Grand Junction is known as a mecca for outdoor adventurers, but it’s also a popular getaway for families who are looking for a variety of experiences for kiddos of all ages. From history to art, dinosaurs to Colorado National Monument, water park to trampolines - Grand Junction has unlimited activities to create family memories that last a lifetime. You will even rediscover your inner child along the way! Even in the winter, Grand Junction's temperate climate means you can enjoy many of these activities year-round!
Kids are always enthralled with dinosaurs. It’s easy for their vivid imaginations to envision giant lizards roaming the Earth, tromping through prehistoric rain forests. At Dinosaur Journey, it’s easy for anyone to imagine, with the museum's interactive animatronic displays. See dinosaurs come alive and move, view ancient fossils and bones, some discovered right here in Grand Junction, and watch paleontologists work towards the next “mammoth” discovery! After spending time in the museum’s immersive experience, plan to join an expedition to visit an active quarry to help prospect and excavate dino bones!
Trail Through Time
Staying hot on the heels of all this dino-mite excitement, the Trail Through Time will take you back in time all the way to the Mesozoic Era, some 65 million years ago. This 1.5-mile loop is perfect for kiddos. Dotted with interpretive signs, it's short, easy, scenic, and most importantly, will get the young ones excited to hike. Unleash their inner paleontologist as they discover real dinosaur fossils along the trail. Some bones were left in the ground just as they were originally discovered and others have been partially excavated and left in place for future dinosaur enthusiasts to discover.
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Eureka! McConnell Science Museum is introducing kids to the world of science at its new location at Colorado Mesa University. This interactive museum uses hands-on displays to make learning fun. Exhibits like Water in the West teach the importance of water in Grand Junction by educating kids on how to irrigate a peach orchard or operate a roller dam. Get excited about space and see what it’s like to be an astronaut landing a space shuttle in the Eureka space shuttle simulator. There are even live exhibits with snakes, ant farms, jellyfish, and tarantulas. Good luck rounding up the kiddos when it’s time to leave.
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Want to burn off some energy indoors? Located in an old silo, Get Air uses trampolines, foam pits, dodge balls, and Ninja Warrior courses to create one seriously good time. Not just fun for the little ones, Get Air at the Silo is a great way for entire families to play together and is sure to keep everyone entertained. It’s also guaranteed to tire everyone out, no matter how much energy they have.
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Adrenaline Driven Adventures offers a unique way to get the whole family screaming with joy. Strap everyone into a four-seater RZR and explore the desert in style. With hundreds of miles of OHV trails surrounding Grand Junction, you can explore for a few hours, or a full day. Once the big knobby tires start spinning and the dirt starts flying, everyone will have a big grin plastered across their dusty faces. Not sure where to go? Adrenaline Driven offers guided tours as well, so you can let experts lead the way.
Once the snow starts falling, head to the Grand Mesa to explore the World's Largest flat-top mountain by snowmobile. Miles and miles of OHV trails turn into miles and miles of snowmobile trails. You can rent machines from Grand Mesa Adventures or Thunder Mountain Lodge, or go on a guided tour to make sure you see all the best sites.
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Every adventure needs a sweet ending, and we mean literally. A must-do is a visit to the world-famous Enstrom Toffee and Confectionary. Delicious homemade ice cream, toffee, and other sweets turned this small family shop into a company that ships its custom confections all over the world. Even famous musician, John Mayer, shares how he can’t stop eating their addictive toffee! Stop in at the Enstrom shop downtown to try some of their masterfully made treats, or cool off with ice cream or a handmade shake. While you’re here, be sure to look through the large windows at the back of the store to watch the candy being made right on-site, just like it always has been.
Check out this memorable family itinerary packed full of variety and adventure on page 21 of the Grand Junction Adventure Guide.
