What Makes Fruita Cool

Whether you enjoy academic or active activities, food and drink, or fun festivals Fruita Colorado is the place to go. Fruita is located in Colorado’s Mesa County and had a population of 12,924 in the year 2016 within its 7.811 mi². It continues to grow with its significance spreading. The town is known for its past in agriculture, its continual outdoor activities and its current and future businesses.

When first established, on April 18, 1894, it was an agricultural hotspot for fruits, such as cherries, apples and peaches. This being because of its proximity to the vast amount of water in the Colorado River which runs just past the town and its nutrient filled soils. The climate offers a range of temperatures and conditions. The summer becomes the perfect time for peaches because of the balanced humidity in the air. Winter is the best time for apples because of the temperatures and crisp air.  

Whether headed into Fruita from Broadway, the serene road along the Colorado National Monument, or entering in downtown Fruita, the love of dinosaurs is prominent.  Right on the way into town, the Dinosaur Journey Museum, also known as the Museum of Western Colorado’s Dinosaur Journey) is there with its collection of real fossils, robotic reconstructions and an earthquake ride simulator. A student who would like not to be named thinks, “that the museum is beneficial to learning about the world’s history and is fun for kids.” Many paleontologists travel across the country to obtain a view of all the dinosaur related history in town, setting Fruita apart from many other cities with little to no background in the paleontological area.

Fruita offers many attractions in the category of outdoor activities including some of the most known, hiking and biking. The Colorado National Monument is “the backyard” of Fruita, offering hikes from 0.25 to over 14 miles in a range of individual’s capabilities. Fruita also has some of the best biking trails in the world including the rigorous edge loop and leisurely ride on the 18 Road Trails. One Fruita Monument citizen, Sarah Penneck, says she enjoys the “challenging trails, the scenery, and that the environment of the trails are kept clean.” No matter the activity chosen it ought to be beautiful, no matter the time of year.

After a long day of rigorous outdoor activities you will likely want to partake in the selection of tasty restaurants and/or cafes. When riding into town, Wendy’s, Subway and McDonalds are handy but as you head downtown, more characteristic, small businesses are presented. Some include the town favorites: Camilla’s Kaffe, Munchies Pizza & Deli and Aspen Street Coffee.  “Munchies has good ice cream and fries, plus they have good service” says Fruita Monument sophomore, Sarah Mahoney. So no matter whether you like chains or local businesses there is a restaurant for you.

Not only are the fun outdoor activities and businesses of Fruita, Colorado present but so are the many festivals and events. The Fruita Fat Tire Festival takes place late-April early-May each year consisting of two days of biking. The Rim Rock Run is a marathon going through the Colorado Monument through Grand Junction and Fruita. One of the most unique festivals that Fruita has to offer is the Headless Chicken Festival that takes place on June first and second this year. It is dedicated to one chicken’s long life even without its head and consists of a long run, golf tournament, food eating contest, music and more. And the fan favorite: Fruita Fall Festival. “It’s a good time to spend time with your friends exposed to the local culture,” says Fruita sophomore, Barent Foley. The long lived festival in September involves live music with the accompaniment of food vendors, a parade and other fall activities.

Fruita offers some of the best agriculture on the western side of Colorado and the peaches in the valley are known all over the country through the wildfire spread of information regarding their value. The town’s paleontological past is sure to lure in anyone with a curious mind regarding the historical creatures that occupied our Earth prior to our existence. The climate and conditions are also likely to draw anyone’s attention with its beautiful slopes and access to outdoor activities. And lastly, the food and businesses in Fruita are charismatic and charming, definitely worth checking out on your leisure time while in town.