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The best time to visit the Western Slope is harvest season.

What's happening: From Palisade to Paonia each September, the valleys are full of plump peaches, clusters of wine grapes and other ripe fruit for the picking.

Don't miss: The Palisade Farmers Market is where it all comes together each Sunday.

Mark your calendar: The big event each year is the Colorado Wine Fest on Sept. 17. It's sold out but local wineries are hosting their own special events most weekends this month to celebrate grape stomping season.

From the street, the restaurant glowed with warmth and bubbling conversations, a lone bright spot on a recent dark and rain-dreary evening. The smell of roasted rosemary wafts in the air when the door opens.

What to know: Owned by husband-wife team Matt and Ashley Chasseur (he's the chef; she runs the operation), Pêche crosses cuisine boundaries and serves elevated dishes with stunning presentation.

What to eat: On this night, tender ribeye loins are served on a rack sitting above rosemary and hot rocks. And Cochinta Pibil, a traditional Yucatán dish served with an assortment of sauces and toppings.

Pro tip: At the Sunday farmers market, Pêche opens for street-side service and serves homey but delicious brunch offerings like fried chicken, biscuits and gravy and cinnamon rolls.

The Grand Valley is no Napa when it comes to wine, but you'll appreciate the low-key tasting experiences and stunning views.

State of wine: The quality of Colorado wines is improving and receiving more national recognition. Wine Enthusiast rated 21 Colorado wines and gave seven 90 point or higher ratings.

Between the lines: An early fall 2021 freeze hit the Palisade wineries hard but the growers say they are seeing a recovery this year and possibly an early harvest with the warm weather.

Where to visit: Start at Colterris, Colorado's largest estate winery, meaning all the wines originate from their own grapes. The best sips are Merlot and Cab Franc.

What else: You can find any drink you like in Palisade. For spirits and cocktails, head to Peach Street Distillers. For peach beer, visit Palisade Brewing. And for honey wine, try Meadery of the Rockies.

Not far from the lush Palisade valley, an entirely different landscape awaits at the Colorado National Monument.

What to know: Start on the West side near Fruita and traverse the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive by car, stopping at as many overlooks as you can. (Give yourself about two hours for the trip.)

Of note: The monument is part of the Colorado Plateau that also includes the Grand Canyon, Zion and Arches national parks.

Pro tip: If you start at the West end, take a quick detour to Fruita (same exit, but turn right) and grab a coffee at Bestslope on Peach Street.

A perk of the job: The chance to reserve a camping spot at the Breckenridge Brewery "peach pod" and enjoy one of the best views in town.

What to know: The limited-availability site is located on a cliff above Palisade and the Colorado River on the Talbott Farm, where the brewery sources the peaches for its wheat beer.

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