Grand Junction was featured in an article in the New York Times on Thursday, written by Basalt-based journalist Cindy Hirschfeld.<\/p>\n
The article, titled \u201c36 Hours in Grand Junction,\u201d goes over the keys to a successful trip to the Grand Valley, with key stops including Grand Mesa, Colorado National Monument, and Bin 707 Foodbar, which was named to the Times\u2019 list of the nation\u2019s 50 best restaurants last year.<\/p>\n
The article lists regional attractions such as local hikes and parks, venues such as restaurants and bars and live music, notable stores, and top places to stay (including the Hotel Melrose, Hotel Maverick and Camp Eddy).<\/p>\n
Hirschfeld provides a 36-hour itinerary, which includes the following:<\/p>\n
Friday at 3 p.m.: \u201cHoof it to see wild horses\u201d at the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range;<\/p>\n
Friday at 5:30 p.m.: \u201cQuaff a peach\u201d at the orchards around Palisade and grab a drink at one of the town\u2019s distilleries;<\/p>\n
Friday at 7 p.m.: \u201cFeast on simple elegance\u201d at P\u00eache in downtown Palisade with offerings like fresh pasta with wild mushrooms or seared lamb chops accompanied by an eggplant relish, toasted focaccia and creamy ricotta;<\/p>\n
Saturday at 7:30 a.m.: \u201cSeek birds and breakfast\u201d by looking for birds at the Connected Lakes area of the James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park, followed by breakfast at the Dream Cafe;<\/p>\n
Saturday at 9 a.m.: \u201cExplore the desert by bike or on foot\u201d by visiting one of the roughly 300 miles of maintained trails in the Grand Valley area, such as the Lunch Loops, Devil\u2019s Canyon or the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area;<\/p>\n
Saturday at 12:30 p.m.: \u201cEnjoy lunch, microbrew samples and a river view\u201d at WestCo Brewing by the Colorado River;<\/p>\n
Saturday at 2 p.m.: \u201cGo to a rock show\u201d via a visit to Colorado National Monument;<\/p>\n
Saturday at 4 p.m.: \u201cSee the sculptures and the shops\u201d on Main Street in Grand Junction, with shout-outs to the West Winds Gallery, Sauvage Spectrum, the Hog and the Hen, Triple Play Records, Grand Valley Books and Carlson Vineyards;<\/p>\n
Saturday at 6: 30 p.m.: \u201cEat seasonal\u201d at Bin 707 Foodbar;<\/p>\n
Saturday at 8 p.m.: \u201cChoose live music or craft cocktails\u201d by seeing what\u2019s going on at the Mesa Theater or the Avalon, or head to SoCo Social House, Enstrom Candies and Melrose Spirit Co.;<\/p>\n
Sunday at 8 a.m.: \u201cSki or snowshoe along a mesa\u201d by visiting Grand Mesa for some hiking or to go skiing at Powderhorn Mountain Resort.<\/p>\n
Comments on the story provided other accounts of visits to Grand Junction. Restaurants and businesses that were recognized in the comments include a Robin\u2019s Nest of Antiques and Treasures, Guru\u2019s Kitchen, Tacoparty, Roots Gastrohub, Trail Life Brewing, and Thai Number 9.<\/p>\n