From bratwursts and beer to ghostly tours and haunted balls, here’s what to expect in September and October in Glenwood Springs!
There’s never a dull moment in Glenwood Springs, especially in autumn. A calendar chock-full of events keeps things rolling from late September through Halloween. Kicking off the celebrations, German culture immersion tops the list of things to do, followed by darker, spookier options later in October.
Octoberfest Glenwood Springs Style
For peak Bavarian flair, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is the place to go every Saturday through October 11. The mountaintop theme park takes Octoberfest to new heights with music, dancing, beer, food, and games—for kids and adults!
The Alpine Echo band keeps the Teutonic stomp party going with waltzes, polkas, and yes, the crowd-pleasing Chicken Dance. Meanwhile, over in the beer garden, imbibe in the specialty German beers on tap. The mountaintop’s on-site restaurant goes overboard with Munich-style festival fare from bratwurst and sauerkraut to potato pancakes with chive sour cream.
Along with music and food, join in a little friendly competition for prizes and bragging rights, including the stein-holding competition, keg bowling, axe throwing, and Hammerschlagen.
Of course, while you’re visiting the Adventure Park, why not add to the excitement by exploring the Park’s famous caves, King’s Row and the Historic Fairy Caves, as well as thrill rides, especially those over-the-edge screamers like the Defiance Coaster, the Giant Canyon Swing, and the Canyon Flyer.
Fall Beers at Glenwood Canyon Brewpub
In Germany, beer halls feature Oktoberfest beers, specially brewed for the season. The same is true for Glenwood Canyon Brewpub, where brew-meisters keep the taps flowing with a delicious variety of ales, lagers, pilsners, helles, and radlers.
The rotation at this hometown brewery, located along Glenwood’s hoppin’ Seventh Street, is always thirst-quenching and captivating, but never more so than in October.
Sidle up to the bar with a Bavarian pretzel and get ready to sample the German-inspired brews. Seasonal favorites include Colorado or Crystal River Helles, Coloradler, and of course, the hallmark Oktoberfest brew—the Festbier.
To complement your beer of choice, during September and October, the Brewpub also features a specialty menu of classic German fare.
German Food at Rosi’s
For an immersive, October-festive German food experience, head straight to Rosi’s Little Bavarian Restaurant, a local treasure as much for its authentic Bavarian flavors as for its cozy, chalet style, reminiscent of a casual European eatery.
A busy breakfast spot, egg dishes, including benedicts and scrambles, dominate the menu, but for German cuisine, schnitzel is always an appropriate choice, including for the first meal of the day. For lunch or dinner, try the Jaegerschnitzel or Wienerschnitzel. There’s also classic goulash stew, or for hungry-man appetites, order the veal brat platter with all the fixings. No stop at Rosi’s would be complete without dessert; be sure to try the strudel or Danish, all homemade.
Spook-tober-Themed Events
Beyond Oktoberfest, Glenwood Springs is frightfully eerie with Halloween-inspired happenings. Here are a few to mark on your calendar:
When it comes to bringing the dead back to life, Glenwood’s Ghost Walk is one of the most hauntingly memorable in the state. By lantern light, guides lead tours to the town’s pioneer cemetery, where actors portray historic residents like Doc Holliday, Kid Curry, and other Glenwood Springs’ founders. This year’s Ghost Walk celebrates a 25-year tradition. Tours take place October 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18 at Linwood Cemetery, with a special performance on Oct. 29 at the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue.
For something more ghoulishly glam, make your way to the Hotel Colorado’s Halloween Ball on Oct. 24. This spectacularly spooky soirée features themed décor, costume contests, horror movie screenings, hotel ghost tours, and an eclectic mix of costumed revelers.
From Steins to Spirits in Glenwood Springs
Whether you’re raising a stein or stalking ghosts by lantern light, September and October in Glenwood Springs is a celebration of flavor, fun, and a few spine-tingling thrills. Learn more and make plans to visit today!
