Top Five Destinations of Grand Junction, CO

Grand Junction, Colorado makes me think of the NFL. My friend Andy used to live there and he invited me to visit in early 2000. He?s a Vikings fan and I?m a Rams fan. So, in that magical Rams season, I watched that playoff shootout between our two teams at a Grand Junction bar. After that though, I couldn?t handle being around opposing fans because the game put me on such an edge, especially with a good friend who knew what buttons to push. It still happens today. If I care about an outcome, I prefer to tuck myself away and let the joy or anguish hit me without the taunts or condolences of anyone else. It?s also good to avoid any violence you might get from wandering into ?enemy? territory.

Still, there is a joy to finding a place to surround yourself with fellow fans. The home stadium. A team bar. A friend?s house. The happiness of a sporting event victory is contagious. When you can?t get to that ideal location though, sometimes just hanging with a friend is all you need; I just make sure it isn?t the World Series, the Super Bowl or another championship. Then, I make sure to spend my time doing other fun things with friends, like these five things around Grand Junction.

Hike the Colorado National Monument

Any chance to get into the backwoods and tramp around a majestic landscape is not one I?ll evade. Colorado National Monument has several hiking trails not open to bikes like No Thoroughfare Canyon that has pools and waterfalls while Monument and Wedding Canyon combine for a five-mile loop.

Mountain bike along the Tabeguache Trail

I?m not against bikes, I just think bikes and hikers aren?t much like peanut butter and chocolate. When I want to bike, I?ll head over to Ruby Canyon Cycles so I can hit the Tabeguache Trail and not worry about running over hikers.

Visit the Museum of Western Colorado

The Museum of Western Colorado has five different components that include a library and an educational center. The real interesting part though is the Dinosaur Journey Museum that includes a working laboratory for all of the dinosaur discoveries in this former prehistoric wonderland.

Eat at 626 on Rood

After all that physical activity and learning more about dinosaurs, I?ll need food. 626 On Rood has grilled peach Caprese salad, crab and shrimp tacos and a smoked duck club sandwich that all sound fantastic.

Race go-karts at the Grand Junction Motor Speedway

To continue sitting on my ass and to give my food time to settle, I?m going to head over to Grand Junction Motor Speedway. The track is almost a mile long, and 30 minutes along it in a go-kart that goes up to 60 miles an hour sounds like a great way to start or end a day.

Any suggestions for things that I missed? Any additional recommendations for the area? Just let me know in the comments.