Grand Junction Between River Landscapes and Art

When looking for a hotel in Grand Junction, you can start by deciding what you want to focus on during your trip: the city combines art and cultural history with connections to the river; nearby, you’ll also find roads and trails through the landscape. The following places offer different perspectives for a trip that combines the city and its surroundings.

Riverfront and Nearby Trails

Las Colonias Park covers 130 acres and is located right next to downtown Grand Junction, on the banks of the Colorado River. The park is also connected to the existing and expanding Riverfront Trail system. For planning purposes, this gives the site both a specifically identified riverside location and a trail connection. It’s a clear point of reference if you want to focus on Grand Junction’s relationship with the river.

Watson Island offers a different perspective: the island is located right on the Colorado River near Las Colonias and offers disc golf. Rim Rock Drive is another nearby point of reference for views of the landscape. The 23-mile, paved, two-lane road runs through Colorado National Monument. Pullouts and viewpoints offer views of the monument’s geological formations and natural landscapes.

Otto’s Trail is also nearby. It leads to a peninsula in the canyons, offering panoramic views of Wedding Canyon and Monument Canyon on three sides. This gives you a specific landscape destination, while Rim Rock Drive describes a road route through the monument. The Old Spanish Trail North Branch adds a historical perspective: the corridor runs west through Cochetopa Pass to Grand Junction, Colorado, in the nearby area.

Art in the Cityscape and Exhibition History

Art on the Corner brings together sculptures in downtown Grand Junction and the history of an exhibition. The program began on August 5, 1984, with 24 sculptures on Main Street in Grand Junction. Today, Art on the Corner features more than 115 sculptures throughout downtown; the collection may change. If you’re interested not only in the works but also in their history, Art on the Corner offers community conversations and tours about the exhibition’s history.

Museums and Cultural Offerings

The Sterling T. Smith Observation Tower rises just under 75 feet above the Museum of the West. From there, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Grand Junction, the Colorado River, and the surrounding canyonland. The EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum has a different focus, offering science-related activities and interactive exhibits. These two places appeal to different interests: a broad view of the city and landscape, or an exploration of scientific topics.

The Art Center of Western Colorado offers changing exhibitions, workshops, and classes in a variety of artistic media. Cross Orchards Historic Site, a living history museum, presents Grand Junction’s agricultural roots. The selection therefore ranges from changing art exhibitions and classes to the history of agriculture.

Agriculture and U-Pick

A seasonal description from May 2025 identifies nearby Fruit Basket Orchards as a 7.5-acre U-pick farm. If U-pick is one of your travel interests, check before visiting whether it is currently offered. This makes the farm a seasonal option to consider, while Cross Orchards Historic Site offers a historical perspective on the region’s agriculture.

Discover more destinations: De Beque, Fruita, Redlands, Palisade

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