5 great things to do during a weekend in 'Colorado wine country'

Known as Colorado's wine country, Palisade is home to a variety of wineries, vineyards, orchards, and farms. The town also offers plenty of outdoor adventure, including hiking, biking, fishing, and more.

Here are a few great ways to spend your time in Palisade:

1. Visit the vineyards and wineries

The Palisade area is home to more than 30 wineries, and many of them boast award-winning vintages, tasting rooms, outdoor patios, and scenic views of Mount Garfield and the Grand Mesa. The area offers a variety of wine tours, so you'll be sure to find one that provides exactly what you're looking for when touring Colorado's wine country. Transportation options range from horse-drawn carriage rides and limousines to bikes and trolleys. Check out a list of tours here.

And remember – if you're visiting the area's wineries, always use a designated driver.

2. Go mountain biking

Palisade is a great central location for mountain biking. According to Visit Palisade, visitors can access over 51 mountain bike trails within a one-hour drive of the town. The Palisade Rim Trail, Palisade Bike Skills Park, Bookcliff, and the Lunch Loop Trail system are all great mountain biking options. The Palisade Plunge is another challenging option that consists of 32 miles of backcountry single track that connects the top of the Grand Mesa to Palisade.

3. Pick peaches (Palisade Peach Festival)

As well as wine, Palisade is famous for its peaches. According to Visit Palisade, the town has a history of raising different types of fruits and vegetables. The town has plenty of u-pick orchards where you can pick fresh peaches, apricots, and other fruits straight from the trees. Here's a list of orchards. U-pick orchards are often by reservation only, so make sure to call ahead.

The town celebrates the harvest each year with the Palisade Peach Festival, where local vendors offer peaches, as well as other fruits and vegetables grown throughout the season.

4. Explore the downtown area

Palisade's downtown consists of local businesses that range from retail shops and art galleries to outdoor gear retail and rental shops and fruit stands. Some art galleries include the Blue Pig Gallery and the Craig Gallery.

5. Go fishing

The Colorado River runs through Palisade's downtown and the Riverbend Park is locally known as a great fishing spot. There are also many lakes on the Grand Mesa if you're looking for a bit more adventure.

Learn more about visiting Palisade here.