Girl's Weekend Out? Here We Come!!!

Who doesn’t like a good girls weekend?  Time away from work, or the kids, or whatever it is that takes up a big chunk of your day. It is a time to be you and enjoy a few of the things that you like to do. Personally, it gives me a fresh start to jump back into the daily tasks of life. We all need a little refresh once in a while.

Well this weekend is the one to give yourself the refresh that you need. If you haven’t signed up to ride in the ladies Wish100 ride do it now!!! If you are thinking to yourself, “I can’t ride a bike!” then just volunteer to help. But whether you ride, or just help out, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you get together with a fun group of ladies and take a much needed vacation. Now, I am not saying you can not make it a family event because since I live here I will be enjoying the weekend with my family. There is no harm in riding and having your family behind you supporting you. But I am mostly going to focus on the ladies weekend as I write this blog. 

I thought it would be helpful if I compiled a list of things that would be well worth your time (other than the Wish100 of course) to come down this weekend with the ladies. We all have different interest so I tried to get a variety of things on this list, but there is so much to do down here that I had to pick some of the most popular things. So here ya go....

ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE LADIES

What Women Want Expo is going on this weekend. How convenient that there is a women’s expo the same weekend as the women’s bike event. This is a fun expo with TONS of stuff. You name it they have it. I don’t think there is a lady in St. George who misses this expo. It is only $5 to get in and if you are in town by Thursday stop by the Spectrum Newspaper Offices (275 E St. George Blvd) and get your tickets before the event and they are 2 for $5. Either way this would be one of the number one things on my list for the weekend. More info on their website www.whatwomenwantexpo.com

Tuacahn is ALWAYS a favorite. This year their show “The Little Mermaid” is AMAZING to say the least.  This is their last week of shows and their website says they are sold out, but I know that they have overflow seating so if this interests you give them a call to see what they have left. I promise you WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. It is one of my favorite shows I have seen out there. They have also had Grease this year, but as far as I know unless you come earlier in the week I don’t think it is playing on the weekend. You will also be here in time for Thriller. Odyssey Dance Theater does a great job. Those of you from up north have probably seen this before, but there is nothing like seeing it in the outdoor theater at Tuachan. Just seems a little more on the spooky side. Again it says it is sold out so you need to call the box office and see what they have available 800-746-9882. If you would like more info you can visit their website www.tuacahn.org

Spa days are one of the first things we think of when we want a ladies day. There are a couple of good spas in town. I am not a frequent visitor to them so I can not tell you which is better. But you can check them both out and decide for yourself.
Green Valley Spa http://www.greenvalleyspa.com/
Red Mountain Spa http://www.redmountainresort.com/

Golf - St. George has some great golf courses.  My husband is an avid golfer and he told me his top three courses....
Sand Hollow http://www.sandhollowresort.com/
Sky Mountian http://www.skymountaingolf.com/
Coral Canyon http://www.coralcanyongolf.com
Sunbrook http://www.sunbrook.com/golf.html
(notice there are four even though I asked him for top three.  He just couldn’t decide) 

Snow Canyon is beautiful and and has some fun hiking and bike trails. http://www.utah.com/stateparks/snow_canyon.htm

Zion National Park - I was just there this weekend and hiked Angels Landing, which is one of their most popular hikes. It is seriously amazing. When you get to the top you have to hold onto chains because there are cliffs on both sides of you. It took us about 4 hours up and back. It is a 5 mile hike, but the last 1/2 mile is mostly climbing up the rocks with the chain. It was a lot of fun. They have hikes easier than this, and also some harder that require equipment for repelling and such. So if you are looking for an easy stroll do something like the emerald pools or the riverwalk. 

More strenuous and definitely not for kids is Angels Landing. Even more strenuous and in need of some equipment would be the subway or going all the way through the narrows. The narrows is beautiful, and you can see them just by doing the easy trail called riverwalk.  http://zionnationalpark.com/

Shopping is almost always part of a girls weekend. When it comes to shopping here I have a hard time because I lived in Las Vegas prior to here. I was spoiled when it came to shopping because I had everything I needed there. St. George is a different story, but for those who aren’t from here it can be fun. Just a few places that I usually hit if I am shopping are....
The Outlets At Zion - http://www.theoutletsatzion.com/index_alt.php
Red Cliffs Mall - http://www.redcliffsmall.com/
Christensen’s Department Store - http://www.facebook.com/Christensens1929?sk=wall (don’t think they have a website so their facebook page will have to do)
Shopping Center in Washington just off the freeway.  They have Kohls, Downeast Home, Shoe Carnival, Best Buy, Roberts Craft, and some eating places (that's where In-N-Out is).  I can’t find a website for the shopping center itself.  You can’t miss it off the Washington exit.

ATV rentals - This can be a lot of fun.  I am not sure what trails or Sand Dunes are the best but if you go to Red Desert ATV they will be good to you and help you find some good places to go and get you some rentals.  http://reddesertrentals.com/

ENTERTAINMENT FOR FAMILIES
If you are bringing the whole family you can take advantage of the things above and there are also a few fun things going on for families (or even just a group of ladies)

Staheli Farms - These guys have a TON of fun things to do in the fall. Corn maze, field of screams, a pumpkin patch, pig races, rope swings, red neck trampoline, cow train, horsie-go-round. The list goes on. You can read more about them at http://stahelifamilyfarm.com/

Town Square is a great way to enjoy downtown St. George. The kids can get wet in the splash pad and river, or enjoy the carousel. The carousel is a new addition and I know it runs certain points in the day, but since it is so new I can not find the hours online. You will just have to stop by and check it out.

Judd’s store is just across the street to the north on Tabernacle street.  They have ice cream, fun old fashioned candies, and you could even grab lunch there if you wanted.
http://juddsgeneralstore.com/
http://www.sgcity.org/parks/cityparks/details.php?id=98

Washington Community Center is one of the best places to go if you want a public swimming pool. It has a lazy river and a very large area for the kids to play. They are a full community center so they have a gym and a climbing wall I think, and I am sure that they have a guest pass if you would like to work out while on vacation (as if the bike ride will not be enough:)
http://washingtoncity.org/communitycenter/

Hopefully that is enough to pick from for one weekend. But now for my favorite part. Eating!!!! I love eating out. It is one of my highlights when I am on vacation. I always want to be adventurous and try the local spots, but where are they? You have to find a local who knows the local spots. So in my list I am going to leave out quite a few of the chain restaurants. It is not that they are not good, but most of you already know if you like them or not. So other than the chains here is my list of local spots (some of them are chains, but new to St. George or not located up north so I included them)

BREAKFAST
Bear Pawhttp://bearpawcafe.com/
Egg & I http://www.theeggandirestaurants.com/
Cracker Barrel (all meals, but I like breakfast here more so than lunch/dinner) http://www.crackerbarrel.com/


LUNCH/DINNER
25 Main (open for breakfast too) http://www.25main.com/
Kneaders (open for breakfast too) http://www.kneadersbakery.com/stgeorge.htm
Pizza/Pasta Factory in Ancestor Square http://www.ancestorsquare.com/
Marv’s Drive Inn - No website but this is your local hamburger joint.  They have great shakes too.  1091 N Bluff St. (435)656-1450
Tom’s Deli - No website.  Great sandwiches.  175 W 900 S Ste 2 (just off of bluff street)  (435) 628-1822
Jazzy Java (open for breakfast too) No Website. Salad, Sandwiches, fun atmosphere.  285 N Bluff St (435)674-1678
Paradise Bakery (open for breakfast too) http://www.paradisebakery.com/store_indiv.php?stid=100
In-N-Out burger http://www.in-n-out.com/default.asp

Xetava (Zay-Tah-Vah) - (open for breakfast too) This is a fun place with excellent reviews.  It would be a good place to hit while out in Ivins the day of the Wish100. It is in Kayenta which is right by Ivins. So if you are in the middle of St. George it will be a bit of a drive, but it is not far from where the Wish100 events will be held. It is a little more pricey, but well worth every penny spent.  https://sites.google.com/site/xetava/home

Riverwalk Grill & Steak House - This is at the Sunriver clubhouse. Sunriver is a 55 and older community so we usually don't take our kids when we go here. http://riverwalkgrill.net/
Anasazi Steakhouse & Gallery - This is a little more on the pricey side, but AMAZING! My hubby and I go here on special occasions because it is not super kid friendly. You have to get your steak/shrimp/whatever meat you order on the ROCK. They bring it to you and you cook and season it on the hot rock in front of you. They also have some cheese fondue appetizers and desserts. The fondue dessert if my favorite. Only go here if you are prepped to spend a little more money. But it is totally worth it. They are only open for dinner.  http://anasazisteakhouse.com/

DESSERT (a must on a girls weekend)
Croshaw’s Gourmet Pies (they also have lunch items) No Website. Lunch items like chicken pot pie, which is very good. My favorite pies are the Sour Cream Lemon, and Very Berry. You wont be disappointed.  175 W 900 S (just off of bluff street) (435)628-1700
KRAVE frozen yogurt (many yogurt shops in town, but this is my fav) http://www.kraveyogurt.com/index.php
Neilsen’s Frozen Custard - A good change from just plain ice cream.  No Website. 445 E. St. George Blvd (435)628-5579

-Dani P., Chase's Mom and Wish100 Rider

Dani is submitting weekly guest blogger entries as she prepares for her adventure at the Wish100. Click here to see her first entry. To learn more about the ride, to register or make a donation, visit www.wish100utah.org.