I have always been an outdoorsman so becoming an adventure traveler was just the next natural step. Convenient shuttle service between Las Vegas, Nevada, St George, Utah, Kanab, Utah and Page, Arizona. With those road-stop suggestions out of the way, here's what to do in St. George after you arrive. Old Las Vegas began as a railroad town on the Western Frontier in the early 1900s. Hundreds of years ago, Native Americans chiseled their stories into the rock faces, and seeing them is like stepping back in time. Youll find plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, and many options for lodging in Springdale. The last day is all about experiencing equal parts history and exploration in the Wild West first hand. This historical B&B is filled with character and charm but yet is filled with modern amenities located right in downtown St George. If youve never driven this stretch of blacktop, youre in for a wonderful experience. Quick moving drivers aside, try to take in the awesome scenery as you traverse this section of I-15; its worth it. Kolob Canyons, Southern Utah. is a fascinating collection of sculptures displayed throughout the city with a self-guided walking tour to check 'em all out. And the best way to explore this magical land is by road. Reservations were introduced during the pandemic, but are no longer required. 1:30 pm Valley of Fire State Park. Hours of Driving: 7+ hours of driving, including the commute to and from Las Vegas. After soaking up the bright lights of Las Vegas, enjoy a relaxed . How long is the bus ride from St. George to Las Vegas? Information on hiking trails is available at the visitor center. 12 Top-Rated Things to Do on the Isle of Arran. With exhibits inside and a tranquil garden outside, the museum is a great place to visit while wandering the city. See something you like? St George and the surrounding area are pretty impressive with its natural wonders, colored with red rock and bright desert landscapes. Detour to The Creamery for farm-fresh ice cream. Pizza and sandwiches (with house-made sourdough) keep the place busy during lunch. If you're flying in, Las Vegas is the better choice - or you can fly directly into St. George Regional Airport once it reopens in September 2019. Located on the southernborderbetween Utah and Arizona is one of the best historical sights in the St George area. Free Wifi, USB charging ports and more! With more than 38 miles of hiking trails and 3 miles of paved walking and biking trails, theres something here for all to see. 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. 4. Open year-round, there is a variety of things to see and do in the park, with the most popular being the hiking trails. Sky-high views are the payoff, but it's not for those with a fear of heights. . The drive on I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge features some of the most stunning displays of both engineering and scenery. Travel east on Hwy 9 for about four miles to Sand Hollow Road and then turn right. Even though Sand Hollow State Park is technically in the desert, youll still find a very diverse landscape. Typically 11 buses run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. It's near Fire Lake Park at Ivins Reservoir, which is becoming a busy attraction for swimming. Pizza and sandwiches (with house-made sourdough) keep the place busy during lunch. 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. Birding - Zion Park is home to 291 species of birds. In the park, start with the Emerald Pools and the Riverside Walk hiking trails. St. George has a fair share of art galleries plus the, at the Pioneer Center for the Arts, a complex that's also home to the St. George Opera House. The third floor is your best bet for liquor and libations. With 40,000 acres of Aztec sandstone, petrified trees, and ancient petroglyphs, theres a lot to explore here. 6. As one of the state's most famous outdoor playgrounds, St. George contains an variety of opportunities for . Come by on Saturdays for an outdoor market with crafts, food, and entertainment. The Wi-Fi is free. Want to spend the night? What happened this week? Founded in 1935, the Valley of Fire is Nevada's oldest state park. The Red Cliffs area is another stunner for red-rock scenery along your drive from Las Vegas to Zion. You cant divide the history of St George from the Mormon religion. . Boaters seem to have more breathing room here than at Sand Hollow despite less overall water acreage. Detour to. Make sure your camera is charged up, because youre bound to see wildlife. Or, stop by the Childrens Museum for some air conditioned exploration and discovery. The house-baked bread and biscuits are already huge local favorites. 111 Cathedral Gorge State Park Road, Panaca, NV 89042, map. Fields of ephemeral wildflowers arent expected this year at Death Valley, but the nearby national parks rock-solidly stunning geology never takes time off. Bullionville Cemetery Trail. St. George has a fair share of art galleries plus the St. George Art Museum at the Pioneer Center for the Arts, a complex that's also home to the St. George Opera House. Starting at the trailhead, its about a 1.5-mile hike that took about an hour. I was planning to get a modest head start by driving out of the city and finding a place wherever possible to stop overnight. 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. When the heat gets to be too much to handle, the park also offers a beautiful reservoir lake that is perfect for swimming, boating or fishing. With capacity growing at Las Vegas airport, baggage systems at Terminals 1 and 3 will be upgraded, according to Rep. Dina Titus, who helped secure the grant. . 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. Driving from Vegas to Salt Lake is relatively simple. Translation: the stargazing is ridiculous. 2. Even if youre not a church member, the architecture alone is more than enough to have you pulling out your cameras. It's hard to beat the new Advenire Hotel as the best overall option, especially if you want a perfect location in the heart of Downtown. See something you like? You heard it here first: St. George, Utah, is about to boom. The story of St. George is much like other Utah cities. As you drive, keep on the lookout for Zion National Park. 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. Its one of those places where you can sit alone and read a book or bring the family to play around. The average travel time between St. George and Las Vegas is around 2h 10m, although the fastest bus will take about 2h.This is the time it takes to travel the 107 miles that separates the two cities. It's certainly a lot cleaner than the real Venice. Among some of the things to do in St George are hiking trails in Sand Hollows State Park and Pioneer Park, Brigham Young Winter House . This national park will have you exploring deep canyons, climbing tall mountains, and even exploring hidden caves. Hollywood agrees as Snow Canyon has been the shooting site of multiple well-known films including the classic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Electric Horseman, and Jeremiah Johnson. The Kelso Depot and dunes are about 1.5 hours from Vegas.The museum/depot is definitely worth a stop. Cathedral Gorge Visitor Center. Wood.Ash.Rye is quickly becoming everyone's new favorite restaurant in town. Book a room at the. 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." , an old firehouse that's now a multi-story taproom with craft beer by Zion Brewery. 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. Where those large white letters reside is one of the best public playgrounds for locals and visitors called Pioneer Park. Snow Canyon is a top-rated state park and simply one of the most beautiful Ive been to. drive for about 48 minutes. This is not the case at the Dinosaur Track Museum. The Vortex (or "Bowl") trailhead is named after a strange, sunken hole at the top of a sandstone formation. The distance between these places is around 70 to 80 miles or an hour and half driving time. this year. The Broadway in the Desert series is the big draw, featuring favorites like Disney's Beauty & The Beast, Annie, and The Count of Monte Cristo this year. The St. George Utah Temple is the city's most identifiable landmark, an imposing white structure that contrasts sharply with the surrounding homes and businesses. and leave at 2:30 pm. There are many personal stories behind each artifact transporting you through history. We had so much fun exploring this beautiful park. The course of the Virgin River was re-channeled twelve different times during construction of the Gorge road. This historical hiking trail stretches 2.5 miles long and dates back to 1871. With spectacular mountain views and plenty of red rock vistas, we found St. George to be a truly beautiful city. Leg 3: Springdale/Zion National Park to Salt Lake City (via Highway 89) This leg of the road trip starts in Springdale, the western entrance to Zion National Park, and ends back in Salt Lake City. While its still worth driving by to check out, be aware that the temple is in the middle of a major renovation project and closed until 2022. is a collection of shops, restaurants, and offices around a historic courtyard with an old brick jailhouse and sheriff's office. (Read: Why Your Kids Need a Utah Trip). And the reward is spectacular. Out on the trails, youll have plenty of opportunities to see native Mojave Desert plants as well as plenty of cool rock formations. Because the pioneers that originally settled this land were members of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, expect to find historical sites here like the Brigham Young Winter Residence Historical Site, St.George Temple (currently closed for renovation, but you can see the outside), and the St. George Tabernacle. and leave at 12:42 pm. If youre looking to learn more about local history and pioneers moving out west, be sure to visit the Jacob Hamblin Home. 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. When driving from Las Vegas, stop at Yardley's, a truck stop that serves steakburgers from local cattle. Start:Drive roughly two hours northeast on I-15 from Las Vegas to St. George. A mining town, Silver Reef was the first sandstone location to hold silver and was named for the lode of it that was discovered there. One of the most popular features is the 45 foot Heritage Tower that has eight-foot stained glass windows that depict moments in St. Georges history. 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. Utahns trying to escape cold and snow will usually find comfortable daytime temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees. After just a few more clicks, youll be heading out on an adventure unlike any other! Beer was famously required to be watered down in the past, but that's no longer the case. But the. There are 2,000 foot cliff walls and narrow canyons cutting into the Colorado Plateau. We did the drive during a week in the winter when traffic wasnt bad at all. Kind of reminds me of a typical off-strip locals casino (Such at Southpoint or Eastside Cannery). You can also travel the byway from Payson by taking I-15 Exit 248. Spend a few extra bucks on a villa. Address: 345 E Riverside Dr, St. George, UT 84790, United States. For good measure, the park also has several sandstone arches. We agree. Everybody in St. George says the same thing: You gotta see a show at the Tuacahn Amphitheater. Horseback Riding - Experience one-of-a-kind guided horseback trips throughout the canyon, available March through October. is quickly becoming everyone's new favorite restaurant in town. Its really spectacular with awesome views at almost every turn. To break up the short drive, we set out to find interesting things to see and do between Las Vegas and Zion. With delicious meals and mouth-watering desserts, youll quickly find yourself asking for seconds. Formerly a general store built in 1911, it now sells nostalgic candy and ice cream. This popular museum is home to many great historical aircraft and aviation equipment that you see right up close. Pilot, aviation consultant say the busiest airline at Harry Reid International Airport ignored technological updates for too long and suffered the consequences. As you make your way through Cedar City, take Exit 62 to Highway 130. Round-trip transportation from Las Vegas hotels is included. stay for about 1 hour. Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino - 4 Stars. Complete with tumbleweeds blowing across the main street, Grafton Ghost Town is the place to go to witness some of the last remnants of the wild west. But it should be! The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. There are large boulders for you to climb, hills to summit, trails for you to hike, and also plenty of canyons to squeeze through. All Rights Reserved. While its a little outside of your route to Zion, its so close to Las Vegas and definitely worth a stop. 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. 3. Little do they know that Utahs desert is actually teeming with life. One thing you wont want to miss is the downtown farmers market, which will put the culture of the town on full display. People say it's soft, but regardless of grades, we found the climbs to be a lot of fun. The Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum tells their story through interactive exhibits and intricate displays. About 200 million years before Utah was even Utah, the region was a hotbed for dinosaurs. More than 170 years ago, pioneers began to settle in what is now known as St George. But it is also located just 90 miles from St. George. A vintage gasoline pump remains out front. St. George Shuttle offers rides between Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport and stops at the Eureka Casino. Feeling like I discovered one of the best kept secrets of southern Utah, I meandered the trails and took in the beauty of the towering red rocks. The red sandstone formations are similar to those found in Arches or Canyonlands National Parks. After spending time learning about the first settlers in the region at the church, the reservoir will take you wandering among the pines that the town is named after. Skip Vegas Californians. Locally known asBlack Hill,Mormon Pioneers accessed the southwest side of this quarry, that holds a large deposit of lava rocks, via this very trail. You will not be disappointed with your stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites in St George. On the way, pioneer-era ghost towns like Grafton and Silver Reef are sure to excite, and one of North Americas most significant dinosaur track sites at Johnson Farm is a must-see. Start your trip at the visitor center to learn about the park, watch the short film, and grab a map. The area off Cima Road has the largest Joshua Tree forest in the world. The St George City Art Museum is a great place to escape the heat and rest your feet while exploring one of the best sights in the area. 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. Even if youre not a movie buff, Grafton offers a glimpse into what life was like in the old west. The Palazzo - 5 Stars. St. George is less than an hour's drive to Zion National Park. Its an unexpected treat to find this outdoor paradise so close to the bright lights of Las Vegas! Never touch or deface any petroglyphs and be respectful when visiting this historical sight. 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. Dont miss the cemetery either! Hawaiis attorney general believes the proposed law, which seeks to reduce the flow of residents money to Las Vegas, could be found unconstitutional. With everything from camping sights to watering holes, Snow Canyon is the perfect place to start your Utah adventure. Even if you don't make it out to Zion National Park, St. George is incredibly convenient to four state parkseach with their own unique identity. If you need to get back to catch your flight out, then head straight back the way you came. You can even check out the views from the pool or the patio of, Photo by Matt Umland, courtesy of Wood Ash Rye, Enjoy the best food St. George has to offer, In a refreshing change of pace, St. George isn't overwhelmed by chain restaurants, especially Downtown. The dramatic limestone cliffs are humbling and the corners here can be sharp, so take your time and enjoy the view. It's hard to beat the new. From helpful tips from the Fremont Street Experience team, to hotel deals, special events and concert announcements, and all-around being a great source of curated content, touristy how-to's, local Vegas must-do's, and hope you don't forget-to's! Biking paths connect to the, trailhead, where petroglyphs are easy to spot. The 500 million year old Virgin River Gorge is located in the far northwestern corner of Arizona, between Nevada and Utah. 12 Top Attractions & Things to Do in Zion National Park. There is some tricky climbing involved, but its not too tough. 20. So get there before everybody else does. In recent years, Utah has loosened its grip on strict drinking laws. 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. With everything from intricate pottery to detailed paintings, there are so many different interpretations and representations of life in St George. If you do stay in Springdale, remember that the Springdale shuttle will take you into Zion so you can leave your car at your hotel. Gunlock is another reservoir, but more remote and best known for waterfalls that pass between rock formations. The red exterior of the hotel matches up well with the natural surroundings with a spa, swimming pool, and contemporary furnishings. There is one place, however, where you can play in the dunes and explore the sands. St. George Charter Bus Adventures. 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. The Jacob Hamblin Home is now a museum that takes travelers through the life of Hamblin and the settling of Utah by pioneers. She has a background in credit card points and miles, having spent years working on loyalty campaigns for various financial institutions. 2. Coming from Salt Lake City? Go off the grid at the Kayenta Art Village, St George's affection for art and nature is reflected in Kayenta, an isolated community in the desertscapes northwest of the city. Its a perspective you can not get from the ground. These extinct beasts are no stranger to St George, but many scientists simply dig up the bones and distribute them throughout the country. From I-15, take the Hurricane exit (Exit 16). has long been the standard for fine dining with wood decor, Southwestern art, and a second-floor perch in Ancestor Square that feels a bit like the world's coolest treehouse. 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. In a refreshing change of pace, St. George isn't overwhelmed by chain restaurants, especially Downtown. The winter home of Mormon leader Brigham Young was preserved and converted into a free museum, offering a glimpse into 19th century life. 6 Adventurous Things to do in Park City, Utah, Best Hikes in the USA: 15 Stunning Trails You Cannot Miss. Theres nothing like an 18-wheeler so close to your bumper that you cant see their headlights! It doesnt matter if youre interested in architecture, history, or religion; St George Temple is a place that all visitors should add to their itinerary. Hours of Driving:7+ hours of driving, including the commute to and from Las Vegas. . Many of the attractions in Pioneer Park are easily accessed with minimal walking, including Dixie Rock (aka Dixie Sugarloaf), St George Narrows (aka The Crack), and Pioneer Park Arches. The park visitors center has a variety of exhibits. Copyright 2019 Las Vegas Review-Journal, Inc. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service, By ANDREW JAMES REVIEWJOURNAL.COM CONTRIBUTOR, Kolob Canyons Utah (Courtesy Frank Kovalchek/flickr), Parowan Gap Utah (Courtesy Glenn Merritt/flickr), Fillmore Territorial Statehouse Utah (Courtesy), Devils Kitchen Nebo Loop Utah (Courtesy Rick Willoughby/flickr), You can tell they love football: Raiders make big impression on young QB, Wahlbergs $14.5M bungalow leads 2022 new home luxury, Raiders, Aces stars to tie the knot in Las Vegas this weekend, Desert Monkey King artist comes forward, Strip land values push higher after plunging in recession, Hang on or stay inside! See for yourself with a visit to. In addition to these interesting historical sites, the city offers lots of outdoor recreation opportunities in the many state parks and recreation areas. You guessed it; the cost was the most per mile at the time of completion. Grand Canyon National Park (North Rim) - 150 miles away. The park gets its name from red sandstone formations. The course of the Virgin River was re-channeled twelve different times during construction of the Gorge road. Some rooms have balconies, some have tall arched ceilings. Want a room with a crazy view? 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. On the west side of Las Vegas, 20 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip and 10 minutes from Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, the JW Marriott Resort and Spa is another inviting property offering an escape from the typical Las Vegas scene. Drink (yes, there's actually good booze in St. George), In recent years, Utah has loosened its grip on strict drinking laws. Discover this 24.2-mile point-to-point trail near St. George, Utah.