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. Showcasing local art from various cultures, the St George City Art Museum will deepen your appreciation for all the different people and landscapes of Utah. 1:30 pm Valley of Fire State Park. Are you looking to explore more of the culture around St George? The 50-acre property features gardens, renovated rooms in a variety of sizes, on-site dining options . From Harry Reid International Airport, get on I-15 North to Exit 75 and Valley of Fire Highway. Read theseresourcesto learn how to travel thoughtfully and experience Utah most fully on your journey. Thats exactly why we created the list of all the best things to do in St George, Utah! 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. To enter Zion National Park, youll need to pay an entrance fee or show your pass. Since Im not a really experienced hiker, I liked the easy and moderate trails. 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. Named after early Utah leaders, this park is full of high mesas, rocky deserts, and wildlife scurrying from bush to bush. 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. However, take care that you know the weather forecast first. No matter where you go, Utah-produced High West is almost always the whiskey of choice. What happened this week? Designed in the Googie architecture style that was popular in the 1940s and 1950s, its a cool throwback to early Vegas. Noted as the most photographed ghost town in the west, Grafton still attracts tourists with its eerie facades and rustic charm. 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. With everything from hiking trails to restaurants, youll be able to find what places best suit how you like to travel. 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. 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. Due to his work with local Native American tribes and the spreading of the Mormon religion, Hamblin has earned a place of respect amongst Mormons and indigenous people alike. In spite of its accessibility, most Utahns are unaware of its existence unless they happen to notice the sign marking the turnoff while driving past it. , 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. The Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum is the perfect place to recuperate while learning more about St Georges rich history. Quick moving drivers aside, try to take in the awesome scenery as you traverse this section of I-15; its worth it. 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. is a collection of shops, restaurants, and offices around a historic courtyard with an old brick jailhouse and sheriff's office. Also, the folks at Red Rock do not recommend taking rideshares like Uber and Lyft to the park. Colorful rock formations like these are invisible to travelers on I-15 just minutes away from the park. (Read: Why Your Kids Need a Utah Trip). Other popular stops include Las Vegas Strip, Hoover Dam, and High Roller. . Everything is for sale. 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. Flights last anywhere from one hour to three hours depending on your adventure and they operate year-round. Out on the trails, youll have plenty of opportunities to see native Mojave Desert plants as well as plenty of cool rock formations. See what the desert landscape looks like at its best. 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. The house-baked bread and biscuits are already huge local favorites. Thomas Judd's Store Co. (or "Old Judd's") is the oldest business still actively operating in St. George. St George's affection for art and nature is reflected in Kayenta, an isolated community in the desertscapes northwest of the city. 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. With delicious meals and mouth-watering desserts, youll quickly find yourself asking for seconds. It doesn't matter they aren't true. The distance between these places is around 70 to 80 miles or an hour and half driving time. 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. For those who want to hike and explore, there are several trails of varying length and difficulty. The mostly two-lane section of I-15 runs parallel to the Virgin River. 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. Between the bright red terrain and the arch itself, it's almost impossible to take a bad photo. 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. Frontier Homestead State Park honors the Mormon pioneers who trekked from the Salt Lake Valley to settle in the rugged high desert region. Ride in a specially-equipped buggy through the Nevada desert during this adrenaline-fueled activity departing from Las Vegas. Utah is filled with many great historical locations that to this day can transport you back in time. Generally considered an easy route. If you prefer to be even closer to nature than you already are, Red Mountain Resort is like having a hotel inside Snow Canyon State Park, although technically, you're just outside the entrance. 37.0699343,-113.6275344, map. 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. Offering services between Las Vegas, St. George, Orem and Salt Lake City. The largest town in Southwest Utah is slowly and comfortably embracing its growth at just the right pace. Weve visited nearly 100 countries on all 7 continents. Play around St. Georges Pioneer Park, with its very narrow and fun mini-slot that may hook your kids for life. 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. 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. In the park, youll do some family-friendly hiking on the Emerald Pools and Riverside Walk hiking trails. The winter home of Mormon leader Brigham Young was preserved and converted into a free museum, offering a glimpse into 19th century life. As you make your way through Cedar City, take Exit 62 to Highway 130. 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 annual event went virtual during the pandemic, but is expected to return to its full in-person format at Ancestor Square in 2022. The Jacob Hamblin Home is now a museum that takes travelers through the life of Hamblin and the settling of Utah by pioneers. 12 Top Attractions & Things to Do in Zion National Park. All Rights Reserved. But more often than not, everybody seems to be on the same page. 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. This historical old fashioned general store looks to be plucked right out of an old western. Location: Valley of Fire State Park. Pilot, aviation consultant say the busiest airline at Harry Reid International Airport ignored technological updates for too long and suffered the consequences. 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. for farm-fresh ice cream. This classic carousel has horses with sleighs, bright lights and the traditional carousel music playing for visitors to enjoy. as the best overall option, especially if you want a perfect location in the heart of Downtown. . Even though Sand Hollow State Park is technically in the desert, youll still find a very diverse landscape. 3. With spectacular mountain views and plenty of red rock vistas, we found St. George to be a truly beautiful city. The people in Vegas have made it really easy to get there, too. But it is also located just 90 miles from St. George. We did the drive during a week in the winter when traffic wasnt bad at all. The amphitheater is also a great concert venue with the likes of Martina McBride, Kansas, and Kristin Chenoweth scheduled in the months ahead. Heres how its spending your money, Parents know best: Rep. Burgess Owens wants to fund school choice at national level, 2023 Sterling Scholars semifinalists: Southwest Region. The red exterior of the hotel matches up well with the natural surroundings with a spa, swimming pool, and contemporary furnishings. Ancient petroglyphs can be seen at several different locations throughout the park. Up through the end of April is a great time to visit Valley of Fire. 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. SJ is a professional travel writer based in the Midwest. The current population of St George city is 75,561 . 14 Best Hotels for Kids in Las Vegas, NV. The Venetian Resort - 5 Stars. He's thinking twice about Angels Landing. 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. The third floor is your best bet for liquor and libations. This 7,400-acre park offers a vast array of activities and sightseeing opportunities. The park gets its name from red sandstone formations. While we spent about 4 hours here, you could easily spend more or less time depending on your schedule. See something you like? Parowan Gap is about a 25-mile detour, but its well worth the extra distance and time in your road trip. Our flight arrived in Vegas in the early morning so there were only a couple of people out and about when we stopped. The airport, which handled a record number of passengers last year, says it is reducing its tram service for several weeks. Despite the daunting terrain, federal authorities decided to create a direct path through the Virgin River Gorge. 12 Top-Rated Things to Do on the Isle of Arran. 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. Trail Distance: 1.5 miles. The house-baked bread and biscuits are already huge local favorites. There's quite a lot to see and do in this Mormon city of 80K inhabitants. See for yourself with a visit to. See the link to the right for more info. He has been an editor and journalist for newspapers in Utah and Illinois. Round-trip transportation from Las Vegas hotels is included. Hours of Driving:7+ hours of driving, including the commute to and from Las Vegas. 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. It's certainly a lot cleaner than the real Venice. 14 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in St. George, UT. Unusually high precipitation levels this winter could result in some spectacular displays of springtime wildflowers like desert marigold, indigo and desert mallow. There are 2,000 foot cliff walls and narrow canyons cutting into the Colorado Plateau. We grabbed a parking spot and were snapping away within a few minutes. To break up the short drive, we set out to find interesting things to see and do between Las Vegas and Zion. Featuring up-scale decor that embodies the local culture of St George, eating at the Painted Pony is an experience in itself. If you have been to any museum of natural history, youre sure to have seen dinosaur bones and footprints on display. You could do a detour to Valley of Fire state park outside Vegas near Moapa.. Jaw-dropping canyons, snaking rivers, rusty red cliffs and scenic roads in every direction. However, their appearance in any given year depends on the water levels from the winter's snowfall. Take a drive through Devils Kitchen to see breathtaking red rock cliffs and spires, and make a stop at Payson Lakes Recreation Area for hiking trails, camping and picnic facilities. Everybody in St. George says the same thing: You gotta see a show at the Tuacahn Amphitheater. Feeling like I discovered one of the best kept secrets of southern Utah, I meandered the trails and took in the beauty of the towering red rocks. The 500 million year old Virgin River Gorge is located in the far northwestern corner of Arizona, between Nevada and Utah. Its one of those places where you can sit alone and read a book or bring the family to play around. It's a two-hour drive from Las Vegas to St. George, or four hours from Salt Lake City. This is hands down one of the best hikes to do while visiting and it is great for all ages. Includes dramatic scenery of the Virgin Rive. 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. 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.