Grand Junction’s Main Street has thrived for decades, bringing together art-lovers, adventure-seekers, and foodies to enjoy a beautiful oasis in the mountain desert. It is the perfect place for shopping, dining, or enjoying a drink between days spent exploring the Grand Mesa National Forest and the Colorado National Monument. After enjoying Downtown Grand Junction, you’re certain to agree that the culture of Grand Junction is just as amazing as its surrounding natural beauty.
A Main Street Like No Other
Main Street in Downtown Grand Junction has been a pedestrian-friendly shopping district since the early 1960s when visionary city leaders lined the street with trees and created its meandering design. The heart of Grand Junction has been brilliantly revitalized and expanded in the past few years to include more public art, fountains, and wonderful landscaping. It’s the perfect setting to experience the city’s distinct and hospitable local culture.
You won’t find big-box chain stores here. What you will find is boutique shopping, charming candy stores, bookshops, cute kids’ clothing, and unique retailers. Kids love Main Street’s outdoor fountain, interesting statues, toy and candy shops. Here are a few ideas for things to see during your visit to Main Street in Grand Junction.
Main Street in Grand Junction boasts an amazing number of public art pieces per block. With more than 100 works of public art spread across several blocks of downtown, it’s fun to try and see the distinct variety on display, including a buffalo made from old bumpers (“Chrome on the Range”), a bronze cast of a woman riding a bicycle, a group of stylized gorillas and more.
Art Galleries
Taking in the public art on Main Street in Grand Junction will inspire a trip into a few galleries along the way. Local artists abound in Grand Junction and the art galleries are not just great for window-shopping. Take home a unique piece of art to commemorate your visit to this artsy desert mountain town.
Enjoy original local art on Main Street at FrameWorks and Gallery or wander into the Working Artist Gallery for everything from locally-made stained glass to art classes. If you are lucky enough to be in Grand Junction for the first Friday of the month, go to The Art Center at Seventh and Orchard Ave around 6 pm and wander from gallery to gallery enjoying local art, food, drink, and meeting the local artists.
Weekly Farmers Market
Grand Junction’s Main Street is transformed on Thursdays between mid-July to mid-September from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm into a wonderful Farmers Market Festival. Four blocks of Main Street are filled with the freshest local produce.
Must Stop Shops:
The largest antique store in Grand Junction has a wide selection of rare, valuable, and fun collectibles for just about every collection and taste. A Robin’s Nest is full of treasure and will be an excellent place to spend an afternoon.
The rack out in front of Brown Cycles is filled with a hundred different bicycle bells. Let your inner child loose and try out a few, listening to their nostalgic sounds. Inside, the store seems like an art gallery for bikes, with original hardwood floors and murals on the walls. Brown Cycles is at the heart of Grand Junction’s extremely strong bike culture. Here you can rent a bike for the day and explore beyond Main Street on two wheels.
Where to Eat and Drink
The corner of 4th and Main offers a great stopping point for the kids to play and adults to try a true Colorado brew. Gorillas line the sidewalk for the kids to climb on right next to Rockslide Brewery’s wonderful shady sidewalk patio. Try the made-in-house seasonal brews and enjoy great prices on food and beer during happy hour 3-6 pm and 10-midnight daily. At dinnertime, wander across the street for the finest Italian food at Il Bistro Italiano. Don’t miss Bin 707 or 626 on Rood, you will not be disappointed!
For breakfast: Main Street Bagels, the Dream Cafe, or Main Street Cafe
For treats: Gelato Junction and Candy Time Shoppe and Novelties
Got a favorite spot downtown? Share your pictures and videos on social media and tag them with #ShareGJ.
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