Family from LA visiting Utah in Nov. (Salt Lake City, Sandy: ski resorts, fit in)

[Heidi1994]

Hey guys! I'm 16 years old and I've been begging my parents to take me to Utah this Thanksgiving because... well, judging from pictures, Utah is beautiful!!! Who wouldn't love that? Anyway, they'd much rather go to Las Vegas, and they said IF I could plan everything out (directions, gas, food, hotels, etc...), and show them what I come up with, and if they like it, they'd take me. We will be planning to go by car, in case you were curious. I'm sure I can figure out the directions and find places to eat, but I was wondering which cities are the best to stay in? I am looking for a place close to Salt Lake City. Maybe 10-20 min. away? I've heard good things about Murray and Sandy from people I know. Are those nice places to stay in? And how far away from SLC are they?

Oh, and anything I should expect if we go to Utah? Can you also give me some tips and facts about Utah?
I've been there a few times, but I was too young and I don't remember anything.

Thanks

[markg91359]

How many days do you have to see Utah?

[Heidi1994]

We don't know yet... maybe a week or so?
Oh, and we plan on staying in Vegas for one night- to take a break from all the driving.

[Heidi1994]

Anyone...? I could use some help...

[toby04]

Would you consider staying in the southern part of Utah? In November, you may encounter snow up north. You could focus on the southern part, only a couple of hours from Las Vegas, you could even stay in Mesquite, Nevada which has a few casinos. You could visit Zion, Bryce, Kolob, or even up to Moab. The weather is glorious in November. Tripadvisor is a great place for maps, hotel prices, reviews, etc.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

You can easily drive from Vegas to Springdale, UT which is the town for Zion National Park. I'm not sure the park is open in Nov, but the town is a quaint little place with some motels and good restaurants..

You can also go to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon from there. There aren't any motels right there but there is an expensive lodge. Again, not sure if open in Nov. When I planned a trip for mid-Sept., I was told that was possible to have snow, due to the elevation.

Bryce Nat'l Park is not even half a day north of Springdale and it is spectacular. There are a few motels near by. All of these areas may well have snow in Nov.

If there is no snow storm, it's about 6 hrs to Salt Lake City. We may or may not have snow on the ground but the streets are cleared quickly. It just depends on if it's a storm when you're driving. It's rare to get the kind of storm that you see on TV, with all the roads closed, but it can happen.

In SLC< you can visit Temple Square, which is very pretty and which has a history museum. You can go to a rehearsal of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The is an outdoor mall, the Gateway, which is downtown and it has movies, lots of restuarants, an IMAX, and stores. The U of U has an art museum and a natural history museum.

Good luck!

[MOlney]

As others have mentioned, you may have a better time in southern Utah in late November (Thanksgiving weekend, as you mentioned). You would probably be a little limited with tourist attractions in northern Utah during that time of year. Depending on when we get our snow storms, the ski resorts may or may not be open. Other outdoor activities would be limited, too cold for some and not enough snow for others. As SouthernBelle mentioned, Temple Square could be fun, depending on your interests (don't they turn on the Christmas lights during Thanksgiving weekend?).

I can find plenty to do with my family during that time of year, but I can't think about much in northern Utah that would really be worth making that drive during that time of year. From a tourist standpoint, I would say that probably the best times to visit northern Utah would be from about January to late September.

[markg91359]

You may want to try this trip, or sections of it.

Day 1: Drive north from Las Vegas on I-15. At Hurricane, just north of St. George, Utah, exit the freeway and take SR 9 to Springdale, Utah which is the entrance to Zion's National Park. If you make reservations now, you maybe able to get lodging in the Zion National Park Lodge inside the park. You can contact www.xantera.com.
Or, you can stay outside the park in one of the many motels in Springdale. You might want to have dinner at the Bit and Spur Restaurant which serves good Mexican food. www.bitandspur.com. If you have extra time that day, spend it just looking around Springdale shopping. You might want to consider trying to see the movie at the IMAX Theater there. You can call ahead and fine out what it will be. www.zioncanyontheatre.com.

Day 2: If you are staying at the Zion Park Lodge, the next step is easy. Walk across to the trails that go up the side of the hill across the street and take the Emerald Pool hike. I believe there is an upper and lower pool. I suggest you go all the way. When you are done continue up this side road that takes you to the lodge. You'll want to see the Weeping Rock and continue to the end of the road to the entrance to the Virgin River Narrows. After doing this, drive back to Highway 9 and continue eastbound through the park. You'll climb steep elevations and pass through tunnels. I believe you'll see the Great White Throne on the way. At the top of the mountain, you get to a place called "Checkerboard Mesa" which is a great example of how the forces of wind and rain shaped the rock here. Get out of your car and walk through it. Afterwards, continue onward on Highway 9 eastbound and out of the park. When you get to Mt. Carmel Junction and Highway 89 turn north and drive towards Panguitch. South of Panguitch, you'll get to the turn off for Bryce Canyon National Park on SR 12. Head east towards "Ruby's Inn". You might want to make reservations ahead of time and stay there. Ruby's Inn is a resort that is quite popular just outside Bryce Canyon National Park. WWW.Rubysinn.com. You may have time this day to venture into Bryce Canyon. If you do, my advice would be take a car trip along the road that runs along the ridge of Bryce Canyon going south. This road is about 15-20 miles in length, but well worth the trip. There are extensive overlooks where you can get out and view the magnificent red rock formations in the canyon. Take lots of pictures.

Day 3. This is the day you are going to hike a little ways down into Bryce Canyon. There is a trail that goes down into the canyon near the visitor's center, if I recall, its about a 3-4 mile roundtrip. You'll go down a redrock trail into rock formations. One formation I recall vividly is the "Hat Rack". You may see squirrels and chipmunks. You will see a few pine trees mixed in with these redrock formations. They make for great pictures. When you are done, get into your car and head out of the park eastwards towards the town of Tropic on State Road 12. You'll pass through two little towns, Henrieville and Cannonville. One has a picnic area if it happens to be lunchtime. Keep going towards the town of Escalante. There is an optional sidetrip east out of Escalante to see Escalante State Park. It has petrified wood and some other things, but its not essential sightseeing. You'll enter the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument as you approach the town of Escalante. Another sightseeing option near Escalante is a place called "Hell's Backbone" Again, this is totally optional, but an example of the rugged country you are passing through. Continue north on Highway 12. You'll reach the turn off soon for Calf Creek Falls. This is a campground and the beginning of a three mile (six mile round trip) hike to Calf Creek Falls. If you have time (which you probably won't) I'd do this. But you have already been on a big hike earlier that day if you follow my plan. Anyway, you can continue northward on Highway 12 until you get to Torrey. I would get lodging for the night at Torrey, Utah which is just outside Capitol Reef National Park. One possibility is the Sandstone Inn. www.capitolreefwonderland.com.

Day 4: Get up and drive into Capitol Reef National Park. You can spend alot of time here or a little. On a trip like this, I would just opt for the main road. You can see Indian Petroglyphs if you stop. Further east on the main road is a waterfall in the Fremont River which flows through the whole park. Definitely get out of your car and climb down to the falls. Its worth a picture or two. I'm pretty sure in November it will be too cold to get in the water. However, many people do during warmer months. There are some hiking options in the park, but nothing completely indispensable. You might want to stop at the Behunin Cabin on your way outside the park and see how some of the early pioneers who settled the area lived. As you leave the park on SR 24, you'll continue through Caineville and into Hanksville. Make sure your car is all gassed up. This is a very remote area of the USA with few facilities. At Hanksville turn south on SR 95. You'll drive right across the Colorado River on a beautiful steel span bridge. Some people stop their cars and take photos of the bridge from a distance. You'll eventually reach Natural Bridges National Monument. You can stop your car and see a couple of the natural bridges formed by water over the millenium. This shouldn't take an inordinately long time though. Keep going on SR 95 until you reach the junction with US 191. Turn north and drive through the "largest city" in San Juan County, Blanding. It has about 3000 people. You'll than drive north through Monticello. About 30 miles north of Monticello a natural arch is visible from the highway. Stop at Wilson's Arch and take a picture if you want. You'll drive north past "Hole in the Rock" which is privately owned and is an optional tour if you want to spend the money and take the time. You'll than drive into Moab, where I suggest you spend the night. I won't name any hotels here. There are many to choose from. I will suggest if you are there on a holiday or weekend time, you have a room booked in advance.

Day 5: Get up and drive northeast about three miles outside of Moab to the entrance to Arches National Park. This is something you do not want to miss. Drive into Arches in the morning for two reasons: You'll avoid some of the crowds. You'll take better pictures before shadows form in the afternoon. I would definitely go to Delicate Arch first thing and do the Delicate Arch hike. On the way there, you can take pictures of these rock formations: Balancing Rock, the Three Pioneer Women; and the Lion. The Delicate Arch hike is about 2 miles each way. Its a steep uphill climb at points, so be prepared. Have a jacket and a little water with you. After completing this hike, go to the area of the park called "The Windows". You can see and photograph four separate natural arches here if you want. My favorite is Turret Arch. If you aren't tired yet, go up to the end of the road in the park to the Devil's Garden. You can take a beautiful and interesting hike here among rock formations. After completing these things, you can leave Arches. If you still haven't had enough, you can go hike along "Park Avenue". The signs will direct you through this wash and rock formations. When you are done, I think its best to try and drive all 250 miles to Salt Lake City. If you spend alot of time in Arches, you will get there late, so book a hotel there. I would try to be somewhere near the downtown area.

Day 6: You see downtown Salt Lake. I'd definitely go to Temple Square although some remodeling is being done. I'd go to the Church Office Building and take the elevator up 20+ floors to the observation deck. Its quite a view looking down at the city. Than I'd wander a block or two over to the Church Conference Center. Take the tour of the building and make sure they show you the roof. This structure is designed with waterfalls, desert plants, and memorials to the early pioneers. The final place I would see downtown is the State Capitol Building. It was recently renovated to make it earthquake proof and is a very beautiful building.

DAY 7: Drive the 440 miles back to Las Vegas on I-15.

I hope this is helpful. If you don't have seven days, you could speed up portions of this trip, by not stopping so often or taking so many hiking trips. You can see that I emphasize the outdoor portion of Utah over Salt Lake City. Good luck and have fun!

[aussie_american]

Wow markg has some great suggestions. It's a lot of driving and sight-seeing to fit into 7 days but I've been everywhere he has suggested (not in one trip) and it is all well worth seeing. The only thing I would add relates to Salt Lake City:-

-There's not likely to be enough snow in Salt Lake City around Thanksgiving for good skiing, but a drive up one of the canyons to have lunch or dinner at one of the resorts could be pretty.

- Park City would be an interesting alternative to visit for lunch or dinner. It's about an hours drive from Salt Lake. There are plenty of good places to eat at and a very interesting main street with lots of stores selling local arts & crafts that are interesting to window-shop in if you're not looking to buy. Again the drive can be quite pretty even if there's not much snow around.

-Temple Square has an amazing Christmas light display that is turned on at Thanksgiving (you don't have to be Mormon to visit the square) and it is well worth taking a stroll around the gardens at night to see all the lights.

- You might also consider a visit to Antelope Island which lies in Great Salt Lake and is connected by a causeway so it's an easy drive from Salt Lake City. The island is a state park and is a great place to see buffalo/bison and to get a good view of the Great Salt Lake itself. There is a visitors center there that has some interpretive displays and information about the geological history of the area.

[Heidi1994]

Wow thank you everyone!