Music on the Mountain Returns August 19

Music on the Mountain, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park’s mountaintop concerts begin again and run through September.

Music on the Mountain resumes Saturday, August 19. After a brief summer hiatus the popular Glenwood Springs concert series takes to the stage once again for six evenings of musical entertainment. A different band entertains the crowd each week through September 23. Come for the live music and stay for an evening of dancing, delicious food, drink specials, and spectacular views. Even the breaks between sets are fun-filled – with prize drawings for t-shirts, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park Funday passes, and Iron Mountain Hot Springs day passes.

In addition to providing six weeks of late summer entertainment, Music on the Mountain also helps to serve the community. Guests can ride the tram or an adventure vehicle and enjoy the concerts free with the donation of a canned food item for the Lift-Up community food pantry. At last count, Music on the Mountain attendees had donated over 64,000 cans of food!

For Saturday shows, rides to the mountaintop start at 4 p.m., with music from 6 – 10 p.m.; on Sunday, Sept. 10, rides to the park begin at 2 p.m. The band plays from 4 – 8 p.m.

During the concerts the park is fully operational with outdoor rides open until dusk. The Laser Tag arena and 4D Motion Theater are open until the park closes. For the best value, we recommend purchasing the Funday Pass at the walkup window for just $38 with the free tram ride.

Come and listen to all your favorites from roadhouse blues and southern rock to modern renditions at America’s only mountaintop theme park. The lineup features award-winning artists with a heavy focus on rock classics.

Saturday, August 19 — Fifty50 (classic, modern and original rock) sponsored by Swire Coca-Cola

Saturday, August 26 — The Gerry Goodman Band (Stevie Ray Vaughan cover tunes, classic rock) sponsored by Young Services

Saturday, September 9 — Already Gone (American resort rock) sponsored by Community Banks of Colorado

Sunday, September 10 — Christian Music on the Mountain (The Orchard from Carbondale) sponsored by Glenwood TV

Saturday, September 16 — Poser (classic rock) sponsored by Bighorn Toyota

Saturday, September 23 — Emotional Rescue (Rolling Stones cover band) sponsored by Glenwood Insurance Agency

Scream Time vs. Screen Time

Vaccine is good news for travel industry

A family excursion to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park could be just what the doctor ordered for digital excess.

Parents, psychologists, and medical and educational professionals are increasingly concerned about the amount of time children are spending on digital media. Studies show that excess screen time can hamper the development of vital life qualities from social interaction and homework preparation to exercise and sleep.

One recent study in the United Kingdom even found a correlation between screen time and mental illness. The American Academy of Pediatrics last year issued new guidelines urging a Family Media Use Plan that puts consistent limits on media use for children older than 6 (younger children should spend at most an hour a day on the screen).

Rules and limits are important to curb the excess, but experts also advise real-life excursions that are irresistibly more enjoyable than all-day web surfing, video gaming, or texting. “Start with fun,” says Dr. Ann Steel, a video game and internet addiction specialist in Bellevue, Washington. “It can be more fun to add new activities into your children’s lives than limiting or taking away their technology. Often kids view their screens as the most pleasurable activity in their life, so we should start by offering healthy yet enticing options.” Also, let’s face it, parents who want to promote more positive behavior in their kids need to watch their own levels of digital interaction. “Your kids aren’t the only ones who need to turn the devices off and stop to smell the roses,” says Anna Hughes, an author at Screen Time Labs.

With our combination of nature features, thrill rides, and other attractions, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park can immerse your whole family in the real world with plenty of time for curiosity, exploration, conversation, and relaxation without needing a keyboard or screen at your fingertips. It’s a break from the digital, and the shared experience will keep on stimulating social interaction as you remember the beauty and excitement of the great outdoors. You’ll probably want to come back for more!

ICYMI: FAC at GCAP is TPTB

 If you’re all thumbs when it comes to internet acronyms, let us decode them for you: In Case You Missed It (ICYMI), Friday Afternoon Club (FAC) at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park (GCAP) is The Place to Be (TPTB).

Already midway through the summer season, with five weeks left, there are still plenty of opportunities to unwind at the end of the workweek with fun, food, friends and more! Every Friday from 5 – 8:30 p.m. through August 18, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park hosts FAC at the Lookout Grille, an indoor-outdoor venue with the hands-down best views in Glenwood Springs – including jaw-dropping sunsets over the Colorado River.

Each week features a different band, all playing danceable sets which could include anything from rock-and-roll to reggae and hip-hop. In addition to a mix of upbeat music, Glenwood Caverns’ FAC is famous for its drink specials that switch at regular intervals throughout the evening. With the spin of the wheel – similar to the Wheel of Fortune – the drink specials change every half hour. Enjoy wine, beer and cocktails at happy hour prices, from $2 – $4 per drink, with $2 Coors Light on tap all night.

The Park’s FAC also includes a free tram ride with a coupon that appears in the Post Independent printed and e-edition on Fridays. One coupon is valid for free tram or bus rides for up to four people starting at 4 p.m. Guests can also enjoy the Park’s rides and attractions during the FAC events. A Funday Pass, just $38 with the free tram ride, includes both walking cave tours and unlimited access to all of the Park’s rides and most attractions. The outdoor rides are open until dusk; the Laser Tag arena and 4D Motion Theater are open until the park closes at 9 p.m.

New Melodrama at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

Part ghost story, part mystery and part romantic comedy, “Trouble Bubbles at the Iron Mountain Hot Springs” at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is an updated version of the American melodrama that’s sure to delight the whole family.

You can catch a performance at the Adventure Park all summer, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays at noon and 2:30. It’s free with admission to the park.

The story follows Sheriff Warren Peace, newspaperman Avery Braveman and plucky Hotel owner Jenna Rossity as they unravel the evil plot of Professor Thaddeus Mack, all in the midst of ghostly shenanigans. As the show unfolds, the colorful characters of the Old West are brought to life by a troupe of young actors who hail from the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond.

2017 Season of Music on the Mountain Opens in Glenwood Springs, Colorado

It’s that time again! Time for Music on the Mountain at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. The 10-concert summer music series kicks off Friday, May 26, of Memorial Day weekend in Glenwood Springs.

In its ninth season, Music on the Mountain is an outdoor music lover’s dream-come-true. It takes place at America’s only mountaintop theme park where an eclectic mix of bands, lots of dancing, spectacular Colorado views, plenty of good food and thrifty drink specials converge for 10 festive summer nights. Cost of admission? Concerts are free with the donation of a canned good; beans and soups of all varieties and Spaghettios are popular choices. Not only is Music on the Mountain outstanding entertainment for visitors to Glenwood Springs and the locals who live here, the event helps stock the shelves of the Lift-Up community food pantry, a cause that helps individuals and families in need. At last count, Music on the Mountain attendees have donated a total of over 62,000 cans of food!

Hop aboard the Iron Mountain Tramway or one of the Cavern’s new adventure vehicles for a ride from the valley floor to the top of Iron Mountain where the festivities take place. Because the concerts are quite popular, there can sometimes be a wait to get to the top of Iron Mountain. Our advice is to relax and make friends with your neighbors in line while the Glenwood Caverns staff handles the work of transporting people to and from the mountaintop.

Planning & timing. With the exception of Sunday concerts on June 11, and September 10, when the Park closes at 8 p.m., bands take the stage at 6 p.m. and entertain crowds until closing time at 10 p.m. During the concerts the park is fully operational with outdoor rides open until dusk; so go ahead and take a turn while you’re here. For the best value, we recommend purchasing the Funday Pass, just $38 with the free tram ride.

The lineup. The season starts out strong with the Summer Kick-off on Friday, May 26, featuring the Missing Link Band, and from there it doesn’t miss a beat. Consider planning your Glenwood Springs vacation to coincide with one or more Music on the Mountain concerts. The combo of music, festival atmosphere and mountaintop adventure is certain to be high point of your trip. View the complete Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park events calendar.

Friday, May 26 — The Missing Link Band (blend of classic rock, dance, funk & groove tunes) all sponsors are showcased at this opening event
During the Summer Kick-off, Maciej Mrotek and partners will present two performances of the Dance of the Sacred Fire during the concert. The mesmerizing, high energy show features flame throwing and fire breathing!

Saturday, June 3 — Whiskey Stomp and the Logan Brothers (two popular local bands) sponsored by KSPN/Lift AMT

Saturday, June 10 — Bryan Savage (solo jazz saxophone and flute virtuoso) sponsored by the Hotel Glenwood Springs

Sunday, June 11 — Integrantes Del Norte (upbeat Latin music) sponsored by Glenwood Springs Post Independent

Enjoy a free tram ride after 2 p.m. with the donation of a can of food for the Lift-Up food pantry. The band plays from 4 to 8 p.m. for this special Sunday event.

Saturday, August 19 — Fifty50 (classic, modern and original rock) sponsored by Swire Coca-Cola

Saturday, August 26 — The Gerry Goodman Band (Stevie Ray Vaughan cover tunes, classic rock) sponsored by Young Services

Saturday, September 9 — Already Gone (American resort rock) sponsored by Community Banks of Colorado

Sunday, September 10 — Christian Music on the Mountain (The Orchard from Carbondale) sponsored by Glenwood TV

Enjoy a free tram ride after 2 p.m. with the donation of a can of food for the LiftUp food pantry. The band plays from 4 to 8 p.m. for this special Sunday event.

Saturday, September 16 — Poser (classic rock) sponsored by Bighorn Toyota

Saturday, September 23 — Emotional Rescue (Rolling Stones cover band) sponsored by Glenwood Insurance Agency

Make the Most of Your Colorado Summer Vacation to Glenwood Springs

Incorporate these Glenwood Springs travel tips for a family-friendly Colorado summer vacation that’s a blast from arrival to departure.

Book lodging. Do this first and your Glenwood Springs vacation will be off to a great start. There’s plenty of room for everyone in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, though depending on when you visit, choices may be limited, so book early. The resort town is home to 36 properties with over 1,700 rooms. Accommodations run the gamut from historic hotels to family-owned motels and flagship properties to camp grounds. Peruse glenwood springs lodging options.

Be sun smart. Glenwood Springs, Colorado is located at 5,700 feet above sea level and Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park tops out at 7,100 feet! Even on cloudy days, the sun’s rays are penetrating. Wearing sunscreen is so vitally important that the Park provides it for free!

Heads up. Keep an eye on the weather and be prepared with lightweight rain gear. During the warm weather seasons, Colorado frequently experiences afternoon thunderstorms, but don’t let that dampen your Glenwood Springs vacation. Thunderheads tend to roll through quickly. At the Glenwood Caverns that means rides may close temporarily, at other attractions patrons may be asked to vacate pools. If that happens, no matter where you are in Glenwood Springs, the best advice is to wait it out. If you’re at the Park, take advantage of indoor activities like the 4-D Motion Theater or laser tag.

Alpine Coaster is a top ride at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

Outwit the crowds. If possible, plan your Colorado summer vacation to Glenwood Springs on the shoulders of peak season and visit attractions during low traffic times of the day. At the Caverns, for example, mid-June through mid-August are the busiest. Avoid crowds by planning your trip in early June or at the end of August. If your trip coincides with peak season, consider arriving at Glenwood Caverns later in the day when temperatures cool and crowds thin out. You might even catch a spectacular Colorado sunset from the Viewing Deck!

Find your dining sweet spot. Glenwood Springs is a culinary hot spot. For outdoor and rooftop dining options in downtown, stroll along Seventh Street, known as Glenwood’s “restaurant row,”  where establishments like the Pullman and the Glenwood Canyon Brewpub are located, both are award-winning eateries. There are also palate-pleasing ethnic options to choose from including Indian, Jamaican, Nepalese, Mexican, Italian as well as Southern comfort food. Find a helpful dining guide here.

Explore all your options. Glenwood Springs is home to three geothermal attractions. The Iron Mountain Hot Springs offers a spa-like environment with 16 pools, all filled with 100 percent pure mineral water; Glenwood Hot Springs is great for families looking for slides and diving boards; and the Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves is one of the few places to experience a subterranean steam bath. In addition to hot springs, Glenwood Springs is also a major Colorado outdoor destination. Don’t miss opportunities to hike to places like Hanging Lake, go whitewater rafting through Glenwood Canyon and bicycle for miles along river trails like the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Trail or the Rio Grande Trail. For even more fun, check out this comprehensive list of things to do in Glenwood Springs.

Incorporate entertainment. Summertime is outdoor show time in Glenwood Springs. Sit back and take in the tunes or dance the night away.

  • Glenwood Caverns’ popular Music on the Mountain begins in May. The concert series features an eclectic mix of musical performers atop Iron Mountain.
  • Every Wednesday evening from June 28, through Aug. 2, at Two Rivers Park, the Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts hosts the Summer of Music. Over the years, it has become a venue for both established performers and up-and-coming musical talent.
  • This year marks the 120th Annual Strawberry Days festival, June 16 – 18. The 3-day festival features everything from nighttime dance bands to gospel on Sunday morning.
  • Also, debuting at the Caverns this summer is a new musical comedy melodrama written and directed by Jonathan Gorst. The former musical director of the National Tour of Phantom of the Opera also played piano for the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue for several years. Like the Vaudeville, the new melodrama is hilarious, complete with song, dance and perfectly-timed slapstick.

Exit strategy. Most visitors to Glenwood Springs come from the Denver area. If you’re homeward bound on I-70 East on a Sunday afternoon, you may find yourself in bumper-to-bumper gridlock. When it’s time to leave, plan to either go early in the day, before 9 a.m. or wait until late afternoon leaving after 5 p.m. Alternatively, avoid traffic snares by planning your vacation arrival and departure mid-week, when traffic flows along I-70 are lower.

For more ideas on how to make the most of your Colorado summer vacation to Glenwood Springs, visit glenwoodcavdev.wpengine.com/glenwood-springs-visitor-information/.

Turkey Tram-a-Ganza and Winter on the Mountain

Looking for something fun to do next weekend? Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park has you covered! We’ve got a lot coming up with both the third annual Turkey Tram-a-Ganza and the kickoff of Winter on the Mountain happening on Saturday, Nov. 19. Join us in Glenwood Springs, Colorado for all the festivities!

The Turkey Tram-a-Ganza event, a benefit for LIFT-UP’s local food pantries, collects Thanksgiving food items for area families in need. Drop off a turkey at the tram base and receive up to four free tram passes! By donating a turkey, you’ll also be entered into a drawing for an Annual Thrill Pass or two day passes to the Iron Mountain Hot Springs (four winners will be selected). Guests can also donate cans of food or other non-perishable items and receive one free tram pass per person.

Bring a turkey to the base of the tram and get up to four free tram rides to the top!

Alpine Coaster at Winter on the Mountain #getuphere

The Alpine Coaster is lit up at night during Winter on the Mountain!

KSNO’s Jim Williams will broadcast live from the Iron Mountain Tramway during the Turkey Tram-a-Ganza, which runs from noon until 4 p.m.

The free tram rides are valid for Saturday Nov. 19 only, and can be used to attend the kick-off party for Winter on the Mountain, which starts at 5 p.m. It will be a festive event to start the winter season! With the park covered in twinkling lights (including lighted rides and caves), a giant musical Christmas tree lighting at 7 p.m., live music and a visit from Santa Claus, Winter on the Mountain is dazzling fun for the whole family.

By donating a turkey, you’ll be eligible to receive a discounted Winter Funday Pass. For just $25, you can enjoy both walking cave tours and unlimited access to the Alpine Coaster, Soaring Eagle Zip Ride, laser tag arena and 4D Motion Theater.

For more information, visit our Park Info page. We hope to see you at the Park on Saturday, Nov. 19!

Two More Weeks of Mountain Fall Festival!

Have you made it up to the Mountain Fall Festival? If not, no worries! There’s plenty of time to head up Iron Mountain to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where autumn fun awaits!
The park is still alive with fall colors, and there are lots of great photo opportunities all over the park. It’s a beautiful place to enjoy your fall day.

Every day of the week, we have autumn decorations, a pumpkin patch, and Oktoberfest food and drink specials, including brats & kraut, seasonal beer and a Bloody Mary bar. We’ve also got spiked cider, hot chocolate and other cozy fall drinks. On Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., we ramp up the festivities with hayrides, kids games (with prizes!), face painting and pumpkin decorating. Kids can also participate in a sticker scavenger hunt! Watch our Fall Festival video to see what the festival is all about.

As always, you can enjoy our thrill rides and attractions. Get a spectacular view of the valley on the Soaring Eagle Zip Line and the Glenwood Canyon Flyer, or watch your little one’s face light up on the Wild West Express kid’s coaster. Zoom down through beautiful fall foliage on the Alpine Coaster, and then experience the magic and wonder waiting underground on one of our Cave Tours. Buy a Funday Pass for a whole day of fun at a great value.

Saturday, October 22 brings the band Alpine Echo up to the mountaintop, where they will play Octoberfest tunes all day long. Founding member Gerhard Rill is originally from Bavaria, Germany. He came to Colorado and started making music, and soon partnered with Bill Rill (also from Bavaria) and John Pataky (from Hungary). Together, the trio formed Alpine Echo. Joe Pologar of Leadville, Colorado later came on board to round out the band’s sound. The foursome performs festive, lively tunes that are a treat for the ears!

To celebrate the band, we’re bringing back Can-for-a-Tram: On October 22, bring at least one can of food to donate for a free tram ride to the top. Can-for-a-Tram benefits Lift-Up, a non-proft organization that provides humanitarian aid to struggling families and individuals in our community.

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Mardi Gras at Glenwood Caverns is a family friendly event

For more information, visit the Fall Festival page. The festival runs until October 30, and there are still two Saturdays left. We hope to see you soon!

Family fun at Glenwood Caverns’ Mountain Fall Festival

Join us for mountains of fun at our second annual Fall Festival! Through Oct. 30, 2016, you’ll find a pumpkin patch, fall photo opportunities, and food and drink specials. There’s even more fun on Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. with hayrides, family-friendly games, scavenger hunts, face painting and pumpkin decorating.

On Saturday, Oct. 22, we’ll have live Oktoberfest music by Alpine Echo and cans-for-a-tram rides from noon to 5 p.m. You can ride the tram free with the donation of at least one can of food for the Lift-Up food pantry!

The park features several vantage points with panoramic views of the fall colors in Glenwood Canyon and the Roaring Fork Valley. The tram, the Lookout Grille, the Mine Wheel and viewing decks at the Giant Canyon Swing and above the restaurant are some of the best places for leaf peeping and photos.is text.

Race for the kids!

Looking for something fun to do on the weekend, that also happens to be for a great cause? Look no further! Youth Zone Ascent and Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park are partnering to host the First Annual 5K Race on Saturday, October 8. Participants are invited to run, hike, bike or segway from Two Rivers Park up to Glenwood Caverns, where they can enjoy a full day of fun. Of course, other modes of transport are also welcome. For example, if any children have one of the best selling stunt scooters, they are more than welcome to participate in this race too. As this race is in support of Youth Zone Ascent, everyone is welcome to join in, no matter how they want to take part. Participators are welcome to come and have fun for a great deal with a 50% off Funday Pass!

If you are biking or riding a Segway, meet at Two Rivers at 9:00 am. If you are hiking or running, the start time is 9:30 am. You can also take the Scenic Tram if you feel like a more relaxed ride up; it’s all just about having fun! The entry fee is $25 if you register online before the race or $30 on race day. All proceeds go to supporting Youth Zone Ascent. You’ll get a t-shirt and a breakfast burrito to start your day off right as part of your entry fee.

YouthZone Ascent has been around since the 1970s and is an important organization in our community. They are focused on providing services to youths ages 6 to 18 years, and provide services to more than 1,000 young people a year. Originally founded by a group of parents concerned about drug use among youths, YouthZone Ascent provides recreational activities as well as information and education about the dangers of drug use, as well as teaching them about drug testing, different test types such as a urine test and more. They focus on three areas of assistance: prevention, intervention, and volunteerism. YouthZone Ascent is committed to the health and well-being of our young people, and the 5K race is a great way to support them while also getting some exercise and getting some thrills at the park!

For more information or to register, visit Youth Zone Ascent. For information on all cave tours, rides and attractions available with the Funday Pass, head to our homepage. We hope to see you on Saturday for 5K and a day worth of good times for a good cause!