Colorado’s Rising Star: This Underrated City Is Ideal for Any Traveler

When it comes to Colorado cities, Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs get all the love. This makes sense as they are located in the Front Range, which is not only where the majority of Colorado's population resides, but they're also the places people visit when flying into Colorado, even if their final destinations are somewhere in the mountains. Granted, cities in other parts of Colorado are few, but those that do exist end up being overlooked and virtually ignored. That's a tragedy, because Colorado's other cities have a lot to offer, too.

Way over on the western side of Colorado - the part of the state known as the Western Slope, there's a great little city called Grand Junction. People from other parts of the nation have surely heard of the cities mentioned in the paragraph above, but it's like that many have never even heard of Grand Junction at all. However, this city has a population of nearly 70,000 residents within the city and 155,000 in its metropolitan area. It encompasses a land area of nearly 40 square miles, and it's surrounded by 1.2 million acres of public land.

Grand Junction gets its name from the fact that it's at the junction of the Gunnison River and the Colorado River, and its been nicknamed "The River City" due to this fact. Long ago, it was home to the Ute people; it wasn't settled by farmers until the 1880s. Much of this side of Colorado is a semi-arid, desert environment, but the rivers near Grand Junction create a fertile area known as the Grand Valley. This Colorado River valley is 30 miles long from east to west but only five miles from north to south, so it's rather compact, but thanks to irrigation from the Colorado River and abundant sunshine year-round, this region is home to dozens of farms, fruit orchards, and cattle ranches even today.

Residents and visitors love this part of Colorado for its scenic beauty, outdoor recreational activities, and friendly locals. There are lots of things to do in and around Grand Junction. Outdoor enthusiasts love exploring places like the Colorado National Monument, Grand Mesa, and Rattlesnake Arches, and there are many opportunities for activities like whitewater rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, and camping. Food and wine lovers will enjoy visiting area wineries and orchards and dining at the city's many farm-to-table restaurants, steakhouses, and other establishments that celebrate the bounty of local farmers and ranchers.

Grand Junction's downtown is a lovely place to stroll. Visitors will immediately notice the meticulous and pleasant design of this area; wide sidewalks flanked by flowers and trees are inviting and welcoming. You'll find many interesting shops in this area, and those who love art will be impressed by the vast number of sculptures and murals that decorate the city. In fact, Grand Junction is home to one of the nation's largest outdoor art collections, with over 115 works to view and enjoy. Other popular attractions within the city itself include the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, the Eureka! McConnell Science Museum, and the Museum of the West - all are fun and educational for visitors of all ages.

This city is often overlooked even by Coloradans, due to its location on the western side of the state, and that's a shame. Grand Junction is underrated, but anyone who takes the time to check it out will find that it's a fantastic place to visit. They will soon understand why the people who live there love it so much. Plan a visit soon! You'll be pleased with what you find in Grand Junction, and you'll wonder why you didn't explore this fabulous Colorado city far sooner.

If you're looking for somewhere to stay when visiting Grand Junction, you might consider The Hotel Melrose. This boutique hotel is well-rated and is within walking distance of many downtown restaurants and attractions. Have a great trip!