Ten Things to Do in Glenwood Springs

Nestled in a scenic valley at the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers, Glenwood Springs offers a blend of outdoor adventure and soothing relaxation, complemented by a lively downtown and — especially for a town of only 10,000 — a noteworthy food scene.

Glenwood was initially revered by the Ute people for the "Yampah" (big medicine) mineral-rich heated waters that gush from the rocks beneath Iron Mountain. In the late 1800s, the town, once known as "Defiance," evolved into a renowned resort destination, drawing well-heeled visitors from around the world (such as President Theodore Roosevelt) and unsavory outlaws (including serial killer Theodore Bundy). From high-octane thrills to tranquil moments of rejuvenation in its famous geothermal waters, here are ten things to do in this uniquely Colorado town.
Leave the Car at Home
Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop Street
No need to fight traffic: Glenwood Springs is easy to get to — and get around in — without a car. Amtrak’s California Zephyr route is celebrating its 75th year, and the Chicago-to-San Francisco train will pick you up right at Denver’s Union Station and deposit you in the heart of Glenwood’s downtown. From there, you can walk, bike, taxi or use the convenient local transit system, Ride Glenwood Springs, to get to tourist attractions, downtown and more; buses operate daily from 6:53 a.m. to 7:26 p.m., at 30-minute intervals. The Roaring Fork Transit Authority will even take you all the way to Aspen. Bustang is another option, also departing from Denver’s Union Station.
Take to the Sky (Gondola)
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, 51000 Two Rivers Plaza Road
At 7,132 feet above at sea level, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is America’s only mountaintop amusement park and consistently ranked as one of the best in the United States. Take the scenic gondola ride to the top of Iron Mountain and enjoy family-friendly attractions, thrill rides, cave tours, dining and year-round events and entertainment. The Defiance is the highest looping rollercoaster in the U.S. Below the surface, the caverns themselves are marking their 25th anniversary as a National Natural Landmark. Check the calendar for fun festivals and free concerts with Music on the Mountain.

Step Into History
Glenwood Springs Historical Society, 1001 Colorado Avenue
Immerse yourself in Glenwood Springs' fascinating history, Old West and otherwise, with a visit to the Glenwood Springs Historical Society. Learn more on a self-guided walking tour. The Frontier Museum is an elegantly furnished 1905 Victorian where visitors can learn more about the way residents lived in the late 1880s to early 1900s, the Utes who called the land home for hundreds of years, and the mining and recreational industries in the area. The marker honoring Doc Holliday's final resting place is in Linwood Cemetery, and the brief hike is also worth the trip. If you're visiting in October, get tickets for the society's popular Ghost Walks, held in the cemetery.

Have a Huckleberry Holliday
Bullock's Western Wear, 732 Grand Avenue
Don't die with your boots on, but buy some boots (and hats, belts and blankets) while learning more about the genteel gambler and gunslinger memorably portrayed by actor Val Kilmer. The Glenwood Springs Historical Society has opened a second, Doc Holliday-focused collection in the lower level of Bullock's Western Wear. And don't forget to have a drink at the Doc Holliday Saloon ... you can't miss the twenty-foot neon pistol outside.

Soak Your Bones
Various locations around Glenwood Springs
As its name implies, Glenwood Springs has no shortage of warm healing waters, with offerings for all ages. The historic thermal waters at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort is known as "the biggest hot springs pool in the world," and has been drawing visitors since 1888. The resort has seven pools, and kids will love the children's area at the Sopris Splash Zone with mini slides modeled after Hanging Lake. Iron Mountain Hot Springs is terraced along the Colorado River, with 27 hot springs pools of varying temperatures and a freshwater family pool, while the underground vapor-filled caverns at Yampa Spa & Vapor Caves (ages 13 and up) offer historic relaxation and a variety of spa treatments.
Hike Hanging Lake
From Glenwood: Take I-70 exit 125 to trailhead parking area
It's barely more than a mile (1.2, to be exact), but your calves will feel every steep inch of the 1,200 feet elevation gain when making the climb. But the payoff — waterfalls plunging into an eerily emerald lake — is oh-so-worth-it. The trail has been closed for rebuilding, but reservations ($12 per person) are open now for hikes beginning July 1. And when you go, respect the natural beauty. The last thing we need is another jerk like David Lesh.

Catch a Wave
Glenwood Whitewater Park, 2307 Devereux Road
Sitting along the banks of the Colorado River, Glenwood abounds with waters that aren't hot, perfect for white-water rafting, fly fishing along the longest stretch of Gold Medal Water in the state, and kayaking. Play and practice your kayak and stand-up paddleboarding skills at the Glenwood Whitewater Park. The park offers a G-wave feature, the first of its kind built along a stretch of the Colorado River.

Ski (or Bike) with the Locals at Sunlight
Sunlight Mountain Resort, 10901 County Road 117
More than 700 acres with 72 ski trails — and hardly a Texan in sight. No offense to the Lone Star staters, but skiing at Sunlight just hits different. Nestled in the White River National Forest, Sunlight Mountain Resort offers skiing, snowboarding and snowmobile tours in the colder months, with mountain biking and disc golf in summer. Slopeside ski-in/ski-out condominiums are available at the Brettelberg, and you can bring your own food (but not alcohol) or grab a bite at Grizz Grill, Todd's Tavern or the Barista Bar.

Pull into The Pullman
The Pullman, 330 7th Street
In 2011, Chef Mark Fischer made Esquire magazine's 2011 Best New Restaurants in America list, and although Fischer sold it to long-time staff in 2022, the tasty train has not slowed down. The menu updates regularly, but favorite starters like bacon pickled deviled eggs with maple gastrique and rustic pâté with fruit preserves are always sure to please, and with specialty nights (ramen, tiki, New Orleans) keep things fresh. In addition to the Pullman, Glenwood Springs offers a satisfyingly eclectic dining scene, much of it centered along and around 7th Street, a.k.a., "Restaurant Row." Feast on Western-influenced, locally sourced cuisine at Colorado Ranch House, enjoy impeccable Italian at Brava Modern Trattoria, or tuck into one of the town's best burgers at Juicy Lucy's Steakhouse.

Sleep in Historic Hotels
Hotel Colorado, 526 Pine Street
Favored by celebrities (including Margaret "Unsinkable" Brown and Al "Call Me Al" Capone), presidents and royalty, the "Grande Dame of the Rockies" has been ensconcing guests in Italian-influenced elegance since 1893. The rooms began an $8+ million renovation in 2019, undergoing floor-to-ceiling room remodels. The Hotel Maxwell Anderson, formerly The Hotel Denver, has welcomed weary travelers for more than 100 years, and is also newly spiffed up, while keeping many details that pay homage to the hotel's railroad roots. And B&B aficionados will adore the 1909 Victorian ambiance of the Floradora House, lovingly restored and located right downtown.