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). Weve been to many great parks in our travels but one that impressed us was the Town Square Park in St George. 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. Want to spend the night? No longer do you have to dodge traffic and stand in the median to grab a photo. End:Cedar Breaks National Monument, just outside Cedar City. Theres nothing like an 18-wheeler so close to your bumper that you cant see their headlights! How this road was ever carved out of the massive rocks is beyond me. 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. Jaw-dropping canyons, snaking rivers, rusty red cliffs and scenic roads in every direction. Well send you our daily roundup of all our favorite stories from across the site, from travel to food to shopping to entertainment. We are active couple with teenager son. Saint George to Las Vegas drive - plan a road trip In 1988, the Arizona Magazine proclaimed that construction of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge, Somehow enhanced, rather than distracted from Natures handiwork.. 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. Bars affiliated with restaurants are usually fine as long as they have the option to provide food. 'Rolling Stone' named this excursion as Vegas' Best Near-Death Experience. Designed in the Googie architecture style that was popular in the 1940s and 1950s, its a cool throwback to early Vegas. This historical old fashioned general store looks to be plucked right out of an old western. Can't we just pipe water to the West from areas of the country that have more water? drive for about 48 minutes. 2. Best stops along Las Vegas to Laughlin drive. As implied, it is the source for the latest happening in Downtown Las Vegas. Beer was famously required to be watered down in the past, but that's no longer the case. With hiking trails and beautiful scenery, Quail Creek makes for a perfect day trip. 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 drive on I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge features some of the most stunning displays of both engineering and scenery. Hikes such as Angels Landing and The Narrows showcase two very different sides of the area. While talking to locals, we were told that the park is pretty low-key all the time for some reason, its not on peoples radar. Timelapse of some of the scenery highlights between Las Vegas, Nevada and St. George, Utah along Interstate 15. 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. Take the Red Hills Parkway from St. George into the southern tip of the National Scenic Area to find easy-access hiking trails. 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 even exhibits where you can get a closer look at how plants and animals thrive in a barren landscape. Located roughly 50 miles up the road from Las Vegas, youll find Valley of Fire State Park. Offering services between Las Vegas, St. George, Orem and Salt Lake City. It's a lively social spot where the contemporary cuisine often comes with a Southern touch and killer craft cocktails. Even if its not hot weather, you can become dehydrated quickly. And it's a great road trip. 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. 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. While its a little outside of your route to Zion, its so close to Las Vegas and definitely worth a stop. As you visit, do your part to keep Utah Forever Mighty. drive for about 5 minutes. From Harry Reid International Airport, get on I-15 North to Exit 75 and Valley of Fire Highway. I'll be flying into Las Vegas late Friday and renting a car. If this is the day you fly into Vegas and you are travelling in winter then the last leg of your trip will be in the dark along mountain roads (UT-20, UT-89 and UT-12). Top 5 Detours between Las Vegas to Zion National Park - Travel RV Life Don't miss the big stories. Be careful driving. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. This is a popular trail for scenic driving, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The surrounding desert is popular for ATVs and other off-road vehicles. Some cities are still figuring themselves out, but St. George remains effortlessly grounded in a pocket of Utah that's neither cosmopolitan or remote, surrounded by the beauty of towering desert cliffs. Learn about Utah's extensive history of dinosaurs, About 200 million years before Utah was even Utah, the region was a hotbed for dinosaurs. Places to Stay & Local Guides:St. GeorgeandSpringdaleboth make excellent base camps for this family road trip, each with plenty of lodging and nearby camping to offer. Las Vegas offers plenty of convenient, road trip inspiration. 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. 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. This is also one of the best places to take in a view over St George. Simply by walking through the downtown, you can see the traditional American and Mormon influences in the architecture! After grabbing dinner in Cedar City, head to Cedar Breaks National Monument for a beautiful sunset view. Either way, the amount in a shot is tightly controlled. The Wi-Fi is free. Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas is another reservoir, but more remote and best known for waterfalls that pass between rock formations. Things to Do in St. George, Utah: Why You Should Make the Drive Today Utah is filled with many great historical locations that to this day can transport you back in time. 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 . Utah does not lack rocky desert and barren mountains, but if youre looking to cool off or spend a relaxing day by the water, make sure to check out Quail Creek State Park. Although small, lovers of all things growing will have their minds blown with the numerous cacti and other plants in the garden. Featuring up-scale decor that embodies the local culture of St George, eating at the Painted Pony is an experience in itself. Translation: the stargazing is ridiculous. A bonus for us was the bighorn sheep we spotted right up by the road! 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. 12 Top-Rated Hikes near St. George, UT | PlanetWare St. George's Downtown district is an engaging mix of architecture, art, parks, and independent storefronts. With so much sunshine and high summer temperatures, St. George is a perfect spot for perfect for swimming and water sports. The people in Vegas have made it really easy to get there, too. It's raw, majestic, inspiring and yet peaceful. The course of the Virgin River was re-channeled twelve different times during construction of the Gorge road. Spend the day cooling off in Zion National Park. Youll find plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, and many options for lodging in Springdale. This popular museum is home to many great historical aircraft and aviation equipment that you see right up close. (702) 397-2088 direct phone number to the park headquartersFlint Stephens, who lives in Highland, has a master's degree in communication from Brigham Young University. The big draw for experienced hikers is Angels Landing, a dangerous trek with narrow paths and steep drops on either side. Beaver Dam, Ariz . Of all the state parks in the St George area, Quail Creek has the most beautiful reservoir. St George's affection for art and nature is reflected in Kayenta, an isolated community in the desertscapes northwest of the city. Biking paths connect to the, trailhead, where petroglyphs are easy to spot. Want a room with a crazy view? We did the drive during a week in the winter when traffic wasnt bad at all. 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. See for yourself with a visit to. There's also a labyrinth and performing arts center with a stage for small events. Ask about the daily catch, flown in within 24 hours of being pulled from the ocean. This short hike is incredibly picturesque, with rock formations laced with white, pink, and red stripes that resemble ripples in . It is a 45 minute drive from the park to Zion National Park and 20 minutes to St George. The story of St. George is much like other Utah cities. Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon Road Trip Itinerary Sand Hollow is a reservoir surrounded by red rocks and sand, resembling a trippy beach-on-Mars atmosphere. With exhibits inside and a tranquil garden outside, the museum is a great place to visit while wandering the city. Drink (yes, there's actually good booze in St. George), In recent years, Utah has loosened its grip on strict drinking laws. Las Vegas to st. George - St. George Message Board - Tripadvisor Thomas Judd's Store Co. (or "Old Judd's") is the oldest business still actively operating in St. George. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. Its a perspective you can not get from the ground. Youll see the incredible wavy formations that are out of this world! This and the Rainbow Vista Trail were our favorite spots. Is there anything interesting to see or do between Las Vegas and Zion It's also a great intro to outdoor bouldering if you're strictly a gym climber. 12 Top-Rated Things to Do on the Isle of Arran. Virgin River Gorge Drive on Interstate 15 Between Las Vegas and St George. Prehistoric visitors included the Basket Maker people and the Anasazi Pueblo Indians. 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. drive for about 48 minutes. After soaking up the bright lights of Las Vegas, enjoy a relaxed . The Red Cliffs area is another stunner for red-rock scenery along your drive from Las Vegas to Zion. 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. The Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum tells their story through interactive exhibits and intricate displays. Another small town that youll want to be sure to check out is the historic Pine Valley. Andrew James is the founder and managing editor of 24saltlake.com, a news and local events website in Utah. 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. Dont let the fact that its a state park fool you.