Utah’s Rising Star: This Underrated City Is Ideal for Any Traveler

With a population of just over 100,000 people, St. George is considered a small city. But just because it's small doesn't mean it's not a worthwhile place to travel to. In fact, travelers from anywhere in the country can enjoy everything from shopping and dining to epic outdoor adventures. It's an underrated city in Utah, often overlooked as a destination—but it shouldn't be overlooked. In fact, I think you may start planning a day trip or a multi-day getaway to St. George once you discover some of what this city has to offer. Let's go!

Located in southwestern Utah on the other side of the Utah-Arizona border, St. George is a playground for those who love the great outdoors. Whether it's hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, swimming, or even relaxing in a hot spring, this city has it all.

St. George is a fantastic home base close to Zion National Park, one of the country's most-visited national parks, located just 33 miles away. There are other parks you can explore as well like Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, a 44,725-acre preserve where you can go hiking, camping, and rock climbing through its desert, red rock, and canyon landscapes. Within this area is Snow Canyon State Park filled with dunes, red rocks, and ancient lava flows with plenty of trails to explore its remarkable landscapes. It's truly a gem!

Now, when you're in town, there are plenty of attractions and things to do. For example, you can spend an afternoon gazing at paintings and sculptures at the St. George Art Museum. If you love animals and enjoy natural history, visit the Rosenbruch World Wildlife Museum for a few hours. And for prehistoric history, kids and adults alike will love the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm.

If you're a golfer, there are more than a dozen courses within the city and surrounding areas. And don't worry, you can always rent clubs if you don't want to bring your own.

As far as restaurants go, St. George is home to some incredible dining options. Take, for example, Cliffside Restaurant which is located, as the name suggests, on a cliff. Just think of the epic views as you dine on upscale American fare. This restaurant is a must! Among other top-notch restaurants are Cappalettis Restaurant for steaks and the Painted Pony for Southwestern cuisine.

For those of you who would like to spend the night in St. George in order to maximize your time in the city, you can book a hotel like The Advenire or a vacation rental like the Charming Historic Cottage located downtown.

Do you have plans to visit St. George, an underrated city in Utah? If you've visited before and have a favorite spot you'd like to tell us about, please do so through our nomination form.