Located at the doorstep of Zion National Park, the town of St George is often used as a jumping-off point for travelers looking to explore the nearby canyons and deserts of Utah.
St George brings in visitors from all around the world, and for a good reason too. With cozy hotels that’ll make you feel right at home, restaurants serving up delicious meals, and a quaint small-town feel, staying in St George is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip!
Visiting Zion National Park is a given for any traveler creating an itinerary to St George, but there are tons of other museums and parks around the city that will have you scratching your head wondering what to do first.
That’s exactly why we created the list of all the best things to do in St George, Utah! With everything from hiking trails to restaurants, you’ll be able to find what places best suit how you like to travel.
After just a few more clicks, you’ll be heading out on an adventure unlike any other!
25 Best Things to do in St George, Utah
Table of Contents
1. Explore the Historic Downtown
St George has been occupied by everyone from dinosaurs to pioneers; therefore, you can expect the town to have a rich history! Simply by walking through the downtown, you can see the traditional American and Mormon influences in the architecture!
In St George’s downtown, you’ll find so many museums, parks, and restaurants that it’ll make your head spin! One thing you won’t want to miss is the downtown farmers market, which will put the culture of the town on full display.
2. Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum
After days of hiking, you might need to have a day in town to kick back and relax before heading out on your next adventure. The Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum is the perfect place to recuperate while learning more about St George’s rich history.
More than 170 years ago, pioneers began to settle in what is now known as St George. The Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum tells their story through interactive exhibits and intricate displays.
3. Historic Pine Valley
Are you looking to explore more of the culture around St George? Another small town that you’ll want to be sure to check out is the historic Pine Valley. In this city, you’ll find everything from historic Mormon churches to hiking trails.
Some of the things you won’t want to miss while visiting Pine Valley are the Pine Valley Chapel and the Pine Valley Reservoir. After spending time learning about the first settlers in the region at the church, the reservoir will take you wandering among the pines that the town is named after.
4. Jacob Hamblin Home
You can’t divide the history of St George from the Mormon religion. The very founding of the city is thanks to Mormon settlers. If you’re looking to learn more about local history and pioneers moving out west, be sure to visit the Jacob Hamblin Home.
The Jacob Hamblin Home is now a museum that takes travelers through the life of Hamblin and the settling of Utah by pioneers.
Due to his work with local Native American tribes and the spreading of the Mormon religion, Hamblin has earned a place of respect amongst Mormons and indigenous people alike.
5. Painted Pony Restaurant
So, you’ve already discovered what museums to visit and what trails to hike. The next question on your mind must be, “where can we eat?” While in St George, you’ll find plenty of cafes, but the one place that stands out from the rest is the Painted Pony Restaurant.
Featuring up-scale decor that embodies the local culture of St George, eating at the Painted Pony is an experience in itself. With delicious meals and mouth-watering desserts, you’ll quickly find yourself asking for seconds.
6. Dinosaur Track Museum
If you have been to any museum of natural history, you’re sure to have seen dinosaur bones and footprints on display.
These extinct beasts are no stranger to St George, but many scientists simply dig up the bones and distribute them throughout the country. This is not the case at the Dinosaur Track Museum.
Rather than taking you inside a building, a roof covers the original tracks and footprints of dinosaurs at this museum. While visiting, you’ll be able to visualize what it was like when these creatures actually roamed the earth.
With fascinating exhibits, the Dinosaur Track Museum tops the list of best things to do in St George.
7. Red Hill Desert Garden
When most people think of a desert, what comes to mind is rocks and sand. Little do they know that Utah’s desert is actually teeming with life.
You could hike down a trail to view some of the wonderful flora of the desert, but St George’s Red Hill Desert Garden brings over 5,000 different species to one place.
Although small, lovers of all things growing will have their minds blown with the numerous cacti and other plants in the garden. There are even exhibits where you can get a closer look at how plants and animals thrive in a barren landscape.
8. St George City Art Museum
Showcasing local art from various cultures, the St George City Art Museum will deepen your appreciation for all the different people and landscapes of Utah.
With everything from intricate pottery to detailed paintings, there are so many different interpretations and representations of life in St George
The St George City Art Museum is a great place to escape the heat and rest your feet while exploring one of the best sights in the area. With exhibits inside and a tranquil garden outside, the museum is a great place to visit while wandering the city.
9. St George Temple
It doesn’t matter if you’re interested in architecture, history, or religion; St George Temple is a place that all visitors should add to their itinerary.
Built all the way back in 1877, St George Temple is known as the first of its kind in Utah. Even if you’re not a church member, the architecture alone is more than enough to have you pulling out your cameras.
With its rich history and stunning design, this is one sight you’ll want to be sure to visit.
10. Dixie Sugarloaf & Pioneer Park
St George, Utah is a unique place surrounded by towering red rock mountains and from the moment you enter this historic town your eyes will be on the large white letters painted on the side of one of those cliffs.
The word Dixie probably won’t mean anything to you until you spend a few days here exploring, but one of the best ways to find out what it means is to head up that mountain to where it’s painted.
Where those large white letters reside is one of the best public playgrounds for locals and visitors called Pioneer Park. This is also one of the best places to take in a view over St George.
There are large boulders for you to climb, hills to summit, trails for you to hike, and also plenty of canyons to squeeze through.
We suggest spending some at Pioneer Park Either at the beginning of the day or at the end of the day to avoid the high sun and intense heat.
11. Town Square Park
We’ve been to many great parks in our travels but one that impressed us was the Town Square Park in St George. It’s one of those places where you can sit alone and read a book or bring the family to play around.
It’s a great green space with a splash of water fountains, walking paths, and works of art throughout. One of the most popular features is the 45 foot Heritage Tower that has eight-foot stained glass windows that depict moments in St. George’s history.
12. St George Carousel
St George is filled with many great things to do with kids and one of our favorites is riding the historical carousel in St George Town Square.
This classic carousel has horses with sleighs, bright lights and the traditional carousel music playing for visitors to enjoy. This carousel is impressive, in good condition and is a must-see for anybody visiting the town.
13. Green Gate Village
Utah is filled with many great historical locations that to this day can transport you back in time. The Green Gate Village offers visitors to St George the opportunity to transport back in time to when pioneers and settlers from the east made this desert landscape their home.
Explore each reconstructed building that has deeply rooted historical significance as you learn about the past and present of St George. The buildings have loads of character and offer the opportunity to see inside them when you shop the various stores they now house.
14. Judd’s Store
Don’t forget to stop in Judd’s Store that’s tucked just off the busy main street. This historical old fashioned general store looks to be plucked right out of an old western. It’s just missing Jim Hardie and a few tied up horses outside.
Judd’s Store is the oldest ongoing business establishment in St George. It dates all the way back to the early 1900s and played a vital role in the early days of Dixie (St George).
Today the store is restored and provides a portal into the past offering ice cream, candy, sodas, and light meals to visitors right from the vintage storefront.
15. Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum
The history of flight is fascinating from its start to the present time and there’s no better way to learn about it than visiting the Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum.
This popular museum is home to many great historical aircraft and aviation equipment that you see right up close. There are many personal stories behind each artifact transporting you through history.
16. Rosenbruch World Wildlife Museum
Any wildlife lover visiting St George should visit the Rosenbruch World Wildlife Museum. It has over 300 taxidermy animals from all around the world displayed in a natural habitat transporting visitors to locations like Africa and the Amazon with their in-depth audio presentation.
Learn about the world’s wildlife, how we need to protect them, stories and much more about each and every animal on display. The taxidermy is tastefully done offering an opportunity to see animals up close.
17. Tuacahn Amphitheater
For anyone who loves the cultural arts, you need to take in a performance at the “Broadway in the Desert” Tuacahn outdoor amphitheater in St George.
It’s a magical experience with the theater being outside and surrounded by 1500 foot tall natural red rock cliffs watching a popular performance like Beauty and the Beast, Annie or the Count of Monte Cristo.
The Tuacahn Amphitheater is unlike anywhere else in America and should be on anyone’s things to do in St George list.
18. Temple Quarry Trail
Starting from the heart of St George is the Temple Quarry Trail. This is hands down one of the best hikes to do while visiting and it is great for all ages.
This historical hiking trail stretches 2.5 miles long and dates back to 1871. Locally known as “Black Hill”, Mormon Pioneers accessed the southwest side of this quarry, that holds a large deposit of lava rocks, via this very trail.
They used those rocks to construct many of the foundations in the houses around town, including the basement of St. George Temple. To this day, there are still several rocks that show signs of quarrying and cutting.
19. St George Hot Air Balloon Rides
St George and the surrounding area are pretty impressive with its natural wonders, colored with red rock and bright desert landscapes. It’s possible to appreciate this from the ground, as most of us do, but it’s even more impressive from the sky on a balloon flight.
You’ll see one of Utah’s best areas from a new perspective, slowly moving through the air and hundreds of feet up above that red rocky landscape that goes for miles. It’s a perspective you can not get from the ground.
The sunrise and sunsets are unbelievably impressive from the sky and will leave you with a true sense of how amazing Utah’s natural wonders are.
Flights last anywhere from one hour to three hours depending on your adventure and they operate year-round. So make sure to add a hot air balloon flight to your top things to do in St George, Utah list.
20. Little Black Mountain Petroglyph Site
Located on the southern border between Utah and Arizona is one of the best historical sights in the St George area. The Little Black Mountain Petroglyph site offers visitors a chance to view ancient petroglyphs up close and personal.
There are over 500 petroglyphs that date back 6,000 years, it is a unique and sacred site that will give you an inside look into the past of the Native American cultures that lived here. This short 1-mile long hike is extremely easy and is best done in the morning or mid-afternoon.
Even if you are not into history (the Petroglyphs) the Little Black Mountain is a great chance to explore these area’s pure natural wonders while hiking through a maze of stone. Never touch or deface any petroglyphs and be respectful when visiting this historical sight.
Things to Do Nearby St George, UT
21. Snow Canyon State Park
Although called Snow Canyon, Snow Canyon State Park is a place to explore all the beauty of the desert. Named after early Utah leaders, this park is full of high mesas, rocky deserts, and wildlife scurrying from bush to bush.
In this state park, you’ll have the choice of hitting the trails or taking a scenic drive through the park. With everything from camping sights to watering holes, Snow Canyon is the perfect place to start your Utah adventure.
22. Sand Hollow State Park
While exploring Utah, you’ll quickly realize that many of the deserts are full of large rocks and canyons. There is one place, however, where you can play in the dunes and explore the sands. Sand Hollow State Park will give you a classic desert experience, with orange landscapes spreading out as far as the eye can see.
Even though Sand Hollow State Park is technically in the desert, you’ll still find a very diverse landscape. When the heat gets to be too much to handle, the park also offers a beautiful reservoir lake that is perfect for swimming, boating or fishing.
23. Quail Creek State Park
Utah does not lack rocky desert and barren mountains, but if you’re looking to cool off or spend a relaxing day by the water, make sure to check out Quail Creek State Park. Noted as one of the most romantic spots around St George, you can bring a date or explore the park solo.
One of the biggest pastimes visitors find themselves enjoying in Quail Creek State Park is casting a line and trying to see if they can catch a fish. With hiking trails and beautiful scenery, Quail Creek makes for a perfect day trip.
Of all the state parks in the St George area, Quail Creek has the most beautiful reservoir. The water, as pictured above, really is that beautiful teal color. So not only a good place to cool off, but also fantastic for photography.
24. Visit Zion National Park
No trip to St George can be complete without visiting Zion National Park. Utah is filled to the brim with unique landscapes that can only be found in the state. This national park will have you exploring deep canyons, climbing tall mountains, and even exploring hidden caves.
Just one or two days are not enough to do Zion National Park justice, though. Hikes such as Angels Landing and The Narrows showcase two very different sides of the area. With trickling streams and barren desert, visiting Zion is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip.
It is possible to visit Zion National Park while using St George as a base, and many people do this due to the cheaper accommodation and abundance of food options. If you’re ambitious and short of time, though, you can do a very long day trip to the park too.
25. Grafton Ghost Town
If you have your own wheels and are driving between St George and Zion, then you should definitely check out the Grafton Ghost Town along the way.
Complete with tumbleweeds blowing across the main street, Grafton Ghost Town is the place to go to witness some of the last remnants of the wild west. Noted as the most photographed ghost town in the west, Grafton still attracts tourists with its eerie facades and rustic charm.
This ghost town has also been put on the map by several movies – most notably, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Even if you’re not a movie buff, Grafton offers a glimpse into what life was like in the old west. Don’t miss the cemetery either!
Where to Stay in St George, Utah
It does not matter if you are staying one night or a few days while you explore the St George area or even Zion National Park. There are plenty of great places to stay from luxury hotels, historical BnB’s, and even a few great motels.
Below we will highlight the best places to stay in St George, Utah that will work as fantastic bases for exploring one of Utah’s best cities.
Luxury Hotel: The Inn at Entrada is one of the best luxury hotels located in St George Utah. It’s just simply breathtaking located on the edges of Snow Canyon State Park just a few miles right from downtown St George. It’s a great place for those who love to play hard but want to come back to a little relaxation and rejuvenation (a bit of luxury).
Mid-range Hotel: The Hampton Inn & Suites of St George is a great mid-range hotel in St George Utah that offers a great location near the natural beauties of Southwest Utah. We love staying at a Hampton Inn & Suites hotel since they are on the upper end of the chain hotels with nice rooms and great services. You will not be disappointed with your stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites in St George.
Historical B&B’s: St George has many historical B&B but one of our favorites that keeps getting many awards is The Mulberry Inn. This historical B&B is filled with character and charm but yet is filled with modern amenities located right in downtown St George. Step back into the past and imagine life in St George’s finest home that was built back in 1873.
Budget Hotel: If you looking for somewhere good to stay in St George that is light on your bank account we suggest the Best Western Coral Hills. Located in the historic district of St George this casual hotel is affordable and quite comfortable and just only moments away from almost all the best things to do in St George.
Campsites & RV Parks: Utah is a camper paradise and St George has a few great campgrounds located right in town for those who have RV’s or tents. We suggest for those looking for a good campsite or RV park to check out St George RV Park or the Snow Canyon Campground.
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