The landmark that Grand Junction is most famous for is Colorado National Monument; however, Downtown Grand Junction is also acclaimed for its design and 100+ sculptures. Located just 10 minutes from I-70, Downtown Grand Junction is a pleasant surprise offering trendy restaurants, boutiques selling local products, unique galleries and larger than life sculptures you can pose with.
The streets are lined with a variety of trees that provide a shady haven from summer’s rays. With a pleasant year-round temperate climate and over 275 days of sunshine each year, the streets and outdoor patios are bustling with locals and visitors both day and night.
Grand Junction’s Main Street was one of the first in the country intentionally designed to slow down vehicle traffic to create a pedestrian-friendly experience. The narrow roadway snakes through Downtown in a series of gentle S turns while wide sidewalks provide plenty of room for people to move about. While lounging at one of the many outdoor patios, it’s easy to forget about the road altogether.
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Downtown Grand Junction has a thriving community of artists. Galleries, shops, and restaurants highlight the talent of local artists. The creative influence is so strong here that Downtown Grand Junction is a Certified Creative District, one of only 13 in the State!
You don’t have to go inside to experience this artistic influence, as Downtown hosts over 100 high-end outdoor sculptures. A local sculptor named Dave Davis started the Art on the Corner program in 1984 as a way for artists to display their work and add another element of beauty to Downtown. Since then, Art on the Corner has flourished, and this free display now includes over 100 sculptures making it one of the largest outdoor art displays in the country. While many of the pieces are on permanent display, some are changed out annually. Every fall, Downtown celebrates the arrival of new pieces to the exhibit with an Arts Festival.
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In the summer months, this vibrant community stays active with events like the Downtown Music Fest, offering three days of food, beer, and live music that is free to the public. Every Thursday evening from the end of June – September, Main Street closes to traffic and hosts a Farmers Market. While Farmers Markets are held all over the country, there is a tasty difference that sets Downtown Grand Junction’s market apart. The delicious and famous Palisade Peaches, juicy cherries, crisp apples, and other fresh produce arrive from nearby farms. The only way to get fruit fresher than that is to pick it yourself (which you can also do)!
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This beautiful little Downtown is a destination in and of itself. Actually, with more than four hotels and dozens of vacation homes in the Downtown area alone, all within walking distance to shops and restaurants, why not stay a day or two in the heart of it all? Find out for yourself why it all comes together here in Downtown Grand Junction.
Want to discover more ways to enjoy Grand Junction's Downtown? Check out page 16 of the Grand Junction Visitor Guide!
