A nod to the 10th anniversary of Glenwood Springs being named “Most Fun Town in the USA” by Rand McNally & USA Today with the latest ways to have a blast in this mountain community.
Glenwood Springs is home to some of the state’s most iconic attractions such as Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Sunlight Mountain Resort and the Colorado River and also serves as the ideal backdrop for outdoor concerts, festivals and adventures. We’ve come up with a list of 10 Great Things to Do in Glenwood Springs in tandem with the 10th anniversary of Glenwood Springs being named “Most Fun Town in the USA” by Rand McNally & “USA Today.”
We’re revisiting the classics and adding in new options, as Glenwood Springs continues to toast its reputation for offering the full spectrum of amusements, from nightlife and wild thrills outdoors to festivals and hot springs soaking.
- Hot Springs Heaven – Glenwood Hot Springs Pool opened in 1888 and has the unique distinction of being the world’s largest outdoor mineral hot springs pool. Never one to rest on its laurels, a lodge and athletic club were added to what became Glenwood Hot Springs Resort along the way and Sopris Splash Zone debuted in 2019. Sopris Splash Zone is a family-friendly, aquatic park located at the west end of the pool and features three distinct areas: the heart-pumping Shoshone Chutes river ride, the more tame Hanging Lake kids area with smaller slides, waterfalls and zero-entry pool; and the Grand Fountain that doubles as a splash pad during the day and lighted show fountain at night. Watching the town’s fireworks from the pool on July 4th and New Year’s Eve is truly spectacular.
- Nightlife Happenings – Take a short walk over the pedestrian bridge connecting Glenwood Hot Springs Resort to the town’s bustling downtown district for fun nightlife and delicious restaurants. Glenwood Vaudeville Revue, a dinner-theater comedy show, plays off the heyday of Vaudeville complete with skits, jokes, slapstick humor, audience participation, barbershop numbers, novelty songs and more. Each season the cast of professional performers creates a new show. Also a longtime favorite, Riviera Supper Club & Piano Bar has been in continuous operation since 1947 and is a landmark dining and music establishment.
- Music & Movies – Summer of Music, a free concert series at Two Rivers Park on Wednesday evenings, features both established performers and up-and-coming musical talent complete with a big lawn for lounging and picnics. Music on the Mountain is hosted by Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park on select Saturday evenings from mid-June to mid-September, while Bethel Plaza downtown is the location of Fridays on 7th (free music on Fridays in July and August) and 90s Movie Night on Thursdays from July to mid-August.
- Spelunking, Thrill Rides & More – Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is the only mountaintop theme park in America, and it’s accessed by the Glenwood Gondola. It’s fun for all ages and features tours of the amazing Glenwood Caverns and Historic Fairy Caves; thrill rides like Haunted Mine Drop, Cliffhanger Roller Coaster, Alpine Coaster, Giant Canyon Swing, Glenwood Canyon Flyer and Soaring Eagle Zip Ride; and attractions such as a 4D motion theater, laser tag, climbing wall and sluice box gemstone mining.
- Catch Some Air – Try tandem paragliding and skydiving with professional certified instructors through Adventure Paragliding and Roaring Fork Skydivers. Also check out Glenwood Canyon Zipline Adventures’ aerial adventure course and zip lines that go over the Colorado River.
- Mountain Playground – Sunlight Mountain Resort, Glenwood Springs’ local ski resort, is the place for downhill skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobile tours. In the summer, there is an 18-hole disc golf course and 16 miles of marked mountain bike trails.
- Escape the Madness – Use elements and clues to solve a series of puzzles and escape one of Glenwood Escape Room’s three themed rooms: Christmas Chaos, The Serial Doctor, The Elevator. Up to six people work together—possibly with a little assistance from the gamemaster—to escape their room in 60 minutes or less.
- Hit the Water – Rafting, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding on the Colorado River are all about spectacular scenery and terrific times. Tumbling its way through Glenwood Canyon, the waterway supplies some of the state’s most spectacular Class III, IV and V rapids as well as flats for casual floating, swimming and splashing around. Glenwood Whitewater Activity Area is the place for kayakers, stand up paddle boarders, and play boaters to show off and practice their skills on a standing wave feature.
- Happy Trails – This can take many forms including hiking and biking (mountain, road and fat bike!), but we’re going to focus on horseback and off-road tours with Glenwood Adventure Company. Expect the views to be supreme and consider the steak dinner versions of both for an extra taste of the West. There’s even a wine, beer and cheese Jeep excursion!
- Festivals Galore – A great array of annual events includes Ski Spree, Glenwood Adventure Games, MG Car Rallye, Strawberry Days, 4th of July, Sunlight Showdown, Glenwood Springs Car Show, Orpheus Music & Arts Festival, Oktoberfest, Ghost Walk, and the historic Hotel Colorado Lighting Ceremony.
As a side note, make sure to check on the latest information about festivals and music and movie series due to the Covid pandemic.
No matter what mission of fun you choose to accept in Glenwood Springs, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort can serve as an ideal base camp for overnight accommodations and a place for pure relaxation soaking in the hot springs. The pool is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and if you need more action head straight for the diving boards, Sopris Splash Zone or Athletic Club. The bottom line is get out there and have fun!