[floridaorange]

Would be great to hear about any not so obvious destinations to take my family to see while we are there this summer.

These are our plans so far, our boys are 4 yr old & 10 yr old yrs old.

Also debating on where to rent a car with unlimited mileage out there...


Wed, Jul 12th —-- Las Vegas, NV
Arrive 11pm
Stay: hotel tbd

Thur, July 13th
Drive to Grand Canyon, AZ ( 5hrs)
Stay: Grand Canyon Lodge (north rim)
Arrive by 2pm

Friday, July 14th
Check out the Grand Canyon in the morning
Drive to Kanab, Utah (1.45hrs)
Airbnb:
Jul 14 – 16 · 4 guests

Saturday, July 15th
Drive to: Antelope Canyon, AZ

Sunday, July 16th
Drive to: St George, Zion National Park

Sunday, July 16th - need hotel
Zion day #2

Monday, July 17th

Park City, Ut - TBD

Deer Valley, Ut - TBD

Friday July 21st

Return home

[2000cs]

If you haven’t been there, Zion the road goes through the bottom of the canyon. Lots of nice hikes, and if you’re lucky enough to have it rain, the water flows and waterfalls are beautiful.

Bryce Canyon, not on your list, the road goes along the rim. Totally different views.

I’ve never been to the north rim of the GC. Last time I was at the south rim (2012), we took a day tour that included jeeps, raft and plane. That gave us great views of the canyon, a tour to Antelope (jeeps there, then hike through IIRC), and a raft ride on the easy part of the canyon (east end). Some or all of that might be fun for your kids.

Also at the south rim, need to reserve in advance, is the mule ride into the canyon. I did that 55 years ago, with my parents and brothers/sisters, and we still talk about it. We talk about it as kids would: mules farting, shitting, smells, sweat, etc. Laughing all the time.

[CTinline-six]

Moab, Utah.

[diirk]

There's the Olympic Training Facility near Park City which is pretty interesting.

You can drop into Salt Lake City from there pretty easily too, which has a nice zoo and pretty decent aquarium and natural history museum.

[BMWGUYinCO]

You absolutely should visit Moab - it's incredibly beautiful.

[bagekko]

The skywalk at the Grand Canyon.

Make sure you are aware of any reservations or conditions to visiting Zion, etc. Zion two years ago you needed a reservation for the bus which was hard to get else you were stuck with no where to go.

In St George take your kids to Thunder Junction park, kids love it.

Snow Canyon State Park in St George is great.

Moab is awesome, if unable to get into Arches go to Canyonlands National & Dead Horse State Park.

The restaurant at Deer Valley has a very good Sunday Brunch. Taking the Gondola up to the top of Snow Basin for Sunday brunch is good if they offer it.

Driving out to the Bonneville Salt Flats, nothing to do out there but an option.

Antelope Island & State Park, opportunity to see good wild life. But be prepared, in the summer I call it bug island.

Get the National Park pass, it will pay for itself if hitting so many national parks. Utah has 5; Zion, Arches, Capital Reef, Bryce Canyon, & Canyonlands.

[2000cs]

If you’re touring the entire state, in the NE corner is Vernal, home of Dinosaur Nat’l Monument or Park. Went there as a kid and enjoyed seeing the fossils and fakes. I’m sure it is much more developed half-a-century later.

[diirk]

Originally Posted by 2000cs

If you’re touring the entire state, in the NE corner is Vernal, home of Dinosaur Nat’l Monument or Park. Went there as a kid and enjoyed seeing the fossils and fakes. I’m sure it is much more developed half-a-century later.

With that said, there's a smaller Dinosaur Park in Ogden area that's a lot closer to Park City.

[bagekko]

Also have a Dino museum thing in Moab, can't miss it as on the main road to Arches also intersection of road to Canyonlands/Dead Horse. It's an ok place. We used as it as filling time for the kids.

Originally Posted by diirk

With that said, there's a smaller Dinosaur Park in Ogden area that's a lot closer to Park City.

[bagekko]

Also since visiting in summer, always have a ton of water, even if going on small hike/trail, never be without. Stay hydrated as very easy to become dehydrated.

[KevinC]

If you're an animal lover, visit Best Friends sanctuary in Kanab. When we vacationed in the area a few years ago, we overnighted there and volunteered for 2 days, it was an incredible experience..

https://bestfriends.org/sanctuary

[floridaorange]

Can’t thank you all enough - incredibly helpful ideas!

Will respond in more detail tomorrow but these are great reccomendations!

My brother in law and his wife might be joining us with their 2 boys as well.

[floridaorange]

Any suggestions for where to stay in Park City, our kids are 4 and 10.

[bagekko]

If you are not skiing I wouldn't suggest staying in Park City, not that much to do there its a half day visit if not skiing. There is the High West whiskey distillery which does tours during the week I've been meaning to get to. Park City Peaks Hotel is a new decent hotel on the main road before you get to the ski area part and shouldn't be expensive. Stein Erikson Lodge at Deer Valley is our fav place.

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Any suggestions for where to stay in Park City, our kids are 4 and 10.

[diirk]

Originally Posted by bagekko

If you are not skiing I wouldn't suggest staying in Park City, not that much to do there its a half day visit if not skiing. There is the High West whiskey distillery which does tours during the week I've been meaning to get to. Park City Peaks Hotel is a new decent hotel on the main road before you get to the ski area part and shouldn't be expensive. Stein Erikson Lodge at Deer Valley is our fav place.

2nd Stein Erikson lodge. It's also our favorite place to stay, plus they have a shuttle that runs downtown, so you don't have to hassle with parking. Not sure what there is to do for the kids though.

[chassis]

Zion
Bryce
Moab
Arches
Canyonlands

[floridaorange]

Leaving tonite - added many of the recommendations to our list! Excited for the change of scenery and memories, regardless of the sweltering heat . Bringing camel packs!

[KevinC]

2 words : Monument Valley

[RobotDoctor]

Bryce Canyon is so worth a visit. Amazing colors!

[dougt.ah3]

I like scenic drives ...
Take Hwy 12 between Escalante and Torrey and if you are adventurous take Moki Dugway on Rte 261 and if you have 4x4 with clearance the Shafer Trail. There are a few drives you could take while in the Park City area ... Mirror Highway, Guardsman Pass, Alpine loop.

And as someone mentioned earlier Monument Valley rt 163 heading from Utah to Arizona

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by dougt.ah3

I like scenic drives ....Alpine loop...

When we lived in SLC, we took the Alpine loop every year at fall.

[floridaorange]

Day 2 - weather isn’t too bad - so used to extreme humidity the dry heat is easy. 😂