To Download the Mighty Utah Vacation Itinerary
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
SUGGESTED ITINERARY DAY 1: Bryce Canyon ● Swing by the Garfield County Tourism Office when you arrive in Panguitch 55 South Main Street ● On your way to Bryce Canyon- check out Red Canyon, part of the Dixie National Forest. There are great hikes here for kids, the best ones are located near the Visitor Center in Red Canyon. ● Lunch ideas/suggestions: Before you get to Bryce you can stop in Panguitch for lunch. Ideas in Panguitch include- Big Fish Family Restaurant, Henrie’s Drive in, Cowboy’s Smokehouse or head to the Bryce Canyon Pines on Highway 12- Save room for pie. ● Head into Bryce and hike, visit the visitor’s center (jr. ranger stuff available). Another great hike in Mossy Cave, it is outside of Bryce along Highway 12 toward Tropic. ● Dinner ideas: IDK BBQ in Tropic, The Pizza Place, Bryce Canyon Pines, Ruby’s Inn Cowboy Steakhouse. ● Overnight: Best Western Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel: DAY 2: Bryce Canyon ● Visit more of Bryce Canyon or Red Canyon ● Check out Kodachrome Basin State Park ● Willis Creek Slot Canyon- it is before you get to Kodachrome, take a right on a road called Skutumpah (there is an old log house, some picnic tables and some windmill looking things) it is a couple of miles down a dirt road and you will see a dirt parking lot. You go across the dirt road and you are into the slot canyon. Most people just walk down it and come back, they go as far as they feel the want. DON’T GO IF IT IS RAINY. ● If you want to drive as far as Escalante you can hike Calf Creek Falls (well worth it) It is a six mile hike round trip, but the end result of the waterfall is refreshing after the hike. ● Lunch in Escalante ○ Escalante Outfitters, Georgie’s Outdoor Mexican Cafe ● Overnight: Best Western Bryce Canyon Grand DAY 3: Utah’s Canyon Country ● Arrive at Natural Bridges National Monument around 1-2pm (5 hrs from Bryce Canyon via Hwy 24 & Hwy 95) ● Drive the 8-mile loop at Natural Bridges w/stops at overlooks or hikes to one or more of the 3 natural stone bridges. (If the visitor center has re-opened by the time of your visit, they have one of the best Jr. Ranger booklets for young children! Also available online HERE) ● Descend the Moki Dugway for breathtaking views of Valley of the Gods, the San Juan River canyons, and Monument Valley in the distance. ● Check out the largest entrenched river meander in North America at Goosenecks State Park. (Think Horseshoe Bend x 3!!) ● Check in at Bluff Dwellings Resort ● Dinner at Comb Ridge Eat & Drink (Their burgers are AMAZING or for a southwestern flare, try the Smoked Bison Tostada) ● Enjoy views of the red rock bluffs from the Pool/Hot tub or roast marshmallows in one of the communal fire pits at Bluff Dwellings DAY 4: Utah’s Canyon Country ● Breakfast at Twin Rocks Cafe (To eat like a local, try the Navajo Blue Corn Pancakes or Eggs Atsidi) ● ½ Day Float Trip on the San Juan River or Land-based tour w/Wild Expeditions- same owner as Bluff Dwellings, trips depart from your hotel. (Lunch may or may not be included depending on the trip you choose.) ● Lunch (if not included on your tour) at the Crazy Crow Cafe at Twin Rocks. (Build your own Navajo Taco/Burrito/Salad) ● Head 25 miles north to Blanding to enter an authentic, restored Kiva and view the largest collection of Ancestral Puebloan artifacts in the Four Corners region at Edge of the Cedars State Park & Museum. (Hrs: 10am-4pm, Closed Sundays) ● Explore Nations of the Four Corners, Bowling at Canyon Country Bowling Center, or Recapture Reservoir (swim/paddle board- rentals available from Wild Expeditions) ● Dinner at Patio Diner in Blanding, UT (To eat like a local, ask for the ‘Houston Burger’... it’s not on the menu but is available for those who are in the know!) ● Enjoy views of the red rock bluffs from the Pool/Hot tub or roast marshmallows in one of the communal fire pits at Bluff Dwellings DAY 5: Moab ● Arrive in Moab and pick up boxed lunches at Sweet Cravings, 397 N Main St, Moab, UT 84532. ● Drive to Dead Horse Point State Park Visitors Center, and viewpoint stopping along Scenic Byway 313 for photos. then onto Canyonlands National Park stopping at the Visitors Center and then out to the view point. Go to www.discovermoab.com to find more information about all of our parks before you arrive. ● Return to Downtown Moab check into the MainStay/Sleep Inn Suites. Visit pool area and relax. 356 S Main St Building A, Moab, UT 84532 DAY 6: Moab ● Breakfast provided by MainStay/Sleep Inn Suites ● 8:00 AM head out to Arches National Park, hike to Delicate Arch, The Windows, stopping at other locations for pictures. ● Drive out to Red Cliffs Lodge for Lunch and visit the Movie Museum located in the lower level of Red Cliffs Lodge’s main building. Mile Post 14 Hwy 128, Moab, UT 84532. ● Visit Bolder Park located at 128 and 191 to visit the children’s climbing area, and take a walk over the walking bridge over the Colorado River. There are art sculptures on the bridge and is very scenic. ● Drive over to Scenic Byway 279 to see the Rock Art and head back into Moab by 3:00 pm. ● Visit the Moab Information Center they are open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm located at the corner of Center and Main Street. Make sure to watch the movie about the history of Moab. Visit all the shops on Main Street and view sculptures installed around town. ● If possible, head to Panorama Point at Arches National Park for Star Gazing evening. Day 7: Visit Dinosaurland ● Arrive in Vernal around Noon-Lunch ● Afternoon at Red Fleet State Park-Paddleboard, swim,Cliff Jump ● 4 PM Check into Dinosaur Inn and Suites ● Evening Hike at McConkie Ranch Petroglyphs ● Remember the Main Park (Super fun playground for kids and beautiful in the evening! ● Dinner before or after McConkie Ranch/Remember the Main Day 8: Visit Dinosaurland ● Breakfast at Hotel...it’s always everyone's favorite ● 9 am Dinosaur National Monument-Wall of Bones & Visitors Center ● 11 am Drive to Split Mtn Campground and visit the Green River ● 11:30 Josie's Cabin-Picnic Lunch (Pick up picnic lunch on the way to Dinosaur National Monument) ● Hike Box Canyon Trail ● Back to the hotel for Swimming at outdoor pool ● 4:00 pm Utah Field House of Natural History-Dinosaur Museum ● Dinner ● 6:45 pm PRCA Dinosaur RoundUp Rodeo Day 9: Go Heber Valley ● Arrive in Heber Valley around Noon-lunch at Midway Bakery ● Hike the Visitors Center Trail at Wasatch Mountain State Park (don’t forget sunscreen and water) ● Grab a cookie from Suss Cookies in Midway (they are all good and they let you sample them) ● Check-in at Zermatt Resort ● Swim/Soak in the Homestead Crater (reservation required) ● Dinner at Lola’s ● Play at the Main Street Park in Heber City July 10th Day 10: Go Heber Valley ● Breakfast at Judy’s Donuts in Midway (try the Oh Joy! donut) ● Kohler Dairy Farm Tour (tour departs at 11 am) ● Lunch at the Dairy Keen (chocolate covered raspberry shake is delish) ● Make a splash at Jordanelle State Park (play on the beach, paddleboard, or fish) ● Dinner at Zermatt’s Wildfire Smokehaus (try the Hillbilly fries) ● 6:30 pm Arrive at the Heber Valley Railroad Princess and Pirates themed train ride (train departs at 7 pm sharp) ● More swimming at the Zermatt’s pool Day 11: Play in Davis ● Arrive in Davis County. ● Lunch Suggestion: C & B Maddox Famous Chicken ● Check in to Hilton Garden Inn ● Head to SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium (touch, feed, and interact with a variety of marine life and other animals) ● Dinner: Holy Smoke BBQ ● Watch the sunset melt into the Great Salt Lake at the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve (beautiful wetland area with 1.3-mile boardwalk loop, watchtower, and tons of bird watching) Day 12: Play in Davis ● Suggested Breakfast at Sill’s Cafe (they are famous for their scones) ● 11 am- Lagoon (reservation required) ● Lunch at Lagoon. We recommend Lagoon’s Biergarten, or other options include Teriyaki Stix, Arby’s, Subway, Burger Express, Old Mill Grill, and more ● Lagoon Pioneer Village or Lagoon A Beach ● Dinner Recommendation: Santorini’s Greek Grill at Station Park ● Stay at Station Park for shopping, water fountain show, and children’s play area.