Are you on the lookout for a holiday destination that is different from places you’ve explored?
Do you enjoy immersing yourself in the wonders of nature?
If your answer to the above questions is yes, we’ve just the place for your next vacation. If you haven’t already guessed, we’re talking about the lovely city of St. George, Utah. A place where you can explore a different side of the United States that is not as glamorous yet is just as beautiful.
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St. George – the City
Situated just at the Utah-Arizona border, St. George is a beautiful valley town at the bottom of the Great Basin, right next to the Colorado Plateau. The city is technically an extension of the Mojave desert. St. George is full of trails, dunes, and sandstone cliffs, making it an excellent outdoor spot. Additionally, with settlements dating back to the 18th century, the city has a rich history that is still evident from the rich culture and traditions of locals. Hence, St. George has a lot to offer whether you’re looking for adventure or a relaxing time exploring the city and its history. To help you plan your trip, we’ve put together this list of our favorite activities in St. George.
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Where to Stay
Before you begin planning your activities, it is necessary to figure out where you want to stay while on vacation. You can always book just another hotel in town with a simple bed and breakfast; however, your lodging must be impeccable to make your St. George experience special. At hotels, that standard comes at a steep price. Fortunately, a better option will help make your St. George vacation the best of your life – vacation rentals.
Vacation rentals in St George, Utah, are a fantastic alternative to hotels as they offer a much more immersive experience and a higher standard of service at a fraction of the price. Based on your needs, you can find vacation rentals with anywhere from 2 – 14 bedrooms. Plus, you can find amenities such as private pools, hot tubs, and even pet-friendly accommodations. This way, you can experience a comfortable and luxurious stay without breaking the bank. With your lodging arrangements out of the way, let’s look at the activities on offer at St. George.
Fun Things to do in St. George, Utah
- Historic Sightseeing
If you’re a history buff or identified as an old soul, you can spend your time in St. George with historical sightseeing. As an 18th-century settlement, the town has a lot of spectacular structures, such as the famous Mormon Temple and the Brigham Young Winter House. Both buildings are classic late 19th-century architectural marvels that still contain furniture and elements from the time they were constructed.
As a visitor, especially at the Brigham Young Winter House, you will be transported back in time as you enter the entirely preserved house and see firsthand how life was lived in that era. You can also pay a visit to Judd’s Store, a retail store in St. George that has been around since 1909! Still operating from its original building, Judd’s store is an experience in itself.
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- Nature Walk in the Park
One of the most popular attractions in St. George is the Red Hills Desert Garden, which is the state’s first interactive garden. A 5-acre conservation garden, the Red Hills is home to thousands of unique plants and several endangered aquatic animals. In addition, the park also has a replica canyon that makes for fabulous photographs, and last but not least, actual prehistoric dinosaur tracks dating back 200 million years.
There are also other beautiful parks that you can visit while in St. George, Utah, such as Quail Creek State Park, Sand Hollow State Park, or Pioneer Park. These parks offer recreational activities such as campsites, fishing, paddle boating, swimming, and other activities. If you’re traveling with kids, you can visit the Town Square Park, where your little one can take a ride on the carousel or jump in the splash pad while you can take in the gorgeous 19th-century architecture surrounding the park.
- Hike across the Rocks
With Zion National Park just an hour’s drive away, St. George is the perfect station to plan a hiking day. With beautiful hiking trails such as the Emerald Pools and Taylor Creek, a hiking day at Zion is a wonderful experience as you explore the gorgeous rock formations and canyons. Additionally, if you get tired of hiking, you can always explore the park by visiting attractions such as the Weeping Rock or the Checkerboard Mesa.
However, if a visit to Zion may seem too far off, you can go to the Snow Canyon State Park, which is 13 miles away from St. George. At less than half an hour’s distance, you can easily visit the Snow Canyon any day and try hiking, rock climbing, biking, and all other activities without traveling as far.
- Catch a Show at Tuacahn
The Tuacahn Amphitheater is among the crown jewels of St. George. Opened in 1995, the Tuacahn is a huge part of the cultural scene in St. George. The outdoor amphitheater is constructed inside a canyon, and the red rock backdrop makes every performance in the Tuacahn all the more brilliant. The amphitheater also houses an in-house café and hosts a Saturday market, giving local artists and craftsmen a platform.
In the past three decades, the Tuacahn has produced over 60 musicals and hosted hundreds of live concerts, which the residents and visitors to St. George have cherished. With great credits to boast of, people rave about the performances at the Tuacahn. Therefore, whenever you visit St. George, catch at least one show at the Tuacahn. Not only Tuacahn hosts live concerts, but they have also produced more than sixty musical theatre productions.
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Final Words
St. George has progressed immensely in the past few decades, partly due to the proximity to Bryce Canyon and Zion, which have also made it a popular tourist stop. Due to this, the town has grown to have all the amenities of a big city while maintaining its charm and culture as a small town. If you, like us, appreciate the beauty of mountains, rocks, and deserts, just as much as you do the deep blue seas and lush green forests, don’t waste any more time and book your trip to St. George.