But there are quite a few others that are not to be missed if you have the time. If you're planning your trip to accommodatedisabilities,there's plenty of optionsto safely see and enjoy the beauty of Utah. and leave at 2:30 pm. Make sure your camera is charged up, because youre bound to see wildlife. Boaters seem to have more breathing room here than at Sand Hollow despite less overall water acreage. 11:42 am Mesquite. 37.0699343,-113.6275344, map. The, lives up to its name with a perch high atop the towering cliffs that frame the western edge of St. George. His work has also appeared in, , Trivago Magazine, Sophisticated Living, Modern Luxury, Leafly, Las Vegas Magazine, and other publications. Bullionville Cemetery Trail. A little project by the name of Hoover Dam created Lake Mead, which overtook St. Thomas as it began to fill back in 1935 (one of its last residents literally paddled away from his home). The Grand Canyon is one of the most famous natural wonders of the United States and it's relatively easy to get to if you're starting out in St. George. 1:30 pm Valley of Fire State Park. Sandstone domes and contrasting colors create scenic panoramas throughout the park. It's 123 miles from Las Vegas to here, St. George, Utah. TheTuacahnAmphitheater is unlike anywhere else in America and should be on anyones things to do in St George list. Other popular stops include Las Vegas Strip, Hoover Dam, and Valley of Fire State Park. Between the bright red terrain and the arch itself, it's almost impossible to take a bad photo. For good measure, the park also has several sandstone arches. 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. Youll see the incredible wavy formations that are out of this world! I would not want to be driving this road back down to Vegas in any kind of weather. Rather than taking you inside a building, a roof covers the original tracks and footprints of dinosaurs at this museum. While exploring Utah, youll quickly realize that many of the deserts are full of large rocks and canyons. Travel east on Hwy 9 for about four miles to Sand Hollow Road and then turn right. Drink (yes, there's actually good booze in St. George), In recent years, Utah has loosened its grip on strict drinking laws. With everything from hiking trails to restaurants, youll be able to find what places best suit how you like to travel. What is that? Mandalay Bay Beach. Beer was famously required to be watered down in the past, but that's no longer the case. So get there before everybody else does. I imagine that, if youre driving on a summer weekend, youll encounter quite a bit more traffic and drive times will be longer. Families of budding nature lovers should set out early for Zion. Little Black Mountain Petroglyph Site. , recognizing the absence of light pollution in the area. The exhibit changes each spring with about two-dozen new pieces installed. St George has been occupied by everyone from dinosaurs to pioneers; therefore, you can expect the town to have a rich history! 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. The, (or "Bowl") trailhead is named after a strange, sunken hole at the top of a sandstone formation. The 50-acre property features gardens, renovated rooms in a variety of sizes, on-site dining options . There are so many fun things to do in Las Vegas. Hundreds of years ago, Native Americans chiseled their stories into the rock faces, and seeing them is like stepping back in time. A bonus for us was the bighorn sheep we spotted right up by the road! But it should be! Located on the southernborderbetween Utah and Arizona is one of the best historical sights in the St George area. Virgin River Gorge Drive on Interstate 15 Between Las Vegas and St George. Summertime travelers might get the impression that the park got its name from its environment, rather than its rock formation. Even if its not hot weather, you can become dehydrated quickly. 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. While we spent about 4 hours here, you could easily spend more or less time depending on your schedule. St. Thomas is one of Nevada's most unique ghost towns, as it would normally be 60 feet underwater if not for extreme drought conditions. Show only these on map. Note that, depending on the season, you may need to make a reservation for the scenic drive. This popular museum is home to many great historical aircraft and aviation equipment that you see right up close. Campsites & RV Parks: Utah isa camperparadiseand St George has a few great campgrounds located right in town for those who have RVs or tents. After just a few more clicks, youll be heading out on an adventure unlike any other! 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. You could do a detour to Valley of Fire state park outside Vegas near Moapa.. A developer got the idea to sell homes in the area and most hide in plain sight with large lots and exteriors that blend into the environment. Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. For us, that was Leeds. Information on hiking trails is available at the visitor center. In 1988, the Arizona Magazine proclaimed that construction of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge, Somehow enhanced, rather than distracted from Natures handiwork.. Play along . SJ specializes in writing about travel, food, and wine. But the. While prohibition during the 1920s halted the city's growth, there were plenty of underground gambling halls, speakeasies . 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. 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. to provide food. Thats why we adjusted our itinerary and headed back to Vegas a day early rather than drive this section and other parts of I-15 that we felt could be a little tricky in the snow. There are 2,000 foot cliff walls and narrow canyons cutting into the Colorado Plateau. Whichever way you look at it, you will be mostly driving from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon on the first day. Numerous petroglyphs are visible at several locations, and most are within easy walking distance. We suggest spending some at Pioneer Park Either at the beginning of the day or at the end of the day to avoid the high sun and intense heat. stay for about 1 hour. Between the bright red terrain and the arch itself, it's almost impossible to take a bad photo. And since the temperatures do get HOT as you get into summer in St. George, you are going to want to get in the water. Twice-weekly flights on the airlines Airbus A320 fleet will begin in June for Harry Reid International Airports seventh busiest commercial air carrier. Before you do anything in or around St. George, you'll need a place to stay. 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. Construction finished in 1973 at a cost of over one million dollars . 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. Places to Stay & Local Guides: St. George and Springdale both make excellent base camps for this family road trip, each with plenty of lodging and nearby camping to offer. Check out rare finds like swimming dinosaur tracks, imprints of scaly dinosaur skin, and natural 3D cast fossils, formed when rising water levels and sediment filled the tracks. Youll find plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, and many options for lodging in Springdale. In addition to these interesting historical sites, the city offers lots of outdoor recreation opportunities in the many state parks and recreation areas. 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. In recent years, Utah has loosened its grip on strict drinking laws. St. George makes a nice little get-away from Sin City. With everything from camping sights to watering holes, Snow Canyon is the perfect place to start your Utah adventure. It is like a mini amusement park showcasing the history from 1881. . 3. This short 1-mile long hike is extremely easy and is best done in the morning or mid-afternoon. Kick your road trip off with a day in the St. George area. Just one or two days are not enough to do Zion National Park justice, though. Typically 11 buses run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. St. George is less than an hour's drive to Zion National Park. The red sandstone formations are similar to those found in Arches or Canyonlands National Parks. The surrounding desert is popular for ATVs and other off-road vehicles. The distance between these places is around 70 to 80 miles or an hour and half driving time. restaurant) is easily the best cocktail bar in town with fun touches like house-made grenadine and ash-infused honey. Bird checklists are available at the visitor centers! However, the lobby bar at the Advenire (detached from, but actually part of the. All Rights Reserved. There are even exhibits where you can get a closer look at how plants and animals thrive in a barren landscape. Although small, lovers of all things growing will have their minds blown with the numerous cacti and other plants in the garden. Dont forget to stop in Judds Store thats tucked just off the busy main street. After soaking up the bright lights of Las Vegas, enjoy a relaxed . Rangers always know the best parts of the park. Hikers can spot tracks in Warner Valley or the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, but if you want to see as much evidence as possible in one place, visit the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site. Experience Mormon heritage at St. George, Utah (1 hour and 50 minutes) Driving east out of Vegas, past Mesquite and through the gorgeous canyon of the Virgin River, you'll end up at the city of St. George, Utah. The annual event went virtual during the pandemic, but is expected to return to its full in-person format at Ancestor Square in 2022. Start:Drive roughly two hours northeast on I-15 from Las Vegas to St. George. However, take care that you know the weather forecast first. If you venture out on the trails, make sure to take plenty of water. 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. The exhibit changes each spring with about two-dozen new pieces installed. The. The Painted Pony 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. The stunning natural beauty speaks for itself. St George is filled with many great things to do with kids and one of our favorites is riding the historical carousel in St George Town Square. The Jacob Hamblin Home is now a museum that takes travelers through the life of Hamblin and the settling of Utah by pioneers. This ghost town has also been put on the map by several movies most notably, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The park has this hike rated as moderate and I would agree. Spend a few extra bucks on a villa. Las Vegas offers plenty of convenient, road trip inspiration. All Rights Reserved, Valley of Fire An overlooked scenic treasure between St. George and Las Vegas, Bidens not in a rush to announce hes running for reelection, The 2023 Utah Legislature has wrapped. 3. The Venetian Resort - 5 Stars. It's hard to beat the new. It's a city that's both artsy and family-friendly. Its mind-boggling to think about how this section of I-15 was created out of sheer rock and stone. 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. 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. Or, stop by the Childrens Museum for some air conditioned exploration and discovery. Along the way these travelers pass within 15 miles of a park that offers arches, petroglyphs, red rocks, petrified wood, spectacular geologic formations and beautiful desert scenery. Where is St. George? 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. Luxury Hotel: The Inn atEntradais one of the best luxury hotels located in St George Utah. Some people say the Virgin River Gorge drive is among the most beautiful in the roughly 47,000 mile U.S. interstate highway system. drive for about 48 minutes. Start: Drive roughly two hours northeast on I-15 from Las Vegas to St. George. Located in Zion National Park, this quick five-mile drive around the . Coming from Salt Lake City? 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 . If you take a side trip to the charming town of Santa Clara, grab lunch at Rylu's Bistro. No matter where you go, Utah-produced High West is almost always the whiskey of choice. We did the drive during a week in the winter when traffic wasnt bad at all. Here are 15 attractions you must see. Old Las Vegas began as a railroad town on the Western Frontier in the early 1900s. 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. A developer got the idea to sell homes in the area and most hide in plain sight with large lots and exteriors that blend into the environment. You cant divide the history of St George from the Mormon religion. Sure, this is a Zion to Bryce road trip, but St. George and the surrounding towns are actually pretty cool, too. 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 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. Visiting Zion National Park is a given for any traveler creating an itinerary to St George, but there are tons of other museums and parks around the city that will have you scratching your head wondering what to do first. (702) 397-2088 direct phone number to the park headquartersFlint Stephens, who lives in Highland, has a master's degree in communication from Brigham Young University. 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. Ghost towns are very common throughout California but Calico, between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, is more than a ghost town. A three-day weekend is a perfect start in exploring the Wild West of Zion National Park and Southern Utah. is like having a hotel inside Snow Canyon State Park, although technically, you're just outside the entrance. Learn about the worlds wildlife, how we need to protect them, stories and much more about each and everyanimal on display. The third floor is your best bet for liquor and libations. 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. Simply by walking through the downtown, you can see the traditional American and Mormon influences in the architecture! No trip to St George can be complete without visiting Zion National Park. The story of St. George is much like other Utah cities. St. George Shuttle offers rides between Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport and stops at the Eureka Casino. 6. Follow him on Twitter, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The donuts, tarts, croissants, and cookies are some of the best (and most Instagram-worthy) you'll ever sample. Hours of Driving: 7+ hours of driving, including the commute to and from Las Vegas. This historical old fashioned general store looks to be plucked right out of an old western. Recent Articles. Dhuring the late 1870s and early 1880s, the height of the town's silver boom, Silver Reef was the most populous place in southern Utah. Convenient shuttle service between Las Vegas, Nevada, St George, Utah, Kanab, Utah and Page, Arizona. St. George is located in southern Utah. This 7,400-acre park offers a vast array of activities and sightseeing opportunities. , 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. is quickly becoming everyone's new favorite restaurant in town. 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. Backpacking - Contact the Zion Park's visitor . You heard it here first: St. George, Utah, is about to boom. By continuing to browse or by clicking I Accept Cookies you agree to the storing of first-party and third-party cookies on your device and consent to the disclosure of your personal information to our third party service providers or advertising partners to optimize your experience, analyze traffic and personalize content. 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. Here, you can tour the old Territorial Statehouse, which is now a museum full of historical treasures about Utah and the pioneers. Thinking about adding a day or two to your road trip? End:Cedar Breaks National Monument, just outside Cedar City. While the divisions between Salt Lake City's Mormon population and its alternative counterculture are sharp and distinct, the lines blur more in St. George. Its much smaller than I thought it would be but it was still really fun to grab a few pictures there. 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. Lastly, if you're looking to organize a big group trip to St. George out of Las Vegas (or anywhere else, for that matter), look no further than booking one of our charter buses at slecharters.com . 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. Art Around the Corner is a fascinating collection of sculptures displayed throughout the city with a self-guided walking tour to check 'em all out. Construction finished in 1973 at a cost of over one million dollars per mile. I'll be flying into Las Vegas late Friday and renting a car. 4:39 pm arrive in Saint George. The gougres (savory cheese-filled pasties) and salmon rillettes will keep you full while exploring historic sites like the Jacob Hamblin Home, Frei's Fruit Market, and the Relief Society Hall in Heritage Square. The tag is a source of local pride, but has obvious complications, reflected in movements currently underway to rename the Dixie Convention Center and Dixie State University. Even though Sand Hollow State Park is technically in the desert, youll still find a very diverse landscape. What happened this week? You will not be disappointed with your stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites in St George. 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. But don't be afraid to try something unfamiliarlike a kouign-amann, a buttery French cake with a sweet, crunchy, brittle-like exterior. The next question on your mind must be, where can we eat? While in St George, youll find plenty of cafes, but the one place that stands out from the rest is the Painted Pony Restaurant. Its possible to appreciate this from the ground, as most of us do, but its even more impressive from the sky on a balloon flight. This iconic sign, built in 1959, sits in the meridian at 5100 Las Vegas Boulevard South otherwise known as the very southern end of the Las Vegas Strip. Open year-round, there is a variety of things to see and do in the park, with the most popular being the hiking trails. Even ifyou are not into history (thePetroglyphs) the Little Black Mountain is a great chance to exploretheseareas pure natural wonders while hiking through a maze of stone. See something you like? October 03, 2016 Things To Do In Las Vegas Comments Off on Enjoy Las Vegas Royalty Exotic Car Rentals. Discover the compelling St. George art scene. Theres nothing like an 18-wheeler so close to your bumper that you cant see their headlights! 26771 Genesee Lane, Golden, Colo. On your own or with a friend, navigate through the area's most challenging terrain wearing full safety gear. Valley of Fire gets its name from the fiery red rock formations. As you visit, do your part to keep Utah Forever Mighty. The taxidermy is tastefully done offering an opportunity to see animals up close. Ancestor Square is a collection of shops, restaurants, and offices around a historic courtyard with an old brick jailhouse and sheriff's office.