Welcome to the city of outdoor adventures and local flavors.
Grand Junction — and its neighboring cities, Palisade and Fruita — are full of surprises. It’s the largest city on Colorado’s Western Slope, but it has a distinctly laid-back vibe, making it a fabulous destination for everything from a couples retreat to a weekend getaway with your squad. Come because it’s Colorado’s wine country, but make sure and stick around for the galleries, restaurants, hiking and more.
Explore Grand Junction
- Fruita
- Palisade
- Downtown Grand Junction
Fruita
Overview
Part of the Grand Junction metro area, the city of Fruita is rapidly becoming known as a destination for mountain biking. Most of its two-block-long downtown core is dedicated to shops that cater to cyclists. However, before those bike enthusiasts descended, this small town (population: 13,000) was better known as a place to see dinosaur bones.
Known For
Outdoor Adventures, Dinosaurs, Entertainment
Palisade
Overview
Ask anyone from Colorado where the best peaches come from, and they’ll say Palisade. But that’s far from the only thing the area has to offer. The warm, dry microclimate is also perfect for vineyards (particularly those specializing in Bordeaux-style grapes), lavender and apples. Though it’s located within the larger Grand Junction metro area, bucolic Palisade has a farm-town feel.
Known For
Wine, Hiking, Peaches, Lavender
Downtown Grand Junction
Overview
If you thought Grand Junction only had agriculture and outdoor pursuits to offer, think again. Grand Junction’s charming downtown is home to locally owned boutiques, tantalizing eateries, oodles of museums and a notable art scene, with multiple music venues, galleries and more than 100 outdoor sculptures.
Known For
Dining, Arts, Attractions, Shopping
Stay in The Center of it All
Immerse yourself in your destination at these centrally located hotels.
Find Everything From Bikes to Bordeaux in Grand Junction, Colorado
Get Around Town
Kick off the weekend shopping, eating and hunting for public art on Main Street. Afterward, choose between a round of golf, catching a baseball game or mapping your own brewery crawl. Wind down with a decadent dinner at Bin 707 Foodbar or the Winery Restaurant.
Look for Rocks and Fossils
After breakfast, hike or bike your way through millions of years of history along the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive to Fruita. If you still have energy, put in some more steps at the Dinosaur Hill Trailhead or opt for a visit to the Dinosaur Journey Museum. Finish the day with a pizza and a pint.
Sample Wine Pairings Around Palisade
Spend the day wandering between the various wineries by bike, shuttle, pedicab or horse and buggy. Be sure to also sprinkle in visits to some of the local orchards, like SunCrest Orchard Alpacas & Fiber Works. Finish with a dinner of your choosing.