peaches, Silverthorne has something for everyone. Stay tuned for our ten favorite hiking and biking trails around Silverthorne post coming soon.
What did we miss in our picks, or what should we include next time? Let us know in the comments.
