Top Things to do in Utah
Top Hotels in Utah
- 1. Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites
- 2. Best Western Plus Abbey Inn
- 3. Abbey Inn & Suites
- 4. Best Western Plus Ruby'S Inn
- 5. Hyatt Place Moab
- 6. Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel
- 7. Goulding's Lodge & Campground
- 8. Desert Pearl Inn
- 9. Bowen Motel
- 10. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham at Zion Park/Springdale
10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Utah That You Shouldn't Miss
Welcome to “The Greatest Snow on Earth” – Utah’s paradise for all outdoor enthusiasts! As host of the 2002 Winter Olympics, Park City knows how to entertain winter fun seekers. Snowboarders and skiers head for miles of spectacular slopes with deep fluffy powder and breathtaking mountain views. The Olympic Park provides family-friendly ski programs, rides and shows. Alta, Sundance, Snowbird and Brighton are other popular destinations for cross country and Alpine skiers. Those alluring snowy slopes turn to rolling wildflower fields in the summer. Golfing, fishing, horseback riding and water sports replace chilly outdoor sports adventures. Corral the family, pack a picnic and catch one of the ski lifts for an afternoon of hiking or mountain biking along scenic trails. Head to Salt Lake City, where Temple Square hosts millions of visitors a year. Bryce Canyon and Arches National Park are famous for surreal landscapes from horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters to unusual rock formations and hundreds of natural sandstone arches. Closer to home, wander along the quaint main streets of mountain villages to browse, shop and enjoy lunch at an outdoor café. At the end of the day, head home for an outdoor barbecue and an evening of games. Home rentals blend privacy, space and comfort with the cost-saving advantage of eating some meals at home.
Restaurants in Utah
1. Navajo/Queens Garden Loop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,703 reviews
2.9-mile hiking trail that leads to rock formations shaped like Queen Victoria and her garden.
Reviewed By JayG2720 - Frisco, United States
My wife and I Hike the combined Navajo/Queens Garden loop at Bryce Natl Park and really enjoyed it. Definitely would recommend it for anyone visiting the park as it was an easy to moderate hike that allows you to experience the hoo doo amphitheater up close and provides a great perspective looking up through them up to the ridge. Would agree with the recommendation to start at sunrise point and proceed clockwise as it gives you a much more gradual descent and leaves you a ascent to sunset point that provides great views of Thor’s Hammer and the overall amphitheater. Definitely a highlight of our four park circle tour this fall!
2. Scenic Byway of Highway 128
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 198 reviews
Popular 'road drive', along the Colorado River.
Reviewed By TravelingJohnB80 - Martinsburg, United States
Beautiful drive along the Colorado river. This road winds along the canyon walls along the Colorado river with stunning views.
3. Highway 12 Scenic Byway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 744 reviews
This 122-mile route, located in the southwestern region of the state, passes Bryce Canyon and the Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument.
Reviewed By CarElzSEA
Get BBQ in Tropic. Hike to Calf Creek Falls. Eat at Hells Backbone grill. Visit the Anasazi Museum. Allow extra time. Stay at the Prospector Inn, Escalante. Slowly drive the Hogback (and Hells Backbone). Here's the list of highlights along the road: Capitol Reef National Park Boulder Mountain Anasazi State Park Burr Trail Hell's Backbone Backway Hogback Calf Creek Falls Escalante River Trailhead Canyons of the Escalante Upper Valley Granaries Escalante Petrified Forest State Park The Blues Overlook Grand Staircase National Monument Kodachrome Basin State Park Bryce Canyon National Park Red Canyon The problem is having enough time!
4. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,463 reviews
Best Friends Animal Society is the only national animal welfare organization focused exclusively on ending the killing of dogs and cats in America's shelters. An authority and leader in the no-kill movement, Best Friends runs the nation's largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals, as well as lifesaving programs in partnership with rescue groups and shelters across the country. Since its founding in 1984, Best Friends has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters nationwide from 17 million per year to about 4 million. That means there are still over 9,000 dogs and cats killed in shelters each day. And we will not be done until that number is zero. Best Friends has the knowledge, technical expertise and on-the-ground network to end the killing and Save Them All(R).
Reviewed By SDubs24 - Boulder, United States
This was our second visit to the sanctuary. We've done the grand sanctuary tour and the Dog Town tour - both were really great (and free!) On the grand sanctuary tour we visited with a bunch of cats and met a very sweet old dog in the senior area. They do amazing work here and the land is absolutely stunning. They have dogs, cats, birds, horses, wild animals, you name it! It's worth an hour or two of your time, and if you're able, you should definitely donate to this fabulous organization. They truly care about animals and are doing great work nationwide. I'd recommend booking your tour online in advance, they fill up fast.
5. Canyon Overlook Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 911 reviews
This one-mile hiking trail starts just outside the east entrance to the Zion-Mt Carmel Tunnel, and leads to a dramatic observation point that provides impressive views of Zion's rugged landscape.
Reviewed By W2076UIrhondam - Richmond, United States
This was our first hike of our trip. Definitely a great one. The end view of the canyon will take your breath away. We saw mountain goats and mule deer along the trail as well. Very nice!
6. Calf Creek Falls Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 635 reviews
It takes time to get to, but Calf Creek falls are a recommended site to visit.
Reviewed By Global_Traveller11 - Salt Lake City, United States
Great 6 mile hike that was mostly easy with a couple of moderate spots. Fantastic views, some good shady spots and the waterfall at the end was really worth the effort to make it to the end!
7. Moki Dugway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 350 reviews
Reviewed By F3150RGsharons
We did as part of a day tour from the North 261, including Muley Point, Moki Dugway & Goosenecks SP. We read many reviews of the Moki here, so no surprises. We were in a 1 ton Dodge Dually, 8' wide. So, the road is narrow in places for wide vehicles. If you pay attention to oncoming traffic, you can pull over in spots & turnoffs. There are several pullouts /wide spots to take pics. We passed maybe 6 cars/suvs. As a driver, it is best to just focus straight ahead and pay attention to where you are going (Duh!). My wife is a white knuckler and had no problem. We talked to a guy coming down and was only vaguely aware this was here. So, read about 30 reviews, be prepared for the road, drive slow & carefully, take you time, take pics, pull over. The best free ride in America!!
8. The Wave at Coyote Buttes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 315 reviews
The Wave is a sandstone rock formation located near Big Water, Utah on the slopes of the Coyote Buttes, in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, on the Colorado Plateau. It is famous among hikers and photographers for its colorful, undulating forms, and the rugged, trackless hike required to reach it.
Reviewed By TonyZ266
Epic and surreal experience beyond any language can describe! The permit system limits 20 visitors a day and that made everyone’s experience so private and personal! It also protects the WAVE hugely!
9. South Coyote Buttes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 256 reviews
Reviewed By olgasX5785ZL
If you are up to remote, difficult to reach and unique places, then South Coyote Buttes are the must. It was unforgettable experience. Breathtaking views. We have not met even a single person other than our group during all our visit there... I highly recommend to invest in tour guide for two reasons: 1. The guide would definitely show you much more than you can find on your own; 2. The part of the road to reach both trailheads (especially Cottonwood cove) requires special vehicle and driving experience. Shon (Dreamland safari tours) was not only knowledgeable about the geology, history and nature of the place but also was a full of funny stories. I enjoyed every minute of this 9 hour tour.
10. Corona Arch
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 994 reviews
Reviewed By Inspire792823 - Rio Rancho, United States
Great trail that gives you aspects of Arches and Canyonlands without the crowds! Recommend combining with the Pinto Arch trail, with help of Alltrails App, for overall great hike and views!
