Hey! We know you all still want to get away, and times are tough, so we thought we'd give you some ideas for splurging on a getaway at Willow Pond while still getting to enjoy the absolute best the Grand Valley has to offer on as little $$ as possible, about $40 a day, per person. These are our suggestions for enjoying favorite local restaurants and activities that reflect our region at it's finest!!!
This is a low cost version of our "Things to do" page...
Remember, breakfast is complimentary, not to mention we serve complimentary afternoon goodies...So you only need $ for lunch (if you want it) and dinner, plus activities... All of the restaurants listed have some vegetarian options available.
Day 1 - $20
for two!
You will just be checking in and most likely will just want to head straight to dinner! Luckily, a
McAlister's Deli just opened within walking distance of the inn, .65 miles away! Walk off dinner while you enjoy the countryside on your way back to the inn. Most of their menu items are in the $5-7 range, so two can eat for about $20 bucks including a beverage! Try one of their giant Spuds and their famous iced tea...
Day 2 -about $30
per person
Enjoy the Willow Pond grounds, sit by the pond, curl up with that book you've been putting off, watch a DVD, relax with some hot or iced tea... Play croquet on the lawn or enjoy some board games. Have lunch at
Spoons (about a mile and a half from the inn) you'll enjoy a great lunch and support the local Hospice program at the same time! Don't miss the French dip sandwich, served with chips, order a miniature cheesecake and a drink, all for about $10...
If you are here on the first Sunday of the month, you can tour the
Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, for
FREE!!! $5 adults, $3 Seniors.
For dinner, drive or bike (it's only 2.5 miles to Main Street) to
Pablo's Pizza, a Grand Valley favorite. Try the "La Chupacabra"pizza, about $27 with drinks. Walk off dinner on Main Street and take the
Art on the Corner walking tour of over 100 sculptures. Walk to
Enstrom's Candy and get a Toffee Lover's ice cream cone, yum!!! About $3 per person.
Day 3 about $38 per person,
less for bikers and seniors!
Tour the
Colorado National Monument, take a picnic lunch, park entrance fee by car ($7/ car) or
if you are an experienced cyclist, $4/bike, the east entrance is only 4 miles up the road.
Biking Guide You can spend all day up at the Monument, hiking and biking.
Stop at the
Dinosaur Museum in Fruita ($4-7 per person).
Lastly, stop at
Main Street Bagels, for a handmade challah bread sandwich with waldorf chicken salad, bring it back to the inn and enjoy it on the deck...our fresh baked afternoon goodies will be waiting!
Day 4 about $28-$47 per person.
In the morning, visit the
Grand Junction Art Center,
if you are here on a Tuesday, it's free! Otherwise $3.
Zen Garden
for lunch, your choice of Japanese, Chinese or Thai, plus a great sushi bar! Don't be fooled by the mix,
it's all good! Most lunches around $6...
Continue on to tour the Palisade wineries, for
free wine tastings...
Winery Tour Guide
There are a number of great local wines in the $10-15 range, make sure to pick some up on your tour!
If you are here June-Sept, make a stop at some of the orchards for fresh peaches and other fruit delicacies, especially the pies! Prices vary. Stop by the Slice o'Life Bakery for bread, pick up some cheese on the way back, have a picnic dinner at "the pond"
and watch the dragon flies.
Day 5 about $25-40 per person
PLAN A
In the morning, the
Museum of the West ($5)
In the afternoon, lunch at the
Palisade Cafe, get the burger and fries with the homemade bread from the slice o'life bakery. Stop at the
Blue Pig Art Gallery in Palisade.
Bike around the Palisade orchards and wineries or rent a tube and tube down the river ($15/day, $80 deposit)
Or in the afternoon, hit up the
Thursday Farmer's Market in the afternoon (
free) June-Sept.
For dinner, have a Navajo Taco and try all the free samples at the market, from kettle corn to peaches, yum!
OR PLAN B about $40
Drive the scenic loop from here to Paonia to Glenwood Canyon and back. Eat lunch at the
Flying Fork Cafe, most meals around $10 with beverage, try their famous Gazpacho! Then go up to Glenwood Canyon for a dip in the hot springs. ($18) and dinner at the
Glenwood Canyon Brewpub. (Their lunch menu is available for dinner, save $) This is an incredible drive in the Fall, with the color change, it is an all day trip, so plan accordingly.
Day 6
PLAN A about $30 per person
In the morning go out to Cameo and view the
Wild Mustangs.
(free)
Lunch at Fiesta Guadalajara in Fruita to fuel up for your afternoon mountain biking.
Mountain biking in Fruita (free), have dinner at the
Hot Tomato. Free thursday night concert series in Fruita at the park.
PLAN B
Enjoy a "drop-in" yoga class at
The Academy of Yoga ($14) Then it's lunch at
Nepal Restaurant, Indian and Nepalese food, on Main St. Lunch buffet and chai tea for about $10! Then afternoon mountain biking in Fruita (free) and dinner at
Hot Tomato...
Day 7
PLAN A about $47 per person,
if you don't let your window shopping turn into real shopping.
After breakfast, take a hike to the
Mica Mine at Bang's Canyon (
free). It's only a 40 minute hike, each way, on a well-maintained trail that leads to a fairy land known as the Mica Mine, best in Spring with wild flowers, red rock canyon and a run off stream to dip your feet. Nice in Fall too.
A quick soak in the jet-tub, freshen up and head out to lunch at
626 on Rood, fish tacos and a flight of Spanish Wine will set you back $17. You're all ready for an afternoon of window shopping and gallery hopping on Main Street.
Dinner is your final splurge at
Le Rouge, whatever you do, make sure you get our favorite chocolate mousse! Dinner & dessert $24+ per person
PLAN B: about $47 per person
Mica Mine in the morning, picnic lunch,
afternoon swimming at one of the local lakes $6 State Park entrance fee.
Splurge on dinner at Le Rouge $24+
And there you have it! Have fun out there! Have
our cake and eat it too!
