Are you tired of winter yet? The holidays are over, and now it's just snowstorms, inversion, cold weather...a Utahn could go crazy waiting for summer! We decided to bring you a list of great trips to take during 2017. Some of these are perfect for winter; some you should book now for this summer (which IS coming, we promise).
When was the last time you visited Moab? You've got to get down there this spring! Take a hike or two, grab a burger and shake at Milt's, stroll though the shops and galleries in town. You'll also want to plan visits to both Arches National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park while you're in the area.
This gorgeous temple offers daily tours and a delicious Indian food buffet every day. You might want to plan your visit around one of the many festivals, though. The Holi-Festival of Colors is held every May, and thousands turn up to celebrate. You should also attend the India Fest in September. Plan to stay overnight in Spanish Fork or nearby and make a weekend of it!
Grafton is the most photographed ghost town in the West, and you'll see why when you visit. Several of the buildings here have been restored, and they're definitely photogenic. Take a look at some of the old gravestones in the cemetery - they're fascinating. While you're in the area, take a quick trip to Zion National Park, too.
Take a horse riding excursion at Soldier Hollow near Midway. Your guided trip starts with a short lesson, then takes you through some of Utah's prettiest country (you'll likely encounter some wildlife, too).
The Calf Creek Recreation Area is located just off Highway 12 near Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. You can camp overnight, then take the three mile hike to see Lower Calf Creek Falls. It's a hidden little oasis with a 126-foot-tall waterfall. Along the way, you'll see Native American pictographs, cliff dwellings, and maybe even some wildlife.
Our Awesome Utah road trip starts in Ogden. You'll see a baseball game, dine on Historic 25th Street and stay overnight in a haunted hotel. From there, you'll travel to the Ogden Valley, Logan and Brigham City. This trip includes everything from museums to the migratory bird refuge to a few really great hikes.
Also known as Utah's "Little Hollywood," Kanab has tons to see and do. Take a look at the movie sets, go for a hike, see some ancient petroglyphs and pay a visit to the many animals at the Best Friends Animal Society Sanctuary. You'll definitely want to plan your trip over several days so you can thoroughly explore this entire area.
When it's cold outside, doesn't a nice, hot soak in a protected crater sound wonderful? Visit the Homestead Resort and book some time in The Crater. You can float, snorkel, scuba or simply sit in the water and relax.
Take the 38-mile drive on Hell's Backbone Road, which stretches from Boulder to Escalante. Cross Hell's Backbone Bridge, a narrow bridge with a 1,500-foot drop off both sides. It might be the scariest 109 feet you'll ever drive, but on the other side, you can stop at Hell's Backbone Grill for a delicious dinner.
How do our state parks get overlooked so often? Kodachrome is located just 20 miles from Bryce Canyon National Park, but you'll find way fewer crowds here! The scenery is stunning (this park was named for the color Kodak film, due to its vibrant, brightly-colored rock formations). You'll find plenty of hiking trails here, too.
While everyone else on the planet visits Bryce Canyon National Park, you'll be at one of Utah's most underrated gems: Cedar Breaks National Monument. This park has many of the same rock formations, and some killer views, but unlike Bryce, it doesn't get millions of visitors. Make sure to plan an overnight trip so that you'll get a chance to do some stargazing.
Park City is truly a winter wonderland. Of course you can spend days on the slopes here, skiing or boarding to your heart's content. You'll also enjoy some incredible dining - from burgers to fancier fare - and some great microbreweries. Explore Main Street's museums, galleries and shops, too.
Bears Ears National Monument was just recently proclaimed as such, and it's just full of things to see and do. You'll find tons of Ancient Pueblo ruins here, as well as miles and miles of hiking and ATV trails. The scenic vistas are simply incredible, too - don't forget your camera!
For a relaxing weekend (or a whole week!), head to warm, sunny St. George and stay at the Inn at Entrada. You'll enjoy golf, tennis, year-round swimming (both indoors and out) and some fine dining. A few nights here will reinvigorate and refresh you.
Antelope Island is a 42-acre oasis in the Great Salt Lake. Take a stroll, view some wildlife, even play on the beach! Plan your trip to Antelope Island in the early spring - brine flies are at their peak population during May.
Best Travel Gifts of 2024, Hand-picked by Our Travel Experts
If you're looking for gifting ideas for the travelers in your life this holiday season, check out our list of our favorite, tried and true travel gifts.
Welcome to Hand-Picked, a curated series highlighting the travel gear and goods our staff truly love. From practical essentials to playful extras, these are the items that make travel fun—and shopping even better! Each pick is independently selected by our editors, and if you make a purchase through our links, Only In Your State may earn a commission.
There is nothing that makes me happier than picking out the perfect gift. Friends often ask me for ideas of what to gift to their family, children, partners, friends... the challenge of finding that special item (or experience) is my favorite kind of adrenaline rush. And because of this, the holiday season is like my version of sky diving.
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Our team of travel experts here at Only In Your State joined me in selecting our favorite travel gifts of the season. We've hand-picked 24 gifts that we own and love and would joyfully wrap up with a shiny bow for other travel lovers in our lives. We've chosen a variety of options, from candles to books, to the perfect travel shoes and bags. There is also a wide range of prices for any gifting budget. Pick out a few to gift this season and maybe even send some of these ideas to those who are shopping for you. It may be the holiday season, but it is also always travel season in our minds.
Why We Love Them: How fun is this candle? I love picking out meaningful gifts and this one is perfect for the woman in your life who can't help but plan another trip. Or, maybe this is you and this candle needs to make its way into your own stocking! The LEADO store on Amazon actually has several unique gifts and it's worth checking out. Where to Buy Them: Shop this candle and more on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 Bonus: Manager of Editorial Megan Shute swears by these rechargeable USB lighters – add one to your favorite candle lover's stocking, and they will not be disappointed.
Why We Love It: We've tried some pretty spiffy eye masks, but have you ever experienced an eye massager? The Bob & Brad EyeOasis 2 is as relaxing as it gets. With adjustable pressure & heat settings, this is a must-have if you want to tune out the world and treat yourself. It's the first thing we reach for when we feel a migraine coming on! Where To Buy It: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $59.99 (normally $74.99)
Why We Love Them: It's safe to say I am in my sneaker era and I know I'm not alone. When I discovered Kizik shoes, especially their sneakers, I felt like I discovered gold at the end of the rainbow. I love that the brand is size inclusive (I have big feet) and you literally just slip these on and go. Hands-free shoes! This makes them perfect for travel and the fact that these go with everything means no over-packing necessary. Where to Buy Them: Check out the Milan sneaker and several other styles (boots, too!) on the Kizik website. Price (at time of publication): $149
Why We Love Them: I discovered Frankie Jean while in Austin with my daughter and once I saw the Y'ALL Baseball Cap, I knew it would make the perfect souvenir -- and travel hat! I always travel with a baseball hat; they're handy for post-plane hair and offer protection from the elements. Frankie Jean has an array of adorable caps for non-y'allers, too, with all 50 states represented in the web store. Where to Buy It: Visit Frankie Jean online for this hat and many others! Price (at time of publication): $32
Why We Love Them: The Yoto Mini is an excellent gadget for kids on the go. Physical cards allow children to expand their imagination through audiobooks, music, activities, and educational audio. Manager of Editorial Megan Shute purchased the mini-player for her daughter's 4th birthday earlier this year ahead of an overseas move and has been endlessly impressed: "Not only did it replace her standard sound machine with its white noise options, but it has given us another portable screen-free entertainment option for at home and while traveling. The Yoto is also perfect for anyone who asks what your child wants for the holidays — cards for their new Yoto collection, please!" Where to Buy Them: Yoto is available on their website and Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $69.99 for player
Why We Love Them: The Vuori Performance Joggers might just be the most comfortable piece of clothing we own. The buttery-soft, stretchy material is the perfect weight, and the slim yet relaxed fit is one of the most universally flattering styles we've tried. Engagement Editor Meg Archer has gifted these to many people over the last few years: "I have yet to hear anything but rave reviews (and a bit of friendly shaming for spawning new obsessions). Don't be surprised if these just so happen to, umm... multiply... in your closet. I couldn't stop at just one pair." Bonus: The matching Vuori Halo Performance Hoodie is one of our favorite lightweight layers for all types of travel! Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From Vuori Price (at time of publication): $94
Why We Love Them: If you have a friend or family member who loves to travel and loves bags (who doesn't?), then this Calpak tote bag is the ultimate gift. When I say ultimate, I mean it, because this is the ultimate bag. My own tote bag is pictured above, when used on an overnight trip. I've also used it as a carry-on bag on flights, to tote sports equipment around for my kids, and for a weekend getaway. It is much larger than it looks in this photo and keeps everything organized. It also wipes clean! Where to Buy Them: Calpak has countless travel bags, but you can find this particular one on their website. Price (at time of publication): $131.75
Why We Love Them: I've purchased two of these portable hammocks with lightweight frames throughout the years — one as a gift for my father and one for myself after realizing how fantastic the hammock was. While it's not a travel product, per se, it has made my everyday life feel more like a vacation, something we could all use a bit more of these days. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $69.99
Why We Love Them: All of the staff at Only In Your State loves to represent their roots and Wear Your Roots allows you to do that in a fashionable - and comfortable - way. We love the wears from this Montana-based company and we happen to believe that these hoodies, shirts, hats, and more make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: Shop now on the Wear Your Roots website Price (at time of publication): Varies by Product
Why We Love It: It's taken several trips for me to figure out my perfect "weekender bag that's TSA approved," but I've found my perfect carry on with the TOBIQ Colorado 30L. An Instagram ad caught my eye during a late-night scroll session and I was intrigued by the colorful compartments and versatility of the bag, which can be carried as a duffle or as a backpack (I prefer the backpack for even weight distribution and airport navigation.) Made of durable, weather-resistant recycled materials, I've stashed this bag under my seat and in the overhead compartment; it's easy to maneuver and the top zip pocket is perfect for easy phone/ID access. Bonus: I loved this carry on bag so much, I purchased TOBIQ's Toiletry Bag; it fits perfectly inside one of the Colorado's four compartments and has a smart, intuitive design with the brand's signature "plethora of zippered pouches and pockets."
Where to Buy Them: Visit tobiqtravel.com to purchase the Colorado 30L and/or Toiletry Bag. Price (at time of publication): $199 (Colorado 30L)/$69 (Toiletry Bag)
Why We Love Them: The Zestt Dreamsoft Travel Scarf doubles as a blanket, making it the perfect travel accessory for year-round adventures – especially on airplanes! Made from organic cotton and easy to wash and care for, we have even used this piece as a makeshift picnic blanket while traveling. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $50
Why I Love It: This raincoat is absolutely perfect: it's light (12.4 ounces!) and super packable, "self stuffing" into one of its pockets in a Houdini-like feat. The hood is generously sized to fit over a hat and has a cord-and-hook design that keeps rain out (seriously -- this photo was taken after a trip to Portland, Oregon, where its water resistance was put to the test!). I purchased my Torrentshellfive years ago and it still looks brand new, the fabric has never snagged or ripped despite being put through the ringer! Bonus: The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket comes in men's sizes, too! Where to Buy It: Buy it now on REI. Price (at time of publication): $179 (both men's and women's)
Why We Love Them: I love gifting books. Maybe it's the writer in me or the nostalgia I feel every time I sit down and open up an actual book. Coffee table books make for great gifts and I absolutely love this collection of photography of New York City. Whether you know someone who loves NYC or has a wanderlust for the Big Apple, this gorgeous book just needs a bow on top and it's ready to gift. Where to Buy Them: Buy this book and others in the collection on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $19.78
Why We Love Them: A well-stocked first aid kit is essential for any traveler, and we love these small Welly kits. They're the perfect option to keep in your car, diaper bag, or carry-on for accidents on the go. Another excellent stocking stuffer for anyone in your life. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Walmart Price (at time of publication): $9.70
Why We Love Them: The OluKai Pehuea Lī Sneaker is lightweight and breathable, but also extremely comfortable and surprisingly supportive. It's our go-to shoe when we know we're going to be on our feet all day! We love that they can be worn as either sneakers or slides, so they're easy to slip off when going through TSA checks. Plus, the style goes with just about everything. Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From OluKai Price (at time of publication): $110
Why I Love It: Fact: Airplanes are notoriously dry, dry, dry. No matter how much water I drink both before and during the flight, I always find myself in a hydration deficit for days. My skin feels so tight and parched during flights, and while I've been known to slap on a sheet mask at 12,000 feet, my 11 year old's mortification on a recent trip had me rethinking this strategy. My solution? BioRepublic's Lost Baggage biocellulose eye masks. These mini moisturizers contain an uber-hydrating cocktail of peptides, hyaluronic acid, squalene, rose water, and vitamin E that feel oh-so-refreshing on parched skin. Bonus: Each of these little masks has enough moisture that I'm able to massage the excess into the rest of my face after my brief, in-flight spa moment. Where to Buy It: I have a BioRepublic Lost Baggage Under Eye Emergency Repair Mask Subscribe & Save order through Amazon -- you'll get a slight discount if you set this up! Price (at time of publication): 3/$15.00
Why I Love It: I am a dedicated Stanley girl, but when I travel, I like to keep things as light and portable as possible. A recent trip to Washington D.C. had me singing the praises of my Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle, especially after paying $6 for a tiny bottle of water the afternoon we arrived and embarked sans water. I love the bottle's muted color options (I have the Hydaway in Twilight), sturdy handle, and fuss-free cleaning; fully extended it holds 17 ounces of water, making this smart little number perfect for filling up on the go. Where to Buy Them: The Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle is available at several online merchants; I purchased through REI. Available here on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $27.95.
Why We Love Them: This is one of those things that we don't know how we traveled without them. Packing cubes keep things organized, save space in a suitcase, and take the pain out of the packing process. If you know and love someone who travels, this set would make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: There are so many options for packing cubes on Amazon, but we particularly LOVE this set. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 for 8 cubes
Why We Love Them: I've been a fan of Beis for years now, starting with the Weekender (it’s my absolute favorite travel bag for short car trips or flying and is surprisingly roomy). I recently purchased another Beis item — the backpack. With a padded interior sleeve, two water bottle pockets, and plenty of organization built-in — we’re talking zippered interior pockets, pen slots, a key leash, and more — this is the best backpack I’ve ever owned. It also has a full-zip opening, so it’s easy to pack, and the trolley pass-through makes it the perfect carry-on companion. This olive beauty is officially my new favorite personal item while traveling, and I’ve already brought it on several trips. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Beis Price (at time of publication): $88
Why We Love Them: We bought this set of two accessory organizers for a recent trip and think they would make a fun stocking stuffer filled with all sorts of small and useful travel goodies — chapstick, hair ties, mini lotions, bandaids, etc. The gift recipient can then use the organizers for travel. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $17.66
Why We Love It: The sleek style of the Away Everywhere Zip Backpack looks at home in just about any environment, making it a great transition bag if you need to hop right from a flight into a work meeting (or want to start exploring as soon as you land). It's water-resistant, has a padded laptop sleeve to keep your devices safe, and the full wrap-around zipper makes it incredibly easy to grab what you need in a cramped airplane seat. I love it! Where To Buy It:Buy Now From Away Price (at time of publication): $195
Why We Love It: Engagement Editor Meg Archer recently travel-testedthis high-end aluminum travel case, and it can only be described as the Lamborghini of Luggage: "The Sterling Pacific 40L Travel Case is hands down the best I've ever owned or reviewed. It's stunning inside and out, timelessly stylish, and rolls like a dream. Honestly, I didn't know luggage could move like this." It's undeniably a splurge, but if you're looking for a piece of eye-catching yet understated luxury-tier luggage, this is it. Where To Buy It: Buy Now From Sterling Pacific Price (at time of publication): $2,150
Why We Love It: Throw out all your assumptions about generators. The Anker Power Bank Portable Generator is all-electric (so it's totally silent), super compact, and has a massive 60,000 mAh capacity that can power multiple devices dozens of times on a single charge. It also retains an impressive 85% charge after a whole year of non-use, making it absolutely vital during emergencies. This bad boy kept us in touch with family during a multi-day blackout, but we also love it for camping trips and off-grid adventures. Where To Buy It:Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $149.99
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If you need anymore ideas for the best travel gifts of the season, we have you covered. Check out more of our travel-themed gift guides...
For many, the holiday season is one of the most wonderful times of the year. If you plan on escaping to Utah, we suggest heading to Park City. During December, you'll get to experience a Park City Main Street Christmas and enjoy this historic Utah town all decked out for the holidays. Read on to learn more about the magic awaiting when you visit this Utah Christmas town.
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As you can see, Park City's Historic Main Street is quaint and charming year-round, but in the wintertime, we think it's particularly pretty.
Park City main street in the evening.
During Christmas in Park City, Main Street is all dressed up in holiday splendor. Holiday lights are strung across the street and adorn individual businesses.
We suggest bundling up and taking a stroll along this festive street for some window shopping. Who knows? You might find the perfect gift for an upcoming party during your Park City Utah Christmas excursion.
Plus, one of the best things about Park City Main Street, Utah is that many of the shops are locally owned. This means your purchases are unique, and your money supports local business owners.
Heavy snow falling looking down on Main street Park City Utah. Photograph taken 1/11/2020 in Park City Utah.
In addition to lots of great shopping, Main Street offers tons of dining options. Whether you're looking for a quick slice of pizza, or you're in the mood for a tasty steak, you'll have plenty of choices to choose from during your visit to Park City during the Christmas season.
Of course, you'll want to keep your eyes open because you might see Santa and Mrs. Claus during your time in this Utah Christmas town. Stop by and say hello. You certainly want to keep your standing on the Naughty or Nice list.
Part of enjoying the holidays in this popular Utah town includes taking part in events such as their annual electric light parade. Around town, there are also events such as the popular tree lighting ceremony at Canyons Village and the annual torchlight parades.
So, what are you waiting for? Make sure to add a trip to Park City's Historic Main Street to your holiday calendar this year!
Park City Utah January 8, 2018. A family of ski and snowboard enthusiasts cross a festively lit and decorated Main Street Park City.
Are you planning to visit Park City's Main Street during the holidays? If so, let us know what you're looking forward to when you visit this Utah Christmas town. And, if you'd like to take more day trips throughout Utah during the holiday season, I recommend checking out these Utah Christmas towns. For longer stays, check out Vrbo for vacation rentals. There are some truly incredible places to stay near Park City.
