Alan & Ashlynn
Alan & Ashlynn
Things to Do
Grand Junction
Grand Junction is a gateway to the mountains and canyons of western Colorado and eastern Utah, making it the ultimate outdoor recreation hub. It's known for its proximity to natural attractions like the Colorado National Monument known as the “mini-Grand Canyon” as well as the Grand Mesa which is the largest flat-topped mountain in the world. Activities such as: hiking, biking, wine tasting, rafting, camping, and so much more are all within an hour drive. Alan and Ashlynn’s favorite time of the year is in the fall, mainly due to the perfect weather and changing landscapes that make Colorful Colorado live up to its name. For traveling guests, the wedding will take place in the heart of downtown. It is small but mighty, with over 115 sculptures and murals, cute shops, and absolutely no franchises.
Within the Grand Valley:
Grand Junction is within what is known as the Grand Valley. It encompasses the cities of Palisade to the east and Fruita to the west. The metro population is around 155,000 residents, and the closest metro to the Colorado-Utah border.
Palisade
13 miles, a 20 min drive
Palisade is Colorado’s fruit and wine country ideal for growing fruits like peaches, apples, and cherries, and grapes. With over 30 wineries to choose from, Palisade is ideal for the slow-paced visitor who wants to soak up those views.
Our favorite wineries:
- Varaison Vineyards & Winery
- Colterris (check out the overlook location)
- Colorado Cellars
- Restoration Vineyards
- Bookcliff Vineyards
Suggestions:
- Any festival
- Peché restaurant
- A stroll or picnic at Riverbend Park
- Walk alpacas at Suncrest Orchard
- 13 °Brix Cider Bistro
- Fidels Cocina & Bar
- Any winery above
Fruita
12 miles, a 20 min drive
Fruita is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering extensive mountain biking trails, hiking opportunities, and rafting on the Colorado River. It is also the gateway to the Colorado National Monument where Alan and Ashlynn got engaged! Fruita is ideal for the adventurous guests but keeping it mild is okay too. Fruita has a rich paleontological past, with such unique geologic features it’s no wonder its downtown features a statue of a dinosaur riding a bicycle.
Suggestions:
- Colorado National Monument scenic byway
- Mountain bike rentals
- UTV/ATV/dirt bike rentals
- Tons of hiking
- Dinosaur Journey Museum
- Hot Tomatoes Pizza
Within Western Colorado:
Grand Junction is not often spoken about nationally and most wouldn’t be able to locate it on a map, but it is the largest city west of the continental divide between Denver and Salt Lake! In Colorado, any area west of the continental divide is known as the west slope. This region is home to only about 10% of Colorado’s total population, and has the nickname of “West Slope, Best Slope.” Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Denver and its traffic, the west part of the state is full of hidden gems featuring picturesque towns and two national parks like:
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Utah is also VERY close to Grand Junction!
Alan and Ashlynn believe it is privilege to live so close to the Utah boarder. Around the wedding date, temperatures will start to cool off and allow for a more pleasant desert adventure while the highest Colorado peaks will have some snow. Popular destinations in eastern Utah are listed below, but don’t be afraid to go off of the beaten path into slot canyons or off-road on those red rocks:
All travel times above are from the wedding location as a starting point!
All photos above are from Ashlynn's personal camera roll!