Palisade, Colorado

Just past Grand Junction, Colorado, when heading east, Palisade sits in the shadow of the Grand Mesa. Home to alpacas, lavender farms, and blossoming wine production, this little town packs a big punch. Be sure to stop just off the highway at Valley Fruit Stand to see what’s fresh and in season. Peruse the homemade salsas and sauces, and grab a flat of cherries for the road.

Here, you can spend the day snacking on locally grown stonefruit and sipping Malbec produced and bottled on the surrounding hillsides. After checking into your new home away from home, take to the bicycles supplied by the Spoke and Vine Motel for a ride down main street to take in the latest art installments, or pedal to Riverside Park for a tubing session and picnic beside the slow winding Colorado.

Don’t miss the chance to dine at the Palisade Brewing Company. If you’re lucky, it will be Taco Tuesday, complete with live music and homemade guacamole offered by those in the know at a neighboring table. Afterwards, stop in at Peach Street Distillers for a taste of their handcrafted small batch Jackelope Gin or Apricot Brandy. Don’t forget to pick up one of the softest and cutest t-shirts too while you’re there. Cruise back to Spoke & Vine for a good night sleep and don’t forget to converge for coffee and friendly conversation in the lobby in the morning.