Best of the Zion and Bryce Area

Sunrise and Sunset Points [1]: Although any one of the viewpoints along Bryce Canyon National Park's Rim Drive is spectacular, these two, linked by a half-mile stretch of the Rim Trail, are particularly stunning at the designated times of day. Each viewpoint gives rise to a trail into the hoodoos.

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary [2]: Animal lovers should pull off the road north of Kanab to see this huge shelter (housing 1,800 animals), which spreads across scenic Angel Canyon. Tours visit Dogtown (including a special old dogs' home), Cat World, Parrot's Landing, and the all-too-cute Bunny House.

Emerald Pools Trails [3]: Choose from one of three trails to the Lower, Middle, or Upper Emerald Pools in Zion National Park. The highest pool is, of course, the most beautiful.

The Narrows [3]: In Zion National Park, fit hikers who are also adept swimmers can gear up with the proper footwear and, possibly, a drysuit to hike up the high-walled canyon of the Virgin River...in the river.

St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm [4]: The local eye doctor must have known there was something special about his land when he began peeling back the layers of rock. Before long he uncovered some of the best dinosaur tracks ever seen. They're preserved in this museum; just outside, excavation is ongoing.

Snow Canyon State Park [5]: Camp here or come for a morning hike, when you’ll share the trails through red-rock canyons and across lava flows with guests from the nearby spas. Snow Canyon is a lovely contrast to the city of St. George.

Utah Shakespearean Festival [6]: Cedar City comes alive with this summer festival, which brings three Shakespearean plays as well as several non-Bard works to town. The open-air theater-in-the-round is modeled on the original Globe Theatre.