La Junta is a small town in Southeastern Colorado. I think you could easily find enough to do to spend a weekend here, perhaps even longer depending on what you’re into. Named for the railroad junction in town, you can get here by car or by train, as it has very own train stop! These are the things I think everyone should do when they come through town, whether its for a day, a weekend, or longer!
The Barista
Perhaps my favorite place to get some food in town is The Barista. The Barista is a local coffee shop and cafe that serves up delicious drinks and tasty food. It’s a great place to get a light breakfast and your morning coffee. I recommend the Amtrak (aptly named for the railyard located in town), which is a simple egg-bacon-cheese sandwich on a croissant. I’m not a coffee person, but their caramel frappe is absolutely delicious! If you find yourself there during lunch, I love their Prairie Schooner. If you’re lucky enough to find yourself there on mid-Friday you absolutely need to try their flatbread! Made to order, it’s so good.
Vogel Canyon
About 16 miles South of La Junta is a gem of a place to hike called Vogel Canyon (picnic area). With multiple paths and multiple distances, you don’t have to worry about the monotony of an in-and-out hike. You can observe the beautiful canyon scenery from afar, or there are some places where you can hike up to and see first-hand Native American art and pictograms on the canyon walls. The trailhead has picnic tables and a restroom so you can easily enjoy the day there. If visiting in the spring or summer, its a good idea to get an early start as the afternoon heats up very quickly.
What the Fudge?
Need an afternoon dessert or other sweet treat? This candy shop is a must-visit stop for all things sweet! They obviously have a variety of commercial candy available both in bulk and pre-packaged, but What the Fudge? is so much more than just a candy shop. Their homemade fudge is to die for and comes in so many flavors! My personal favorite afternoon pick-me-up is their strawberry shortcake parfait cup. Fresh cut strawberries, soft angel food cake pieces, and whipped cream – what’s not to love? The folks who run the shop are all super friendly too, and that’s not to mention how absolutely adorable they have their shop decorated. Its an extra treat any time you get to meet their Peep ambassador!
Martin’s General Store
Martin’s General Store is a great place to spend some time and browse second-hand items and antiques. Their book selection is the best in the area. I can always find something fun here, including uranium glass and carnival glass. Whether you plan to buy or just explore, this is a great place to do it! You might even find some worthy antiques to add to your collection.
Bents Old Fort National Historic Site
Located on the Great Plains of Colorado, hiking mountains in the La Junta area isn’t really something that is super accessible. History, however, is and Bents Old Fort National Historic Site also hosts a gorgeous walking trail behind it. Whether it’s history that’s your thing or nature, you can’t afford to miss this place. Located East of the city down Highway 194, the fort is a reconstructed look at history, featuring living historians dressed in period clothing. You need to walk from the parking lot to the fort, itself. Along the way, you can enjoy the calls of Redwing Blackbirds in the neighboring wetlands, read about the historic cemetery near the gates, and get plenty of sunshine.
Once there, make sure to check out the all the rooms. The blacksmith presentation has been my favorite since I was a little kid visiting for school, but there’s always something going on somewhere. Be sure to catch a glimpse of the resident peacocks and take a trip to the stables to see if the oxen are home. After you walk the fort, take the long way back and head out the back door. You can take a trail down through the woods behind the fort and along the river. You’ll be rewarded with shade and the rustling of the breeze through the plentiful cottonwoods.
Boss Hogg’s Saloon & Restaurant
Now for dinner, I think there is a fine selection of places to choose from in La Junta. I think for the true locals experience, however, Boss Hogg’s is a must. It’s pretty much everything you would expect from a small ranching community. I can count on everything they serve up to be good. They have plenty of appetizers to choose from (I usually go potato skins or bacon cheese fries) and plenty of burgers, too. For a good, local flavor try their slopper. It’s an open-faced hamburger smothered in green chile. They also have steaks, seafood, pasta, and unlimited soup and salad, so there is bound to be something for everyone!
Koshare Museum & Trading Post
The Koshare Museum is a local and much-loved museum and kiva. It’s ripe with Native American history and they do a great job of cultivating a respect of the culture. My favorite exhibit is the one dedicated to the Koshare, the clown or trickster of the Hopi. You can see a multitude of Native American art and dress in the museum.
If you’re really lucky, you may also be able to catch a performance by the Koshare branch of the local Boy Scouts. They do a summer program and a winter program, featuring the members of the troop doing Native dances and narration about the history of the tribes and dances they honor. They have the utmost respect for what they do and they put in so much hard work to honor the culture. Shows are performed in their hand-built sunken kiva, which is historical on its own. If you have the chance, the Koshare Museum & Trading Post should definitely be added to the itinerary.
Copper Kitchen
Before you leave, make sure to stop and get breakfast at Copper Kitchen! If small town atmosphere is what you want, you will surely get it here! The restaurant itself was taken over by Larry Tucker in 1985 and he is generally a staple member of the team. More often than not, I find him at the register greeting me when I get there and bidding me farewell when I leave. He also makes his rounds to check on folks while they are dining.
Everyone working there is very pleasant and its not uncommon that people will be chatting between tables (it is a small town, after all). More often than not, I go back and forth between the biscuits and gravy and the cinnamon roll. I recommend both! Quaint and friendly, this is a great way to end your trip with a full belly and a warm heart.
The Barista: 204 Santa Fe Ave, La Junta, CO
Vogel Canyon: 37.770484, -103.512832
What the Fudge Candy Shop: 208 Santa Fe Ave, La Junta, CO
Martin’s General Store: 601 E 1st Street, La Junta, CO
Bents Old Fort National Historic Site: 35110 CO-194, La Junta, CO
Boss Hogg’s Saloon & Restaurant: 808 E 3rd Street, La Junta, CO
Koshare Museum & Trading Post: 115 W 18th Street, La Junta, CO
Copper Kitchen: 116 Colorado Ave, La Junta, CO
A small community, La Junta, Colorado still offers some super cute and fun stuff to do. Make sure you check it out and let me know what you did down below! (And also drop those food and drink orders.)
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