Colorado is an iconic United States destination. There are so many thrilling reasons to visit this beautiful state; and I can’t wait to to visit again very soon. I had the pleasure of working with Visit Colorado last week to create a 4-day itinerary that suited my interests and the interests of my readers. So with that said, I am thrilled to share (what I consider to be) the best things to do in Grand Junction and Palisade, Colorado.

My Itinerary:

Day 1:

• Arrive on an early flight
• Check-in at Spoke and Vine Hotel in Palisade
• Explore downtown Palisade
• Dinner at Peche Restaurant

Day 2:

• Hike in Colorado National Monument with our Guide, Zeb Miracle
• Fruit and Wine E-Bike Tour in Palisade
  • Vines 79 Winery
  • Bookcliff Vineyards
  • Colterris Winery
  • Sauvage Winery

• Check-in at Hotel Maverick in Grand Junction
• Dinner at 626 on Road

Day 3:

• All Day Fly Fishing with Western Anglers in Grand Junction
• Lunch from Hog & Hen
• Dinner at The Winery in Grand Junction

Getting to Grand Junction, Palisade & Around Town:

Grand Junction has it’s own airport which was great since we flew directly there.

Once we got into town, we rented a car and parking was super easy to find all around the two cities. However, if you prefer not to drive, there are plenty of ride shares available.

Accommodations:

I could not have been more impressed with our stay with Hotel Maverick and Spoke & Vine. Both were located few blocks away within downtown, extremely modern yet welcoming. The staff always welcomed us home with a smile.

The rooms were extremely spacious and clean, the beds were comfortable, and the lighting in the room was the best I’ve ever seen in a hotel room (good for influencers, ha). I truly loved my time at both hotels and HIGHLY recommend it if you find yourself in Grand Junction and Palisade.

Peche Restaurant:

Our first stop once we finally arrived in Palisade was for a lovely dinner at Peche Restaurant. Chef Matthew Chasseur, his wife and GM Ashley and the staff went above and beyond by preparing an outstanding pairing dinner for us. I knew going in this was going to be one of my favorite meals of 2021 since Matt and Ashley actually met working at the triple-Michelin-starred Alinea in Chicago. A few favorites were the English Pea toast, Foie Gras with Peach Jam, Pork Short Ribs with Kimchi, Eggplant and the local favorite Palisade Peach tarte dessert.

The first course was my absolute favorite part of the entire meal; both dishes were outstandingly unique and paired perfectly with the wines that were presented to us. The second course was equally unique and not something I would have ever ordered for myself; however, we were pleasantly surprised with the mix of flavors. And the night ended on a high note with a delicious dessert.

Fly Fishing:

You can’t beat fly fishing in Colorado. The views are unparalleled to none.

We spent the entire day with Tyler from Western Anglers and couldn’t have asked for a better guide. We drove up to Grand Mesa Mountain then hiked a few miles to our spot. Grand Mesa covers roughly 540 square miles in Western Colorado, making it the largest flat-top mountain in the world! It rises to over 11,000 feet.

One of the best reasons to hire a fly fishing guide is learning how to get started in the sport. Fly fishing can be an intimidating sport to get involved with initially. Casting, proper gear, knot tying, fly choice and hatch recognition are only a few of the things with which you need to know. If you are interested in learning how to fly fish or accessing some fantastic private water, book a guided fly fishing trip with Western Wranglers. Or stop into their store in downtown Grand Junction and ask their fly fishing experts for advice on purchasing the best gear, booking a trip or what flies to use. All of their guides live and fish locally and are happy to share how to catch trout in the area’s fisheries.

Wineries:

I was able to spend half the day in Palisade, which is known for its variety of wineries, breweries, and distilleries! We rented our e-bikes from Rapid Creek Cycles & Paddleboards and was excited to learn Palisade is the only city in the country where there are 33 wineries within 25 miles. Our favorite winery was Vines 79 and ended up spending most of our time there. Dan & Juliann are such great people and business owners. If you only go to one winery in the area… pick Vines 79. Not just because they have great wine, but their kindness and love for their business shine through into every aspect of their estate.

Dinner at 626 on Rood:

Clearly, by now, you guys know I am a fan of wine. I love the creativity, process, flavors, creations, pairings, and fun that can be found in the huge variety of wine varietals that exist. 626 on Rood is another example of the excellence that can be found when building meals around a variety of excellent wines. They a variety of wines by the glass and by the bottle, along with shared plates and dinner entrees.

Our dinner consisted of 6 courses and wine pairing for each. The Chilean Sea Bass was by far my favorite dish, as the flavors were explosive but well balanced with the tandoori rub, chilled dill couscous with a touch of acid from the Armenian cucumber vinaigrette and tomato bell pepper chutney. 626 on Rood is not a place to be missed in your next visit to downtown Grand Junction; an iconic food and shopping area that is a must-see.

Colorado National Monument Hike and Mountain Biking:

Also known as the mini Grand Canyon, Colorado National Monument is 23,000 acres of canyons, plateaus and massive towers of naturally sculpted monoliths, including Balance Rock, a 600-ton boulder perched on a rock pedestal. It’s on the northeast of the vast Colorado Plateau which is a landmass that covers the Four Corners region of the United States Southwest. The Colorado Plateau has the greatest concentration of U.S. National Park Service units in the country outside of Washington D.C. including the Grand Canyon, Arches National Park, Capitol Reef, Mesa Verde, Bears Ears, and more.

We went hiking with Zeb and couldn’t have asked for a better guide. We also got a private guide and went mountain biking with Grand Junction Adventures. Definitely a bucket list item and can’t wait to do it again soon. Both were extremely knowledgeable, yet absolutely hilarious. They kept us laughing (and safe) throughout the entire experience.

Dinner at The Winery:

Filled with old school Italian memorabilia, The Winery is a local restaurant with top-notch food and an incredible staff. Each course was unique and put a modern twist on a classic dish.

Awarded one of Grand Junction’s “Best of the West,” The Winery Restaurant is a destination in and of itself—located downtown on historic Main Street, in the heart of Grand Junction’s cultural district. The Winery Restaurant has been an icon in this city for over forty years. The restaurant makes its home in a 90 year old building that used to house a horse drawn carriage fire station. A gas lamp lit, vine canopied alley frames this romantic location perfectly. The beautifully remodeled building contains flowered stained glass windows, barn wood and bricks.

We started with Scallops Wrapped In Apple Wood Smoked Bacon and Macadamia Nut Encrusted Wheel Of Brie. Next, I had the Ribeye with lobster and crab and paired with a glass of Newton Skyside Cabernet Sauvignon.

I could not recommend The Winery more! Personally, I will always a fan of this style of food. It’s simple, classic, and delightful. However, when an establishment is able to take classic dishes and add an unexpected (but delicious) twist to them… that’s what makes them stand out.

Grand Junction and Palisade was dream destinations. I highly recommend making the trip. If you have any questions about getting there, what to do, or how to get around – just ask!

A huge thank you to Visit Colorado for hosting me during my time in Grand Junction and Palisade.

This post is sponsored by Visit Colorado. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Tags: Colorado, national park, Tourism, wineries