The Grand Junction area is rich with culinary history and agricultural roots. The region’s agricultural story began in the early 1880s, when irrigation enabled farming. In 1883, William Edgar Pabor planted apples, pears, peaches, cherries, plums, and grapes after recognizing the area’s potential for fruit production. Around the same time, Charles Steele and Elam Blain established early apple and peach orchards.
The area soon developed a reputation as a thriving fruit-growing region—particularly for apples and later for peaches. By the early 1900s, the fruit industry had become central to the local economy. In 1909, President William Howard Taft visited Grand Junction and spoke at the city’s Peach Day celebration honoring the region’s successful peach harvest.
Today, that agricultural heritage continues across the Grand Junction area. Farmers’ markets in Grand Junction, Palisade, and Fruita are filled with fresh produce. Palisade remains famous for its uber-sweet and juicy peaches, and many local restaurants highlight ingredients sourced from nearby farms.
P: Joshua Scott
Day One
Morning and Breakfast
Spoon Bistro & Bakery
Begin your experience of the Grand Junction area’s culinary and agricultural excellence with breakfast at Spoons Bistro & Bakery. This popular local breakfast spot offers a wide array of morning favorites and freshly baked pies. Try the Smoked Salmon Florentine, a savory Colorado Burrito, or indulge in Berries & Cream French toast.
All proceeds from Spoons Bistro & Bakery support HopeWest's mission to profoundly change the experiences of aging, illness, and grief through creativity, volunteerism, and philanthropy. Dining at Spoons is a great way to give back to the community.
Geocaching
After getting fueled for the day, pack a backpack with water and a few small trinkets because you’re heading out on a treasure hunt! Scattered throughout downtown, local parks, and the vast public lands surrounding the Grand Junction area are more than 800 hidden containers known as geocaches. Download the geocaching app on your phone or GPS device, pick a cache, and start searching. It’s a great activity for the whole family—or split into teams and see who can find the most before time runs out. When you discover a cache, you may find small treasures inside. Feel free to take one as a souvenir, but be sure to leave a trinket of your own so the next geocachers can enjoy the experience too. Bonus – find the geocache at the Grand Junction Visitor Center, Monday – Friday, and receive an extra special gift!
Afternoon and Lunch
Pear Blossom Farms
After your souvenir search, make your way to Pear Blossom Farms, a family-owned operation known for transforming Palisade’s orchard harvests into bold, flavor-packed products. Browse shelves stocked with fresh peach salsas, handcrafted jams, fruit butters, and locally loved jalapeño sauces, along with a variety of dressings and specialty goods that capture the essence of Grand Junction area agriculture. Whether you’re picking up a quick snack or searching for something to bring home, it’s a flavorful stop that offers a different way to experience the region’s orchard heritage—one that extends well beyond harvest season.
Clark and Co's Distilling
Set along a scenic bend of the Colorado River in the heart of Palisade, Clark & Co’s Distilling blends generations of agricultural heritage with handcrafted spirits. Located on a seventh-generation family orchard, the distillery transforms locally grown fruit into a wide range of house-made spirits, including brandies, bourbons, gin, rum, and moonshine.
Clark & Co has an extensive burger, sandwich, and salad menu with a focus on quality ingredients. All of the burgers are made with top grade, premium Gold Canyon Colorado 100% Angus Beef that is all-natural and has never received hormones or antibiotics. Indulge a little and make it a double beef patty for only $1.50 more!
The shaded patio or rustic tasting room is perfect to relax and sip in while checking out the fermentation tanks behind the glass wall. The distillery was inspired by Grandpa Larry who was not only famous for being an elite peach farmer, he also made peach brandy in the basement, which later became the inspiration for Clark and Co’s Distilling. Surely this made ol’ grandpa proud!
Fruit & Wine Byway
Next, experience Palisade’s orchards, gardens, and vineyards by riding through the beautiful Fruit & Wine Byway. Choose from three routes and enjoy your afternoon outdoors on a bicycle, or explore by car and stop wherever something piques your interest.
The East Cruiser Loop is a 5-mile easy ride along the Colorado River that starts and ends in downtown Palisade. The West Cruiser Loop is a 7-mile route that takes riders through Riverbend Park and passes a variety of wineries. The East Orchard Mesa Loop is a 25-mile route that is perfect for those who prefer a scenic drive while enjoying gorgeous views of the area.
Nighttime and Dinner
Devil's Kitchen
Wind down with dinner at Devil’s Kitchen, a rooftop restaurant located atop the Hotel Maverick on the campus of Colorado Mesa University. With sweeping views of the surrounding mesas and Colorado National Monument, the restaurant pairs striking scenery with a menu inspired by the flavors of the American West. Devil’s Kitchen highlights regional ingredients and seasonal produce, offering dishes that reflect the Grand Junction area’s rich agricultural heritage. Start with the deviled kitchen eggs or Hatch Green Chili Dip, then enjoy your main course. We recommend the Bison Tip Pappardelle or Colorado Paella.
Graff Dairy
End your night with a stop at Graff Dairy, a local favorite that brings small-town charm together with big-time flavor. Opened in 1964, the original Graff Dairy is a Grand Junction favorite for over 62 years. Known for its fresh, hometown milk and legendary ice cream, Graff Dairy had scores of loyal customers throughout the decades. Perhaps it was the secret recipe loaned to Graff from the Enstrom family that made the dairy so celebrated, or the sense of ownership felt by the community.
The menu features thick milkshakes, towering sundaes, fruity smoothies, classic floats, and ice cream cones showcasing rotating flavors of the week. Their soft serve is elite! If you’re looking for something new, complete your treat with an Italian cream soda or a bold espresso for the perfect café affagato.
Day Two
Morning and Breakfast
Dream Cafe
Ease into your second day with breakfast at Dream Cafe, a downtown favorite known for its lively atmosphere and all-day breakfast menu. With a mix of classic comfort dishes and creative twists, it’s an easy place to settle in and start your morning. Choose from options like their Jalapeño Steak Bene featuring sirloin steak grilled on an English muffin that is topped with fresh jalapenos, chipotle cream cheese, poached eggs, hollandaise sauce, and fresh pico de gallo. Another local favorite is the Baked Avocado Bene which includes two halved avocados overflowing with poached eggs, monterey jack cheese and pico de gallo. Save room for a sweet treat! Dream Café has some of the largest cinnamon rolls you’ll ever see; and since they are baked fresh daily, you know they are ooey gooey good! Whether you’re in the mood for something savory or sweet, Dream Cafe is the perfect breakfast stop before heading out to explore Grand Junction.
Downtown Grand Junction
After breakfast, it’s time for a captivating stroll through Downtown Grand Junction. Wander through the streets and keep an eye out for public art installations scattered throughout while checking off the sculpture scavenger hunt below:
-
Children playing with a dog near The Maverick Store
-
A frightened girl near Klik Boutique
-
Stacked boxes near Rebel Treasures
-
Cycling Dino near Ruby Canyon Cycles
-
Marble Fish next to Pollux Boutique
-
Climbable Gorillas near Western Anglers
-
Royal Frog near Pinque Boutique
-
Boy on Books near Out West Books
-
The Enstrom's near Enstrom Candies
Enstrom Candies
After your sculpture scavenger extravaganza, make your way to Enstrom Candies for a sweet ending. A Grand Junction staple, Enstrom’s is best known for its world-famous almond toffee—rich, buttery, and coated in chocolate and almonds. John Mayer even wrote a song about how addicting it is! Whether you pick up a box to take home or enjoy a piece on the spot, it’s the perfect way to close out a weekend rooted in the region’s flavors.
Taco Party
Refuel with lunch at Taco Party, a vibrant local spot known for bold flavors and creative takes on classic tacos. The menu features a rotating selection of inventive options made with fresh, locally inspired ingredients—bringing a unique Grand Junction twist to each bite. This includes the Guacamole, which is a work of art aside from being the perfect starter to your taco party.
If you grab a seat at the bar, you can play a lighthearted game of “I Spy” with the wall of odd and colorful objects lining the shelves—adding a fun, unexpected element to your dining experience. Pair your tacos with a house-made agua fresca or a refreshing beverage and enjoy the lively atmosphere before heading out for the afternoon.
Las Colonias Park
Spend your afternoon at Las Colonias Park, a scenic riverfront destination along the Colorado River. The park offers a mix of open green space, walking paths, and easy access to the water—making it a perfect place to slow down and enjoy the outdoors.
For a more active experience, rent a paddleboard from Grand Junction Adventures and head out onto the Colorado River. Whether you’re new to paddleboarding or more experienced, the calm stretches of water provide a relaxing way to take in the surrounding views from a different perspective. After your time on the river, unwind along the riverfront trail or find a spot to sit back and enjoy the peaceful setting before continuing your evening. Don’t forget! Safety first – where your PFD or life preserver.
Nighttime and Dinner
Ocotillo
Wrap up your weekend with dinner at Ocotillo Restaurant & Bar at Redlands Mesa, where a modern atmosphere meets a thoughtfully crafted menu. Located at the award-winning Redlands Mesa Golf Course, the restaurant offers an upscale casual dining experience with sweeping views of the course’s greens and the red rocks of Colorado National Monument. The menu features a full selection of craft cocktails, mocktails, and a thoughtfully curated wine list.
Start with the Crostini Flight, featuring your choice of spreads like brie with apple & house-made hot honey, burrata with tomato & micro-basil, prosciutto with arugula, whipped goat cheese & fig, or warm artichoke with parmesan & balsamic drizzle—all served on artisan toasts. There is no lack of entrée options at Ocotillo! Indulge in the short rib ragu gnocchi, pairing tender braised short rib with pillowy gnocchi in a rich, savory sauce. For something traditional with a twist, enjoy the chicken pot pie made from scratch baked to golden perfection topped with a parmesan crisp. Top off your meal with a rotating locally made ice cream of the week.
For more things to do in Grand Junction and discover affordable lodging, check out the Official Grand Junction Visitor’s Guide.