You will not be disappointed with your stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites in St George. People say it's soft, but regardless of grades, we found the climbs to be a lot of fun. St George Shuttle Las Vegas - Things To Do In Las Vegas 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 . There are over 500petroglyphsthat date back 6,000 years,it isa unique and sacred site that will give you an inside look into the past of the Native American cultures that lived here. A Family Road Trip From Las Vegas to Zion National Park Learn about the worlds wildlife, how we need to protect them, stories and much more about each and everyanimal on display. 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. 14 Best Hotels for Kids in Las Vegas, NV. If youre really adventurous, wait until the stars come out. Founded in 1935, the Valley of Fire is Nevada's oldest state park. Of all the state parks in the St George area, Quail Creek has the most beautiful reservoir. Drink (yes, there's actually good booze in St. George), In recent years, Utah has loosened its grip on strict drinking laws. Just a few weeks ago, Zion was officially designated an International Dark Sky Park, recognizing the absence of light pollution in the area. However, their appearance in any given year depends on the water levels from the winter's snowfall. Water Canyon has shaded water features and views of Zion National Park from Canaan Mountain. With those road-stop suggestions out of the way, here's what to do in St. George after you arrive. . When driving from Las Vegas, stop at Yardley's, a truck stop that serves steakburgers from local cattle. 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. It's traditionally open to Mormon visitors only, but everyone can access the visitors center and surrounding grounds. One thing you wont want to miss is the downtown farmers market, which will put the culture of the town on full display. Snow Canyon State Park partners with several hiking and biking vendors so youll be covered with rental equipment, including the popular e-bikes, to make your trip fantastic. With everything from intricate pottery to detailed paintings, there are so many different interpretations and representations of life in St George. Make sure your camera is charged up, because youre bound to see wildlife. Offering services between Las Vegas, St. George, Orem and Salt Lake City. Sand Hollow State Park will give you a classic desert experience, with orange landscapes spreading out as far as the eye can see. Yet hikers don't need to solely rely on state parks to venture off the beaten path. Famous Wild West Ghost Towns in Utah | Visit Utah Construction finished in 1973 at a cost of over one million dollars per mile. for farm-fresh ice cream. Up through the end of April is a great time to visit Valley of Fire. 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. St. George is located in southern Utah. 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. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. 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. Quick moving drivers aside, try to take in the awesome scenery as you traverse this section of I-15; its worth it. Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon Day 1. 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. Horseback Riding - Experience one-of-a-kind guided horseback trips throughout the canyon, available March through October. The Valley of Fire is located 55 miles northeast of Vegas and can be accessed from I-15 at Exit 75. With those road-stop suggestions out of the way, here's what to do in St. George after you arrive. With so much sunshine and high summer temperatures, St. George is a perfect spot for perfect for swimming and water sports. Skip Vegas Californians. 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. Show only these on map. I love nature, I love to get off the beaten path and I like to explore. Hikers can spot tracks in, , but if you want to see as much evidence as possible in one place, visit the. "The Subway" (or Left Fork) is a uniquely curved slot canyon for experienced hikers. St. George, Utah is a four-season . If you venture out on the trails, make sure to take plenty of water. Noted as one of the most romantic spots around St George, you can bring a date or explore the park solo. With hiking trails and beautiful scenery, Quail Creek makes for a perfect day trip. For those who want to hike and explore, there are several trails of varying length and difficulty. Boaters seem to have more breathing room here than at Sand Hollow despite less overall water acreage. 2. Everybody in St. George says the same thing: You gotta see a show at the Tuacahn Amphitheater. There are so many fun things to do in Las Vegas. October 03, 2016 Things To Do In Las Vegas Comments Off on Enjoy Las Vegas Royalty Exotic Car Rentals. The Kelso Depot and dunes are about 1.5 hours from Vegas.The museum/depot is definitely worth a stop. It was sold and turned into a full-fledged restaurant with art galleries popping up around it. Seclusion is part of the charm. And from Fredonia, go to Kanab and pick US 89 there to Page, instead of continuing on US . The beauty of nature is often balanced by human creativity in St. George. Photo courtesy of Greater Zion Pioneer Park, , a truck stop that serves steakburgers from local cattle. We agree. Open year-round, there is a variety of things to see and do in the park, with the most popular being the hiking trails. The course of the Virgin River was re-channeled twelve different times during construction of the Gorge road. Located less than 10 minutes from Harry Reid International Airport (formerly McCarran International Airport), the sign is a must-see for anyone that wants a few kitschy vacation pics from Las Vegas. Never touch or deface any petroglyphs and be respectful when visiting this historical sight. More specifically, Google Maps says it typically takes between 1 hour 40 minutes, and 2 hours 20 minutes to drive from Las Vegas to St. George. And it's a great road trip. Follow him on Twitter, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. This pleasant city is located on the I-15, the road that connects Las Vegas to Salt Lake City and then continues through Idaho to Montana, on the border with Canada. 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. 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. 10. Formerly a general store built in 1911, it now sells nostalgic candy and ice cream. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The 500 million year old Virgin River Gorge is located in the far northwestern corner of Arizona, between Nevada and Utah. Park vegetation includes a wide variety of cacti and desert brushes. The Jacob Hamblin Home is now a museum that takes travelers through the life of Hamblin and the settling of Utah by pioneers. However, their appearance in any given year depends on the water levels from the winter's snowfall. stay for about 1 hour. 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. has been writing about Las Vegas in Thrillist for more than seven years. 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. A pair of rooftop decks with large hot tubs more than make up for the absence of a swimming pool. 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. Founded in 1935, the Valley of Fire is Nevadas oldest state park. 17 Absolutely Stunning Hikes In & Around Las Vegas for All Levels Terms & Conditions. Thomas Judd's Store Co. (or "Old Judd's") is the oldest business still actively operating in St. George. 12 Best Small Towns in Michigan. Thats exactly why we created the list of all the best things to do in St George, Utah! Can't we just pipe water to the West from areas of the country that have more water? When we were there in December, there were very few people in the park, even though the weather was perfect for hiking. 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. Note that, depending on the season, you may need to make a reservation for the scenic drive. Mandalay Bay - 4 Stars. Want a room with a crazy view? In 1988, the Arizona Magazine proclaimed that construction of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge, Somehow enhanced, rather than distracted from Natures handiwork.. 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. Casinos between LV and St George, Utah - Las Vegas Forum 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. 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. Also, the folks at Red Rock do not recommend taking rideshares like Uber and Lyft to the park. With spectacular mountain views and plenty of red rock vistas, we found St. George to be a truly beautiful city. 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 buildings have loads of character and offer the opportunity to see inside them when you shop the various stores they now house. This is a popular trail for scenic driving, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. It all began with Xetava Gardens Cafe, a gift shop and espresso bar with hand-carved doors and cabinets. And the reward is spectacular. Either way, your vacation will reach new heights once inside Zion229 square miles of colorful sandstone cliffs, rivers, and slot canyons. Super 8 by Wyndham St. George UT | Saint George, UT Hotels Colorful rock formations like these are invisible to travelers on I-15 just minutes away from the park. St. George Shuttle | Saint George, UT Before you do anything in or around St. George, you'll need a place to stay. The distance between these places is around 70 to 80 miles or an hour and half driving time. Here, you can tour the old Territorial Statehouse, which is now a museum full of historical treasures about Utah and the pioneers. For good measure, the park also has several sandstone arches. If you are . 35 Best & Fun Things To Do In St. George (Utah) 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. Located at the doorstep of Zion National Park, the town of St George is often used as a jumping-off point for travelers looking to explore the nearby canyons and deserts of Utah. Shuttle Between Las Vegas, St George, Kanab and Page The Inn on the Cliff lives up to its name with a perch high atop the towering cliffs that frame the western edge of 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. Road Trip Itinerary: Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park - Territory Supply Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. Top Things to Do in St. George, Utah The Blonde Abroad Built all the way back in 1877, St George Temple is known as the first of its kind in Utah. Little Black Mountain Petroglyph Site. The Grand Canyon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Natural Wonders of the World. However, the lobby bar at the Advenire (detached from, but actually part of the Wood, Ash, Rye restaurant) is easily the best cocktail bar in town with fun touches like house-made grenadine and ash-infused honey. We did the drive during a week in the winter when traffic wasnt bad at all. 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. I have family in St. George, UT and have made that trip a few times. is another reservoir, but more remote and best known for waterfalls that pass between rock formations. 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. Located in the historic district of St George this casual hotel is affordable and quite comfortable and just onlymomentsaway fromalmostall thebest things to do in St George. 3:34 pm Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. Jaw-dropping canyons, snaking rivers, rusty red cliffs and scenic roads in every direction. 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. 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. 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. Come by on Saturdays for an outdoor market with crafts, food, and entertainment. One of the biggest pastimes visitors find themselves enjoying in Quail Creek State Park is casting a line and trying to see if they can catch a fish. I enjoy scuba diving and cars. Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino - 4 Stars. Timelapse of some of the scenery highlights between Las Vegas, Nevada and St. George, Utah along Interstate 15. 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. is a fascinating collection of sculptures displayed throughout the city with a self-guided walking tour to check 'em all out. After just a few more clicks, youll be heading out on an adventure unlike any other! I do need a bit of advice from anyone who is familiar with the area between Las Vegas and St. George. Lodging near Zion National Park | Inn at Entrada St George has been occupied by everyone from dinosaurs to pioneers; therefore, you can expect the town to have a rich history! Even if youre not a church member, the architecture alone is more than enough to have you pulling out your cameras. After days of hiking, you might need to have a day in town to kick back and relax before heading out on your next adventure. 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.. Zion National Park. Las Vegas offers plenty of convenient, road trip inspiration. You can also travel the byway from Payson by taking I-15 Exit 248. 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. For anyone who loves the cultural arts, you need to take in a performance at theBroadwayin the DesertTuacahnoutdoor amphitheater in St George. 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. Snow Canyon is a top-rated state park and simply one of the most beautiful Ive been to. Discover this 24.2-mile point-to-point trail near St. George, Utah. The red exterior of the hotel matches up well with the natural surroundings with a spa, swimming pool, and contemporary furnishings. To enter Zion National Park, youll need to pay an entrance fee or show your pass. is a scenic collection of red sandstone hills, canyons, petrified sand dunes, and a dormant volcano that's a popular rock climbing spot. (or "Old Judd's") is the oldest business still actively operating in St. George. But why deal with the large crowds, heavy traffic and paid parking when you can zoom out on Google Maps and choose less chaotic accommodations in or around St. George instead? The park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. The third floor is your best bet for liquor and libations. Detour to. Timelapse Las Vegas to St. George, Utah - YouTube Check-out the Virgin River Gorge Video below if youve never experienced the drive in person. Explore each reconstructed building that has deeply rooted historical significance as you learn about the past and present of St George. Is there anything interesting to see or do between Las Vegas and Zion Maybe you crave a drive to Boulder City to see the Hoover Dam, Lake Havasu to zip around on Jet Skis, or St. George to hike scenic . Las Vegas pool parties are the place to beat the heat, and Mandalay Bay Beach is perfect for all agesand even open to non-hotel guests with paid admission. 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. The best part is that it'll only add a few minutes to your drive time since this area is right on the edge of St . Pizza and sandwiches (with house-made sourdough) keep the place busy during lunch. While visiting, youll be able to visualize what it was like when these creatures actually roamed the earth. Typically 11 buses run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. So get there before everybody else does. However, the lobby bar at the Advenire (detached from, but actually part of the. The donuts, tarts, croissants, and cookies are some of the best (and most Instagram-worthy) you'll ever sample. 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. On your way a few extra stops give the family a chance to chase the ghosts of dinosaurs and cowboys. If you plan it just right, you can make it to the capital city just before dinner time, and only stop a few times for fuel and a quick break. It is conveniently located between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. 1. The current population of St George city is 75,561 . If youre looking to break away from the get there as fast as we can mentality, there are plenty of natural wonders and photo-worthy attractions just off the beaten path of I-15. A vintage gasoline pump remains out front. Seclusion is part of the charm. Sandstone domes and contrasting colors create scenic panoramas throughout the park. A free shuttle bus travels between nine stops outside the park. 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. Ask about the daily catch, flown in within 24 hours of being pulled from the ocean. 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. Other popular stops include Las Vegas Strip, Hoover Dam, and Valley of Fire State Park. If nothing else, tour the park via the 13-mile scenic drive that cuts through the park. The mostly two-lane section of I-15 runs parallel to the Virgin River. Travel south for 4 1/2 miles and turn left at the park entrance. The Venetian Resort - 5 Stars. Dont miss the cemetery either! The area off Cima Road has the largest Joshua Tree forest in the world. Visitor Center Hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. RV sites with water and power are available. Featuring up-scale decor that embodies the local culture of St George, eating at the Painted Pony is an experience in itself. You might be tempted to book a hotel in Springdale, the small town just outside the main gates. Everything is for sale. Utah is filled to the brim with unique landscapes that can only be found in the state. 1:30 pm Valley of Fire State Park. 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. Although called Snow Canyon, Snow Canyon State Park is a place to explore all the beauty of the desert. The park gets its name from red sandstone formations. , 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. With more than 38 miles of hiking trails and 3 miles of paved walking and biking trails, theres something here for all to see. This is hands down one of the best hikes to do while visiting and it is great for all ages. Even if youre not a movie buff, Grafton offers a glimpse into what life was like in the old west. St. George is just a couple miles North of the Arizona and Nevada border in the very South Western corner of Utah. If you feel like you're driving into the middle of nowhere, don't panic. Location: Valley of Fire State Park. drive for about 48 minutes. The bus journey time between St. George and Las Vegas is around 2h 5m and covers a distance of around 118 miles. Don't miss the big stories.