2006 National Convention
Get ready to take The Journey Higher at the 59th AGR National Convention!
AGR 2006 National Convention
Date: August 13-16, 2006
-- Breckenridge, Colorado
Location: Beaver Run Resort
Where to Go, What To Do, What To Try, plus Convention Action Planner.
BRECKENRIDGE
BBQ at the Summit offers food, fun, music, brews and AGR friends at nearby Dillon.
The world’s highest Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned event is August 11-12. More than 9,156 feet of mouth-watering aromas caress your senses with suds, wishes and BBQ dreams. Live music, entertainment, raffles, sauce competition and kids’ activities are all part of the BBQ event recipe. Free Admission for AGRs and their kin.
Breckenridge Brewery & Pub offers handcrafted small batch beers.
Opened in 1990 it is town’s only Brew Pub. Scotty’s London Brown and Breck’ Best Bitter available only at the Pub. Try tall bottles of Colorado ale named Breck Bombers. Offers dramatic views of the mountains from the dining room or patio. Traditional pub fare, burgers, salads, pasta and fresh fish. Breckenridge Brewery & Pub, 600 S. Main Street. Information: 970-452-1550.
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Gold Pan is the oldest continuously operating bar West of the Mississippi.
Step foot into history at this saloon built around 1879 to serve thirsty prospectors. Locally owned and operated at 103 N. Main St., the Gold Pan provides a rustic atmosphere to relax and enjoy drinks, food and fun. Information: 970-453-5499.
(Choose from 79 in town)
Blue River Bistro features great food, decent prices plus good appetizers and desserts.
A must-eat in Breck! Atmosphere, service, martini menu/wine list. Not overly priced with wonderful food and atmosphere. Dishes to try: The Shellfish Cioppino or the Angel hair pasta with a tuna steak on top. The Blue River Bistro, 305 N. Main Street. Information: www.blueriverbistro.com.
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The Cellar offers small plates, extensive wine list, late night dining in Breckenridge.
John & Joanne Buchanan’s The Cellar features chef Michael Weist and sommelier Sue Berger. Opens daily for happy hour at 3 p.m. and a late-night menu after 9:30 p.m. Restaurant offers small plates paired with wine flights, all served in a comfortably elegant setting with a roomy lounge area. The Cellar, 200 S. Ridge St. Information: 970-453-4777 or www.thecellarwine.com.
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Daylight Donuts for a breakfast treat to start your convention day.
These warm, soul-satisfying doughnuts are a local favorite. You may have to wait a few minutes, but the steaming-hot apple fritters are worth the wait. Also on the menu, breakfast burritos and local town gossip. Daylight Donuts, 305 N. Main St. Information: 970-453-2548.
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Pierre’s Riverwalk Café offers view of mountain, gushing river and Riverwalk Center.
Chef-owner Pierre Luc and his wife Catherine, have created a tiny corner of France overlooking the Blue River. Watch the sun disappear behind Peak 7, while having a drink from the vast wine and cocktail menu on the patio. Menu is varied, with haute cuisine choices (fish, meat and pasta dishes) you’re certain to enjoy. Prices are a bit expensive, but the value is there. Pierre’s Riverwalk Café, 137 S. Main Street. Information: 970-453-0988.
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Steak & Rib voted best steaks in Summit County last year (2005).
Handcut steaks, smoked barbecue, fresh seafood and game specials. House favorite is an 8-ounce choice Filet Mignon stuffed with blue cheese and whole roasted garlic cloves. Long standing favorite of locals is an 8-ounce Filet wrapped in bacon, stuffed with Alaskan King Crab, broiled and topped with a rich Bearnaise sauce. Steak & Rib, 208 N. Main St. Information: 970-453-0063.
Breckenridge Golf Club is world’s only municipally owned Jack Nicklaus-designed course.
Have the distinction of playing this 27-hole course. The practice facility at Breckenridge includes a grass driving range, two practice greens for putting and chipping, and an area for sharpening your sand bunker shots. For die-hard golfers, the Keystone Ranch, River Course, Copper Creek Golf Club and River Golf Club are within minutes of Beaver Run. Information: (Breckenridge Golf Club) 970-453-9104 or www.breckenridgegolfclub.com.
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Miniature Golf: Youngsters of all ages can also enjoy nine-holes of indoor Miniature Golf at Beaver Run Resort.
Art Galleries. Breckenridge’s 16 art galleries are among the finest in the nation.
For more than 30 years, Breckenridge Gallery has offered exceptional paintings and sculptures from many of the region’s most talented artists. For original paintings and sculpture of the American West, go to Paint Horse Gallery featuring paintings and drawings by nearly 30 artists. There’s also sculpture, cowboy collectibles plus antique Navajo weavings. Just opened, ArtQuest Gallery offering ceramics, pottery, jewelry, metals works and paintings by 150 artists.
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Backstage Theater: Add a dash of drama to your life while at the convention.
In its 32nd Season, Backstage presents award-winning live theater in the Breckenridge Theater at 121 S. Ridge St. Catch performances of The Foreigner by Larry Shue while in Breckenridge for the convention. It’s a hilarious comic farce you’ll want to see. Information: 970-453-0199 or www.backstagetheatre.org.
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Summer Music Festival: Experience a variety of performances sure to strike a cord with all ages.
Two orchestras in residence, the highly acclaimed Breckenridge Institute Orchestra and the renowned National Repertory Orchestra perform through August at the Riverwalk Center. Largely classical, there’s something for everyone, ranging from jazz and pops to opera, dance, rock and blues. Information: 970-547-3100.
SHOP
Shop ‘til you Drop. From the 180 Shops and Boutiques in Breckenridge to the Silverthorne Outlet Mall (30 minutes drive), you can definitely shop ‘til you drop! When it comes to finding one-of-a-kind items or eclectic gifts, you’ll find specialty shops tucked into all the nooks and crannies of this Victorian town.
Biking: Shred the slopes with your flat tire.
Bike trails with a range of hairpin turns, vertical drops, and steep climbs, to fast straight-aways, fun loops and scenic rides through the quiet woods. Lifts will be open to cyclists in Breckenridge during the convention.
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Cattle Drive: Saddle up to round up a herd of Longhorn cattle.
Riders of all levels can join the cattle drive because of the varied riding positions along the drive. You will drive the herd three miles with the Gore Range and Williams Fork Mountains as your backdrop.
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Culinary Treats: Get a taste of Colorado’s unique culinary offerings.
As you Journey Higher, you’ll discover restaurants specialize in serving local ingredients, from wild game to pristine vegetables. Try locally grown premium natural beef burger on open-faced dinner bun with caramelized onions and demiglace sauce. Feast on buffalo steaks, lamb or Rocky Mountain Oysters (Offered during Convention’s Gala Reception at Riverwalk Center) for a taste of Colorado that most visitors never experience.
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Fishing: Lake Dillon is home to Brown trout and Rainbow trout.
With 26 miles of shoreline, finding a nice secluded spot to cast is no problem. The Colorado Division of Wildlife annually stocks Lake Dillon Reservoir with approximately 50,000 rainbow trout.
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A perfect way to enjoy the splendor of the Colorado Rockies is on horseback. Your wrangle will match you to a horse that fits your ability and guide you through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Colorado High Country.
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Message/Spa Therapy: Treat yourself to a relaxing back, neck, shoulders or full body message.
Located right in Beaver Run Resort, Breckenridge Bodyworks also offers mini-facials, foot treatments and sports messages. Information: 970-453-8744.
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Saddle & Paddle: Enjoy the best of both worlds.
In a single day you can ride a horse and a raft with this special package that includes lunch. Start your day with a two-hour horseback ride offering breathtaking views everywhere that you look. Then it is time to change into river gear and head down the Upper Colorado for a half-day raft trip.
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Sailing & Boating: Nearby Lake Dillon has a full-service marina with rentals.
Lake Dillon is the largest lake in the area and offers magnificent mountain vistas. Motorboat and sailboats are available for exploring the lake, fishing or basking in the summer sun. The Dillon Yacht Club is the highest club in North America at more than 9,000 feet elevation. Information: 970-468-5100 or www.dillonmarina.com.
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Whether you are a beginner looking for thrilling whitewater or an experienced rafter seeking to meet the challenge, you are sure to have fun. Choose from the famed Eagle River, Arkansas River, Blue River or Colorado.
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Wine: Sip high country wine for an elevated experience.
More than 50 Colorado wineries now produce wine to complement its burgeoning food scene and also offer tastings, tours and festivals. At 4,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level, these are the highest vineyards in the world and they provide appropriately elevated experiences. Wines are robust yet mellow with a hint of spice. Information: www.coloradowine.com.
Parks: If time permits, visit at least one of Colorado’s four national parks, five national monuments, 11 national forests and 40 pristine wilderness areas for some of the most splendid scenery on earth.
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Wildflowers: The Colorado Mountains are an intoxicating patchwork of reds, purples, gold and whites, and the best time of the year to be inspired by the scent and sight of them is summertime.
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Wildlife: See elk, deer, moose, buffalo and more in Colorado’s High Country. For best wildlife viewing take a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park where you’ll also spot bighorn sheep, black bears, coyotes, cougars, eagles, hawks and other animals and birds across the 260,000 acres of jaw-dropping landscape.
DENVER
Denver Art Museum: Features renowned Native American art collection – one of the finest in any art museum worldwide. The new Hamilton Building designed by Daniel Libeskind is nearing completion and will be the architect’s first building in the U.S. when it opens.
Denver Performing Arts: This four-square block complex is the second largest performing arts center in the nation with 10 venues seating 10,000 people for Tony Award winning theatre, opera, symphony and ballet. The new $92 million Ellie Caulkins Opera House has opened and is home of Opera Colorado and Colorado Ballet.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre: One of the most spectacular places in the world to hear a concert. The 9,000-seat arena is carved between gigantic red rock boulders and has hosted everyone from the Beatles to U2. A new visitor center tells the history of the rocks. . .and the rock ‘n roll that has taken place here.
BASEBALL
Colorado Rockies: Experience some major league fun and catch the action of the Colorado Rockies before or after the AGR National Convention. Team’s 2006 schedule has them playing at Coors Field in a home series Friday, Aug. 11 through Thursday, Aug. 17. Information: www.coloradorockies.com.
LoDo: Denver’s Hip Historic District features 26 square blocks with the largest concentration of Victorian and turn-of-the-century buildings in the nation. You’ll find art galleries, delightful restaurants, coffee houses and some 90 brewpubs, sports bars and music clubs, all surrounding Coors Field – the home of the Colorado Rockies.
Cherry Creek: The largest concentration of shops in a 600-mile radius. Enjoy tree-lined streets with restaurants and stores in Cherry Creek North, and the upscale Cherry Creek Shopping Center -- the region’s most popular shopping destination -- with 160 stores and restaurants, including Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Louis Vuitton.
16th Street Mall: A mile long promenade with more than 200 trees and 56,000 flowers. This colorful pedestrian mall is lined with outdoor cafes, shops and entertainment centers. Free shuttle buses leave either end of 16th Street as often as every 90 seconds, making everything downtown within easy reach. Denver Pavilion at the east end has three levels of shopping and entertainment covering two square blocks.
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