Utah has some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States. While the state is mainly recognized for its Mormon population, the state has a diverse range of landscapes which include pine forests, mountain valleys, and sand dunes.
Some of the most popular destinations for nature lovers and adventurers include Kings Peak, Lake Bonneville, Utah Lake, and Great Basin National Park. There are many popular cities in Utah, including Salt lake city, West Valley City, Provo, and Orem. However, one such city that is popular amongst tourists (foreign and domestic) is St. George.
The city is a treat for adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts. The city has a wide range of fun activities, which include water sports, large reservoirs, natural landscapes, eateries, national parks, and picture-perfect canyons. Even tourists who want a more casual travel experience have options like shopping districts, historical sites, and art galleries.
Things To Do In St George, Utah
1) Snow Canyon State Park
Snow Canyon State Park is considered as one of the best places to visit in the United States. Based in the Red Cliffs desert reserve, the park has some hypnotic landscapes that can not be found in any other part of the country.
Some of the popular features of Snow Canyon State Park include a canyon carved into the Navajo sandstone, lava flows, dunes, lava tubes, and the Santa Clara volcano. Some of the popular recreational activities in the Snow Canyon State Park include mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding.
2) Zion National Park
Considered one of the best attractions of St. George, Zion National Park is a must-visit for animal lovers as Zion National Park is host to a diverse variety of flora and fauna. This includes 75 mammals, 289 birds, and 32 reptile species.
Your experience is only enhanced by the surrounding sandstone cliff and the big sky of Utah. Some of the most popular sites in Zion National Park include the Virgin River, Zion Canyon, and Horse Ranch Mountain. Other fun features in Zion National Park include hiking trails, cannoneering adventures, and onsite camping grounds.
3) St.George Dinosaur Discovery Site
St. George’s dinosaur discovery site is an enjoyable attraction for both dinosaur enthusiasts and those who want to bring their children. Founded in 2000 by Dr. Sheldon Johnson, the man who was credited with the ‘paleontological jackpot,’ which means he found dinosaur footprints in his backyard.
The museum contains fossil exhibits, dinosaur footprints, fish exhibits, and model dinosaurs. The museum also hosts programs like paleontologist camps, lab tours, and paleo talks.
4) Quail Creek State Park
A tourist attraction that you can enjoy all year round, the Quail Creek State Park sets itself apart from other tourist destinations in St. George. With a 600-acre reservoir, the Quail Creek State Park is an ideal place for water sports, boating, and fishing. The best part about the reservoir is that the water remains warm for most of the year.
Some of the popular attractions within the park include two amazing dams. Apart from the water activities, Quail Creek State Park is also known for activities like hiking, wildlife observance, camping, horseback riding, dune climbing, and canyon exploring. Quail Creek State Park is an ideal tourist destination to visit both day and night.
5) Sand Hollow State Park
Sand Hollow State Park is one of the most awe-inspiring destinations in Utah and a must-visit place for all outdoor lovers. Apart from its vast regions of sand, the Sand Hollow State Park also has 1300 acres of the reservoir, which serves as an oasis for the scorching desert heat.
There are many fun things to do, like off-road experiences like camping, ATV riding, and water activities like fishing. If you are looking to extend your stay, then the park also has RV campgrounds.
6) Utah Pioneer Museum
The Utah Pioneer Museum or the McQuarrie Memorial Museum has some of the largest artifact collections in St. George’s history. If you want to get an in-depth look at the history of St. George, Utah, then the Utah Pioneer Museum is the ideal place to visit.
Some of the popular collections include luxury items, delicate finery, and large fixtures. The museum is managed by the St.George’s women’s organization, which always makes its best effort to maintain the museum and preserve its history.
7) Red Hills Desert Garden
While most famous gardens in the United States showcase similar plants, the Red Hills desert garden is unique as it showcases the flora and fauna of the desert.
The five-acre Red Hills garden has a variety of desert plant life and many cool ecological features like an epic slot canyon, a lovely stream, and, most interestingly, dinosaur tracks which are about 2000 years old. The dinosaur tracks in the Red Hills desert garden are used to direct visitors and showcase the garden.
8) Sears Art Museum Gallery
Established in 2004 with the sole focus of being the prime art gallery in St. George, the Sears Art Museum Gallery is a must-visit for art enthusiasts. The Sears Art Museum Gallery is home to a diverse collection of artwork ranging from traditional to contemporary art.
While art can take place in many forms, the museum focuses more on paintings. The museum hosts about six showcases annually to introduce new artwork from across the globe. The museum also has exhibits that talk about social stigma, women’s voices, and retrospective art.
9) Pioneer Park And Sugarloaf Loop
While St.George has many popular tourist attractions for outdoor activities, Pioneer Park and Sugar Loaf Loop are some of the best destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. The Pioneer Park is home to some of the most picturesque views in the state.
Some of the most popular views include sandstone red rocks, beautiful mountain views, desert plant life, rare bird species, and many more. It just takes 30 minutes to travel around the loop of Pioneer Park. In addition, the hiking trails in Pioneer Park are suitable for all types of hikers, regardless of their skill level.
10) Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum
If you are a fan of planes and fighter jets, then be sure to visit the western sky aviation warbird museum. The Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum serves as a homestead for some of the most popular warbirds.
This includes popular models like T38 Talon, MIG 15 UTI, F5, British jet provost, and Cessna T-37 tweet. Along with the models, the Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum also hosts informative placards and soldiers who served in aviation wartime history.
11) Kayenta Art Village
Another destination for art lovers, the Kayenta Art Village is located outside of St.George, Utah. Home to a diverse variety of art collections, the Kayenta art village has many sub-categories of art galleries. These include Datura Gallery, Hutch Studio, Gallery 873, Juniper Sky Gallery, Zia Pottery Studio, and Mystic Canon Light Gallery.
Apart from artwork, Kayenta Arts village is also home to a theater, gift shop cafeteria(Xetava Gardens Cafe), and an arboretum that is home to desert plant life and a labyrinth rose garden. Kayenta Art Village hosts festivals and special programs regularly. Such events include art festivals and painting workshops.
12) Rosenbruch World Wildlife Museum
One of the best places in St George to visit with your family, the Rosenbruch World Wildlife Museum helps its visitors get an in-depth understanding of different animal species. The museum has a large variety of animals from all seven continents.
Apart from figurines that look very similar to animals, the museum also has audio information next to each display. The audio assists visitors by providing information related to the animals, their habitats, and how the museum obtained them. If you bring your children along, then they can spend time in the interactive children’s exhibit.
13) Silver Reef Ghost Town
One of the most popular ghost towns in Utah, this historic site was once a former mining town. The town was active between 1884 and 1891. As the name suggests, the town was famous for its silver mining.
However, due to industrialization, people started leaving the town. There are several engrossing features of the Silver Reef Ghost town; these include an interpretive rail, an abandoned bank, and even living history shows.
14) St. George Historic Downtown
While St. George is known for its outdoor activities, the town is also popular for its historical sites. During the 19th century, the town was nicknamed ‘Dixie’ by religious leader Brigham Young.
St. George’s historic downtown is home to many popular places like the Ancestor Square Complex, civic sculptures, and historic statues. Downtown is also an ideal place for dining, shopping, arts, culture, and entertainment. You will explore many popular museums, eateries, and art galleries. In addition, there is also a downtown farmer’s market in the district.
15) Jacob Hamblin Home
Jacob Hamblin was a missionary who was influential in establishing the Mormon religion in Utah. He was also recognized as a peacemaker. He was known for improving the relations between Europeans and Indians.
In 1854, Brigham Young gave Jacob Hamblin the responsibility of leading the Santa Clara Indian Mission. Owing to his contributions to Utah, the Jacob Hamblin home has been carefully preserved for visitors. The Jacob Hamblin home is an ideal place for history enthusiasts.
16) St George Town Square
Located at the heart of the city, the town square park is the best place to spend quality time with your family and friends. The town square park has plenty of picnic areas, rivers, and even a splash pad.
However, the most popular attraction in the town square park is the St. George Carousel. A historic carousel whose origins date back to 1960, the St. George Carousel is ideal for children and also brings a feeling of nostalgia.
17) Palledin Hot Air Balloon Excursions
If you are tired of outdoor activities and visiting historical places, then the Palledin Hot Air balloon ride will serve as a unique experience.
Traveling in a hot air balloon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you can not miss out on. Getting an aerial view of St. George on the balloon serves as a breathtaking adventure for any outdoor lover. However, if you still have safety concerns, then you can rest assured as experienced pilots operate the balloon.
18) Brigham Young Winter House
As a state, Utah is recognized for many things, including its vast Mormon community. While we talked about Jacob Hamblin earlier, another pioneer in the Mormon religious movement was Brigham Young.
The Brigham Young Winter House was the home base of Brigham Young between 1870 and 1877. The house talks about the young background and how he made the Mormon community popular in Utah.
19) St.George Children’s Museum
This fun-filled museum is designed to engage children and let them learn about new concepts. With a total of 12 different exhibits, children can spend their entire day in the George Children’s Museum.
Some of the most popular exhibits include ‘Kids at Work,’ ‘The Farm,” Prehistoric Place,’ ‘Magic Castle’ and ‘Science Discovery Lab’ to name a few. Not only will your kids have fun, but they will also learn something new in the St.George Children’s Museum.
20) St.George Utah Temple
The first temple built by the Mormon community, the St.George Utah temple is an important religious center for the Mormons. Founded in 1877, St. George Utah Temple is one of the oldest in Utah and is still actively used.
Endnotes
St. George, Utah, is a mesmerizing place that you have to visit at least once in your life. Apart from the above-mentioned destinations, there are places like George City Art Museum, Green Gate Village, St George Narrows, and many more.
