There's something about an old-fashioned general store that's just plain delightful. Shelves stocked with all sorts of goods and wares, these little stores are the original superstore, but better, because they're personal and local, with friendly service that you just can't find at their big-box brethren. And in Oregon's most celebrated seaside town, Cannon Beach Hardware & Public House is a one-of-a-kind spot in Oregon where you can find everything from camping gear and power tools to deli sandwiches and local brews.
In charming Cannon Beach, there's a stretch of shops that's peak beach town vibes...
Billed as a "hardware store that offers beer and great food," Cannon Beach Hardware and Public House has an extensive menu of fan favorites, perfect for enjoying after a day of sun and surf.
From burgers and deli sandwiches to fish and chips and even fresh ceviche, there's something for everyone at this Cannon Beach hub. And in true Oregon fashion, you can get your meal with tater tots on the side, too.
The next time you're in Cannon Beach and you need a tiki torch, paintbrush, volleyball, or grilled cheese, head to Cannon Beach Hardware & Public House, where you'll find it all... and more!
Have you visited this unique shop in Oregon before? Check out the Cannon Beach Hardware & Public House website to learn more about this only-in-Oregon gem!
The holidays are all about family and friends. It is about spending time with the people you care about and there is no better way than on an adventure. For an overnight getaway in Utah that will certainly take the Scrooge out of anyone, we have just the thing. This Christmas season, take a walk around one of the most beautiful Christmas light displays in Salt Lake City and then spend the night in the most festive hotels in the area — this holiday adventure in Utah is one you’ll never forget.
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For this jolly adventure, head to downtown Salt Lake City. Here, you will find all types of holiday events and activities, but for this experience, we are going to start at Temple Square.
The Temple Square Christmas Lights are some of the most well-known and popular Christmas lights near me in Utah. This light display dates back to 1965 when visitors could walk through more than 40,000 lights.
Today, as you walk around Temple Square, you will see the area adorned with more than one million Christmas lights. Trees, buildings, bushes, and other structures are perfectly decorated for the season. The Temple Square Christmas Lights turn on the Friday following Thanksgiving until early January. There is no official lighting ceremony — just come and enjoy the colors and spirit of this unique destination. Although, make sure to dress warm — winter nights in SLC can certainly be chilly.
Not only will you see thousands of twinkling lights, but there are also beautiful nativities all around the property, helping you remember the true meaning of the holiday season. On most nights, the buildings throughout Temple Square host various concerts. With performances by families, university students, and professionals, there is always something to lift your spirit.
Keep in mind that construction is taking place on Temple Square and will last for several years. However, this construction should not deter you from enjoying the light display. You can learn more about the construction and accessibility on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website.
After a night of music, Christmas lights, and more, it is time to rest your head. Just down the street is The Grand America Hotel, one of the best hotels in Salt Lake City during the holidays.
This luxury hotel is going to impress you the minute you arrive as it is decked to the nines for the holidays. Outdoors you will see Christmas trees, Christmas lights, and other festive decorations.
Inside, you’ll find breathtaking Christmas trees and garlands everywhere you look. There is also a series of window displays that will unleash your inner child and fill you with holiday cheer.
But, the star of the show is the Grand Gingerbread House. This massive gingerbread house requires 2,000 eggs, 500 pounds of sugar, 160 quarts of molasses, 150 pounds of rice krispies, 450 pounds of icing, 300 candy canes, and so much more to build. In fact, each year, a building permit must be acquired — this gingerbread house is that large!
If you visit this hotel on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, you can participate in one of the delicious Christmas buffets. You may even have a special guest join you!
With lights, music, a giant gingerbread house, and more, this is one holly and jolly adventure in Utah that will become a yearly tradition.
What do you think of this overnight getaway around Christmas in Salt Lake City? Would you add any other stops? What do you love most about Salt Lake City at Christmas? Let us know! We'd love to hear from you.
If you are looking for even more winter activities in Utah, we have dozens of favorites. From ice skating to small towns with lots of charm, there are so many unique things to do when the weather turns cold.
13 Staggeringly Beautiful Places in Utah That Will Always Be Waiting for You
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Utah with our guide to 13 must-visit natural wonders, including national parks, scenic byways, and unique landscapes.
Utah's diverse beauty never fails to amaze and delight us. From its stunning red rock cliffs in the south to its alpine forests and lakes in the north, there are plenty of places where we can surround ourselves with nature's majesty. We can't visit as often as we'd like, but these 13 staggeringly beautiful places in Utah will always be waiting for us. What do you consider the prettiest place in Utah?
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1. Arches National Park
Perfect photo of Delicate Arch, Arches National Park with sun shining in the sky.
Arches National Park is home to our iconic Delicate Arch, but it's just one of more than 2,000 arches there. Don't miss the massive Landscape Arch — one of the most beautiful landmarks in Utah — and take a hike to see Corona, Double, and Double O Arches. Balanced Rock is a must, too!
The Caribbean of the Rockies gets its gorgeous azure color from limestone deposits in the water and it's truly a gem. Splash and play in the lake, bask on the beach, or drop a line in to catch a trout, and don't forget to grab a famous raspberry shake before heading home.
Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons provide ready recreation just minutes from Salt Lake City. Hike to Brighton Lakes in Big Cottonwood Canyon and visit Snowbird Resort in Little Cottonwood for some excellent mountain biking in the summer. Little Cottonwood Canyon, for example, is one of the best places in Utah to watch the seasons change.
World speed records have been broken at the Bonneville Salt Flats, but you don't need a speedster to visit. This salty landscape covers 30,000 acres and as you stroll across the barren landscape, you'll feel as though you're on another planet.
The hoodoos that populate the amphitheater at Bryce Canyon National Park are otherworldly. These magnificent, reddish-orange towers eroded over millions of years and you won't find a higher concentration of them anywhere else in the world. This is one of my favorite pretty places in Utah.
Buckskin Gulch is 13 miles long and is the longest and deepest slot canyon in the country. You'll need a permit to hike it but with a little patience and luck, you'll soon be navigating this unique wonder. Just make sure to check the weather before heading out — flash floods are deadly here.
Photographers wake up early to capture stunning photos at Mesa Arch and it's just a small sampling of the natural wonders at Canyonlands National Park. There are four districts to visit — Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and The Rivers.
Whether you feel like taking a scenic drive or hiking to one of its many natural wonders, Capitol Reef National Park will give you a taste of Utah's wild beauty, along with a good dose of history. Visit the orchards in the Fruita Historic District, wonder at the Waterpocket Fold, and hike to one of several natural bridges and arches, such as Hickman Bridge, shown here.
9. Great Salt Lake
USA, Utah, Great Salt Lake
The Great Salt Lake is the largest salt lake in the Western Hemisphere. It covers 1,700 square miles but it's only an average of 16 feet deep. Yes, you'll float easily in it, due to its high salt content, but that's not its only draw. Check out the Spiral Jetty, an outdoor work of art created by artist Robert Smithson in 1970. You'll find it on the lake's northern shore.
Around two million people visit Lake Powell every year and you just might fall in love when you see it for the first time. The lake was created when the Glen Canyon Dam was built in 1963 and it offers 1,900 miles of shoreline with its many coves and side canyons. To get maximum enjoyment of the lake's recreation opportunities, rent a houseboat and explore to your heart's content.
11. Mirror Lake Scenic Byway
Mirror Lake is a lake in the high Uinta Mountains in Utah. It is a popular fishing and recreation spot.
The Mirror Lake Scenic Byway starts in Kamas, then winds its way through Utah's High Uinta Wilderness, and up and over Bald Mountain Pass. Make a stop at Provo River Falls, drop a line at Trial Lake to see if you can catch a rainbow trout, and camp overnight at iconic Mirror Lake.
Bring out your inner mountain goat by hiking Mount Timpanogos. It's a grueling hike that takes most adventurers around five hours but you'll witness wonderful wildflowers, see a real mountain goat or two, and reach the second-highest summit in the Wasatch Mountains at the top — 11,749 feet.
Utah's most popular national park, Zion welcomes around 4.3 million visitors every year. Don't let the crowds chase you away; you'll want to explore this 146,597-acre park by hiking many of its trails. Take the popular River Walk Trail, where you can splash up the Narrows in the Virgin River, or brave the climb to Angel's Landing for an eagle-eye view of the canyon.
What places are you looking forward to visiting soon? What do you consider to be the most beautiful places in Utah? Let us know, and if you have any photos, we'd love to see those as well! And if you are looking for the best travel bag for when you visit each of the prettiest places in Utah, check out one of our favorites. We love to take it everywhere we go!
