A lot of students come to Grand Junction from bigger cities on the Front Range. Understandably, there is a little bit of a culture shock when first stepping into a smaller town (especially outside of campus).
Even though the city is smaller, there is still so much to do for a fun day or night out, whether it be through the abundant natural scenery, city nightlife or a variety of sporting events.
The first thing that stood out to me about the area was the immense natural beauty around us. Grand Junction sits in a valley surrounded by three distinct landmarks: the Colorado National Monument to the west, the Book Cliffs in the northeast and the Grand Mesa to the southeast.
They offer great hiking, fishing, dirt biking or just general scenic places to hang out. In fact, there are just under 2 million acres of public land between Palisade and Fruita. Students and the general public are welcome to responsibly and sustainably utilize these lands. For example, if you choose to go to a Desert Party, please clean up after yourself.
The Outdoor Program (OP) can provide any possible equipment you need, such as kayaks or life vests, for a good bargain. Colorado Mesa University (CMU) students receive a 50% discount for any equipment rentals.
Nearby, there is access to the Colorado River at Las Colonias Park, which is perfect for paddleboarding. Additionally, the OP also takes student day trips like mountain biking in Moab or a ski trip to Powderhorn for as low as $45.
For those who prefer to stay in a city setting, Downtown Grand Junction is your #1 destination. Main Street is the most walkable and homey part of town with charming local businesses overlooking both sidewalks.
You can find pretty much any type of food on Main Street that you could ask for, but some of the must-visits are the Goat and Clover Tavern, Suehiro Japanese Restaurant, Guru’s Kitchen and Pablo’s Pizza. Students 21+ can also enjoy many of the acclaimed, local breweries and bars like Ramblebine Brewery, Moody’s Lounge or the Winery.
There is not just food to appreciate on Main Street, but also unique small businesses like Triple Play Records (who also have great tapestries and give out student discounts), A Robin’s Nest of Antiques and Treasures and Fox Board Games.
An under appreciated part of Grand Junction to take advantage of is its music scene. In the last two years artists like Snoop Dogg, Sleeping with Sirens, Lamb of God and Bob Dylan all performed at either Las Colonias Amphitheater or Mesa Theater. Incubus, Ludacris, 311 and The Used will be stopping in town this year.
Lastly, sports games are an easy way to kill a couple of hours. Nothing quite compares to the exhilaration of a packed Brownson Arena during basketball season or a clutch home run at The Diamond. Plus, the Grand Junction Jackalopes are playing games in town until Sept. 6 All CMU games are free for students and Jackalopes tickets go for $10.
There is plenty for students to do in the Grand Valley. Next time you and your friends are bored on a Friday night, check out some of these local gems!
