The 21 Best Things to Do in Grand Junction

👉 Jump to: Best Things | Food & Drink | History & Culture | Outdoor Recreation

I’m a Colorado local here to help you discover the best things to do in Grand Junction!

Activities in this Western Slope city cater to a wide variety of interests. Enjoy year-round outdoor recreation, historic sites, wine country, and more. This guide covers the most popular attractions, as well as day trips and a few hidden gems I highly recommend. You’ll want to stay in this exciting destination for at least a couple of days. Make sure to bookmark my guide on where to stay in Grand Junction for more insights!

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21 Best Things to Do in Grand Junction

Colorado National Monument

See the striking red rock canyons and wide open skies people dream of when they imagine the West.

Overlooking view of the ed rock formations — *Admire red rock formations from scenic drives and hiking trails*

Only have time for one activity in Grand Junction? Let it be this. Colorado National Monument features red rock formations and beautiful, sheer canyons. You may spot bighorn sheep and eagles flying high above.

When visiting, don’t miss the scenic Rim Rock Drive. It provides a great overview of the area and is one of the best road trips in Colorado.

👉 Pro Tip: Nab an America the Beautiful pass at REI, which grants a year’s access to Colorado National Monument, national parks, and more! REI also donates 10% of the proceeds to national forests and parks.

Powderhorn Mountain Resort

Ski or enjoy summer outdoor activities at an affordable, family-friendly resort.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 234-3380 | Website | Lift Hours: varies; see website | Entrance: $69+ adults, $34+ youth under 10

Powderhorn Mountain Resort is one of the best ski resorts in Colorado. It’s perfect for families, college students, or anyone trying to make their money stretch. Lift tickets are affordable and the small resort makes it easier for parents to keep track of their kids.

In summer, the slopes turn into downhill mountain biking trails.

👉 Pro Tip: Nothing beats soaking in one of Colorado’s best hot springs after a day of skiing or biking!

Grand Mesa

Hike and bike the largest flat top mountain in the world.

Travel Lemming Editor Abigail Bliss and her pup on the trail — *Abigail and her pup on one of several trails*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 242-8211 | Website | Park Hours: 24 hours daily | Visitor Center Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily (Memorial Day – Labor Day)

Hiking and mountain biking trails allow you to enjoy the beauty of Grand Mesa, which overlooks Grand Junction. It’s the largest flat top mountain in the world and home to more than 300 lakes, as well as some of Colorado’s best campgrounds. To plan your outing, stop at the visitor center to learn about all the outdoor activities in the Grand Mesa National Forest.

👉 Pro Tip: Bugs can be an issue at certain times of the year! We use this Ranger Ready spray which repels bugs without harsh chemicals or bad smells.

Downtown Grand Junction

Explore historic buildings housing trendy boutiques, restaurants, and up-and-coming art galleries.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 245-9697 | Website

You’ll find places to eat and shop in downtown Grand Junction, along with plenty of art galleries. In fact, the area is a Colorado Certified Creative District. Look for sculptures along the street while perusing the artisan-owned shops and galleries.

First Fridays are a big deal in one of Colorado’s most travel-worthy cities. Many Grand Junction retailers stay open late, and several offer snacks and wine tastings.

Food & Drink

Main Street Bagels

Grab a bagel and people-watch downtown for a while.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 241-2740 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 2:30 pm Mon – Sat, Closed Sun

Main Street Bagels is housed in a quaint brick building in downtown Grand Junction. In addition to bagels and coffee, it serves sandwiches, soups, and salads — so it’s a great lunch spot while you’re out and about, too.

Enstrom Toffee and Confectionery

Treat yourself to a Grand Junction sweet confection.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 683-1000 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 8 pm Mon – Fri, 8 am – 8 pm Sat, 10 am – 4 pm Sun

Enstrom Toffee and Confectionery has been a Grand Junction staple since the 1960s. Stop in at the original store and treat yourself to its renowned almond toffee, butter toffee, and other chocolate confections.

Palisade

Enjoy Colorado’s wine country and sample other tasty produce, too!

View of the vineyard with the Book Cliffs in the background — *Carboy Winery backdropped by the Book Cliffs*

Travel Lemming Editor Abigail Bliss drinking wine at Restoration Vineyards — *Abigail drinking wine at Restoration Vineyards*

📍 Google Maps | Website

Colorado’s Western Slope is known for its agriculture. This is especially true in Palisade, which is located just east of Grand Junction. It’s one of the state’s best small towns and particularly recognized for its delicious wines.

It’s also famed for the Palisade peaches which we Coloradans eagerly await each summer. Tour some of the many local wineries or head to the Palisade Peach Shack to pick your own tasty fruit.

🚗 Planning a road trip? Check out Abigail’s Colorado road trip itinerary, which features several hot spots and all four of the state’s national parks!

History & Culture

Dinosaur Journey Museum

Learn about Colorado’s prehistoric inhabitants at this hands-on museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 242-0971 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 children

At the Dinosaur Journey Museum, you’ll get to experience an earthquake, make your own dinosaur tracks, and uncover dinosaur bones at a simulated quarry site. Dinosaurs once roamed the area and here, you’ll learn about the ones that lived on Colorado’s Western Slope. Real fossils and reconstructions create intriguing, interactive exhibits.

Museum of the West

Check out a brief history of the Wild West at this Grand Junction museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 242-0971 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tues – Sat, Closed Sun & Mon | Entrance: $8+ adults, $7+ seniors, $6+ children

You’re sure to learn several fun and interesting facts about Colorado when visiting the Museum of the West. It covers everything from ancient tools used by the Ancestral Puebloans to flying a 1958 Cessna aircraft. Visitors can check out a one-room schoolhouse and visit an old-time saloon at this museum as well.

Eureka! McConnell Science Museum

Spark kids’ interest with this science museum made just for them.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 254-1626 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 3 pm Tues – Sat, 12 – 4 pm Sun, Closed Mon | Entrance: $8 adults, $7 seniors ages 55 – 75 & youth ages 4 – 18, free 75+ and under 4

The Eureka! McConnell Science Museum is geared towards kids. It features fun things like a space shuttle simulator, a bubble exhibit, and experiments involving shadows and water. Hands-on demonstrations and experiments take center stage, so kids won’t get in trouble for messing with these museum exhibits!

The Avalon Theatre

Catch a show at one of the largest performing arts venues in Colorado.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 263-5757 | Website

This historic Avalon Theatre was built in 1923 and hosts singers, dance performances, theater productions, and movies. The theater has room for more than 1,000 guests. Its updated layout ensures everyone can see the stage and hear the performances well.

The Art Center

Browse more than 300 works of Western Colorado art.

Close up view of paint brushes on a pallette

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 243-7337 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm Tues – Sat, Closed Sun & Mon | Entrance: $5 adults, free under 12

The Art Center showcases Western Slope artists throughout the years, with both historic and contemporary pieces. You’ll also find rotating, themed exhibitions, along with art classes for all ages.

Grand Junction Motor Speedway

Indulge your need for speed on this outdoor sprint kart track.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 256-0107 | Website | Hours: seasonal, see website | Entrance: $40+ per race

The Grand Junction Motor Speedway makes for a great family activity, or a creative date idea if you both love a good adrenaline rush! The road racing circuit is almost a mile long, featuring straights where you can build up speed, followed by hair-raising, hairpin turns.

Western Colorado Botanical Gardens

Wander through a variety of gardens and visit a butterfly pavilion.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 245-9030 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm Tues – Fri, closed Mon – Sun | Entrance: $5 adults, $4 seniors & youth ages 12 – 18, $3 children ages 3 – 11, free under 3

The Western Colorado Botanical Gardens is one of the best Grand Junction activities, especially for families. There are several different gardens including a tropical rainforest and a succulent garden. There’s also a children’s secret garden to explore, along with a butterfly pavilion.

Cross Orchards Historic Site

See Colorado’s agricultural heritage up close.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 242-0971 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 3 am Thu-Sun | Entrance: $5 adults; $4 senior, students, military

The Cross Orchards Historic Site has historic buildings and equipment to teach visitors about what it took to grow crops in the late 1800s. In fact, the 1890s barn and bunkhouse are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The site is free, but on Saturdays, there is a ride-on train that costs $3 for adults and $2 for kids.

Outdoor Recreation

Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Area

See these majestic animals roaming free.

Closeup look of the horse tracks on the ground — *Saw no horses on this visit, but lots of tracks!*

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: sunrise – sunset

Colorado is home to several herds of wild horses, including one close to Grand Junction. This particular herd has palominos, grays, bays, and a variety of other breeds. They’re also rather used to people and may even pose for a photo or two if you’re careful and keep your distance.

Big Dominguez Canyon

See petroglyphs and wildlife in this scenic, remote canyon.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 244-3000 | Website

Big Dominguez Canyon has some of the most scenic hikes in Colorado. Several lead to beautiful waterfalls. You may spot bighorn sheep in the canyon, along with petroglyphs and rock shelters from long ago.

James M. Robb Colorado River State Park

Get out on the Colorado River at this western Colorado state park.

Spend a day kayaking or canoeing at one of Colorado’s top state parks. You can also fish throughout James M. Robb Colorado River State Park, as well as take in the gorgeous scenery from hiking and mountain biking trails. Park your RV or pitch a tent to give yourself more time to explore — there are 130 campsites available.

Raft the Colorado River

Spend a day admiring Colorado’s landscape from the water.

Aerial view of the river in Grand Junction

📍 Google Maps | Entrance: $73+ per person | 👉 Book a Colorado River Rafting Tour

Several outfitters lead whitewater rafting trips on the nearby Gunnison and Colorado rivers. You’ll find guided rafting tours just east in Glenwood Springs. Those experienced and adventuresome can also kayak or canoe on their own throughout the Grand Junction area.

👉 Pro Tip: Check out our Colorado travel tips and Colorado packing list so you arrive to Grand Junction prepared!

Mountain Biking

Challenge yourself with Grand Junction’s network of awesome trails!

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 244-3044 | Website | Hours: 24 hours daily

Grand Junction boasts mesas and rock formations, making it the perfect place for outdoor adventure! Mountain bikers should head to the Lunch Loop trails at the Tabeguache Trailhead, promising beautiful views and some tricky terrain. Joe’s Ridge is another great ride with easy climbs and some fun downhills.

Chipeta Golf Course

Play a quick nine holes or a full game at this Grand Junction oasis.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 245-7177 | Website | Hours: seasonal, see website | Entrance: $15+

The Chipeta Public Golf Course is available for anyone to play a round or two. To really mix things up, try its footgolf course — a mix of golf and soccer. It’s one of the more unique things to do in Grand Junction.

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Hopefully, this list has given you some great ideas for your Western Slope vacation. Safe travels and enjoy exploring one of the best places to visit in Colorado. Also, leave me a comment if you’d like more help planning your trip!