When driving from Las Vegas, stop at Yardley's, a truck stop that serves steakburgers from local cattle. Take our news quiz. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat. stay for about 1 hour. Never touch or deface any petroglyphs and be respectful when visiting this historical sight. 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. It is conveniently located between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. The people in Vegas have made it really easy to get there, too. Translation: the stargazing is ridiculous. 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. It's near Fire Lake Park at Ivins Reservoir, which is becoming a busy attraction for swimming. The park visitors center has a variety of exhibits. Dont miss the cemetery either! With everything from camping sights to watering holes, Snow Canyon is the perfect place to start your Utah adventure. Book a room at the Crescent Moon Inn. The. So not only a good place to cool off, but also fantastic for photography. What happened this week? Just about 30 miles North of Mesquite along I-15 you will find a city named St. George Utah. Old Las Vegas began as a railroad town on the Western Frontier in the early 1900s. 10. The Virgin River Narrows is a hike through shallow water, leading to an area called "Wall Street" where the shoreline gives way to steep canyon walls. is a reservoir surrounded by red rocks and sand, resembling a trippy beach-on-Mars atmosphere. and leave at 2:30 pm. In fact, if you leave early in the morning, you can easily make it there in about 6 hours. She has a B.A. Discover the compelling St. George art scene. However, take care that you know the weather forecast first. Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino - 4 Stars. . We had so much fun exploring this beautiful park. 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. We grabbed a parking spot and were snapping away within a few minutes. The last day is all about experiencing equal parts history and exploration in the Wild West first hand. St. George's Downtown district is an engaging mix of architecture, art, parks, and independent storefronts. Swimming and Watersports. To enter Zion National Park, youll need to pay an entrance fee or show your pass. Yes, this is definitely one of the most tourist-y things to do in Las Vegas, but it's got to be done. This is not the case at the Dinosaur Track Museum. You could do a detour to Valley of Fire state park outside Vegas near Moapa.. Some rooms have balconies, some have tall arched ceilings. If you're planning your trip to accommodatedisabilities,there's plenty of optionsto safely see and enjoy the beauty of Utah. The bus journey time between St. George and Las Vegas is around 2h 5m and covers a distance of around 118 miles. Travel south for 4 1/2 miles and turn left at the park entrance. Spend the day cooling off in Zion National Park. If you still have more time, take this loop back to St. George. Prehistoric visitors included the Basket Maker people and the Anasazi Pueblo Indians. Boaters seem to have more breathing room here than at Sand Hollow despite less overall water acreage. Spend a few extra bucks on a villa. Theres nothing like an 18-wheeler so close to your bumper that you cant see their headlights! After you get through Denver, you'll veer off onto I-70, one of the state's most popular . St. George is less than an hour's drive to Zion National Park. 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. 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. There are so many fun things to do in Las Vegas. 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. Smoked Old Fashioneds are the specialty, but don't hesitate to pick the brain of your bartender. If nothing else, take the Valley of Fire Scenic Byway through the park. There are 2,000 foot cliff walls and narrow canyons cutting into the Colorado Plateau. See something you like? Although small, lovers of all things growing will have their minds blown with the numerous cacti and other plants in the garden. After just a few more clicks, youll be heading out on an adventure unlike any other! It dates all the way back to the early 1900s and played a vital role in the early days of Dixie (St George). I love nature, I love to get off the beaten path and I like to explore. The third floor is your best bet for liquor and libations. Please Note: Price . Since youre starting off in Las Vegas, it only makes sense to see one of the most iconic Vegas landmarks, the Welcome To Las Vegas sign. 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. Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino - 4 Stars. And its a perfect spot to spend your time while outside of the park. Want more Thrillist? The park has this hike rated as moderate and I would agree. 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. Everything is for sale. 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. Whichever way you look at it, you will be mostly driving from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon on the first day. Construction finished in 1973 at a cost of over one million dollars . Out on the trails, youll have plenty of opportunities to see native Mojave Desert plants as well as plenty of cool rock formations. A half-day excursion is long enough to see many of the best features. drive for about 48 minutes. With spectacular mountain views and plenty of red rock vistas, we found St. George to be a truly beautiful city. 14 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in St. George, UT. Starting at the trailhead, its about a 1.5-mile hike that took about an hour. It was founded as a Mormon settlement, but eventually developed its own identity. Information on hiking trails is available at the visitor center. 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. 11:42 am Mesquite. 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. The annual event went virtual during the pandemic, but is expected to return to its full in-person format at Ancestor Square in 2022. 2. It has over 300 taxidermy animals from all around the world displayed in a natural habitat transporting visitors to locations like Africa and the Amazon with their in-depth audio presentation. 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? So make sure to add a hot air balloon flight to your top things to do in St George, Utah list. Luxury Hotel: The Inn atEntradais one of the best luxury hotels located in St George Utah. 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. There is one place, however, where you can play in the dunes and explore the sands. We love staying at a Hampton Inn & Suites hotel since they are on the upper end of the chain hotels with nice rooms and great services. 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 St. George Utah Temple is the city's most identifiable landmark, an imposing white structure that contrasts sharply with the surrounding homes and businesses. Formerly a general store built in 1911, it now sells nostalgic candy and ice cream. Park vegetation includes a wide variety of cacti and desert brushes. The tricky part of this drive for me was the speed at which other drivers were flying down the canyon road. stay for about 1 hour. Plus, booking alocal tour guidewill help you make the most of your vacation, whether its your first time visiting the Zion Region or your hundredth. Have stopped and played at the Eureka casino a couple times. Andrew James is the founder and managing editor of 24saltlake.com, a news and local events website in Utah. 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. Note that, depending on the season, you may need to make a reservation for the scenic drive. Colorful rock formations like these are invisible to travelers on I-15 just minutes away from the park. . There are plenty of great places to stay from luxury hotels, historical BnBs, and even a few great motels. Yet hikers don't need to solely rely on state parks to venture off the beaten path. Beaver Dam, Ariz . 12 Top-Rated Things to Do on the Isle of Arran. Follow him on Twitter, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. If youre looking to learn more about local history and pioneers moving out west, be sure to visit the Jacob Hamblin Home. And it's a great road trip. Yet hikers don't need to solely rely on state parks to venture off the beaten path. It was sold and turned into a full-fledged restaurant with art galleries popping up around it. , an old firehouse that's now a multi-story taproom with craft beer by Zion Brewery. Step back into the past and imagine life in St Georgesfinesthome that was built back in 1873. And not just because of the Cracker Barrel just off the interstate that I always make my . Located in Zion National Park, this quick five-mile drive around the . 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. With spectacular mountain views and plenty of red rock vistas, we found St. George to be a truly beautiful city. 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. Since its so close, we stopped right as we made our way out of the airport. Frontier Homestead State Park honors the Mormon pioneers who trekked from the Salt Lake Valley to settle in the rugged high desert region. 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 . Pilot, aviation consultant say the busiest airline at Harry Reid International Airport ignored technological updates for too long and suffered the consequences. 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. Our flight arrived in Vegas in the early morning so there were only a couple of people out and about when we stopped. 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. Kick your road trip off with a day in the St. George area. 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. Another small town that youll want to be sure to check out is the historic Pine Valley. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "abe0ee1bb1ce091c654aedc463cf2206" );document.getElementById("d2f8ec4791").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); We are David & Lina Stock, a married couple from NW Wisconsin who have been traveling together since 2001. 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. Since Im not a really experienced hiker, I liked the easy and moderate trails. With everything from hiking trails to restaurants, youll be able to find what places best suit how you like to travel. 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. is a fascinating collection of sculptures displayed throughout the city with a self-guided walking tour to check 'em all out. Free Wifi, USB charging ports and more! Or, stop by the Childrens Museum for some air conditioned exploration and discovery. While its a little outside of your route to Zion, its so close to Las Vegas and definitely worth a stop. 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. Summertime travelers might get the impression that the park got its name from its environment, rather than its rock formation. 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. 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. Address: 345 E Riverside Dr, St. George, UT 84790, United States. 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. Timelapse of some of the scenery highlights between Las Vegas, Nevada and St. George, Utah along Interstate 15. Before you do anything in or around St. George, you'll need a place to stay. This national park will have you exploring deep canyons, climbing tall mountains, and even exploring hidden caves. 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. Airport Shuttles Transportation Related posts . 12 Best Small Towns in Michigan. The distance between these places is around 70 to 80 miles or an hour and half driving time. The donuts, tarts . 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. 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. This is hands down one of the best hikes to do while visiting and it is great for all ages. Continue driving another 100 miles and stay at condo lodging. While prohibition during the 1920s halted the city's growth, there were plenty of underground gambling halls, speakeasies . Either way, the amount in a shot is tightly controlled. The park has a visitor center with displays about the geology, ecology, prehistory, and history of the park and the nearby region. Snow Canyon is a top-rated state park and simply one of the most beautiful Ive been to. With so much sunshine and high summer temperatures, St. George is a perfect spot for perfect for swimming and water sports. The red exterior of the hotel matches up well with the natural surroundings with a spa, swimming pool, and contemporary furnishings. Quick moving drivers aside, try to take in the awesome scenery as you traverse this section of I-15; its worth it. 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. The house-baked bread and biscuits are already huge local favorites. 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. 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. Typically 11 buses run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. 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. 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. driving 2.5 hours. Any wildlife lover visiting St George should visit theRosenbruchWorld Wildlife Museum. . It's hard to beat the new. 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. A gorgeous, albeit somewhat white-knuckle drive for this apprehensive driver, the scenic Virgin River Gorge is something to behold. The trip to Zion from Vegas is a fairly easy drive of about 2.5 hours, if you drive straight through. Want to spend the night? 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. It's raw, majestic, inspiring and yet peaceful. Next up, its time for some family fun in nearby St. George. 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. Start: Drive roughly two hours northeast on I-15 from Las Vegas to St. George. Utah is filled to the brim with unique landscapes that can only be found in the state. 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. If you feel like you're driving into the middle of nowhere, don't panic. Hours of Driving: 7+ hours of driving, including the commute to and from Las Vegas. The airport, which handled a record number of passengers last year, says it is reducing its tram service for several weeks. Ride a gondola at the Venetian. People say it's soft, but regardless of grades, we found the climbs to be a lot of fun. Start your trip at the visitor center to learn about the park, watch the short film, and grab a map. The gorge spans about 10 miles of Arizona near Littlefield, and believe me, youll know it when you see it. Knowledgeable staff members are happy to share the details about these artifacts, so dont be afraid to ask questions. If you leave St George at 4 , you would be at Zion by 5.There is a shuttle at Zion that takes about 1.5 hours to go from the visitor center to the end of the canyon and back.You will be very limited on time coming that late in the afternoon.You may want to skip a night at .