Omayra Acevedo, Glenwood Springs.   They say that something magical happens when you add a little bit of natural healing water to your vacation. Finding your idea of adventure or relaxation is not very difficult when you are in the Glenwood Springs area. Whether that’d be one day, an entire weekend or a couple of weeks, boredom shouldn’t be part of your vocabulary when considering visiting the Western Slope.

Yes, the seasons are changing, the nights and mornings are a bit cooler, but those are perfect reasons to take some time to simply enjoy life in Colorado. More specifically, the Glenwood Springs area. You can soar high over the Rockies on an aerial adventure to take in vistas very few people have.

Skydiving, paragliding, zip lining and even rock climbing are all great ways to take in the views from a very different perspective.

If heights aren’t your thing, how about cycling or mountain biking? I hear that cycling in Glenwood can be enjoyed during all four seasons. You can find trails for all levels of expertise. Gradual inclines, off road trails and even paved trails. Don’t have a bike? You guessed it! You can rent one. The entire family has no excuse not to enjoy the scenery on two wheels.

Speaking of entire families, how about taking them all to the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park? There you can find all sorts of fun for everyone.

Thrill rides like the first alpine coaster in the United States, the giant canyon swing, a zip ride and a roller coaster. For the kiddos and for those non-endorphin seekers, you can spend your time playing laser tag, on a kid-friendly roller coaster, watching a 4D movie, listening to music, panning for gemstones or enjoying a walk through the park to take in the sights. Oh yeah, remember that height thing? You kind of have to ride the scenic tram all the way to the top of Iron Mountain before you can enjoy the park, but you’ll be okay. It’s a gentle and beautiful ride.

Looking for something a little less thrilling and more low-key? How about fishing, golfing, hiking or a museum? They say that fly fishing is possible year-round in Glenwood. The Roaring Fork and the Colorado Rivers are very popular for fishing in the area. You can also find more remote and smaller areas for fishing in the White River National Forest. You can even rent a fishing boat if you’d like.

Golfing, including mini golf and disc golf, are also possible in town as well as in the surrounding areas. Want some time alone to reconnect with nature? Take a hike! By foot, bike or horse, there are trails for everyone and every skill level. You can pick up a trail guide almost anywhere in town.

Perhaps, you would enjoy a visit to one of their museums. The Frontier Historical Museum displays artifacts that show what life was once like in Glenwood Springs. Let’s not forget, the Doc Holliday Museum, where you can see firsthand, some of Doc Holliday’s personal belongings and learn a bit about his life story and how he made it to the town of Glenwood Springs.

There are also more common things to do like shopping, dining and of course, winter sports. Then, there are my personal favorites: the therapeutic, underground Yampah Caves, which are said to have been used by the Ute indians for healing and rituals. They are one of only a few natural vapor caves in North America. Then there’s soaking in a pool of natural, hot mineral water to sooth all of your senses. Which you can do at the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool or the Iron Mountain Hot Springs.

So…what are you waiting for? Plan your trip and start packing. It’s the sum of the little and big things that make life so amazing. From adventure to zen, you will find it all in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.