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Fall break is rapidly approaching and many Colorado Mesa University students will be heading home to the Front Range or elsewhere in Colorado, for their three-day weekend. However, not everyone can (or wants) to go home that weekend. For those of you out-of-staters or those who want to stick around for fall break, here is a list of nearby getaways and activities that will make your fall weekend not so average.
Visit the Grand Mesa
I think we all know more than a few people who have been to the Grand Mesa this fall to take artsy pictures of the yellow aspen leaves. But in case you haven’t gone yet, visiting Grand Mesa National Forest is definitely worth the hour and thirty-minute drive. Even though the leaves may have already peaked, the views along the way are ones you do not want to miss! This weekend is a great one to get up to the Grand Mesa before it is drowned in the snow for the winter.
Try out the Epic Escape Game
Escape rooms are growing in popularity all over the United States, but I bet you didn’t know Grand Junction has one! Grab a few friends to form a team and head over to Grand Avenue for 60 minutes of intense thinking, solving and escaping! Although the price is pretty steep at $27 a person, it is a memory that will last a lifetime.
Day Trip to Dominguez Canyon
If you are looking for new hiking trails or beautiful scenery, Dominguez Canyon is just a 45-minute drive south of CMU. Gaze at the beautiful red rock canyon walls and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as bighorn sheep and elk, as you hike this moderate trail. Along the way, you may also find yourself stumbling upon waterfalls and petroglyphs. You are in for a treat at Dominguez Canyon!
Stroll through the Botanical Gardens
If you are looking for something to do that is close by and inexpensive, look no further than the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens! This “getaway” provides for a relaxing and peaceful afternoon to appreciate nature and the beauty of native plants. Bring a book to read or simply watch as butterflies fly past your very eyes. The entry fee is only $5, and while you may be one of the younger people there, at least you will be knowledgeable on the plants that grow here in Grand Junction!
Take a Trip to the Glenwood Hot Springs
Glenwood is only about a 90-minute drive from Grand Junction and has so much to offer! The good thing about hot springs is that they are open year round, so a relaxing dip in one of the natural springs could take your weekend from a 0 to a 100 real fast. If you’re not into the therapeutic effects of swimming in hot springs, Glenwood also has trails (such as Hanging Lake) to take a trek on. Or you can visit the caverns in town and follow it up with a bite to eat at one of the many unique restaurants Glenwood Springs has to offer.
Make it a Staycation
Sometimes, a weekend snuggled up with a blanket, hot chocolate and some good movies is all you really need to have a satisfying weekend. Having a Halloween movie marathon or even a Christmas movie marathon can make your weekend cozy and a much needed time to rejuvenate for the second half of the semester. Don’t forget to stop by the store beforehand to pick up some candy corn, hot chocolate and popcorn!
With these ideas, your fall break doesn’t have to be just average. It’s up to you to make it a good one, so don’t waste your three day weekend! Have fun!
