[Road Trip] Grand Junction

Grand Junction is located four (4) hours west of Denver along Interstate 70 and is part of the “western slope” of Colorado. Given its close proximity to Utah, the landscape and weather most closely align with its sister state – hot, dry, and desert-like! It is a community of 20,000 people and is home to the Grand Mesa college and the Colorado National Monument.

As newer Coloradans, we started exploring the state each summer via small road trips (4-5 days). We explored Steamboat Springs, Buena Vista, Cañon City + Sand Dunes, and this year we chose Grand Junction! We stayed just off main street to soak in the mountain town main street with shops, bars, and restaurants and it did not disappoint! We had great meals (thanks to James Beard nominated chef, Josh Niernberg), good drinks, and enjoyed the laid back yet art-forward approach.

We loved our time in Grand Junction and believe it should be on your Colorado “must see” list!

Here’s a rundown of our itinerary!

Day 1: Travel + Explore Downtown Grand Junction

Travel to Grand Junction
Stroll I Downtown Grand Junction along Main Street
Dinner I Trail Life Brewing (recommend; we were lucky to find this spot open on a Monday night and with a great kitchen)

Day 2: Tour of the Moon Cycling Adventure

Tour of the Moon Cycling Adventure (highly recommend: this 40 mile ride takes you through the Colorado Monument and was one of my favorite rides ever. Read more about it here)
Happy Hour I SoCo Social Hour (highly recommend; this spot was recommended after we tried to go to Melrose Spirit and it as a super cool tiny space with great cocktails)
Dinner I Bin 707 (highly recommend; great vibe and astitic combined with great food. A place where you can get a perfectly cooked salmon or a juicy burger)

Day 3: Ouray

90 minute road trip from Grand Junction to Ouray – the “Switzerland of America”
Perimeter Trail HIke (highly recommend; this 6 mile trail is the perfect way to explore Ouray as you circle around the town from a vantage point adobe it all. Read more about it here)
Explore Downtown Ouray (recommend; lots of shops, bars, and restaurants. We visited during a busy holiday time and it was busy…too busy for our liking)
Dinner I Taco Party (highly recommend; the best “hard’ shell taco I’ve ever had and the most beautiful (and one of the best tasting) guacamole presentations!)
After dinner drinks I Ramblebine Brewing Company (recommend; nice mix of indoor and outdoor space with decent beers)

Day 4: Wild Horse Loop Gravel Ride

Bike Ride Along the Wild Horse Loop (cautiously recommend; ride the gravel road out and make it an out-and-back)
Happy Hour I Rooftop at Devil’s Kitchen (Suggestion; if we’d gone out for happy hour on our last night, it would have been here)
Dinner I 626 On Road (Suggestion; if we’d dined out on our last night, it would have been here)