[IMAGECAPTION] Photo by A Cruising Couple [/IMAGECAPTION]
While it might not be as popular as nearby spots like Aspen and Vail, there are plenty of reasons to fall in love with Glenwood Springs, Colorado. At first glance, the small but quaint town appears only to offer a handful of shops and restaurants in which to pass the day. However, all it takes is a few days to fall in love with the charming local attractions on offer. Here are seven of our favorite reasons to plan a weekend getaway to this fun Colorado town:
The Glenwood Hot Springs
[IMAGECAPTION] Photo via Flickr/Loco Steve[/IMAGECAPTION]
One of the most common reasons to visit Glenwood Springs is to pay a visit to the largest mineral hot springs pool in the world. The Glenwood Hot Springs Pool contains over one million gallons of hot spring water and measures over two blocks long! The Yampah spring that supplies the pool produces the mineral water at a temperature of 122 degrees F - which also makes it one of the hottest springs in the world. The water is cooled down to 104 degrees F for the resort's Therapy Pool, complete with bubble chairs and submerged benches. The water is cooled down even further to a comfortable 90-93 degrees F for the enormous main pool. The pools are open year-round and you can find admission fees here.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
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For those who want to get their blood pumping in a unique way, try the Cliffhanger Roller Coaster, which sits at 7,100 feet in elevation, making it America's highest altitude roller coaster.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is also host of the first alpine coaster, which you can control the speed of using only gravity and a hand brake. And of course, you won't want to miss one of the spectacular Glenwood Caverns Cave Tours.
Downtown
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A walk down Grand and Cooper Avenues will have you feeling like you're walking back into an old Western film. There are some great opportunities for shopping with jewelry stores, mountain outfitters, a candle maker and a wide selection of sweet shops, restaurants and cafes to choose from.
[READMORE] READ MORE: Colorado's 5 Best Natural Hot Springs [/READMORE]
History
As you'll see when wandering the downtown area, there is a lot of old Western influence in Glenwood Springs. Most notably, there are a few restaurants and signs around town dedicated to Doc Holliday, the famous gambling gunslinger and temporary deputy marshal, who died in Glenwood Springs.
Outdoor Activities
[IMAGECAPTION] Photo via Flickr/W.G. Dayton [/IMAGECAPTION]
With hiking, white water rafting, skiing, fishing and so much more right at your fingertips, Glenwood Springs is a nature lover's paradise. Be sure to check out the Hanging Lake hiking trail, which has been designated as a National Natural Landmark for its natural beauty and unique geology.
The Drive
[IMAGECAPTION] Photo via Flickr/Patrick Rasenberg [/IMAGECAPTION]
When coming from the Denver Airport, you'll be swooning at the area's natural beauty long before you get within the city limits. The 12-mile stretch of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon is as amazing in its natural beauty as it is in its construction. Try to keep your eyes on the road as you drive under the towering cliffs, which reach a maximum of 2,000 feet above the Colorado River.
Have you ever visited Glenwood Springs? What other things to do you recommend in the area?
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