You don’t need a holiday to escape with your special someone! Celebrate your relationship in Grand Junction, CO, where unhurried moments meet unforgettable adventures. We’ve curated the perfect itinerary for your romantic retreat—explore rugged terrain on ATVs, unwind during a guided paint session, and trek through red-rock canyons together.
Day 1 – Downtown Wander & Creative Sparks
Once you arrive, stretch your legs with a stroll in Downtown Grand Junction. Walk hand in hand while admiring more than 115 outdoor art installations framing the sidewalks, perfect for Instagram snapshots. Pop into one of the many coffee shops along the way and snag a beverage, like the chai tea or a fruit smoothie made in a pina colada-like fashion from Main Street Bagels. For the music lover, spin on down to Triple Play Records and file through thousands of vinyl records. They also carry an extensive selection of discs for those that play disc golf. To pick up a friendly game together, check out these epic areas to throw around Grand Junction. To treat yourselves, stop into The Hog and the Hen. You can pick up some sandwiches to satiate your appetite, but the true gold lies in the nostalgic, retro candy. Once you’ve had a sweet treat, head to Gearhead Outfitters, who offer outdoor gear in case you forgot some essentials or just need some trail recommendations. Their friendly staff is always ready to help!
After exploring, settle down and enjoy a delicious meal at The Rockslide Brew Pub. This is the oldest brewery in Grand Junction, so their brews have been perfected. The raspberry wheat is one of their most popular beers, made with natural raspberry extract, and can even be paired half-and-half with the big bear stout, made with roasted barley and chocolate malt, for a black & berry creation. Beyond beer, you can try the famous Palisade Lavender Lemonade, made with gin from Clark & Co’s Distillery. On the food menu, the new salmon Florentine is a grilled salmon filet with a creamy Florentine sauce, served with rice and veggies, but if you prefer a classic, the bison burger with stout-braised onions is a local favorite.
After dinner, enjoy a relaxing date night at The Palette. Unwind with a complimentary glass of wine or beer and let the friendly instructors guide your brushstrokes through the painting process. Turn it into a playful competition to see whose artwork best matches the reference, or collaborate on a shared masterpiece across two canvases during one of their popular doubles painting sessions. Classes fill up fast, so make sure you book ahead!
Day 2 – Sandstone Spires & Icy Spins
Enjoy a cup of joe and relax over a warm breakfast at Dream Café. The fresh cinnamon roll is humongous and made daily, topped with cinnamon butter, caramel sauce, and icing to satisfy your sweet tooth. If you’re looking for something with a little more protein, try the whitewater breakfast wrap, with egg whites, red peppers, jack cheese, avocado, and black beans wrapped in a spinach tortilla. Spice up your coffee with the Mexican coffee, served with tequila and Kahlua, or try the Irish coffee made with Jameson Irish whiskey or Carolan's Irish cream.
Once you are fueled, head over to Colorado National Monument (CNM), only ten minutes from Downtown! There are over 43 miles of hiking trails to traverse, ranging from easy to hard, so you can push your limits, or enjoy a leisurely trek through the red rock canyons with your person. Otto’s Trail is 0.7 miles and an easy out-and-back that leads to an overlook of some of the main rock formations, including Independence Monument, and the surrounding canyons. To push your limits, take on Monument Canyon Trail, this 11.9-mile out-and-back route gains 1,843 feet in elevation. This trail offers rewarding views from the canyon floor to Independence Monument towering above and often, herds of bighorn sheep linger along the trail so you can spot these furry creatures in their natural habitat.
Photo by: Jane Harrison
If you’re looking to keep things low-key, you can “hike from your car” along the 23-mile scenic Rim Rock Drive. This road winds through CNM and has access to over 19 pull-outs and overlooks, so you can walk just a few steps and be rewarded with vistas that explain why it’s called the “mini-Grand Canyon.” Pack in some snacks and a picnic blanket and stop at the Devil’s Kitchen Picnic Area to enjoy a light lunch before the next adventure, and be immersed in the tranquility of the high desert.
The Saddlehorn Visitor Center is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm during the winter months and is worth a stop on your visit. There is a spot to fill your water bottle before heading out on the trails, and you can learn about the rich history of CNM, talk to park rangers about the most iconic trails, and pick up a souvenir from the gift shop.
In the afternoon, bundle in some layers and head to River City Sportplex, an indoor ice rink where you can rent a pair of skates for only $5.00 and enjoy a gentle glide around the ice during their public skate. There is also a cosmic skate, where the space transforms with a laser light show that dances around you as music sets the pace. Experience bumper cars on the ice and race your partner around the rink! Check their schedule for information on these events, including university and junior hockey leagues. The Grand Junction River Hawks are a Tier II junior ice hockey team competing in the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). The NCDC is the top tier of the USPHL and is known for advancing players to NCAA programs, making it a must-watch for emerging hockey talent.
After all of that icy fun, it’s time to get a warm bite—head over to Pablo’s Pizza, where pizza is reimagined and everything is made from scratch. Start off by sharing an appetizer like the cheesy pizza sticks made with their own garlic olive oil. The new Garuda pizza features a homemade Thai peanut sauce, mozzarella, sweet chili sauce, garlic, chicken, and pineapple. Each Tuesday, there is a new pizza of the week and they only carry beer crafted in Mesa County, including from Ramblebine Brewing.
Day 3 – Thrills, Bites & Blooms
Photo by: Christina Seifers
Kick off the morning with an exciting ATV ride through desert landscapes! You can enjoy a guided trip with Adrenaline Driven Adventures and watch as the landscape goes from desert to red rock canyons in the distance, all the way down to the Colorado River in Bangs Canyon. Adrenaline is a certified Polaris Outfitter, so their equipment is all top-notch. They will take care of everything you need, from the vehicle to your helmets! Whether you are looking for a leisurely ride or an extreme climb, the Desert Dash is a popular excursion for a tour of the high desert in Grand Junction. There are over 550,000 acres of open terrain, so you can navigate fast-flowing washes, rocky ridgelines, and winding trails. Slow down and pause at scenic vistas, overlooking Carpenter Canyon with petrified sand dunes, and take the perfect picture.
Once you’ve had your adrenaline fix, enjoy a slower afternoon and stop by the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens. The butterfly house is iconic for epic photos and fluttering giggles. There are even three turtles that roam the house, so try and spot Muggins, Simon or Escape Artist! The vibrant flowers throughout the grounds offer a glimpse into spring and are well worth the visit to see vibrant blooms. There are 15 acres to explore, with gardens like the Japanese, Cactus, Antique Rose, and Western Heritage.
For places to stay and other ways to celebrate your romance in Grand Junction, check out the Official Grand Junction Adventure Guide!