Summer Fun Going Strong in Glenwood Springs

Summer activities are in high gear in Glenwood Springs

Even as we all adjust to a new normal that includes face coverings and social distancing, you can continue to enjoy many of the activities you’ve always loved to do in Glenwood Springs. In addition to rides, attractions and cave tours at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, there’s rafting, biking, fishing, comedy shows, outdoor dining, hot springs and much more!

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Get Outside: The Remedy for Quarantine Cabin Fever

Spending time in nature has many benefits
Spending time in nature has many benefits

Feeling cooped up these days? Spending time in nature, while still respecting social distancing and other health recommendations, could be just what the doctor ordered.

We miss seeing your smiling faces at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. As a Colorado theme park situated on top of a mountain, being outside enjoying thrills rides and family attractions, as well as exploring the natural beauty of the caverns is part of the Adventure Park experience. Until we re-open in the weeks ahead, we encourage you to spend some time outdoors every day. Nature can be a potent source of renewal and regeneration for all of us, especially now.

Since mid-March, to tamp down the spread of the novel coronavirus, many of us have been working from home, socializing online, homeschooling our kids, limiting trips to the grocery store, wrangling for toilet paper, binge-watching TV and getting the hang of wearing face masks in public. It has been a long few weeks and there’s still more to go. At this point in the quarantine, who among us isn’t going a little stir crazy?

Here’s a suggestion: Get outside. Spending time in nature has all sorts of documented benefits. According to MentalFloss, it can boost your energy, creativity and immune system. A dose of sunlight can help mitigate pain, reduce anxiety, help with seasonal affective disorder and even restore your focus. And those are the perks in a pre-pandemic world!

Getting out in nature now can be even more effective in boosting our health and our moods. In the viral health crisis we find ourselves in today, spending time outdoors has a stockpile of advantages:

 

  • Nature takes our minds off scary headlines. Turn down the noise of the world by stepping out your front door. If you look for natural beauty every time you go outside, you’ll be sure to find it. Fresh blooms are popping up everywhere, warm sunshine on bare skin feels like a hug from an old friend, and spring rain brings with it rainbows and the promise of better days ahead.
  • Nature allows us to interact with other humans from a safe distance. While the wearing of masks is recommended in confined indoor settings, as long as we keep the 6-foot recommended distance from one another we can lower our nose and mouth protection when we’re outside. After so much self-isolation, smiling and waving to other people has never felt more therapeutic!
  • Nature is a big playground. Along with school closures, many city parks and playgrounds are off-limits for the time being. To keep kids from going bonkers, turn them loose for fresh air and to burn off steam. Simple things to do include riding bikes around the neighborhood, taking the dog for a walk, flying a kite or spending the afternoon fishing.
  • Nature encourages relaxation. Study after study has shown that green spaces boost our mood, reduce anxiety and generally make us feel better. Why not use this quarantine to take a solitary nap in a hammock, sketch or paint a landscape, read a book al fresco or dip your feet in the creek. Doing so won’t solve all your problems, but you will likely feel better and more at ease.
  • Nature is all around and accessible. Spending time in nature is not complicated even in these complicated times. It’s is as easy as opening your front door, walking barefoot on your own lawn, picking weeds in the garden, going for an early morning walk or an after-work-at-home run.
The vaccine is good news for the travel industry

However you decide to spend time in nature, follow national, state and local health guidelines especially social distancing even when outside and remember to wash your hands thoroughly when you return home.

We at Glenwood Caverns look forward to seeing you back again soon for a mountain-full of fun and adventure. For updates on our re-opening and other news follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram today.

Spring Break is a Time to Spring Forward

Take a break at a family-friendly spot this year. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is a family favorite for spring break vacations. Learn more about spring break traditions around the country.

Spring break isn’t just for college kids. Your family can use a break—maybe from the winter cabin fever, maybe for that final sprint of the 

kids’ school year, surely for some getaway time together that will make more lifetime memories. After all, vacations aren’t just for summer.

Check out the hot spots online for college spring breaks. Then look somewhere else where you can find fun for the whole family. You probably don’t want to be competing with massive student groups for a spot on the beach or a table in a restaurant.

One nice thing about spring is that it’s still winter—snow season—in some parts of the country and summer—beach season—in others. You can find plenty of family-friendly resorts, pick breathtaking natural beauty, or explore the museums, shops, entertainment and fun in unexpected cities. Check out these lists for ideas:

  • Family Vacation Critic has found 14 desirable spots, from the mountains (Ogden, Utah) to the coast (Hilton Head, S.C.; Panama City, Titusville, and the Florida Keys) to the coast (Carlsbad, Calif) to the coast (the Caribbean and Mexico). They’ve also found fun family things to do in Indianapolis, New York City, and the Wisconsin Dells.
  • HGTV has a Top 10 that includes snow at Smugglers’ Notch in Vermont; sun in San Diego, Calif. and Captiva Island, Fla.; a dude ranch in Arizona; and a surfing school in Hawaii.
  • Good Housekeeping’s 15 recommendations include Lisbon and London; Banff, Canada, and Los Cabos, Mexico; Yosemite National Park and Hawaii.
Get ready to ride at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
  • Family Vacation Critic highlights out-of-the-way places such as Greenville, S.C., Blowing Rock and Beech Mountain, N.C., McCall, Idaho, and Blairsville, Ga., alongside the more familiar Punta Cana, Cancun, Mexico City, Quebec City, Montego Bay, and Palm Springs. It includes Glenwood Springs on a list focused on affordability.

Whatever your family’s interest—ski, swim, scuba, surf, big cities, small towns or back-to-nature, you can find the perfect spot for 2020 sightseeing. You’ll come home refreshed, renewed and ready for the rest of the years.

For a family spring break in Colorado, be sure to learn more about Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

An Unforgettable Location For Weddings, Reunions, Retreats

Many people don’t realize they can celebrate their special occasions at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The mountaintop venue is perfect for events of all kinds including weddings, retreats and family reunions.

Called “special occasions” for a reason, they range from once-in-a-lifetime celebrations like a wedding ceremony to annual gatherings such as company parties and corporate retreats. Whatever the cause for getting together, location sets the tone for your event. For a fun, interactive location that’s casual, vibrant and 100 percent Colorado, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is the place to celebrate your next big event.

Weddings. Getting married at a theme park might not be the first place that comes to mind as the location for your nuptials, but it’s one you should consider especially if a fun atmosphere, a unique setting and memorable details are important to you. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park has all three. To exchange vows, the Viewing Deck and Lookout Grille both offer breath-taking views with a stunning backdrop of the Roaring Fork Valley and Mt. Sopris. For smaller weddings, couples can also tie the knot inside the caves. The mountaintop restaurant provides catered dining options and a full bar—everything you need for a great party. When it comes to capturing the moment for eternity, there’s no shortage of amazing backdrops for extraordinary, unique wedding photos. Take pictures all around the beautifully landscaped park, amid cave formations on King’s Row or even on rides like the Canyon Flyer or Giant Canyon Swing!
Learn more about wedding venues and reception packages at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

Retreats & Company Parties. Get the job done and have fun at the same time. Encourage every member of your team to bring their A-game with a company retreat or party at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. Getting away from the ordinary day-to-day interactions allows people to interact differently with each other. A theme park retreat can be an effective way to encourage team building among employees. Chances are they’ll see a whole new side of their workmates. Annual company parties at the Park, whether at the holidays or other time of year, also offer a unique way to thank and recognize employees for a job well done.

Learn more about Glenwood Caverns’ business packages and all the options available for corporate gatherings.

Reunions. Celebrate multiple generations of family at a venue that has something for every member—from school-aged youngsters and hard-to-please teens to senior citizens. Get together for a delicious, casual meal at the Lookout Grille and spend the day exploring the Park. You’ll make memories to cherish for a lifetime. The Park’s family attractions are fun for all, thrill rides are a screaming good time and cave tours can accommodate the whole group for an experience that’s entertaining and educational for one and all. As a memento, we can even snap professional souvenir photos of your group for you.

Learn more about Friends & Family packages available at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

An unforgettable venue for your next big event, celebrate the occasion at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

Smaller Theme Parks Provide Old-Fashioned Fun

Smaller theme parks maintain a family-feel with vintage and modern attractions.

Far from the madding crowd of big-name amusement parks, dozens of slower-paced, family-style and nostalgic operations dot America with enough charm and attractions to take home a lifetime of large memories. Derek Sailors of North Carolina, who has worked on the encyclopedic Roller Coaster DataBase for years, started his own Facebook page, to boost those sites, including Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, and preserve the heritage (he also runs pages for zoos, road trips, and defunct amusement parks). Here are some of his top picks:

Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, Pa. This family-owned operation founded in 1926 is a big park with a small-park Americana feel. Admission is free, with individual prices for each of more than 60 rides, including three wooden roller coasters, a 1913 Grand Carousel, two miniature railways, and a dark haunted house. The compound includes a swimming pool, golf course, campground and restaurants.

Canobie Lake Park, Salem, N.H. This smaller theme park was founded by the Hudson, Pelham & Salem Railways at the end of a new trolley line in 1902. Visitors in those days dressed up for a day of picnicking, sporting events, canoeing, the Penny Arcade, and a ride on the Circle Swing. Attractions today include thrill rides such as the Yankee Cannonball rollercoaster and spinning Ice Jet, family rides including a 1903 carousel and 40-foot pontoon boat, kids’ rides, water rides, arcade games and live shows.

Seabreeze, Rochester, N.Y. This park was founded in 1879 as the last stop on a steam train line with picnic grounds and a lakefront. Mechanical rides were added, including a carousel in 1900. In addition to the vintage 1920 Jack Rabbit rollercoaster, Seabreeze has modern thrill rides, family rides, kids’ rides, a water park, shows and games.

Arnolds Park Amusement Park, Arnolds Park, Iowa. Wesley Arnold bought land on the south shore of West Lake Okoboji in 1864 and started entertaining visitors on the Milwaukee Railroad in 1874. Community leaders raised $7.25 million in 1999 to save the park from demolition and build a Maritime Museum. In addition to a full range of rides, the park hosts concerts and shows and runs a large steamer ship, Queen II, on the lake.

Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park, Rossville, Ga. Lake Winnie opened in 1925, focused at first on water-related attraction. The Boat Chute, installed two years later, is the oldest still-operating mill chute water ride in the United States. The site also has a 1916 carousel, an open-air theater, a water park, and a Cannonball rollercoaster installed in 1967.

Plan a Thrilling Romantic Adventure for Two

Add some big thrills to your romance with a visit to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. The mountaintop theme park in Glenwood Springs is the perfect place for heart-warming and heart-pounding fun.

Give your romantic relationship a love booster shot. A spur-of-the-moment, micro-getaway that includes Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park could be just the remedy for the mid-winter amour doldrums. The Adventure Park checks all the boxes for a romantic  good time and a great date.

  • Snuggle on the Glenwood Gondola. The orange gondola cars will whisk you and your partner high above the humdrum of the ordinary. Get cozy under blankets that are provided in each cabin as you travel from the valley floor to the park entrance at the top of Iron Mountain. Consider it the grown up version of seven minutes in heaven!
  • Plumb the depths. Explore new territory together. Cave tours offer couples a glimpse of a rare and magnificent underground landscape. See spectacular stalactites, stalagmites, showy aragonite crystals and more. The caverns have also been the site of more than a few marriage proposals and wedding ceremonies!
  • Feel the need for speed on the Alpine Coaster. Sometimes you’ve just got to go a little wild. Let the throttle out on the Alpine Coaster. You determine your speed as you soar down the mountain. The cool mountain air and fast pace are guaranteed to awaken the senses.
  • Be silly in the 4-D Theater. Love isn’t rational. You don’t need to be ten years old to enjoy these 15 minute animated shows. Grab a seat at this family-friendly attraction, put on your glasses and enjoy the surround sound, bumps and breezes of 4-D technology. By the end, no matter your age, you’ll feel like kids again.
  • Unwind with libations. For a more mature pastime, head to the Lookout Grille for an adult beverage and some sustenance. The bar serves a selection of decadent cocktails, beer in bottles and on tap. Wine and a Bloody Mary bar are other options. You can also satisfy your partner’s appetite at the Lookout Grille. The restaurant has an extensive menu of delicious casual dining menu choices.
  • Take in the views. To paraphrase Antoine de St. Exupéry, it not all about looking at each other; it’s looking in the same direction that matters. On your visit to the Adventure Park be sure to walk up to the Viewing Deck above the General Store for landscape views of the Roaring Fork Valley and Glenwood Springs. This is also the perfect spot for a romantic couple’s photo.
  • Attend an intimate concert. Add a little night music to the mix with Friday Afternoon Club FAC features talented local bands and food and drink specials every Friday through February from 5 to 8:30 p.m. The Park’s FAC also includes a free gondola ride after 4 p.m. with a coupon that appears in the Glenwood Springs Post Independent on Fridays. The small indoor venue is relaxed and laid back—perfect for a date night.

Love is a big, bold adventure. Add some thrills to your romance at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park!

Win a Family Getaway to Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, America’s only mountaintop theme park is sponsoring a contest for a vacation package that includes the best of Glenwood Springs activities and accommodations.

Win a Glenwood Family Getaway

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is rolling out the Glenwood Family Getaway contest again for 2020. One lucky family will receive:

  • A 2 night stay at the historic Hotel Colorado
  • 4 Funday passes to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
  • 4 day passes to soak at Iron Mountain Hot Springs
  • 4 show tickets to the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue
  • 4 vouchers to the Glenwood Escape Room
  • Fifty-dollar gift card to Glenwood Canyon Brewpub

The Best of Glenwood Springs

The Hotel Colorado is a Glenwood Springs landmark. It has hosted such notable guests as President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt and Titanic survivor “Unsinkable” Molly Brown. It is famous for its holiday lighting display, fine dining and as a favorite location for weddings and other special events.

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is an award-winning, family-owned theme park. It is home to spectacular caves and holds the record for the second largest cave room in Colorado. The mountaintop theme park is also known for its thrill rides. The Giant Canyon Swing, two extreme rides, have attracted world-wide attention from media outlets and thrill seekers.

Located on a terraced bank along the Colorado River, Iron Mountain Hot Springs allows guests to customize their soaking experience. Sixteen individual soaking pools—varying in size, shape and temperature—enable guests to find the one that’s “just right.” Other amenities include a larger, freshwater family pool, a restaurant, modern locker rooms and a gift shop.

For evening entertainment, the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue, Glenwood’s own Comedy Central is the place to go for laughs. The talented cast of professional performers keeps audiences in stitches with family-friendly skits, jokes, high energy dance numbers and more. The venue also hosts special events, bringing in bands, comedians and musicals.

For guests who like a challenge, the Glenwood Escape Room will put sleuthing skills to the test. The question is: Are you clever enough to get out in time? Choose from three scenarios and use clues to solve the mystery. Guests have 60 minutes and must work as a team to unlock the door and escape!

The Glenwood Canyon Brewpub brings flavorful and memorable food to your table. With a variety of delicious American pub dishes for everyone and award winning brews.

Enter to Win Today!

For the chance to win the Glenwood Family Getaway, fill out the entry form. The contest begins February 3, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on February 29, 2020. The winning family will be electronically drawn at random and announced March 2, 2020. Winners’ travel must occur between March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2021. Blackout dates apply.

The Fine Print:

  •  No purchase necessary
  • One valid entry per contestant
  • Must be 21 years of age or older at time of entry to be eligible for this contest.
  • This contest is void where prohibited by law.
  • Employees of Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and their immediate family are not eligible.
  • Winners will be notified by phone and/or email.
  • If a winner is unreachable after seven (7) days or if that winner is unavailable for prize fulfillment an alternate winner will be selected.
  • Travel expenses to Glenwood Springs are not included.
  • Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park reserves the right to substitute any prize with another prize of equal or greater value.
  • Contest entrants agree to abide by the terms of the Official Rules and by the decisions of the contest commissioners which are final on all matters pertaining to the contest.
  • Entrants further grant Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park the right to use and publish their proper name and state online and in print, or any other media, in connection with the contest.
  • By completing this registration and pressing “submit”, entrants give Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Hotel Colorado, Iron Mountain Hot Springs, Glenwood Vaudeville Revue, Glenwood Canyon Brewpub and Glenwood Adventure Company permission to contact the contestant via the email provided.
  • Contestants authorize Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Hotel Colorado, Iron Mountain Hot Springs, Glenwood Vaudeville Revue, Glenwood Canyon Brewpub and Glenwood Escape Room Inc. to send emails about their products using automated technology.