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The post You Need To Stay At This Insanely Beautiful Mountain Hostel- Breckenridge On A Budget appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.
]]>Where To Stay In Breckenridge On A Budget.
Colorado is home to a number of pricey ski towns where you can stay in luxurious lodges for a hefty price. But if you’re looking to do Breckenridge on a budget, I can’t recommend The Bivvi Hostel highly enough.
We pulled into Breckenridge mid-day with no plans and managed to snag 2 beds at the hostel for just $39 each. The next available accommodation would have been around $200. Trust me when I say, this place is a steal.
The Bivvi Hostel truly is the best place to stay in Breckenridge on a budget. You’ll really feel like you’re getting your bang for your buck when you’re sitting in the hot tub watching the sunset over the mountains.
On the scenic porch, you’ll find a grill available for your use. When we arrived, there was a bunch of friendly hikers grilling out and offering everyone food. So of course, we joined in on the fun!
The real star of The Bivvi is the well placed hot tub on the back porch that is prime for stargazing, sunset and general mountain views.
When we stayed, we found the majority of the travelers were making the long trek along the Colorado Trail or were long-term nomads. As we sat around the fire and gazed at the stars in the hot tub, our fellow travelers regaled us with tales of their adventures on the road. Several were at least one week into their month long hiking journey.
There is a small bar at reception and during happy hour you can get draft beers for $2-$4. We ended up having so much fun at The Bivvi we never even went into downtown Breckenridge on our first night.
Grab a blanket and curl up by the fireplace. The Bivvi has a variety of board games you can play. Clue is my personal favorite!
Another huge perk? The Bivvi is located just a short walk from downtown Breckenridge. So you won’t have to worry about finding parking in town. Leave your car at The Bivvi and go explore the charming mountain town by foot!
Your stay also includes breakfast so I recommend heading out to the porch to watch the morning light spill over the mountains as you sip your coffee.
Book a bed at the Bivvi Hostel here.
We opted to book two beds in a shared room and we were extremely pleased. The rooms were very clean, comfortable and had great bathrooms.
The only other person is our room was a friendly thru-hiker who was making his way down the Colorado Trail.
Looking for free things to do near Breckenridge? Check out the amazing views at Clinton Gulch Reservoir. And I highly recommend the scenic hike around the lake!
More on Colorado? GARDEN OF THE GODS JEEP TOUR
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Garden of the Gods Jeep Tour
If you’re heading to Colorado Springs, you can’t miss exploring the iconic Garden of the Gods. And if you’re looking for a fun and adventurous way to tour the area, Adventures Out West has a variety of tour and excursion options.
Located right in the heart of scenic Colorado Springs, this company provides jeep tours, segway tours, hot air balloon rides and more!
We opted to head out and see the area via an open air jeep tour.
Our guide who went by the nickname “Prairie Dog” was friendly, outgoing and super informative. He drove us up through the mountains, making jokes and easy conversation as we sped along.
Tours last 2.5 – 3 hours
The tour is a great length! We went in the morning at 9am and got back around noon. After the tour, we went for local Mexican food in Manitou Springs. Ask your guide for recommendations!
Water and a light snack is included
Colorado can be hot and dry in the summer. Water will be included and the jeep does have a sun cover to provide shade but you still may get burnt being outside so wear sunscreen anyway.
Buckle up! You’ll be going over some bumpy roads as you drive through the mountains
You will cruise along narrow, bumpy one-way roads on the tour so prepare to be jostled around a bit.
Prepare to be dazzled by the unique, one of kind landscape here.
After driving through the mountains and stopping at a trading post to use the restroom or briefly shop, your guide will give you time to hop out and snap some pictures in the park.
As we drove along, Prairie Dog was quick to point out interesting formations in the rocks and to share fun facts about the founding of the park.
The park is free to visit and is home to many great hiking trails.
After your tour, I suggest returning to explore further on foot!
Keep your eyes peeled for famous rock formations! Can you spot the two camels kissing in the photo below?
Looking for an affordable place to stay nearby? We camped at the Garden of the Gods RV Resort which is just across the road from Garden of the Gods!
Thank you to Adventures Out West for hosting me. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
More on Colorado? Read: THE MOST SCENIC TRAIN IN THE USA
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If you’re anything like me, you grew up reading the classic Christmas story The Polar Express. Thoughtful, heartfelt and full of Christmas spirit, this book does not disappoint! All ages, whether young or young at heart, can relate to this sentimental story about believing in the magic of Christmas long after other kids give up on it. Which is why I was so excited to find out there is a historic steam train in Durango, Colorado which fully recreates the experience from start to finish. A real live Polar Express train!
From the moment you arrive on the platform, you can feel the excitement! Families everywhere dressed in the pajamas, adults in ugly Christmas sweaters and a delightful gift shop playing Christmas tunes. Once you’ve collected your tickets, it’s off to eagerly await the arrival of the Polar Express.
Once on the platform, the train is waiting out of sight to make a grand entrance timed perfectly with the music and story being played over the speakers. It is a magnificent arrival! As the Polar Express rounds the corner, you can see smiling staff (dressed exactly like the characters in the book!) waving from the train. The conductor gives a wink and smile to the cheering crowd. Two actors appear playing the role of the young boy and the conductor, after a short scene- the conductor invites us all aboard for a trip to the North Pole! So with a warm welcome we board the train, here we go!
There are 3 options for pricing on the Polar Express. We opted for standard-class seating in Coach because First Class had already sold out.
COACH: Standard-class seating: Seats face forward; two people per seat; up to 40 passengers in each car.
DELUXE: ‘Flip-over’ seating enables parties to face each other. Upgraded amenities include your own take-home souvenir ceramic THE POLAR EXPRESS
Train Ride mug.
FIRST CLASS: Table and chair seating in historic, first-class style as the whole family enjoys the upgraded amenities including your own take-home souvenir ceramic THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride mug. Special ‘themed’ Christmas decor in each First-class car!
Initially we were anticipating a lesser experience in coach but we were THRILLED with the attention to detail for all train cars! Our car was very festive, all decorated with lights and garlands. Our Polar Express crew member was a delight- dancing through the aisles, making the kids laugh, serving us hot chocolate and flipping the pages of a giant Polar Express book. In addition to the hot cocoa, we were served great big Polar Express sugar cookies which were surprisingly soft and delicious!
Open up the windows and peek out your head because after you’ve been chugging along for awhile- you might seem some lights up ahead! That’s right- the North Pole 
(Or at least the little ones will believe that’s where you are!) I can’t deny, even as an adult this was a wonderful surprise! We were beaming ear to ear. As the train pulls in, keep an eye out for Santa. He’ll be giving the first gift of Christmas.
With a final wave from Santa and the elves, the train pulls away from the North Pole. (You’ll remain on the train this whole time, don’t worry-there is no venturing out into the cold!) But as the train departs, Santa will come aboard to make sure each and everyone gets a bell from the reindeer’s harness. Just like in the book! Soon each and every train car is filled with the sound of tinkling bells, Christmas music and Santa’s laugh! “Ho, ho, ho!”
As Santa passes from car to car, people were singing along with the music, chatting and having a wonderful time. All too soon we found ourselves back from the North Pole. All said and done, we were back in less than two hours. It was the perfect length of time.
Once you’ve disembarked, you can explore the lively set up they have at the end of the line. There are Christmas trees, photo ops and even live reindeer! If you don’t mind a bit of a line, you can get a formal picture taken with Santa as well.
The Polar Express is a not-to-be-missed holiday event. Excellent value for the price (even the most expensive tickets are under $90). And if you buy coach tickets early on they will only cost you $40-$50! The train runs multiple times per night but get your tickets quickly because it does sell out!
When it’s not running nighttime trips as the Polar Express, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gage is running day trips year round to nearby mountain towns. Read my full article on it here: THE MOST SCENIC TRAIN IN THE USA.
Thank you to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gage for my trip on the Polar Express, as always, the views express are entirely my own.
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DURANGO & SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE. The DURANGO & SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE.
Everyone knows Europe has breathtaking train routes. And maybe you’ve heard of the Orient Express? The long distance passenger train crossing multiple countries was made even more famous by Agatha Christie. But did you know North America is home to some particularly stunning train trips as well? Through national parks, mountain ranges and wine regions- train travel should not be overlooked as a form of holiday here in the United States. In particular, Colorado train trips!
Let’s take a closer look at the trip voted “One of the World’s Top Ten Train Rides” by the Society of American Travel Writers and “Number One North American Train Trip” by National Geographic Traveler.
A trip aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train will not only dazzle you with it’s breathtaking scenery but transport you back in time to the year 1882.
Book the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train!
If you book the train round trip- it will be a full day excursion! Depending on the season, trains depart between 8:00 am – 9:30 am. You will arrive back in Durango around 5:00pm and 6:00 pm. (If you take the bus one way, it will be shorter!)
I was thrilled to take the train both ways since everything you need for a day away, you can access on board- such as plenty of clean bathrooms! The concession cart doesn’t serve full service meals but you can buy snacks for a reasonable price on your way to Silverton. Then you can have lunch at a restaurant when you arrive in town!
They also offer an insulated $9 souvenir mug with endless refills on non-alcoholic drinks. I really took advantage of this deal and tried every warm, delicious drink they offered! Spiced chai, hot mochas, warm apple cider, hot chocolate- there was no shortage of tasty drinks! A full service bar is available on board with a number of specialty cocktails, beer or wine.
The train company also sells a great DVD and book package talking about the train’s 140 years of history, footage of the route in each season and a map you can follow as you chug along through the mountains.
The trains are equipped with a variety of train cars to further personalize your trip! Deluxe Class consists of fully open train cars for unobstructed views. First Class is a parlor car. And Standard Class has the windows that fully open!
An assigned seat will be given when you purchase a ticket. However, people were walking between the train cars. And if there was an open seat- people would sit and take in the view for awhile as well! It was a very laid back, leisurely environment. However, First Class and Presidential Class were closed off to general admission.
Prices vary depending on which route you do. It is cheaper to do the train round trip than to do a bus/train combo ticket. Children under 3 are free but won’t be allowed in the 21+ cars. The cheapest ticket is roundtrip train ($94 adults & $60 kids with $5 off during non-peak times!) The most expensive option is Presidential Class for $224.
Book the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train!
After your glorious ride up through the mountains, get out and explore the tiny little mountain town, Silverton. There are plenty of shops, souvenirs and cafes to check out! If you want to hear some old timey tunes on a western piano- head over to Lone Spur Cafe. Also be sure to check out the museum inside the old jailhouse dating back from 1902!
Lunch recommendation: Lone Spur Cafe
Keep in mind: Due to all the snow, the train doesn’t travel to Silverton in the winter months! It takes a shorter route. However if you go around Christmas, you can ride the Polar Express train.
There is a reason this train trip has been so highly ranked among travel experiences! Unbeatable views over the river, mountains and cliff sides await you. Snuggle up with some hot cocoa, feel the train chug along and soak in the sites. Overall, a day on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train is something won’t soon forget! Perfect for families, couples, group trips or like myself, solo travelers.
Have you ridden a steam train before? Let me know in the comments!
Thank you Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train for hosting me! As always, my thoughts and opinions are my own.
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More on train travel? BEST DAY TRIPS FROM ROME BY TRAIN
DURANGO & SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE
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