The last day is all about experiencing equal parts history and exploration in the Wild West first hand. Maybe other Las Vegas activities like taking in the best views of the Strip aboard the High Roller and checking out a museum are more your style. It's traditionally open to Mormon visitors only, but everyone can access the visitors center and surrounding grounds. There are large boulders for you to climb, hills to summit, trails for you to hike, and also plenty of canyons to squeeze through. Seclusion is part of the charm. Make sure your camera is charged up, because youre bound to see wildlife. The top stops along the way from St. George to Las Vegas (with short detours) are Bellagio Fountain, Fremont Street Experience, and Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. The. The drive is about two and a half hours so you'll want to start your day early and plan on spending the night near the park. So get there before everybody else does. While we spent about 4 hours here, you could easily spend more or less time depending on your schedule. With all this historical context, your family will connect with Utah on a journey into the non-technical Kanarraville slot canyon that much more. The amphitheater is also a great concert venue with the likes of Martina McBride, Kansas, and Kristin Chenoweth scheduled in the months ahead. Ancient petroglyphs can be seen at several different locations throughout the park. Bars affiliated with restaurants are usually fine as long as they have the option to provide food. You might be tempted to book a hotel in Springdale, the small town just outside the main gates. After a stop in the visitor center to watch the film and get a little backstory, we decided we had to check out the Fire Wave first. Take our news quiz. as the best overall option, especially if you want a perfect location in the heart of Downtown. The buildings have loads of character and offer the opportunity to see inside them when you shop the various stores they now house. drive for about 48 minutes. St. George is less than an hour's drive to Zion National Park. A Family Road Trip From Las Vegas to Zion National Park, Zion Region with this itinerary of local favorites, Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. Everybody in St. George says the same thing: You gotta see a show at the Tuacahn Amphitheater. Want more Thrillist? Recent Articles. 1:30 pm Valley of Fire State Park. For the first time, Las Vegas will host . Just one or two days are not enough to do Zion National Park justice, though. Dont miss the cemetery either! A quiet community of less than 90,000 people, St. George is best known for its proximity to the great outdoors, especially Zion National Park, but it's turning into a worthwhile destination in its own right. . The first hotel and casino to open its doors was the Golden Gate in 1906, which is still open on Fremont Street today, making it the oldest in the city.. This family-friendly road trip pairs a big helping of adventure with new discoveries in Southern Utahs frontier for a weekend you and the kids wont soon forget. The menu changes frequently with a focus on fresh ingredients and grass-fed beef, but the jalapeno-carrot soup is a staple that will never go away. Here is our list of what to see and do in the area. Either way, the amount in a shot is tightly controlled. How this road was ever carved out of the massive rocks is beyond me. The water, as pictured above, really is that beautiful teal color. It does not matter if you are staying one night or a few days while you explore the St George area or even Zion National Park. Grand Canyon National Park (North Rim) - 150 miles away. Or, stop by the Childrens Museum for some air conditioned exploration and discovery. Spend the day cooling off in Zion National Park. Though not as extensive as those contained in the better-known Arches National Park near Moab, there are similarities, so visitors will feel a comfortable familiarity with the landscape. There are plenty of great places to stay from luxury hotels, historical BnBs, and even a few great motels. Terms & Conditions. The Wi-Fi is free. , and the Relief Society Hall in Heritage Square. Travel east on Hwy 9 for about four miles to Sand Hollow Road and then turn right. While other parts of the state see snow-capped mountains throughout the year, St. George has a warm, desert climate that along with a history of cotton production earned the nickname "Utah's Dixie." The course of the Virgin River was re-channeled twelve different times during construction of the Gorge road. No matter where you go, Utah-produced High West is almost always the whiskey of choice. Want to spend the night? Where is St. George? Everyone will love kicking off their road trip by clambering all over the layers of red and white sandstone and ashen cinder cones in Snow Canyon, or playing in the sand of Sand Hollow State Park whether on the beach, or on an ATV. Its really spectacular with awesome views at almost every turn. See for yourself with a visit to. It's a two-hour drive from Las Vegas to St. George, or four hours from Salt Lake City. Luxury Hotel: The Inn atEntradais one of the best luxury hotels located in St George Utah. Park vegetation includes a wide variety of cacti and desert brushes. Although called Snow Canyon, Snow Canyon State Park is a place to explore all the beauty of the desert. 2023 DIVERGENT TRAVELERS | ADVENTURE TRAVEL BLOG, 20. Formerly a wine cellar, it now hosts stage productions by the, on the campus of Dixie State University, featuring a rotating lineup of six exhibits each year. Its just simply breathtaking located on the edges of Snow Canyon State Park just a few miles right from downtown St George. Free Wifi, USB charging ports and more! People say it's soft, but regardless of grades, we found the climbs to be a lot of fun. I started this loop-style road trip in Phoenix, Arizona. Detour to. In the park, youll do some family-friendly hiking on the Emerald Pools and Riverside Walk hiking trails. The 60-room boutique hotel opened in early 2020, blending luxury with rustic pioneer-esque touches with a heavy emphasis on locally sourced wood and materials. The word Dixie probably wont mean anything to you until you spend a few days here exploring, but one of the best ways to find out what it means is to head up that mountain to where its painted. Gunlock is another reservoir, but more remote and best known for waterfalls that pass between rock formations. Located on the southernborderbetween Utah and Arizona is one of the best historical sights in the St George area. Nebo Loop can be accessed by taking I-15 Exit 225 from Nephi, and traveling east on State Route 132. The tricky part of this drive for me was the speed at which other drivers were flying down the canyon road. The house-baked bread and biscuits are already huge local favorites. The red sandstone formations are similar to those found in Arches or Canyonlands National Parks. Hours of Driving:7+ hours of driving, including the commute to and from Las Vegas. The. This short hike is incredibly picturesque, with rock formations laced with white, pink, and red stripes that resemble ripples in . The top stops along the way from Las Vegas to Laughlin (with short detours) are Bellagio Fountain, Fremont Street Experience, and Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. Skin lesions removed from Biden were basal cell carcinoma. You probably have a similar story youre making great time, the kids are all settled in the back seat with a movie and snacks, and all of a sudden you hear a little voice, I have to go potty! You cant pull over on the freeway, so you take the next exit. Continue driving another 100 miles and stay at condo lodging. Reservations were introduced during the pandemic, but are no longer required. Farmhouse Bakery, another recent addition to St. George, is a European-style patisserie, led by a team of Las Vegas transplants that includes Thomas Kellar's former pastry chef. The history of flight is fascinating from its start to the present time and theres no better way to learn about it than visiting the Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum. Sky-high views are the payoff, but it's not for those with a fear of heights. It's a city that's both artsy and family-friendly. It is possible to visit Zion National Park while using St George as a base, and many people do this due to the cheaper accommodation and abundance of food options. Visit one (or all) of the four surrounding state parks. If you boulder, this is by far the best thing to do in St George. Featuring up-scale decor that embodies the local culture of St George, eating at the Painted Pony is an experience in itself. . Come by on Saturdays for an outdoor market with crafts, food, and entertainment. During the summer, daytime highs usually top 100 degrees and can get as high as 120. No trip to St George can be complete without visiting Zion National Park. If you will be traveling south on Interstate 15 to reach Las Vegas, there are plenty of things to see and do on the way. Noted as one of the most romantic spots around St George, you can bring a date or explore the park solo. The museum and research center was built on the site of Johnson's Farm, where leveling work turned up footprints on sandstone blocks. The donuts, tarts, croissants, and cookies are some of the best (and most Instagram-worthy) you'll ever sample. The park has a visitor center with displays about the geology, ecology, prehistory, and history of the park and the nearby region. The winter home of Mormon leader Brigham Young was preserved and converted into a free museum, offering a glimpse into 19th century life. The third floor is your best bet for liquor and libations. Superbloom or not, Death Valley beckons in springtime PHOTOS, Reid airport to upgrade baggage system with $31M grant, Allegiant Air to add flights from Las Vegas to Lexington, Hawaii bill would ban Nevada casino ads in Aloha State, Its official: 2022 was record year for traffic at Reid Airport, Allegiant Air parent squeaks out profit in year fraught with challenges, Frontier offering unlimited summer flights pass for $399, How Las Vegas gas prices have changed in the last week, Southwests holiday meltdown was decades in the making. There are even exhibits where you can get a closer look at how plants and animals thrive in a barren landscape. Catch a performance at the legendary House of Blues Las Vegas. This decision shortened the route on I-15 between Las Vegas and St. George, Utah by 12 miles of driving distance over the older and more treacherous U.S. Highway 91. Round-trip transportation from Las Vegas hotels is included. Here are 5 must-see stops next time you find yourself driving through the Beehive State. This short 1-mile long hike is extremely easy and is best done in the morning or mid-afternoon. In recent years, Utah has loosened its grip on strict drinking laws. We are active couple with teenager son. Today the store is restored and provides a portal into the past offering ice cream, candy, sodas, and light meals to visitors right from the vintage storefront. Weve visited nearly 100 countries on all 7 continents. stay for about 1 hour. 9 Best Campgrounds near St. George, UT. A gorgeous, albeit somewhat white-knuckle drive for this apprehensive driver, the scenic Virgin River Gorge is something to behold. If you still have more time, take this loop back to St. George. Smoked Old Fashioneds are the specialty, but don't hesitate to pick the brain of your bartender. Location: Valley of Fire State Park. If you have your own wheels and are driving between St George and Zion, then you should definitely check out the Grafton Ghost Town along the way. in history and is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Association, the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association, and the International Travel Writers Alliance. The house-baked bread and biscuits are already huge local favorites. St George brings in visitors from all around the world, and for a good reason too. Just about 30 miles North of Mesquite along I-15 you will find a city named St. George Utah. Operated by Greyhound USA, the Las Vegas to St. George bus service departs from Las Vegas and arrives in St George. Its a magical experience with the theater being outside and surrounded by 1500 foot tall natural red rock cliffs watching a popular performance like Beauty and the Beast, Annie or the Count of MonteCristo. But the St. George Art Festival may be the best place to see a wide variety of art in one place. Construction finished in 1973 at a cost of over one million dollars per mile. Snow Canyon is a scenic collection of red sandstone hills, canyons, petrified sand dunes, and a dormant volcano that's a popular rock climbing spot. St George has been occupied by everyone from dinosaurs to pioneers; therefore, you can expect the town to have a rich history! If youre driving north to St. George on I-15, you know youre almost in Southern Utah once you hit the amazing stretch of beautiful road through the Virgin River Gorge. drive for about 48 minutes. Its mind-boggling to think about how this section of I-15 was created out of sheer rock and stone. It all began with, , a gift shop and espresso bar with hand-carved doors and cabinets. As you make your way through Cedar City, take Exit 62 to Highway 130. Many of the parks highlighted features are in close proximity and readily viewed from paved roads, making it a great choice for a short detour on the way to or from Nevadas city of lights. Gas prices are up slightly, on average, this week in metro areas around the U.S. as Americans settle in from the busy holiday travel season. The Little Black Mountain Petroglyph site offers visitors a chance to view ancient petroglyphs up close and personal. With those road-stop suggestions out of the way, here's what to do in St. George after you arrive. The inside of Allegiant Stadium seen during the pregame of the 2022 Las Vegas Bowl, Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 17, 2022 | Photo by Chris Reed, St. George News. Explore Ancestor Square and the rest of historic Downtown, St. George's Downtown district is an engaging mix of architecture, art, parks, and independent storefronts. Here are 15 attractions you must see. This is not the case at the Dinosaur Track Museum. Depending on the license, some bars are required to serve food with alcohol, which is why St. George's favorite dive bar, The One and Only, has bags of potato chips on standby with each drink. With 40,000 acres of Aztec sandstone, petrified trees, and ancient petroglyphs, theres a lot to explore here. It is conveniently located between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. Every domestic air carrier operating at Harry Reid International Airport had more passengers in 2022 than in 2021, and three new carriers made their Las Vegas debut. Beer was famously required to be watered down in the past, but that's no longer the case. The course of the Virgin River was re-channeled twelve different times during construction of the Gorge road. Located about an hour south of Zion National Park, St. George, Utah, is a city of about 85,000 people that has a lot of cool things to see and do. A geological wonder made with wind and water over 180 million years ago, the results are stunning. Everybody in St. George says the same thing: You gotta see a show at the Tuacahn Amphitheater. Thomas Judd's Store Co. (or "Old Judd's") is the oldest business still actively operating in St. George. The surrounding desert is popular for ATVs and other off-road vehicles. The people in Vegas have made it really easy to get there, too. St. George's Downtown district is an engaging mix of architecture, art, parks, and independent storefronts. And it's a great road trip. 2. The venue is operated by the Tuacahn Center for the Arts, which also has indoor theaters, a dance studio, and other facilities on property, along with a charter school dedicated to the performing arts. In fact, unless youre staying within the borders of Zion, its highly probable that youll be staying in Springdale. The park has this hike rated as moderate and I would agree. His work has also appeared in, , Trivago Magazine, Sophisticated Living, Modern Luxury, Leafly, Las Vegas Magazine, and other publications. If nothing else, tour the park via the 13-mile scenic drive that cuts through the park. Offering services between Las Vegas, St. George, Orem and Salt Lake City. And the best way to explore this magical land is by road. Pizza and sandwiches (with house-made sourdough) keep the place busy during lunch. Learn about the worlds wildlife, how we need to protect them, stories and much more about each and everyanimal on display. Hike, bike, e-bike, or even horseback ride your way through Snow Canyon State Park in St. George, Utah. If you have more time to kill before your flight, you may want to check out some of the hiking trails or even go horseback riding. If you're going on a road trip from Page to Las Vegas, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way with Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Boulder City, Kanab, and St. George and top places to visit like Cottonwood Canyon Rd and Toadstool Hoodoos, or the ever-popular Historic Navajo Bridge. Jaw-dropping canyons, snaking rivers, rusty red cliffs and scenic roads in every direction. In this state park, youll have the choice of hitting the trails or taking a scenic drive through the park. If youre ambitious and short of time, though, you can do a very long day trip to the park too. 7 Transportation Decisions Youll Need To Make Before Visiting Costa Rica, Our Favorite Hikes In All 50 States (2023), 21 Essential Pieces You Need For The Perfect Beach Vacation Capsule Wardrobe, 13 Things To Know Before Hiking Angels Landing, 8 Cant-Miss Experiences At Zion National Park For First-Timers, 9 Reasons I Loved Visiting Zion National Park In The Winter, 9 Things You Must Know Before Hiking The Narrows In Zion, For details on Quillt's privacy and cookie policies, please visit our, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Brigham Young Winter Residence Historical Site. Honeycombed rock formations known as beehives are scattered throughout Valley of Fire. The amphitheater is also a great concert venue with the likes of Martina McBride, Kansas, and Kristin Chenoweth scheduled in the months ahead. Frontier Homestead State Park honors the Mormon pioneers who trekked from the Salt Lake Valley to settle in the rugged high desert region. There's also a labyrinth and performing arts center with a stage for small events. Take a drive through Devils Kitchen to see breathtaking red rock cliffs and spires, and make a stop at Payson Lakes Recreation Area for hiking trails, camping and picnic facilities. Located about an hour south of Zion National Park, St. George, Utah, is a city of about 85,000 people that has a lot of cool things to see and do. 12 Top Attractions & Things to Do in Zion National Park. Take the stress out of traveling and book your transfer between Las Vegas and Bryce Canyon National Park in advance. As one of the state's most famous outdoor playgrounds, St. George contains an variety of opportunities for . While talking to locals, we were told that the park is pretty low-key all the time for some reason, its not on peoples radar. St. George, Utah . St. George is your connection to Las Vegas, several national parks and all the wonderful activities of the area.