Home to The Mighty 5™ national parks, 43 state parks, seven national monuments, two national recreation areas and “The Greatest Snow on Earth®,” Utah represents the best of both the Rocky Mountains and the Desert Southwest. Here’s a look at some of the new attractions and happening events that can be found in Utah in the upcoming months:
Hotels
- Moab Under Canvas Opens – Utah’s first glamping resort, Moab Under Canvas, opens April 2014. Just moments away from the entrance to both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, the complex’s luxurious tents and tipis offer guests the opportunity to enjoy Utah’s spectacular desert without giving up the comforts of home.
- Inn on the Cliff – St. George’s Inn on the Cliff is built on a cliff’s edge and offers views of the sandstone formations of Snow Canyon State Park, the peaks of Pine Valley Mountain and the distant horizon of Zion National Park. The hotel is scheduled to open February 14, 2014.
- Brian Head Resort Completes $3.5 Million Renovation – Brian Head Resort completed a $3.5 million renovation in November 2013, just in time for the ski season. Improvements include installing two magic carpet surface lifts to transport skiers and snowboarders up the mountain more efficiently, refurbishing the ski lodges and adding a new patio with fire pits.
Deals & Packages
- Zion Ponderosa Wellness Retreat – Guests will have the opportunity to gain physical, mental and emotional strength while enjoying the wonder of Zion National Park and other attractions in this region. Activities include horseback riding, paint ball, zip lining, ATV riding and Jeep Tours. May 4-10, 2014. $1,699.
- Red Mountain Spa’s Giddy-up Yoga Retreat – This four-day experience is led by expert horsewoman Patty Arnett, internationally certified yoga instructor Aileen Epstein-Ignadiou, and their wrangler team. Guests explore how combining the spirit of a horse with yoga, guides a powerful and deep transformation, releasing resistance and pain, to create a uniquely magical experience.
- Discover Alta Packages – These packages include three or four nights at one of the Alta lodges, homes or condos; two or three days of skiing; breakfast with a pro from the Alf Engen Ski School; a ski school lesson; two or three days of boot, ski and pole rental; and quick and easy transportation from the airport. Various dates throughout March and April. Pricing varies by lodging options.
Restaurants
- The Annex Opens – Epic Brewery’s first restaurant, The Annex, opened fall 2013. Salt Lake City’s newest gastro-pub features the entire range of more than 36 Epic beers paired with eclectic dishes from Chef Robert Angelilli. The Annex offers a bohemian atmosphere and casual dining.
- New Distilleries in Salt Lake City – Two new distilleries opened in January 2014 in Salt Lake City. Both Beehive Distilling and Sugar House Distillery are small-batch distilleries that create ultra-premium spirits using fresh water from the Wasatch Mountains.
- Park City Mountain Resort Golden Anniversary Ale– Park City Mountain Resort introduced its Golden Anniversary Ale in November 2013. The signature beer was createad in collaboration with Wasatch Brewery to celebreate the resort’s 50th anniversary season. Alta and Snowbird mountain resorts also have their own brews.
Attractions
- Own Eagle Point Resort for a Day – Every Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday guests can rent the entire resort, five lifts in total, for $10,000 for the day with unliminated guests – perfect for meeting groups, the ultimate date or a clever bachelor/bachelorette party.
- New Museum of Natural Curiosity – Opening May 2014, the Museum of Natural Curiosity will bring lessons learned from the nation’s best children’s museums to Utah’s popular center at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi.
- Utah Symphony at The Might Five™ – In anticipation of their 75th anniversary, Utah Symphony will perform under the direction of Music Director Thierry Fischer in each of Utah’s five National Parks August 11-17, 2014. Visitors can also take private airline tours of The Mighty Five™.
Development
- Ogden Bike Repair Stations – Ogden is becoming a more bicycle-friendly destination with plans to install bike-repair stations around the city by early spring 2014. The six repair stations will have tools to fix flat tires and make other simple repairs.
- The Beverly Taylor Sorenson Center for Arts – Southern Utah University is creating a multi-million dollar arts center, The Beverly Taylor Sorenson Center for Arts, which will serve as the home to the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) and the new Shakesspeare Theater of the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Construction will begin spring 2014.
- New Salt Lake City Airport – Salt Lake City International Airport is about the undergo a $1.8 billion renovation that includes contruction of a new terminal, concourses, parking garage, rental car facilities, improved roadwats and associated infrastructure. The project is slated for completion in 2018.
Upcoming Events
- St. Patrick's Day Parade (March 17, 2014): Join Utah’s Irish community in Salt Lake City while celebrating Ireland’s history and culture with dancing, Celtic music and green food and drinks.
- National Park Free Days (April 19-20, 2014): Kick off National Park Week by taking advantage of National Park Fee-Free Days. Visit Utah’s Might 5 National Parks: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef or Zion.
- Moab Arts-Beer-Wine Festival (May 24-25, 2014): A long-standing annual event, the arts festival in Moab is coming of age and adding a beer and wine component for 2014. More than 100 artists will display their art at the event, complete with live music; beer and wine tastings; and cultural entertainment for all ages.
Image courtesy of Visit Utah.