With midterm exams coming to an end, but deadlines still looming every Sunday night, it’s important that we as students are taking time to decompress and relax between assignments.

While a night in with friends or another trip to a comfort restaurant might sound like a perfect Friday night, there are also so many amazing things to explore in Grand Junction that you might not even realize are here.

First and foremost, Grand Junction is known for its access to a wide selection of amazing natural sites. Take a ride to the Colorado National Monument or the Grand Mesa National Forest for beautiful hiking trails and amazing camping spots.

For the daring, consider hiking up Mount Garfield or riding down the Palisade Plunge. For the tame, check out the beauty of our riverfront trails or have fun with friends at Corn Lake.

Is the outdoors not necessarily your thing? Grand Junction is absolutely filled with amazing local restaurants, businesses, and places to have fun.

If you’re looking for something to eat and have a little extra money to spend, you can never go wrong with a “Bin Burger” from Bin 707, a plate of gourmet Italian pasta from Il Bistro Italiano or the amazing food that’s being dished out from Devil’s Kitchen here on campus.

Looking for something quick or cheap? Head to Pablo’s Pizza with your MAVcard for fantastic pizza and amazing student deals.

If you’re in need of a pick-me-up, Copeka Coffee will help perk you up with a perfect cup of coffee and an amazing space to study. Coffee connoisseurs will also fall in love with Colorado Legacy the moment you smell their amazing blends of coffee beans that are roasted in house.

If you would like to partake in some retail therapy while you’re out grabbing a snack, there’s also a vast number of local businesses that would love to see you stop in.

Head downtown and find some delicious teas and local art at Willow Creek, enrich your mind with a new novel from Out West Books or grab some “amazing, funny, and mildly offensive” gifts at the Toasted Pixie.

While food and shopping can all be nice, sometimes all we need is a place to let out pent up energies or frustrations. Gather up your closest friends and throw some axes around at Kodiaxe.

If you don’t quite have the energy to be throwing axes around for an hour, get your mind off things by trying out Epic Escape Game or rent a board game with friends at Board Game Fox.

No matter what kind of fun you like to have, Grand Junction is full of natural wonders and booming local restaurants and businesses.

And while I left out some truly amazing things that this city has to offer, I argue that nothing beats time spent exploring and learning your city. Get out there and try something new. You never know what hidden gems await here in The Grand Valley.