Under rated places you don't want to skip on in St. George, Utah
- Elaine Sison
- Apr 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 17
Why is St. George underrated?
St. George is super close to the breathtaking Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon, which is a huge plus. But there’s way more to it! St. George is packed with hidden gems and offers tons of outdoor fun all year round. Plus, it’s one of the biggest cities in the southwestern part of Utah, so you’ll find plenty of activities, great local food spots, and lots of places to stay.
Zion National Park
We can’t talk about St. George without mentioning Zion National Park being only one hour away. Zion National Park is a hiker's dream and has various activities for families too. Keep in mind that this park gets overwhelmingly crowded (you have been warned), but you don’t want to miss this unique travel and hiking experience. I recommend checking out my other post to prepare before going to Zion National Park to get an ideal experience.
Pro tip: Refer to the custom hiking essentials checklist to prepare for your next hiking-filled adventures.
Visit Snow Canyon State Park
Snow Canyon State Park is famous for its cool lava tubes, petrified dunes, and mini slot canyons, all in one spot. It's also where the Mojave desert tortoise hangs out, and if you're lucky, you might spot one. Just remember to watch your speed so these endangered creatures can safely cross the road. The park is awesome for cyclists looking to hit the road and rock climbers eager to reach new heights. During our brief visit, we walked Jenny's Canyon and viewed the Petrified Dunes. Check out these 6 reasons why you should visit Snow Canyon State Park.
Explore the Red Hills Desert Botanical Garden
Utah’s first desert conservation garden featuring 5,000 plant species and a stream filled with native and endangered fish. The Red Hills Desert Botanical Garden is free and makes an ideal family-friendly activity.
Pro tip: Come here at sunset for a nice romantic walk. Golden hour through the garden made this visit feel special.
Pioneer Park and the Dixie Sugarloaf
Pioneer Park covers a massive area of towering red cliffs and hiking trails. Stop by the Dixie Sugarloaf where you’ll see the word “DIXIE” marked on the cliff. You also can’t miss it while driving on the highway! This area is also popular for rock climbers.
Places to eat in St. George:
Viva Chicken – Our favorite restaurant, so we went back twice during our stay! They have juicy Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken and sweet churros. *Chef’s kiss*
Cappeletti’s – Italian cuisine with an Argentine flair; the chicken gorgonzola was divine!
Cliffside Restaurant – An upscale American cuisine on the cliff with scenic views of St. George with the hotel Inn on the Cliff next door. This restaurant is great for special occasions and date nights. We took my sister here for her birthday dinner.
Croshaw’s Gourmet Pies – Get here before 11 am to get a chicken pot pie before they sell out! We got their chocolate and banana cream pies too,
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream – So many ice cream flavors! Graham Canyon and banana cream pie were delicious!
Nielsen’s Frozen Custard
Where to stay:
Sports Village Condo - Airbnb: We had a blast staying at the Sports Village condos on our trip! The place had awesome perks like swimming in the pool, playing tennis, pickleball, basketball, air hockey, ping pong, and so much more. Be sure to check out other listings at Sports Village. We really got into playing pickleball every evening while we were there.
If you plan on doing an outdoor-filled adventure Utah road trip, you’ll find these resources helpful:
Comments