Grand Junction and Montrose: Activities, Restaurants and Wineries

What to eat, see and do in Grand Junction and Montrose

Colorado AvidGolfer

The Grand Junction region’s alkaline soil, hot sunny days and cool night breezes make the high-desert environment the ideal terroir to grow grapes. Sporting the highest vineyards in North America, the region supports some 30 vineyards and wineries, many offering tours and tastings. Palisade’s annual Colorado Mountain Winefest (Sept.18-21) showcases all of them, plus dozens more from across the state. visitgrandjunction.com

Sunny in Every Way

Featuring awe-inspiring natural beauty and more sunny days than Denver, the home of the Colorado National Monument teems with exhilarating outdoor adventures. The Kokopelli Trail highlights a latticework of mountain bike routes, including the 142-mile Tabeguache Trail connecting Grand Junction to Montrose. Campers and hikers can explore the wonders of the Grand Mesa. Raft the whitewater of the Colorado River and take the scenic byways of Rim Rock Drive, Highway 65 and the Colorado-Utah Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway. visitgrandjunction.com

Stop & See

The soaring buttresses and steep cliffs of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Montrose plunge 2,722 feet to the thundering river below. The most spectacular parts of the 48-mile-long chasm lie within the national park.

Grand Junction’s cultural side reveals itself with Art on the Corner, a pioneering program that dots the streets with 100 sculptures. Galleries and shops abound. So do live performances at the Avalon and Mesa theaters.

Stay-and-Play deals for most Grand Junction golf courses exist with many of the major hotel chains (Marriott, Hampton Inn, etc.) and B&Bs (Los Altos) located there. These hostelries often offer wine travel packages as well. visitgrandjunction.com

Where's the Grub?

Grand Junction’s finer eateries include Il Bistro Italiano, The Winery, 626 on Rood and Redlands Mesa’s Red Canyon Grille. In Montrose, Cobble Creek’s Creekside does great pizza and steak, and Remington’s at The Bridges may be one of Colorado’s best public course restaurants. Read the Fareways artilce on Il Bistro Italiano here.

Grand Junction Visitors and Convention Bureau
970-244-1480; visitgrandjunction.com

The Ale House
Grand Junction
970-242-7ALE; breckbrew.com

Il Bistro Italiano
Grand Junction
970-243-8622; ilbistroitaliano.com

Red Canyon Grille
Grand Junction
970-243-7736; redlandsmesa.com

Los Altos Bed & Breakfast
Grand Junction
970-256-0964; losaltosgrandjunction.com

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Montrose
970-641-2337; nps.gov/blca

Creekside Restaurant
Montrose
970-249-5915; creeksidecobblecreek.com

Remington’s
Montrose
970-252-1119; montrosebridges.com

RELATED LINKS

Where to Tee it Up: Grand Junction, Montrose, Delta

Savor Grand Junction's Reds, Whites and Greens!

5 Reasons to Visit Colorado's Western Slope this Summer

Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.