INSIDE & OUT INSIDE Creative Chops The Downtown Grand Junction Creative District has a plethora of artistic treasures, including murals, art galleries, hundreds of outdoor sculptures, and public pianos. Start your exploration with a First Friday Art Walk jumping off from the area’s flagship gallery, the Western Colorado Center for the Arts — friendly staffers will give you the lowdown on other participating shops and collectives, like the Working Artists Gallery & Studio . country-flavored acts like Jordan Davis and the hometown regular Gary Russell Band. History Lesson For a comprehensive (and thoroughly enjoyable) overview of the area’s fascinating heritage, check out the Museum of the West . Start with a trip up the Sterling T. Smith Education Tower, where you’ll get a 360-degree view of local geology/geography and regional archaeology. Then head inside to travel back to a time of gun-toting outlaws, rickety stagecoaches and one-room schoolhouses. including the towering Book Cliffs -the longest cliff face in the world extending into Utah. The sandstone layers of the Book Cliffs define the deep strata, which was deposited over 72 million years ago. Drive the Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic & Historic Byway, the only place in the world where two creeks flow in opposite directions, to Gateway Canyons Resort . Enjoy a relaxing spa day and a walk through the auto museum, where more than 50 vehicles from Rick Hendrick’s private collection are on display. CANDLE KITCHEN Peak Performance Grand Junction is also a great place to embrace the performing arts. The historic Avalon Theatre has welcomed pop artists through the decades, from Al Jolson to Bela Fleck, and is host to the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra and High Desert Opera — both offer outstanding productions. AVALON THEATRE Western Civilization Grand Junction is surrounded by stunning western landscapes, DOWNTOWN GRAND JUNCTION Tune Up If you’re more the standing-room-only music type, hit up the Mesa Theater for local and national acts ranging from Stryper to Leftover Salmon. Warehouse 25Sixty-Five Kitchen & Bar is music to your senses; treat your taste buds to the Loaded Haystacks (cheese-and-bacon-stuffed hash-brown balls) and listen to GATEWAY CANYONS RESORT & SPA THIS PAGE, FROM TOP: VISIT GRAND JUNCTION; AVALON THEATRE; VISIT GRAND JUNCTION; GATEWAY CANYONS RESORT & SPA; GREG BRUNET. Create your own candles using more than 120 different scents at Candle Kitchen GJ, or pop into Pinspiration to craft your DIY masterpiece and check out their splatter paint room. All guidance and materials are provided. Make Scents MOUNT GARFIELD 970.256.4060 | VisitGrandJunction.com | 27
Grand Junction Official Visitor Guide Grand Junction Adventure Guide: Page 27
