is a great place to bring the kids with a vintage carousel and splash pads modeled after rock formations, but it's also a cool spot to hang out on your own with nothing but your thoughts and a laptop. If youre ambitious and short of time, though, you can do a very long day trip to the park too. We grabbed a parking spot and were snapping away within a few minutes. The Wi-Fi is free. I love nature, I love to get off the beaten path and I like to explore. 10 Reasons to Visit St. George with Kids - Two Little Pandas No trip to St George can be complete without visiting Zion National Park. Grand Canyon Tours From St. George, Utah | USA Today 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." 11 Top-Rated Hiking Trails near Las Vegas, NV | PlanetWare The North Rim: A Grand Canyon Day Trip | One Girl, Whole World Come by on Saturdays for an outdoor market with crafts, food, and entertainment. This historical hiking trail stretches 2.5 miles long and dates back to 1871. Affordable Comfort in St. George Close to Zion National Park, Dixie Convention Center, and golf courses Conveniently located off I-15, with easy access to scenic trails, world-class skiing, and the bright lights of Las Vegas, our Super 8 St. George hotel puts outdoor excitement and vibrant nightlife at your fingertips. 276 mi. this year. Hawaiis attorney general believes the proposed law, which seeks to reduce the flow of residents money to Las Vegas, could be found unconstitutional. Make sure your camera is charged up, because youre bound to see wildlife. (or "Old Judd's") is the oldest business still actively operating in St. George. There are many personal stories behind each artifact transporting you through history. Kolob Canyons, Southern Utah. I found this gem completely by accident during my last trip back to Salt Lake. It's also a great intro to outdoor bouldering if you're strictly a gym climber. . 8 Best Stops on the Las Vegas to Salt Lake City Drive is a more secluded beach with trees creeping out of the water for an interesting visual. 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. For us, that was Leeds. However, take care that you know the weather forecast first. Campsites & RV Parks: Utah isa camperparadiseand St George has a few great campgrounds located right in town for those who have RVs or tents. Fields of ephemeral wildflowers arent expected this year at Death Valley, but the nearby national parks rock-solidly stunning geology never takes time off. Exhibits now showcase examples of dino-activity from the immediate area with interpretive information, a window revealing where fossils are prepped and cleaned, and a small park in the back for kids to hop on a dilophosaurus replica. You cant divide the history of St George from the Mormon religion. Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino - 4 Stars. The red exterior of the hotel matches up well with the natural surroundings with a spa, swimming pool, and contemporary furnishings. Pizza and sandwiches (with house-made sourdough) keep the place busy during lunch. 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. It was sold and turned into a full-fledged restaurant with art galleries popping up around it. Recent Articles. A three-day weekend is a perfect start in exploring the Wild West of Zion National Park and Southern Utah. All Rights Reserved. Other popular stops include Las Vegas Strip, Hoover Dam, and Valley of Fire State Park. 11:42 am Mesquite. Seclusion is part of the charm. Could next year's Super Bowl in Las Vegas kick off tourist dollars to Another small town that youll want to be sure to check out is the historic Pine Valley. Best Attractions & Things to See on the Drive From LA to Las Vegas You can also travel the byway from Payson by taking I-15 Exit 248. Book a room at the Crescent Moon Inn. In St Georges downtown, youll find so many museums, parks, and restaurants that itll make your head spin! 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. 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. I would not want to be driving this road back down to Vegas in any kind of weather. After just a few more clicks, youll be heading out on an adventure unlike any other! Construction finished in 1973 at a cost of over one million dollars per mile. In the park, start with the Emerald Pools and the Riverside Walk hiking trails. You could hike down a trail to view some of the wonderful flora of the desert, but St Georges Red Hill Desert Garden brings over 5,000 different species to one place. Bird checklists are available at the visitor centers! 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. Situated a little more than 1 hour from the Strip, Fire Wave Trail is one of the most beautiful spots for hiking in Las Vegas and its surrounding areas. Its a perspective you can not get from the ground. After you get through Denver, you'll veer off onto I-70, one of the state's most popular . St. George makes a nice little get-away from Sin City. Expect to see horse-drawn wagons, historic buildings and Native American jewelry. 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. SJ is a professional travel writer based in the Midwest. Formerly a wine cellar, it now hosts stage productions by the St. George Musical Theater. Valley of Fire gets its name from the fiery red rock formations. 35 Best & Fun Things To Do In St. George (Utah) With hiking trails and beautiful scenery, Quail Creek makes for a perfect day trip. , an old firehouse that's now a multi-story taproom with craft beer by Zion Brewery. 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. Everybody in St. George says the same thing: You gotta see a show at the Tuacahn Amphitheater. Exhibits now showcase examples of dino-activity from the immediate area with interpretive information, a window revealing where fossils are prepped and cleaned, and a small park in the back for kids to hop on a dilophosaurus replica. Top 5 Detours between Las Vegas to Zion National Park - Travel RV Life Want more Thrillist? Simply by walking through the downtown, you can see the traditional American and Mormon influences in the architecture! The tricky part of this drive for me was the speed at which other drivers were flying down the canyon road. It's near Fire Lake Park at Ivins Reservoir, which is becoming a busy attraction for swimming. Boaters seem to have more breathing room here than at Sand Hollow despite less overall water acreage. In this state park, youll have the choice of hitting the trails or taking a scenic drive through the park. 25 Things to do in St George, Utah That You Shouldn't Miss Starting from the heart of St George is the Temple Quarry Trail. (Read: Why Your Kids Need a Utah Trip). Bullionville Cemetery Trail. Virgin River Gorge Scenic Drive. No matter where you go, Utah-produced High West is almost always the whiskey of choice. Come along for the ride! This ghost town has also been put on the map by several movies most notably, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. She has a B.A. Like us on Facebook. The Green Gate Village offers visitors to St George the opportunity to transport back in time to when pioneers and settlers from the east made this desert landscape their home. Some of the things you wont want to miss while visiting Pine Valley are the Pine Valley Chapel and the Pine Valley Reservoir. The Grand Canyon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Natural Wonders of the World. While its a little outside of your route to Zion, its so close to Las Vegas and definitely worth a stop. After soaking up the bright lights of Las Vegas, enjoy a relaxed . St. George is your connection to Las Vegas, several national parks and all the wonderful activities of the area. is a reservoir surrounded by red rocks and sand, resembling a trippy beach-on-Mars atmosphere. Historical B&Bs: St George hasmanyhistorical B&B but one of our favorites that keeps getting many awards is The Mulberry Inn. And not just because of the Cracker Barrel just off the interstate that I always make my . If you still have more time, take this loop back to St. George. The park gets its name from red sandstone formations. 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. I imagine that, if youre driving on a summer weekend, youll encounter quite a bit more traffic and drive times will be longer. Budget Hotel: If you looking for somewhere good to stay in St George that is light on yourbank accountwe suggest the Best Western Coral Hills. Scout's Lookout is less challenging, but provides plenty of great scenery as well. 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. With everything from hiking trails to restaurants, youll be able to find what places best suit how you like to travel. Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon Road Trip Itinerary 89 or 89A: That is the Question - US Route 89 But there are quite a few others that are not to be missed if you have the time. Read theseresourcesto learn how to travel thoughtfully and experience Utah most fully on your journey. Start:Drive roughly two hours northeast on I-15 from Las Vegas to St. George. Translation: the stargazing is ridiculous. 8 Ghost Towns Near Las Vegas | Las Vegas Ghost Towns - Travel Nevada If you go in the morning or towards sunset, youll have the best chance to see some park wildlife like burros, sheep, deer, birds, and the desert tortoise. Sky-high views are the payoff, but it's not for those with a fear of heights. The oldest and largest state park in Nevada, this place is awesome! 12 Top-Rated Things to Do on the Isle of Arran. Of all the state parks in the St George area, Quail Creek has the most beautiful reservoir. Learn about Utah's extensive history of dinosaurs, About 200 million years before Utah was even Utah, the region was a hotbed for dinosaurs. There is little to no cell phone service in the park and you may not be able to call for a return rideshare when you want to leave so definitely plan ahead. 35 Best Stops Between the Monument Valley and Las Vegas - Wanderlog 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.