Fun ways to chill out in Fruita
“Did you want that latte hot or iced?” the barista asks.
“Iced,” you reply. “Definitely iced.”
It’s still early morning in Fruita, but the sun is shining, and temperatures are starting to climb. That’s OK, though. You know a bunch of ways to beat the heat. And they all begin with a leisurely breakfast at a downtown coffee shop.
Aspen Street Coffee and Bestslope are local legends. Both have a full array of espresso and alternative milk options. And both offer everything hot or iced.
On a summer day like this, that’s not a difficult decision.
The Fruita Farmer’s & Maker’s Market.
Every Saturday morning from 8:30 to noon, you’ll find local small businesses showcasing their meats, fruit, vegetables, and artisan crafts. You can walk among the tents with a mister in one hand and a snack from a food truck in the other, while from the main stage, you hear folk rock from some of the area’s most popular acts. (See the lineup on the Fruita Chamber’s website.)
Everyone says “shop local.” But in Fruita, it’s a way of life. And the market is a weekly reminder of why.
A lazy river at high noon.
Sure, many folks enjoy the thrills and spills of kayaking and rafting. Let them ride the rapids.
Today, you have a different goal in mind.
The Colorado River runs 1,450 miles from the Continental Divide to the Gulf of California. It provides water for 40 million Americans and countless acres of crops. And it offers you the opportunity to experience the beauty of Fruita without putting in any work at all.
There are a few outfits that offer tubing and lazy river floats. Rim Rock Adventures is a perennial favorite.
You can let your feet drift in the cool water as you take in the colorful canyons and mesa foliage. The sun smiles on you from high overhead. But if you ever feel a little too warm, no worries. You can always bail out for a quick swim.
Rodeos and concerts and more. Oh my!
Just because the weekend’s over doesn’t mean the fun stops in Fruita.
Every Tuesday the Fruita Rim Rock Rodeo brings mutton bustin’, bronc ridin’, steer ropin’ and barrel racin’ to town… As well as plenty of cold drinks.
And every Thursday, people spread their lawn chairs and blankets across Civic Center Park to relax in the cool grass and jive to classic Americana, bluegrass and even polka tunes. (See the summer lineup here).
Out of the sun and under the stars.
When the sun goes down, the show is just beginning, as our majestic desert canyons are blanketed by the starry sky.
Just 20 minutes from town, Colorado National Monument offers some of the best stargazing in the world. You can walk on wide-open trails while picking out swirling cosmic clouds and all the constellations.
Don’t feel up for the drive? Snooks Bottom Lake is perfect – just far enough from town to make sure your view isn’t blotted out by electric lights. There’s a well-maintained, flat trail around the lake, which is good since you’ll spend most of the walk gazing up at the moon and the Milky Way.
It’s the perfect way to say goodnight to a day in Fruita. Where you can get outside and enjoy summer, instead of hiding from the heat.
