Finding the perfect summer vacation destination for the whole family can be challenging, but Southern Utah makes it almost too easy, especially the city of St. George and its surrounding area.

Deep blue skies, ample sunshine, and spectacular landscapes full of surreal red rock formations are just part of the draw. Check out this list of our top 10 favorite things to do in the summer, and feel free to comment with more!

1. Outdoor Broadway Musicals at Tuacahn Amphitheatre

The number one evening activity to create magical memories as a family is definitely catching a Broadway musical at Tuacahn. Nestled among dramatic 1,500-foot red rock cliffs, this spectacular Amphitheatre is an experience not to be missed! The outdoor 2024 Broadway season features Anastasia: The New Broadway Musical and the regional premiere of Disney’s Frozen, which run on alternating nights from May through October. For teenagers and adults, there will also be a PG-rated version of the award-winning musical, Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, showing July through October. For all Outdoor Amphitheatre shows, children must be at least 3 years old to attend. If you need childcare services for younger ones, Tuacahn has you covered. Tuacahn’s ShowCare is a fully licensed childcare facility and provides the perfect place to keep your little ones safe and happy, right on the premises.

2. Zion National Park

A trip to Southern Utah isn’t complete without experiencing the beauty of Zion National Park. Whether you go all in, arranging hiking permits for the Narrows or Angel’s Landing, or just peruse the visitor’s center and take the shuttle through the park, it’s sure to create beautiful family memories. Children ages 4 and up can earn a junior ranger badge by searching out cool discoveries and completing a free booklet. Another fun way to experience the park is via e-bike!

3. Snow Canyon State Park

Closer to St. George, and less crowded than Zion, Snow Canyon State Park is a hidden gem that provides easy access to short, family-friendly hikes with stunning vistas. Kids love to explore Jenny’s slot canyon, roll down powdery sand dunes, and hike over petrified dunes and frozen-in-time lava flow.

4. Anasazi Petroglyph Trail

While petroglyphs can be found in many places around St. George, the Anasazi Petroglyph Trail leads to one of the best locations. It’s a one mile hike up a hill to a grouping of basalt boulders where you can have fun searching for all kinds of ancient rock art of bighorn sheep, stick figures, geometric shapes, and more.

5. Historic Town Square of St. George

Free parking is easy to find around St. George’s town square, and with its historic buildings, larger-than-life outdoor sculptures, and plentiful shade, it’s the perfect place to while away an afternoon. South of Tabernacle Rd., along Main St., you can’t miss the historic circa-1876 St. George Tabernacle, as well as the St. George Children’s Museum, full of colorful hands-on exhibits. In between these two gorgeous brick buildings, the square opens to a park where little ones can cool off with the free splash pad and river water feature, take a ride on a fully restored antique carousel, and visit the city’s main library. Across the street to the north, the historic buildings continue with a delightful indie bookstore, a quaint barbershop, and Judd’s, an old-time general store where you can find vintage candy and treat yourself to an ice cream cone.

6. St. George Dinosaur Discovery Museum

Want to see real dinosaur footprints? This museum is unique in that it was built right on the actual discovery site. That means you can see actual traces of dinosaur life right where they were originally found!

7. Red Reef Waterfall Hike

Red Reef Waterfall is the perfect hike to take on a hot summer day. It’s located inside the Red Cliffs Recreation Area, and well worth the 30-minute drive from downtown St. George. Once you’re there, you can walk along the trail or scramble across red rock boulders—either way, you’ll eventually make it to the first waterfall, about a mile in, and at a mile and a half, a second one with a large pool of refreshing water you can jump in.

8. Tuacahn During the Day

The Tuacahn Amphitheatre is nestled within the 1500-foot red rock cliffs of Padre Canyon and during the day, when there aren’t any performances going on, it’s serene and peaceful with plenty to do. If you’re feeling adventurous, a hiking trail will take you behind the Amphitheatre and further up the canyon, eventually leading over the saddle to Snow Canyon. There’s also the Gift Gallery, where you can shop for clothes, home décor, and all kinds of beautiful souvenirs. When hunger strikes, order up yummy tacos, sandwiches, salads, or pasta dishes at the Tuacahn Café while enjoying the fresh air and spectacular view from the outdoor patio.

Saturday is an especially fun day to spend the morning at Tuacahn. Not only does the café offer a special breakfast menu, but from 9am to 1pm, the weekly Saturday Market provides live entertainment, food vendors, and the chance to stroll along a tree-lined walkway next to a running water feature while browsing local artwork, crafts, and more.

9. Tonaquint Park

This 20-acre park has it all! Eight tennis courts, plenty of jogging/biking trails, a sand volleyball court, BBQ/picnic areas, and a peaceful little nature center where you can feed the ducks. But the most exciting part for families is the Thunder Junction All Abilities Park. This place features a fun prehistoric dinosaur theme with all kinds of playground equipment: swings, slides, teeter-totters, ziplines, a climbing wall, and more! A giant volcano puffs out smoke occasionally and a waterfall/splash pad area gives little ones the perfect place to cool off. In order to be wheelchair accessible, the ground is covered with a soft mat material, rather than bark, and for $1/person, you can take a ride on an adorable little train.

10. BRAND NEW! Jellystone Waterpark

Zip down giant waterslides, splash in the pools, float on the lazy river, and try your luck on the water agility course at this brand-new RV/Cabin Resort with a fun Yogi Bear theme. Located 15 miles from downtown St. George, the Water Zone is open from 10am – 6pm, seven days a week. There’s something for the whole family, and it’s the perfect way to cool off in the summer!

Family Vacation in St. George, Utah

We know this list just scratches the surface of exciting things to do in the area, and we’d love to hear what you’ve done in southern Utah to create magical memories for your family. The most important part of any family vacation is having fun together. Make the most of your family summer vacation by coming to St. George!