When it comes to travel, locals know best. And in Glenwood Springs, one thing residents know how to do is summer! For an authentic travel experience, just do what the locals do.
A laid-back attitude is essential for living like a local in Glenwood Springs. Summer is all about slowing down, living in the moment, and savoring every second. Ease into mountain living with a few tips, places, and activities a Glenwood local wouldn’t miss for anything!
Beat the Heat
Early mornings are peaceful, breezy and cool, perfect for getting your daily dose of fresh air before temperatures climb. Locals know the morning hours are the best of the day. Rise with the sun and head out for a riverside stroll along the paved Rio Grande Trail or hop on a bike and cruise on the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Path. Morning is also prime time for birdwatching. Along the rivers, look for bald eagles, turkey vultures and kingfishers.
For resident golfers, playing nine holes at Glenwood Springs Golf Club before lunch is a badge of honor. Many locals have passes to the hot springs, preferring to start the day with a serene soak at the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool or Iron Mountain Hot Springs.
Drink Coffee
Glenwood locals are serious about their coffee, and there are plenty of spots around town to caffeinate, each with their own vibe. Whether you like a perfect pour over or an iced Macchiato slammed with whipped cream, you’ll find barista-made perfection everywhere from the drive-up Espresso Hut to sit-and-sip café’s like Wild, Annie’s, Deja Brew, Sacred Grounds, Hotel Colorado, and the Bluebird Café. If you want to feel like a true local, order a drink, grab a hard copy of the Post Independent, and sample a taste of the local headlines.
Play on the River
As the day warms, locals head to the rivers. The Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers converge in Glenwood Springs, attracting everyone from children who want to dip their feet in at the “beach” at Veltus Park, to anglers plumbing the depths for rainbow trout. Rafting is a time-honored pastime, and Glenwood Springs locals take pride in the many guides and outfitters who offer trips through Glenwood Canyon, one of the most scenic stretches of water in the state. Many residents own their own boats, and you’ll find them side by side with commercial rafts any day of the week during the summer months.
Listen to Music
There’s probably no better place to chat up a local than at an outdoor jam session. Glenwood residents like to get in the groove with summer concerts at various venues. Summer of Music is a low-key favorite that features up-and-coming performers. The 6-week series takes place at Two Rivers Park, but follow the locals, park downtown, and walk or ride your bike along the Rio Grande Trail and Glenwood Springs’ River Trail to the event venue. Seasoned attendees bring a blanket, folding chairs, and a picnic, then kick back under the summer skies for a couple of hours of evening entertainment. In August, Music on the Mountain at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is where locals go for drinks, dancing, and dynamite views.
Eat Outdoors
Summer in the mountains is short, and locals don’t miss the chance to dine al fresco whenever they can. Fortunately, Glenwood Springs restaurants are happy to comply, offering outdoor seating options in every possible space, whether it’s squeezing in a few tables below ground level at Brava Modern Trattoria, the ample space of the outdoor patio at Hotel Colorado, or shimmying in some sidewalk dining along Seventh Street. From beneath the shade of an umbrella, eat everything from small plates to main course entrees and desserts, and enjoy the entertainment of a real-time reel of summer living playing out before your eyes. No matter your culinary mood —craft burgers, tacos, steak entrees, or appetizers with wine pairings—for the best local experience, ask for a table outside.
Gather Downtown
Downtown Glenwood Springs is the heart of the community—and in summer, it’s bustling. Locals stroll from shop to shop, hang out in Bethel Plaza under the Grand Avenue Bridge, and meet up for impromptu meet ups over ice cream cones or cold brews.
For social time in the cool shade of Bethel Plaza, residents convene for events throughout the week all summer long. Market on Seventh, a farmers’ market, takes place on Tuesdays starting at 4 p.m. Families make their way down on Thursdays for Summer Movie Nights from 8 to 10 p.m. For those who like a playlist to accompany their weekly FAC, there’s Music Under the Bridge on Fridays starting at 4:30 p.m.
What’s Stopping You From Living It Up Like a Local?
Get out early, stay out late, and soak up everything Glenwood Springs has to offer. It won’t be long before you feel like a local yourself! Learn more and make plans to visit today!
