Introduction
Grand Junction, Colorado is a fun little city with lots to do, whether you’re just visiting or living in the area. From outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking to indoor activities like wine tasting and theater shows, Grand Junction has something for everyone!
1. Grand Mesa
Several trails lead to the top of the mesa, but if you’re not prepared for a long hike (or even a medium hike), then consider taking the drive instead. The best views of Grand Mesa can be seen from Grand Junction on Highway 50 as it winds around Snake River Canyon and climbs up toward Grand Mesa. From this vantage point, it’s easy to see why it has been described as “The Biggest Flat Top in the World.”
The area is also popular with campers because there are several designated campsites located along Highway 50 near its base that offer easy access to hiking trails on the mesa’s north side and beautiful views of the surrounding terrain. If you’d rather rough it than pitch your tent at one of those established sites, there is plenty of room for dispersed camping throughout much of Western Colorado and especially here on top of what locals call “Grand Mesa”.
2. Downtown Grand Junction
Downtown Grand Junction is the historic center of the city and is a great place to spend an afternoon. There are many shops, restaurants, and other businesses located in Downtown Grand Junction. There are also many parks and other attractions in Downtown Grand Junction.
3. Canyon View Park
Canyon View Park is a great place to hike and enjoy the views of the Colorado National Monument. The park has a picnic area, a playground for kids, restrooms, and water fountains. The park is open from sunrise to sunset so it’s open 24 hours a day! It’s located at 2503 North Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81504.
4. Two Rivers Winery
Two Rivers Winery is a local vineyard in the Grand Valley with a tasting room and an unusual distinction: it’s located right next to Two Rivers Park, which makes it easy to stop by for wine and then head over to the park for some hiking. If you’re feeling adventurous, your searching on Google Maps will also reveal another hidden gem: there’s an arrow sign pointing directly at their winery that looks like something out of a fairy tale or Harry Potter movie. You don’t have to go very far down that road before you see their sign—it’s extremely easy to spot from either direction!
Two Rivers has a large selection of wines and fruit wines (they even have cider!). If you’re not sure what kind of wine tastes good or not, they offer samples so you can get an idea before purchasing anything. The tasting room has plenty of seating for groups too! If you’re looking for something different than just beer tastings around town—or if your friends aren’t big drinkers—this is worth checking out!
5. John McConnell Math and Science Center
The John McConnell Math and Science Center is a public high school located in Grand Junction, Colorado. It was named after John McConnell, the former mayor of Grand Junction and one of the founders of the Mesa County Valley School District. The school opened in 2015 and is part of this district.
The mission statement for The John McConnell Math and Science Center states that it’s “focused on providing an environment where students can learn about themselves, their world and how to, be successful academically.”
6. Museum of the West
Located in downtown Grand Junction, the Museum of the West has a collection of Western art and artifacts. Open Wednesday through Sunday with free admission, it also has a gift shop that is closed on Mondays.
7. Dominguez Canyon
Dominguez Canyon is a great place to go for a hike. It is located in the Grand Valley, which is a short drive from Grand Junction. There are many trails here ranging from easy to difficult, so you can pick the one that best suits your abilities. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, there are also plenty of places for cliff jumping and rock climbing! You’ll want to bring a towel if you plan on swimming in Dominguez Creek or any other body of water such as ponds or lakes–the water can be chilly at times!
If you have time after exploring Dominguez Canyon itself, check out some local restaurants; there are plenty nearby that offer delicious food at affordable prices! I recommend checking out El Charro Mexican Restaurant & Cantina (which offers traditional Mexican cuisine) because they serve dishes made completely with fresh ingredients that were grown right here in Colorado–it’s always nice when businesses take pride in their community as this one does!
8. James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park
Located in Grand Junction, Colorado River State Park is a great place for hiking, bird watching, and wildlife viewing. The park contains approximately 5,000 acres of desert terrain that is home to several endangered species including the peregrine falcon, bald eagle, and the Gila monster. The park also offers camping facilities if you’re looking to stay overnight in the area.
If you’re visiting Grand Junction during the summer months (May through September), keep an eye out for migrating birds heading north or south on their annual migration pattern along this part of the Colorado River corridor. You may also spot a few reptiles roasting themselves in their natural habitat!
9. Whitewater Hill Vineyards
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards is located in Palisade, about an hour away from downtown Grand Junction. It’s a great place to make the most of your Colorado wine experience without venturing too far from your home base.
- You can visit the vineyard on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., or by appointment any other day of the week (just call ahead). The tasting fee is $10 per person, which includes a souvenir tasting glass and five tastings; additional tasting tokens can be purchased for $1 each. There’s also a small gift shop with wine-related merchandise, including some unique keepsakes made by local artists just for Whitewater Hill!
- Besides enjoying delicious wine samples at this vineyard, you can also enjoy live music on Saturday afternoons or go hiking nearby to get some fresh air before heading back into town for dinner.
10. Graystone Winery
Visit Graystone Winery in Palisade, Colorado. This winery is located in a historic building that was built in 1892. It has a tasting room, gift shop, and outdoor patio where you can sit and enjoy your wine or beer. They also have live music on Saturday nights for those who want to dance off some of the calories they’ve burned earlier! In addition to their wines available by the glass or bottle, they also have a wine club where you can order six bottles of wine at one time every month (or whenever you like).
For more information visit: http://www.graystonewinery.com/the-winery
11. Visit Grand Junction
In addition to being a wonderful place to visit, Grand Junction is also an excellent place for families. There are plenty of options for entertainment and activities for kids of all ages. If you’re looking for something to do with the kids in Grand Junction, there are many parks and playgrounds where you can take them. You can also visit one of the many museums that are located in the city. These include:
This art exhibits feature work from artists across Colorado, including local artists as well as nationally recognized ones.
Visitors can explore this museum at any time during normal business hours throughout the week (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.–5 p., Saturday from 10 am-4 pm), or on Sundays between noon and 4 pm
12. Avalon Theatre
Avalon Theatre is a historic movie theatre in Grand Junction, Colorado, United States. It was built in 1927 and opened on December 25, 1927. The theatre was designed by architect William D. Coates in the Art Deco style. It is one of the largest theatres still operating by its original owners and operates as an independently owned cinema today with two auditoriums and seating capacities of 600 and 420 people respectively
13. Tabeguache Trail
The Tabeguache Trail is a hiking trail in Grand Junction, Colorado. The 1.5-mile point-to-point hike begins at 8,837 feet altitude and ends at 9,092 feet altitude. Along the trail, you will enjoy beautiful mountain scenery and reach some great viewpoints that offer views of Unaweep Canyon, Uncompahgre Peak as well as other peaks in the area. This trail connects with the Pinto Valley Trail and can also be combined with other trails for longer hikes or loops to form even bigger adventures! This is a popular place for spring wildflowers and falls foliage trips so be sure to check out our available dates if you want to join us on one of those days!
14. Cross Orchards Historic Site
Cross Orchards Historic Site is a historic site located in Grand Junction. The area was first homesteaded by Fred Cross and his family in 1891, and it has been preserved since then. It’s now a National Registry Historic Property that offers guided tours of the property, including historical buildings as well as self-guided trails for hiking and biking.
You can also get your hands dirty at their annual Wine Harvest Festival, where you’ll enjoy live music while picking grapes from the vineyard (or just drinking wine) or learn more about local history at their annual family-friendly event Pioneer Days.
The farm is open year-round, but hours vary depending on the season. To learn more about what they have going on this year check out their website here!
Conclusion
Grand Junction has a lot to offer, and even though this is only a list of the main attractions, there are many more things to do in Grand Junction than just these. The city also has plenty of restaurants and bars for you to explore on your trip as well! Whether you’re visiting from out-of-state or just traveling through Colorado, there are plenty of reasons why people choose Grand Junction as their destination point. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and enjoy some of these fun things while they last!
