Grand Junction

The largest city on Colorado's Western Slope and the heart of Colorado wine country, Grand Junction sprawls across the Grand Valley, perfectly situated for exploring the wonders of northwestern Colorado — and wonders certainly abound. To learn about the city's beginnings, visit the Museum of Western Colorado, which includes a dinosaur museum, and there have been several major digs locally. Annual celebrations include the downtown farmers' market, held every Thursday evening during the summer, and Colorado Mountain Winefest, the state’s largest wine festival, which takes place the third weekend of September. Charming and booming with local businesses, the streets of downtown Grand Junction are filled with art galleries, clothing boutiques, antique shops and a variety of restaurants — many with delightful sidewalk dining. Main Street also features one of the nation's largest outdoor-sculpture collections, with more than 100 pieces of art lining the sidewalks.