In 1988, the Arizona Magazine proclaimed that construction of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge, Somehow enhanced, rather than distracted from Natures handiwork.. We are active couple with teenager son. You could do a detour to Valley of Fire state park outside Vegas near Moapa.. For those who want to hike and explore, there are several trails of varying length and difficulty. Its a great place for those who love to play hard but want to come back to a little relaxation and rejuvenation (a bit of luxury). Mandalay Bay - 4 Stars. Terms & Conditions. . In addition to arches, rock formations in the park include beehives pockmarked sandstone caused by centuries of erosion from wind and water. St. George, Utah, is a scenic and vibrant hub for adventure and nature tours, which take visitors to Utah's spectacular national and state parks, as well as destinations in nearby Arizona . Dont miss the cemetery either! 2. Located on the southernborderbetween Utah and Arizona is one of the best historical sights in the St George area. We had so much fun exploring this beautiful park. Its much smaller than I thought it would be but it was still really fun to grab a few pictures there. Swimming and Watersports. 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. 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. Built all the way back in 1877, St George Temple is known as the first of its kind in Utah. 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. is quickly becoming everyone's new favorite restaurant in town. The Palazzo - 5 Stars. Located on the southern border between Utah and Arizona is one of the best historical sights in the St George area. The view from Genesee Park Photo courtesy of iStock / Sparty1711. Information on hiking trails is available at the visitor center. So make sure to add a hot air balloon flight to your top things to do in St George, Utah list. As implied, it is the source for the latest happening in Downtown Las Vegas. Any wildlife lover visiting St George should visit theRosenbruchWorld Wildlife Museum. He's thinking twice about Angels Landing. Formerly a general store built in 1911, it now sells nostalgic candy and ice cream. 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. You canlearnmore about us here. The Wi-Fi is free. The Jacob Hamblin Home is now a museum that takes travelers through the life of Hamblin and the settling of Utah by pioneers. You might be tempted to book a hotel in Springdale, the small town just outside the main gates. All Rights Reserved. Where is St. George? Biking paths connect to the, trailhead, where petroglyphs are easy to spot. The bus journey time between St. George and Las Vegas is around 2h 5m and covers a distance of around 118 miles. 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. Boaters seem to have more breathing room here than at Sand Hollow despite less overall water acreage. Yes, this is definitely one of the most tourist-y things to do in Las Vegas, but it's got to be done. No matter where you go, Utah-produced High West is almost always the whiskey of choice. It all began with, , a gift shop and espresso bar with hand-carved doors and cabinets. The Broadway in the Desert series is the big draw, featuring favorites like Disney's. Read about the 35 best attractions and cities to stop in between the Monument Valley and Las Vegas, including places like Page, Horseshoe Bend, and Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge . Located in Zion National Park, this quick five-mile drive around the . Page provides incredible opportunities to visit the natural beauty of the desert southwest: Antelope Canyon with its unique Navajo Sandstone caused over years of flash floods that have created almost artwork with the erosion . In the evening, enjoy playing in St. George. Gunlock is another reservoir, but more remote and best known for waterfalls that pass between rock formations. So get there before everybody else does. It's a two-hour drive from Las Vegas to St. George, or four hours from Salt Lake City. 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. Hike, bike, e-bike, or even horseback ride your way through Snow Canyon State Park in St. George, Utah. Catch a performance at the legendary House of Blues Las Vegas. They are a full-service shuttle company that wants to make sure your travel needs are taken care of. This historical B&B is filled with character and charm but yet is filled with modern amenities located right in downtown St George. With those road-stop suggestions out of the way, here's what to do in St. George after you arrive. But it is also located just 90 miles from St. George. As you visit, do your part to keep Utah Forever Mighty. Come by on Saturdays for an outdoor market with crafts, food, and entertainment. However, many visitors will prefer to stay in St. George or Springdale (which is right outside the national park) for a night or two so as to take full advantage of the day trip without feeling . You'll get to drive through the park and have the opportunity to take side trips that take you to some of the most unique landscapes in the world. 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 area off Cima Road has the largest Joshua Tree forest in the world. The park has a visitor center with displays about the geology, ecology, prehistory, and history of the park and the nearby region. 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. For us, that was Leeds. . Either way, the amount in a shot is tightly controlled. 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. This scenic drive is at the top of the list of all scenic drives Ive been on and is really awe-inspiring. 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. From I-15, take the Hurricane exit (Exit 16). 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. 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. 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. Each week, thousands of Utahns travel to or from Las Vegas on Interstate 15. SJ specializes in writing about travel, food, and wine. The water, as pictured above, really is that beautiful teal color. Construction finished in 1973 at a cost of over one million dollars per mile. 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. In addition to these interesting historical sites, the city offers lots of outdoor recreation opportunities in the many state parks and recreation areas. 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. However, their appearance in any given year depends on the water levels from the winter's snowfall. 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. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. With spectacular mountain views and plenty of red rock vistas, we found St. George to be a truly beautiful city. And the reward is spectacular. Photo courtesy of Greater Zion Convention and Tourism Office, Explore the natural wonders of Zion National Park, St. George is less than an hour's drive to. St George's affection for art and nature is reflected in Kayenta, an isolated community in the desertscapes northwest of the city. After just a few more clicks, youll be heading out on an adventure unlike any other! In a refreshing change of pace, St. George isn't overwhelmed by chain restaurants, especially Downtown. 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! may be the best place to see a wide variety of art in one place. Hundreds of years ago, Native Americans chiseled their stories into the rock faces, and seeing them is like stepping back in time. 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. is a fascinating collection of sculptures displayed throughout the city with a self-guided walking tour to check 'em all out. 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 Little Black Mountain Petroglyph site offers visitors a chance to view ancient petroglyphs up close and personal. After soaking up the bright lights of Las Vegas, enjoy a relaxed . But the St. George Art Festival may be the best place to see a wide variety of art in one place. So not only a good place to cool off, but also fantastic for photography. 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. and leave at 4:34 pm. The 2,000-seat venue gives the audience a unique opportunity to watch a show underneath the stars with the red rocks of Snow Canyon as a backdrop. Andrew James is the founder and managing editor of 24saltlake.com, a news and local events website in Utah. Theres nothing like an 18-wheeler so close to your bumper that you cant see their headlights! Weve been to many great parks in our travels but one that impressed us was the Town Square Park in St George. But there are quite a few others that are not to be missed if you have the time. driving 2.5 hours. Before you do anything in or around St. George, you'll need a place to stay. 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. There are plenty of great places to stay from luxury hotels, historical BnBs, and even a few great motels. 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. A bonus for us was the bighorn sheep we spotted right up by the road! Even if youre not a church member, the architecture alone is more than enough to have you pulling out your cameras. Have stopped and played at the Eureka casino a couple times. Depending on the license, some bars are required to serve food with alcohol, which is why St. George's favorite dive bar, , has bags of potato chips on standby with each drink. The donuts, tarts, croissants, and cookies are some of the best (and most Instagram-worthy) you'll ever sample. Designed in the Googie architecture style that was popular in the 1940s and 1950s, its a cool throwback to early Vegas. Bird checklists are available at the visitor centers! . Winds may reach 70 mph in mountains, Las Vegas concert featuring music greats changes start time, Another great memory in Vegas: Busch wins Truck Series race, LETTER: BLM launches investigation over moved rocks. 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. Take the stress out of traveling and book your transfer between Las Vegas and Bryce Canyon National Park in advance. Youll find plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, and many options for lodging in Springdale. We suggest for those looking for a good campsite or RV park to check out St George RV Park or the Snow Canyon Campground. 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. It's a lively social spot where the contemporary cuisine often comes with a Southern touch and killer craft cocktails. It was sold and turned into a full-fledged restaurant with art galleries popping up around it. Biking paths connect to the Anasazi trailhead, where petroglyphs are easy to spot. Copyright 2023 Utah Office of Tourism. 14 Best Hotels for Kids in Las Vegas, NV. 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. St. George, Utah is a great strategic point for all those who begin their trip in Las Vegas to visit the parks in Utah and Arizona, but also for those who are planning a visit to northern Utah. 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. If you are . Weve visited nearly 100 countries on all 7 continents. End:Cedar Breaks National Monument, just outside Cedar City. Or, stop by the Childrens Museum for some air conditioned exploration and discovery. I imagine that, if youre driving on a summer weekend, youll encounter quite a bit more traffic and drive times will be longer. to provide food. The taxidermy is tastefully done offering an opportunity to see animals up close. Hours of Driving:7+ hours of driving, including the commute to and from Las Vegas. St. George has its share of golf courses and if you're in town to practice your putt, the, has a private country club feel with condo-like suites and private parking garages. Virgin River Gorge Drive on Interstate 15 Between Las Vegas and St George. 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. St. George has its share of golf courses and if you're in town to practice your putt, the Inn at Estrada has a private country club feel with condo-like suites and private parking garages. Sand Hollow is a reservoir surrounded by red rocks and sand, resembling a trippy beach-on-Mars atmosphere. Location: Valley of Fire State Park. 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. From Valley of Fire, get right back on the I-15 North and drive for about an hour and forty-five minutes until you reach the town of St. George, Utah, right by the Arizona/Utah border.. A notable stop in this town, particularly since our final destination is Salt Lake City, is the Brigham Young Winter Home, a historic residence and current museum.
things to do between st george and las vegas