Summer Travel: Small Town // Big City

{ No.6-Big City: Grand Junction } Elizabeth Escobar

The big sister town to Fruita, Grand Junction is as metropolis-like as western Colorado gets. Only 10 miles away, the same change of color palette exists here as in Fruita. But where the former town lacks in swankiness, Grand Junction has you covered.T

You can still opt to hang out at the Colorado National Monument, or, you can trade in hiking shoes for paddles and go on a wine country float trip. It’s true, we aren’t in Sonoma, but the Palisade-Grand Junction region happens to be burgeoning wine country. Float for three hours along a stretch of rapid-less water on the Colorado up to Corn Lake State Park (Palisade River Trips), while stopping at local vineyards to sample wine along the way.

Since there isn’t any turbulence to navigate through, your biggest worry of the afternoon is finding your way back to the raft in between tastings. That, and diligently reapplying SPF.

Once the tour ends, if you’ve yet to have your fill of vino, head over to 626 On Rood in the center of the city (the address doubles as their name). The wine selection will quench any lingering thirst, and the restaurant doubles as an excellent place to find much needed sustenance. All-American in style, this joint’s forte is seafood and the dress code is nice-casual, so leave the tie, bring the khakis. Dishes like the Squid Ink Pasta or Applewood Smoked Sea Scallops are served in vast portions on pristine tablecloths, and leave no question about the behind-the-scenes culinary prowess.

The combination of good wine and food is a cocktail that will leave you ready for bed. Fortunately, you’re in a city that has a refreshingly wide variety of lodging options for just this occasion. The Grand Vista Hotel is local, basic, and decked out in Colorado charm (think brass elk sculptures and stone fireplaces). It’s also priced slightly lower than most of the other big-name hotel brands you’ll find here, such as the Marriott Spring Hill Suites in historic downtown. The prime location runs you more money, but it also puts you within walking distance of at least 80% of the places you’ll want to visit (give or take).

One such important attraction is the Western Colorado Center for the Arts (WCCA). A hub for Western Slope artists, all four galleries display national exhibits in addition to local regional talent, like Boulder painter Nancy Bauer’s collection of landscapes (out this summer). In the modern day art appreciation scene, the $3.00 admission fee is unheard of, so take advantage of it. With the money you save, follow this up with another stop that you stand to benefit from: the Kannah Creek Brewpub. Their two locations—one on the north side of town near the WCCA, the other on the south—are simply referred to as “the Creek,” and are where locals and visitors alike congregate over pints of Lands End Amber Ale, swapping stories about their day on the river, trail, or in the canyons. With everything there is to do here, it makes for one long happy hour of tale-telling.