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City Cast Las Vegas

There’s a place where the Mojave Desert, Great Basin, and Colorado Plateau meet. It’s called 

 — and Southwest Utah’s largest city is an engaging combination of landscapes and activities. Get ready to hit the road. It’s less than a two-hour drive from Las Vegas.

 remains open today as a free museum. The city is named after Young’s cousin, George A. Smith, considered a “saint” after encouraging the consumption of potatoes to cure scurvy. St. George is also known as “Utah’s Dixie” due to its warm climate and cotton production. As you might expect, that nickname didn’t age well, prompting Dixie State University to change its name to 

Downtown St. George is a unique mix of art, history, and culture. The area’s best hotel, the 

shops and restaurants among historic structures. You’re also a short walk from the immaculate grounds of the 

 candy store (the oldest operating business), and a series of 

St. George markets itself as the gateway to

, although it’s another hour’s drive to reach the nearest gates. Totally worth it, but four state parks are much closer. 

 is a scenic drive between red sandstone hills and petrified sand dunes. 

 is a reservoir surrounded by red sand for a beautifully weird experience. 

 is a quiet, secluded beach with trees creeping out of the water. 

 is a more remote reservoir with waterfalls during the first half of the year.

, built where a farm once uncovered dino tracks, is a museum and research center dedicated to the giant reptiles who once called Utah home. 

 is a quirky art community on the outskirts of town and the 

 hosts stage plays with red rock landscapes in the background. 

 at Ancestor Square is a long-running favorite with a Southwest theme to match its art and cuisine. 

 in the Advenire lobby is more contemporary with house-baked biscuits, fresh seafood, and one of the better craft cocktail bars in Mormon country. The new Black Desert Resort is a golf club resort that’s open to the general public and features local Utah beef in its restaurants, which include 

 on your next beef-filled road trip 🐮 [Hey Las Vegas ✍️]

Southwest Utah's largest city is full of natural beauty, art, and quirky charm. It's also less than two hours from Las Vegas. 

How Far is St. George From Las Vegas?

The Beauty and Quirky Charm of St. George is Worth a Road Trip

Everything to know about Las Vegas neighborhoods: Where to go, eat, shop, drink, and more.

Las Vegas Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

Looking to get away from the chaos of Las Vegas? The 

 is roughly 100 miles away, offering the right mix of natural beauty, history, and adventure.

“Amargosa Valley” is a little tricky to define. It’s an unincorporated Nye County, Nevada town with a population of less than 1,500 people. Then again, it’s also a geographic region that straddles the California state line, stretching down to Tecopa between Pahrump and Death Valley.

The valley was a stop on the Old Spanish Trail between Santa Fe and San Diego in the 1800s, drawing travelers and Native tribes to its vast water supply. The Amargosa River is partially trapped underground, but also connects to a system of springs and vibrant wetlands. “Amargosa” is Spanish for “bitter,” and the name was inspired by the water’s exposure to rocks and sediment.

The Amargosa Valley is a biodiversity hotspot, believed to have the highest concentration of endemic species exclusive to one area in North America. The federally protected 

 is the largest remaining oasis in the Mojave Desert, featuring boardwalk viewing platforms that extend out to spring pools throughout the lush 24,000-acre habitat.

, one of the most endangered animals in the world. [Hey Las Vegas ✍️]

The region is popular for bare-bones camping, but visitors can also spend the night at the 

, a two-story resort which seems to pop up in the middle of nowhere with a scenic backyard lagoon, chapel, petting zoo, restaurant, and RV services. Farther south, book a room at the 

 (which has mastodon and wooly mammoth bones inside and old mining equipment outside).

, founded by a New York dancer in 1967 at Death Valley Junction, remains open for tours and special events, allowing people to see its famous mural of audience members that gives the illusion of a packed house. The area has its share of sand dunes, especially the 

 for hiking and ATV racing. No trip is complete without a stop at the 200-acre 

, a true oasis where you can roam the tree-lined grounds and sip on a delicious date shake. It’s next to the Amargosa River Trail, a 17-mile hiking route with a waterfall and slot canyon.

, a historic saloon and diner in Shoshone, or 

, a quaint, but cozy restaurant in Tecopa with hunks of beef that rival those served in Vegas fine-dining restaurants. 

 has a few experimental brews on tap and if you just want something quick and easy on U.S. Route 95, the 

 is a glorified convenience store and gift shop with a UFO theme.

 is this Saturday, March 29, celebrating the biodiversity of the region. The day includes a tour of the Shoshone Wetlands, activities at the Tecopa Community Center, and trivia at Death Valley Brewing.

 April 25-26 at the Amargosa Valley Park. The event dates back to 1969, featuring live music, a car show, games, food, and the world’s “shortest parade” 🥳

The Amargosa Valley is roughly 100 miles away from Las Vegas, offering the right mix of natural beauty, history, and adventure.

Get to Know the Amargosa Valley

 is back to give the Earth a spectacular show of shooting stars. Here’s the lowdown on how and where to view the astronomical experience in and around Las Vegas.

It’s pronounced “PER-see-id,” named after the 

 constellation, where the meteors appear to come from. And it’s totally cool to call the meteors Perseids.

🤔 What’s the Difference Between an Asteroid and a Meteor?

 at times — and usually travel in a belt between Mars and Jupiter that the Earth never crosses. Meteors are comet debris that have their own orbit — and the Earth crosses those orbits once a year.

Meteors are tiny particles of rocks and ice. They’re typically between the size of a pea or a marble, but create a bright light or “shooting star” when they hit the atmosphere and burn up.

☄️ What’s So Special About the Perseids?

“The Perseids are noteworthy because they’re bright, fast, and frequent,” says Mig Ponce of the 

. “About one a minute is the average. It can be more.” The Perseid meteors are from the 

. (Please resist the urge to call them “Swifties.”)

The Perseids return consistently between mid-July and late-August. This year, the peak is expected overnight August 12-13 when the Earth passes through the center of the debris trail. Viewing 

Face the northeast and look for the radiant (point of origin) at Perseus. It helps to use a 

 like Stellarium that identifies constellations. You don’t need telescopes or any other special equipment. It’s better to use the naked eye to watch the show unfold.

The best viewing is between 10:30 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. The meteors will pick up in frequency after midnight when the Earth turns on its axis, allowing us to face the debris field more directly. “When you're driving your car, you get more bugs splattered on your front windshield than your back windshield — same kind of idea,” Ponce says.

The farther you can drive away from the concentrated light pollution of Las Vegas, the better, whether it’s heading north toward Mt. Charleston and the 

 and Searchlight. “You don't need to go to a special location,” according to Ponce. “You can just pull off the road as long as it's safe to do so.” Even if you stay home, you’ll still be able to see shooting stars from your own backyard. They’ll just be less frequent.

 has more on the science and history surrounding the 

, additional tips to enhance the viewing experience, and the beauty of dark skies in our community. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

A guide to overcoming the light pollution to watch a "bright, fast, and frequent" collection of shooting stars from Las Vegas.

How and Where to Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower in Las Vegas

Get to know the natural side of Las Vegas: the plants, animals, weather and more that make our city unique.

Las Vegas Urban Almanac

Urban Almanac

Here in Las Vegas, we’re always looking for what’s new and what’s next — especially if we’re the first to tell somebody else about it. As the local dining scene continues to explode, find some time to check out the new restaurants that have recently opened their doors.

 for a while now — the latest example of how the EDO empire 

 without spreading itself too thin. The towering chandeliers and busy open kitchen set the tone for a meal based on sharable plates, full of French inspiration with Spanish and Italian touches. Corporate executive chef Tayden Poha-Ellamar gets to stretch his creativity with a sweet-and-savory foie gras tart and cappelletti swimming in a sauce similar to French onion soup, while tweaking staples that fans of the EDO brand have come to love: croquetas, patatas bravas, and those irresistible gin-and-tonics.

 is a Southwest Valley butcher shop and food counter 

 that raises grass-fed cattle with none of the bad stuff. By minimizing the middleman, prices are just as appetizing as the food, from a loaded $7 cheeseburger to an $18 steak with fries cooked in beef tallow. The only problem — demand has been strong from the start, so supply tends to run low, while lines run long.

, Chef Jae Doan gives Spring Valley a Japanese restaurant that’s full of creativity while matching the seafood quality of the Strip’s best restaurants —- and even some omakase spots in Chinatown. The shiromi carpaccio (white fish seared gently in hot oil with a yuzu vinaigrette) is full of flavor and the uni toast on sourdough brioche is beautifully briny with a wasabi crème fraîche and shrimp eggs. Even a relatively simple sushi roll mixes Chilean salmon and Hokkaido scallops with a wasabi habanero salsa.

Chef Kwame Onwuachi has managed to give Las Vegas something completely new — no rare feat — with 

 at the Sahara. Named after the indigenous Jamaicans that created jerk-style cooking, the restaurant is billed as a Caribbean steakhouse, but the culture is especially strong in the sweet and buttery cocoa bread, a refreshing green mango salad with okra, and mashed potatoes buried in chunks of crawfish. The signature jerk chicken has its own station in the middle of the dining room — and the same seasonings are used on the steaks, grilled over pimento wood. Throw in a wine list showcasing women and minority producers, the atmosphere of an underground club, and a ‘90s R&B playlist, and you’ve got one of the most unique and ambitious restaurants in Vegas.

A companion piece to the ultra-exclusive 

 welcomes the general public for an upscale take on an Italian steakhouse with unusually friendly service and outdoor views of the Wynn golf course. You’re already in “worth the splurge” territory, so go ahead and start with the caviar-stuffed cannoli, continue with a spicy lobster bucatini, and feast on the Bistecca Fiorentina, a 40 oz. Porterhouse carved tableside under the guidance of James Beard favorite Alfred Portale.

 have something new. Located west of the Strip on Sahara (a few doors down from the Golden Steer), 

 offers a cozy, but elevated setting to try all sorts of new flavors. Sure, you can get a Pad Thai, but don’t fear the heat of the spicy tom zaab sea bass soup or tiger prawns fried to a nice crisp in a tamarind glaze. The restaurant also offers two tasting menus to take out the guesswork and leave your experience in the chef’s hands.

Cory Harwell wants Vegas steakhouses to not only be great, but affordable. That’s the idea behind 

 at The Bend. But this ain’t a discount dining deal. The space is beautiful and modern with an open kitchen and roll-up garage doors. A few dishes (Philly Cheesesteak eggrolls, peanut butter bacon) share the spirit of playful mashups found in Harwell’s other restaurant, Carson Kitchen, but the real fun is the steaks (especially zabuton and bavette cuts you don’t see everywhere else) sous-vided, grilled on a flattop, and finished over an open flame before the tallow butter soaks in.

 took over the old Picasso space at the Bellagio, expanding the outdoor patio to include a dock for its very own yacht. Rides are strictly for hotel VIPs, but the restaurant remains an experiential treat with tall ceilings, lakeside views, and soft amber lighting that matches the flavors in Mario Carbone’s Italian cuisine. It’s easy to appreciate the quirks — like an Old Fashioned made with rum and a splash of whiskey or chicken parm reimagined with jumbo Madagascar shrimp as the protein — but the pastas stay true to simple presentations that allow every ingredient to shine.

 proves that Indian food can work in an elevated, upscale environment. The restaurant — an offshoot of the London original that earned two Michelin stars — is named after a British-colonial term for Indian sports clubs, offering an air of exclusivity and spectacle at the Aria. From the moment you walk in, it’s impossible not to notice the posted names of the service captains and the dense aromatics that fill the air. The dishes are robust and spicy, from the Gol Guppas (basically bread and veggie shooters) to the Kasoori Chicken Tikka, which balances the heat with yogurt and fenugreek leaves. A margarita with a tangy mezcal infused with — yes — weaver ants is worth your time and curiosity.

 comes to the Las Vegas Strip with scenic views on the third-floor open-air deck at The BLVD. The pizzeria takes pride in its sourdough, fermented with wild yeast over a long 8-12 day fermentation period. The result is a thin crust similar to a Neapolitan-style pizza, but a little crunchier. A sauce-free recipe with pistachios and truffle oil is a house favorite.

, a new barbecue spot by “Top Chef” veteran Alex Reznik. The cozy but contemporary restaurant has its own strip mall corner with a smoker in the parking lot to bring brisket, pork, and other meats to life, slow and low over post oak and hickory. Just make sure to order the candied bacon and house-made onion dip to start things off right. And I love how self-serve La Colomb coffee is on standby — even at night — just because.

 on Oscar Amador’s latest restaurant, which took over his old EDO space, and we’re happy to report it exceeds our already high expectations. The menu of Latin cuisine borrows elements of European and Asian cookery, showcasing the chef’s personal vision in a way that’s not easy to categorize. Between the house-aged bluefin ceviche, “carrot cake” of Japanese uni with candied jalapenos, and bright, but earthy flavors of a roasted beet tartare, 

is an adventurous spot worthy of repeat visits.

 is yet another new steakhouse on the Venetian grounds — but one that puts a luxury spin on Korean BBQ. Two things stand out: The beauty of the dining room and the quality of beef, featuring prime Black Angus and A5 Wagyu in a variety of cuts, giving every customer an education in high-end steaks. Grill your options to perfection over a flame at the center of the table while enjoying pickled banchan side dishes.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix comes and goes every year, but 

 gives us a chance to embrace Formula 1 racing year round (without the traffic headaches). Prices are restrained by Strip standards and the menu has a few surprises — like tandoori chicken tacos and surprisingly good dim sum — while focusing on sports bar classics and shifting into a 21-and-over lounge mode after 7 p.m.

 takes over the space formerly home to District One, giving Chinatown another option for contemporary, casual dining. Chef Winston Matsuuchi puts an Asian spin on American comfort food, adding miso to a delicious pan roast, serving short rib tacos with a kalbi marinade, and grilling chicken skewers with sake-mushroom tare sauce over Japanese white oak.

, James Trees takes aim at the tourist crowd with 

 on the top floor of the Rio. Begin with a cocktail on the open-air patio and soak in those panoramic Strip views before hunkering down with a menu balanced between steakhouse classics and stuff you don’t see often, including wild game like elk, bison, and venison. The lion's mane mushroom entree is a sleeper hit that even non-vegans can appreciate.

 is a bar with a playful side, made clear by the old TV monitors and pachinko (Japanese pinball) machines that decorate the space. Just south of Fremont Street, Pachi-Pachi is strong on cocktails (with whiskey washed in beef tallow for an oOld fFashioned and vodka infused with vanilla beans for an egg-white martini). The noodles and sandos are popular, but the Hokkaido Biru Bomb Burger seems to get the most attention — a Wagyu smashburger cut in half and served on a cast iron pan with beer cheese, which unofficially doubles as a dip for the house-made potato chips.

The Spring Valley crowd has a fresh opportunity for in-your-face, numb-the-tongue, Szechuan-style spiciness that usually requires a trip to Chinatown (for restaurants like Chengdu Taste and another newcomer, Bowl of Fortune). 

 turns up the heat, but is happy to modify spice levels in braised chicken, stir-fry vegetables, and boiled meats like beef and pork. Located in a quiet strip mall, the space is modest, but the Chinese flavors are intense.

I also want to give an extra shoutout to 

 (scroll down for our original review) for turning into a culinary incubator with popups like 

 (French/Mediterranean by Tyler Vorce, formerly of The French Laundry), 

 (Filipino). Kishore and Vorce join Durango Social Club founder Dan Krohmer for a one-night-only 

It feels like every year I’m writing about a new Italian restaurant at the J.W. Marriott, but things seem different this time. 

 by “Top Chef” alum Fabio Viviano not only pulls the brakes on the Rampart Casino's revolving door of concepts, but stands out in a town already 

. The tableside presentations seal the deal, especially a fettucine alfredo done right (for once) and the fantastic caprese, featuring mozzarella hand-pulled on the spot, with thin-sliced heirloom tomatoes, and fresh basil.

The family behind the Thai cuisine of Pin Kaow now has 

 near Silverado Ranch, serving a more diverse take on Asian food by executive chef Steve Piamchuntar. The restaurant nails Thai favorites like the tom kha coconut broth and the egg noodles in the khao soi, but also shows a Chinese influence in shrimp soup dumplings, an addictive wonton soup, and khao mun gai, similar to Hainanese chicken, poached and served over rice. The soft, chewy brownie — bright green due to the inclusion of pandan — with coconut ice cream is my favorite dessert of the year.

 towers in front of the Grand Bazaar Shops with the covered top-floor patio offering views of the Bellagio fountains across the street. Soak in the energy of the Strip on the ground floor with roll-up garage-style windows and a stage for live music. The place is ideal for catching a big game and sharing comfort food with friends, from a Jackpot Tower of bite-sized appetizers to pizzas, spicy cauliflower, and at least one cocktail dispensed by a mini gas station pump. Anything on draft qualifies for a 100 oz. beer tower, including an exclusive by local brewery HUDL. Locals get 20% off the bill.

Chef Dan Krohmer of Other Mama is branching out with something new, replacing Chamana's Cafe (a sadly overlooked spot for breakfast and lunch) with 

 in the same retail plaza. Drinks begin flowing at 6 p.m., followed by a five-course tasting menu at 7 p.m. that for now, is only served Fridays-Saturdays. The debut lineup featured seared duck, roasted red snapper, crispy stuffed quail, a bavette steak, and wild honey ice cream with a warm peach and pie crumbles. Opt in for the wine pairings, the restaurant’s secret weapon.

Southern Highlands gets a new dining spot, 

, with the name emphasizing a devotion to simple ingredients. Pasta and pizza portions are relatively small, encouraging guests to order and share more items for a complete experience. The deconstructed, build-your-own bruschetta and chicken parmesan, made with creamy burrata instead of mozzarella, are fun reboots of old favorites as well.

UnCommons has seen its struggles — like the 

 is a steakhouse Southwest locals can call their own. Yes, the prices are Strip-esque, but the shareable steak boards bring down the check average with cuts grilled over American red oak. You can also try the brand-new happy hour for discounts on classic cocktails, beef skewers, and meatballs.

 is now in Vegas with an inspired take on Chinese hot pots, served Sichuan style (#spicy 🌶️) on Spring Mountain Road. Dip your choice of meats and veggies into a simmering broth in the center of the table. You can even divide your pot into thirds to sample a few options.

 is almost like the In-N-Out Burger of Tijuana street food. The fast-causal restaurant keeps things simple, but does it well, earning a loyal following with everything made fresh to order in a minimalist environment. (The red and white uniforms only drive the comparison home.) After a Vegas debut at Lotus in Chinatown, the concept is now open in the Summerlin area. You might have a short wait for your food to show up, but that’s what the ice bucket of beer is for. Look for the DIY bottle opener on the counter.

 is everything you want in a Strip restaurant, between a stylish, lounge-like dining room and a menu of seafood-heavy Mexican cuisine at the Cosmopolitan. Begin with the bigeye tuna tostada, continue with a Mexican play on Oysters Rockefeller with Oaxacan cheese, and order the Angry Fish (fileted branzino with hot chili oil) as the main entree. There’s even a surf n' turf burrito, loaded with shrimp, steak, beans, and rice.

James Trees' culinary empire continues to grow in Las Vegas and the chef remains as passionate as ever about his craft. 

 gives the Arts District a sophisticated, but loose French bistro with a courtyard and large windows that allow natural light to pass through the entire dining room. Whether it’s chicken liver and foie gras terrine, bruleed tarragon over bone marrow, or French-style cold seafood like scallops with light accents of apple and verjus (a tart grape juice ), the restaurant gives the Arts District — and Las Vegas — something new. 

 is a neighboring sister cocktail lounge with a focus on light-bodied cocktails.

Visit the best new Vegas restaurants to open their doors in recent months. 

New Restaurants in Las Vegas

Best New Restaurants in Las Vegas

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Las Vegas. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Las Vegas Food & Drink

Food & Drink

City Cast Las Vegas wants to wish all the dads out there — hello Wayne! 👋 — a fantastic Father’s Day this weekend. You can score a few freebies on Sunday too 👀

 at Green Valley Ranch is giving dads a free Old Fashioned. It pairs well with the 14 oz. prime Ribeye, which is $58.

 at the Red Rock Resort is giving dads a free draft beer with the purchase of a meal. Go with the special (baby back ribs, cornbread, and baked beans for $32) and a $13 peanut butter cup cigar for dessert.

 at noon on Saturday, June 20. The price is $50, but you can enter a contest to win a complimentary spot by sending the direct message #pitmaster to 

 on Instagram by midnight tonight (June 18).

 is welcoming all dads with a complimentary barrel-aged Old Fashioned on Father’s Day.

 steakhouse is giving dads a dram of Glenlivet 18 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky on the house, 5-10 p.m. at the Fontainebleau (which also has free parking for locals right now).

 water park in Henderson with the purchase of at least one other regular day ticket at the gate.

 at the Venetian is giving dads a free Harajuku cocktail (which is kinda like a Manhattan and Negroni in one) and some of the restaurant’s steak seasoning to take home. If you want to splurge, a six-ounce A4 Japanese Wagyu tenderloin is $150 for Father’s Day.

🍣 This isn’t specifically a Father’s Day deal, but it happens to fall on the holiday: 

 is giving everyone a free signature roll with the purchase of an entree on every Sunday in June.

Dads, step-dads, and granddads get to enjoy a few free perks for Father's Day on June 21.

Where Dads Get Free Stuff on Father’s Day 2026

Father's Day Freebies in Las Vegas

Find the best of everything that Las Vegas has to offer.

Las Vegas’s Best

Las Vegas' Best

The July 4th holiday is coming up and celebrating America’s independence in Las Vegas can be, well, confusing. Fireworks are best left to the professionals, but that doesn't stop people from shooting off their own explosives in parks and backyards throughout the valley. Are they legal? The answer is complicated.

 fireworks go on sale Sunday, June 28 and are available until Saturday, July 4. These are the only fireworks approved for the general public by Clark County, sold at pop-up booths in the parking lots of grocery stores, shopping centers, and other businesses throughout the valley to benefit nonprofits. The products are limited to sparklers, snakes, smokeballs, or to put it simply, stuff that doesn’t leave the ground.

More dangerous fireworks like Roman Candles, Cherry Bombs, and Bottle Rockets are legally sold outside Clark County in some of our favorite Nye County destinations (like 

) as well as tribal territory (most notably, the Moapa Paiute Travel Plaza near Valley of Fire). However, it’s illegal to set them off back in Vegas, even though you can’t ignore the sight of them illuminating the sky. In an odd twist, it’s even against the law to set fireworks off in Pahrump, except for a single 

If this all sounds confusing, you’re probably right. So, take the easy route and enjoy professional fireworks presentations throughout Southern Nevada — which are already underway to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

 | After dark | $15 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway

 (coinciding with Station Casinos’ 50-year anniversary) | 9 p.m. | Free | Off the Strip

 at Green Valley Ranch | 9 p.m. | $35, $10 for kids | Henderson

 at Durango Casino & Resort | 9 p.m. | $35, $10 for kids | Southwest

 at Veterans Memorial Park | After dark | Free (with possible parking charge) | Boulder City

 at The M Resort | 9 p.m. | $35, $15 kids | Henderson

 at Red Rock Resort | 9 p.m. | $35, $10 kids | Summerlin

 | After the Aviators game | $22+ | Downtown Summerlin

Your guide to fireworks shows and the legalities of setting off your own in Clark County. Spoiler: It's complicated. 

Las Vegas Guide to Independence Day Fireworks 2026

Where to Watch July 4 Fireworks in Las Vegas 2026

What Las Vegans have been wondering. We break down why things in Las Vegas are the way they are and how they work.

Las Vegas, Explained

Rob Kachelriess

Have you seen those airline flights lately? Gas isn’t cheap, but a road trip could be a great excuse to get away from Las Vegas over summer. So fill up the tank, check those tires, and hit the highway for a few not-so-obvious vacation destinations in the Southwest.

Don’t let the size of Arizona intimidate you. After passing through Phoenix and Tucson (which has one of the most underrated dining scenes in the country), you’ll hit 

 right before the Mexico border. The town was founded as a Spanish military site in 1752 and evolved into a walkable art community with more than a hundred galleries. Restaurants like 

 offer a mix of Sonoran and Mexican cuisine, while the 

 showcases the history of Spanish colonial life and Native American culture. Yes, summers are hot, but generally cooler than Phoenix and other parts of the state.

Las Vegans love a good road trip to the California coast (hello Santa Monica 👋), but head a few extra miles south to 

, an oceanside community between L.A. and San Diego that hasn’t been completely overrun by tourism. Parking is generally free and there’s only one hotel on the beach (

, renovated from an apartment complex). The village has its share of historic Victorian architecture and art murals with barely a chain in sight. Two restaurants, 

Beyond Zion and Bryce Canyon is Escalante, a quiet community that values the great outdoors along Utah Scenic Byway 12. Spend the night at 

 that has its own outdoor movie theater) and explore the rugged terrain of the 

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

. A drive on Hell’s Backbone is a tense, white-knuckle route that towers above winding canyons, but your reward is a meal in Boulder at 

, an arts-centric restaurant with menus based on local meats and produce.

There’s a lot to love about Williams, Arizona — even beyond the free 

Fill up the tank, check those tires, and hit the highway for a few not-so-obvious vacation destinations in the Southwest.

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