Grand Junction is Colorado's wine country -- more than 18 wineries set amid the beauty of the Colorado National Monument, the Grand Mesa and the Colorado River. Enjoy scenic hiking, biking, rafting and golfing. Our dining, shopping and lodging choices are ideal for families and friends.

Take one look at the landscape surrounding Grand Junction, and you'll understand why outdoor adventures are so exhilarating here. The setting beckons enthusiasts to hike its mesas, bike its expansive selection of mountain bike trails and fish or float along its flowing rivers. With thousands of rock formations near town, Grand Junction has become a climber's paradise.

COLORADO MOUNTAIN WINEFEST: Wine, food and plenty of life's finer things flow freely at the Colorado Mountain Winefest, held in mid-September. The state's oldest, largest and most anticipated wine festival offers one collective toast to the Colorado wine country grape harvest and the state's finest vintages. Festival highlights include: wine & food pairing events, chef demos, grape stomps, winery tours and chocolate and wine tastings. Shopping, art and jazz concerts round out the diverse offerings. Be sure to book your room early as area accommodations usually reach capacity well in advance of the festival.

COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT is one of the area's biggest outdoor highlights -- and we mean big -- a United State's National Park. Here sheer-walled canyons, towering red sandstone monoliths and beautiful valleys host a myriad of wild animals and adventures for everyone in the family. Spectacular plateaus and canyons fill the park, where the land has been preserved as it was for thousands of years. A visitor center is 4 miles up from the West entrance.

From lush greens contrasted by the surrounding beauty of majestic red cliffs and buttes to warm, dry air and terrain to challenge even the most accomplished GOLFER, there is no better place to swing your clubs. With several 18-HOLE CHAMPIONSHIP COURSES at your fingertips, Grand Junction has hosted several high-profile regional events. Beginning golfers will want to check out one of Grand Junction's nine-hole courses, while others may enjoy a different take on the game at Powderhorn Resort's DISC GOLF COURSE.

Experience the West like never before on a RAFT OR INFLATABLE KAYAK. During the summer months, the rivers are warm and the rapids are raging! Imagine the thrill of riding the Colorado River's legendary rapids, passing through canyons and witnessing the tranquil beauty of the Grand Junction area. A favorite float is Westwater Canyon, which starts in Grand Junction and takes riders through 12 of the best whitewater rapids in the West!

You can witness the love affair MOUNTAIN BIKERS have with Grand Junction each spring, when warmer temperatures roll in and the mesa's flora starts to bloom. You can take it on the easy side or really test your limits here, too. An ultimate challenge and achievement for any rider is tackling the 136-mile Kokopelli's Trail, which begins in Grand Junction.

Grand Junction is DINOSAUR COUNTRY -- a place where you can find real dinosaur bones, go on digs, and visit dinosaur museums. Combine two great Grand Junction pastimes -- dinosaurs and hiking. The Trail Through Time hike, a 1.5-mile interpretive trail where you can view the fossils of 140-million-year-old dinosaurs at a working fossil quarry. There is also an interpretive kiosk that describes the dinosaurs that have come from this area. Adding to the fun is a visit to The Dinosaur Journey, a hands-on, interactive museum featuring robotic displays and real bones found in Colorado, not to mention full-size cast skeletons.

Colorado is known for its MIND-BLOWING WINTER SPORTS, and Grand Junction is no exception. For skiers, Powderhorn Resort sits on the edge of Grand Mesa offering stunning views and affordable family ski vacations. Even novice skiers can take to the slopes here as 70% of Powderhorn consists of beginner and intermediate terrain with 600 skiable acres accessed by 3 lifts.

For a true taste of Grand Junction head to our charming and historic downtown. Here you'll find everything from American to Indian food and more. For modern cuisine and a standout wine bar, try 626 on Rood. Or go for home-style cooking with breakfast or lunch at Pufferbelly Station Restaurant. There are casual delis, coffee shops, pizza and sports bars, sushi, Italian and Mexican, too, so get your appetite ready for delicious discoveries at every turn.

740 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction Colorado 81506; 800-962-2547; 970-256-4060.