If you feel like you're driving into the middle of nowhere, don't panic. If you still have more time, take this loop back to St. George. 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. A free shuttle bus travels between nine stops outside the park. Top Things to Do in St. George, Utah The Blonde Abroad Because the pioneers that originally settled this land were members of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, expect to find historical sites here like the Brigham Young Winter Residence Historical Site, St.George Temple (currently closed for renovation, but you can see the outside), and the St. George Tabernacle. Photo courtesy of Greater Zion Pioneer Park, , a truck stop that serves steakburgers from local cattle. 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. Theres nothing like an 18-wheeler so close to your bumper that you cant see their headlights! They used those rocks to constructmany of the foundations in the houses around town, including the basement of St. George Temple. 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. 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. With so many attractions and so little time, you're probably wondering where to start. to provide food. 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. Are you looking to explore more of the culture around St George? Everything is for sale. Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon Road Trip Itinerary Save. Sand Hollow State Park | Utah.com 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. This national park will have you exploring deep canyons, climbing tall mountains, and even exploring hidden caves. See for yourself with a visit to Station II, an old firehouse that's now a multi-story taproom with craft beer by Zion Brewery. 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. Spend a few extra bucks on a villa. 12 Top-Rated Hikes near St. George, UT | PlanetWare St George Shuttle Las Vegas - Things To Do In Las Vegas This decision shortened the route on I-15 between Las Vegas and St. George, Utah by 12 miles of driving distance over the older and more treacherous U.S. Highway 91. Here is our list of what to see and do in the area. Open year-round, there is a variety of things to see and do in the park, with the most popular being the hiking trails. A bonus for us was the bighorn sheep we spotted right up by the road! is quickly becoming everyone's new favorite restaurant in town. Many of the attractions in Pioneer Park are easily accessed with minimal walking, including Dixie Rock (aka Dixie Sugarloaf), St George Narrows (aka The Crack), and Pioneer Park Arches. 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. 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. Designed in the Googie architecture style that was popular in the 1940s and 1950s, its a cool throwback to early Vegas. The people in Vegas have made it really easy to get there, too. See the link to the right for more info. If you're going on a road trip from Page to Las Vegas, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way with Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Boulder City, Kanab, and St. George and top places to visit like Cottonwood Canyon Rd and Toadstool Hoodoos, or the ever-popular Historic Navajo Bridge. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. The amphitheater is also a great concert venue with the likes of Martina McBride, Kansas, and Kristin Chenoweth scheduled in the months ahead. 19. is another reservoir, but more remote and best known for waterfalls that pass between rock formations. The bus journey time between Las Vegas and St. George is around 1h 55m and covers a distance of around 118 miles. I have family in St. George, UT and have made that trip a few times. 6 Adventurous Things to do in Park City, Utah, Best Hikes in the USA: 15 Stunning Trails You Cannot Miss. The Valley of Fire is located 55 miles northeast of Vegas and can be accessed from I-15 at Exit 75. A chart of traffic accidents and fatalities between St. George and Las Vegas in or near work zones for 2022, Aug. 11, 2022 | Chart by Nick Yamashita, St. George News. Super 8 by Wyndham St. George UT | Saint George, UT Hotels St. George, Utah is a four-season . The park has this hike rated as moderate and I would agree. 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? There are so many fun things to do in Las Vegas. A three-day weekend is a perfect start in exploring the Wild West of Zion National Park and Southern Utah. Its mind-boggling to think about how this section of I-15 was created out of sheer rock and stone. The Wi-Fi is free. Twice-weekly flights on the airlines Airbus A320 fleet will begin in June for Harry Reid International Airports seventh busiest commercial air carrier. You can even check out the views from the pool or the patio of, Photo by Matt Umland, courtesy of Wood Ash Rye, Enjoy the best food St. George has to offer, In a refreshing change of pace, St. George isn't overwhelmed by chain restaurants, especially Downtown. Visit here or call 1-435-679-8665 for more information. So make sure to add a hot air balloon flight to your top things to do in St George, Utah list. Heres what you need to know, Japanese official denies Lee statement on commitment to expedite release of Lt. Ridge Alkonis, Utah Legislature finalizes record $29B budget. Hawaiis attorney general believes the proposed law, which seeks to reduce the flow of residents money to Las Vegas, could be found unconstitutional. Enjoy the amazing sights of Las Vegas, St George, Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park at your leisure with one of these shuttle transfer options. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. What is that? The North Rim is quite remotethere's no nearby airport and it's much further from Las Vegas or any Arizona cities than the South Rim is (and a good 3 hours from St. George, Utah, where we were staying). 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. In addition to these interesting historical sites, the city offers lots of outdoor recreation opportunities in the many state parks and recreation areas. St George and the surrounding area are pretty impressive with its natural wonders, colored with red rock and bright desert landscapes. If youre ambitious and short of time, though, you can do a very long day trip to the park too. 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. In this city, youll find everything from historic Mormon churches to hiking trails. My dad's stories shaped my life. With fascinating exhibits, the Dinosaur Track Museum tops the list of best things to do in St George. Also, the folks at Red Rock do not recommend taking rideshares like Uber and Lyft to the park. Located on the southernborderbetween Utah and Arizona is one of the best historical sights in the St George area. Located about an hour south of Zion National Park, St. George, Utah, is a city of about 85,000 people that has a lot of cool things to see and do. Travel south for 4 1/2 miles and turn left at the park entrance. Rather than taking you inside a building, a roof covers the original tracks and footprints of dinosaurs at this museum. With those road-stop suggestions out of the way, here's what to do in St. George after you arrive. I'll be flying into Las Vegas late Friday and renting a car. 10 places you need to see on a road trip from Colorado to Las Vegas The 50-acre property features gardens, renovated rooms in a variety of sizes, on-site dining options . With so much sunshine and high summer temperatures, St. George is a perfect spot for perfect for swimming and water sports. There are plenty of great places to stay from luxury hotels, historical BnBs, and even a few great motels. You will not be disappointed with your stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites in St George. Includes dramatic scenery of the Virgin Rive. Reservations were introduced during the pandemic, but are no longer required. (Read: Why Your Kids Need a Utah Trip). Want to spend the night? 2023 St. George Vacation Rentals | With exhibits inside and a tranquil garden outside, the museum is a great place to visit while wandering the city. A gorgeous, albeit somewhat white-knuckle drive for this apprehensive driver, the scenic Virgin River Gorge is something to behold. The, (or "Bowl") trailhead is named after a strange, sunken hole at the top of a sandstone formation. In the evening, enjoy playing in St. George. 10. 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. Its just simply breathtaking located on the edges of Snow Canyon State Park just a few miles right from downtown St George. Cathedral Gorge Visitor Center. 9 Best Campgrounds near St. George, UT. Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino - 4 Stars. This carousel is impressive, in good condition and is a must-see for anybody visiting the town. 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. People say it's soft, but regardless of grades, we found the climbs to be a lot of fun. Either way, the amount in a shot is tightly controlled. 4. 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 . You guessed it; the cost was the most per mile at the time of completion. The beauty of nature is often balanced by human creativity in St. George. Where those large white letters reside is one of the best public playgrounds for locals and visitors called Pioneer Park. However, the lobby bar at the Advenire (detached from, but actually part of the. If you feel like you're driving into the middle of nowhere, don't panic. The buildings have loads of character and offer the opportunity to see inside them when you shop the various stores they now house. It was sold and turned into a full-fledged restaurant with art galleries popping up around it. Other popular stops include Las Vegas Strip, Hoover Dam, and Valley of Fire State Park. SJ is a professional travel writer based in the Midwest. Dont forget to stop in Judds Store thats tucked just off the busy main street. Just a few weeks ago, Zion was officially designated an International Dark Sky Park, recognizing the absence of light pollution in the area. Youll find plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, and many options for lodging in Springdale. To break up the short drive, we set out to find interesting things to see and do between Las Vegas and Zion. A pair of rooftop decks with large hot tubs more than make up for the absence of a swimming pool. Backpacking - Contact the Zion Park's visitor . However, their appearance in any given year depends on the water levels from the winter's snowfall. Zion National Park. Valley of Fire gets its name from the fiery red rock formations. It's one of several nice ideas riddled with problems. You can also travel the byway from Payson by taking I-15 Exit 248. This and the Rainbow Vista Trail were our favorite spots. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. Weve been to many great parks in our travels but one that impressed us was the Town Square Park in St George. End:Cedar Breaks National Monument, just outside Cedar City. With 40,000 acres of Aztec sandstone, petrified trees, and ancient petroglyphs, theres a lot to explore here. 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. Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. We started with the easy 2-mile Johnsons Hike, traversing through the rugged lava trails and surrounding cliffs as we craned our necks to take in the splendor of the natural beauty that was absolutely all around. Complete with tumbleweeds blowing across the main street, Grafton Ghost Town is the place to go to witness some of the last remnants of the wild west. If you're flying in, Las Vegas is the better choice - or you can fly directly into St. George Regional Airport once it reopens in September 2019. 37.8042924,-114.4091474, map. Location: Valley of Fire State Park. The story of St. George is much like other Utah cities. 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. Its much smaller than I thought it would be but it was still really fun to grab a few pictures there. 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. Catch a performance at the legendary House of Blues Las Vegas. 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. 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. Any wildlife lover visiting St George should visit theRosenbruchWorld Wildlife Museum. If nothing else, take the Valley of Fire Scenic Byway through the park. 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. 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. Show only these on map. Grand Canyon National Park (North Rim) - 150 miles away. It's near Fire Lake Park at Ivins Reservoir, which is becoming a busy attraction for swimming. The top stops along the way from St. George to Las Vegas (with short detours) are Bellagio Fountain, Fremont Street Experience, and Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. 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 . Take our news quiz. Dont let the fact that its a state park fool you. Smoked Old Fashioneds are the specialty, but don't hesitate to pick the brain of your bartender. Here are 5 must-see stops next time you find yourself driving through the "Beehive State". No matter where you go, Utah-produced High West is almost always the whiskey of choice. Typically 11 buses run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. The surrounding desert is popular for ATVs and other off-road vehicles. However, take care that you know the weather forecast first. You heard it here first: St. George, Utah, is about to boom. Our flight arrived in Vegas in the early morning so there were only a couple of people out and about when we stopped. Virgin River Gorge Drive on Interstate 15 Between Las Vegas and St George Between the bright red terrain and the arch itself, it's almost impossible to take a bad photo. Ancient petroglyphs can be seen at several different locations throughout the park. Discover this 24.2-mile point-to-point trail near St. George, Utah. In recent years, Utah has loosened its grip on strict drinking laws. 26771 Genesee Lane, Golden, Colo. 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. is a more secluded beach with trees creeping out of the water for an interesting visual. Prehistoric visitors included the Basket Maker people and the Anasazi Pueblo Indians. Spend the day cooling off in Zion National Park. Timelapse of some of the scenery highlights between Las Vegas, Nevada and St. George, Utah along Interstate 15. For good measure, the park also has several sandstone arches. drive for about 48 minutes. If youve never driven this stretch of blacktop, youre in for a wonderful experience. Generally considered an easy route. After just a few more clicks, youll be heading out on an adventure unlike any other! Sand Hollow State Park will give you a classic desert experience, with orange landscapes spreading out as far as the eye can see. 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. Biking paths connect to the, trailhead, where petroglyphs are easy to spot. 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. Its really spectacular with awesome views at almost every turn. St. George, UT Las Vegas, NV Bus: from $24 - Busbud 14 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in St. George, UT. The airport, which handled a record number of passengers last year, says it is reducing its tram service for several weeks. Since its so close, we stopped right as we made our way out of the airport. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat. Bars affiliated with restaurants are usually fine as long as they have the. Los Angeles to Salt Lake City Drive: 21 Amazing Stops to Make Judds Store is the oldest ongoing business establishment in St George. 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 just missing Jim Hardie and a few tied up horses outside. This ghost town has also been put on the map by several movies most notably, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Virgin River Gorge Drive on Interstate 15 Between Las Vegas and St George. Famous Wild West Ghost Towns in Utah | Visit Utah Where is St. George? 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. Pizza and sandwiches (with house-made sourdough) keep the place busy during lunch. 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. Entrance Fee $10 plus additional charges for camping or groups. The Babylon Arch is relatively easy to reach with a hike near the Virgin River. Virgin River Gorge Scenic Drive. We suggest for those looking for a good campsite or RV park to check out St George RV Park or the Snow Canyon Campground. 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. But because it's not as convenient and . But it should be! However, their appearance in any given year depends on the water levels from the winter's snowfall. Utah is filled with many great historical locations that to this day can transport you back in time. Sky-high views are the payoff, but it's not for those with a fear of heights. 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. There are 2 casinos in Mesquite, and that is basically the ONLY thing between Vegas and St. George. Out on the trails, youll have plenty of opportunities to see native Mojave Desert plants as well as plenty of cool rock formations.