10 Best Things to Do in Springdale, Utah (Without Going to Zion)
Last Updated on February 21, 2024 by Kelly
If you’re visiting Springdale, Utah, you’re probably planning to visit the world-famous Zion National Park. There’s plenty to keep you busy at Zion, but there’s also some really fun things to do in the city of Springdale! We spent nearly a week in Springdale, and we’ve compiled a list of 10 things to do in Springdale to help you make the most of your time in Utah. If you’re visiting Zion National Park, be sure to save some time in your itinerary to explore Springdale as well!
10 Best Things to Do in Springdale, Utah
1. Go to the Spa
If you have some free time in Springdale, it can be really nice to take a day off to relax. Chances are you are exhausted from lots of hiking, outdoor adventures, and time sitting in the car. Why not take some time to yourself and take care of your body? There are several super-nice spas located in Springdale. Believe me you will not regret booking a massage or a facial!
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Five Petals Spa
The Five Petals Spa is located at the Cliffrose Lodge, which is just a six minute walk from Zion National Park’s entrance. I booked a massage there for my husband as an early Father’s Day present, and he surprised me by booking one for me too. (I know, I’m super lucky to have a husband like him!) We both really enjoyed our spa treatments. It felt so nice to have some downtime and to take care of our tired muscles.
The spa itself is absolutely beautiful. The relaxation room has full glass panels that give you a direct view of the canyon wall. The inside of the spa is crisp and clean with whitewashed woods and grey accents. You can sit outside or inside while you wait for your treatments.
In the locker room, you’ll be given a thick robe and the opportunity to use their sauna. It’s a good idea to arrive early for your treatment so that you can use the sauna before your massage. Even during peak season, we were able to get an appointment scheduled right away without notice. We were so glad we took some time to care for our bodies during our trip to Zion!
The Spa at Cable Mountain Lodge
Another great spa located in Springdale, Utah, is The Spa at Cable Mountain Lodge. (Just a two minute walk from the entrance to Zion National Park!)
They provide guests the opportunity to book a Social Spa, which is a four-person co-ed suite in which they offer their clients 30 minute treatments. This would be perfect for a bachelorette party or wedding weekend. When you book this suite, you also get to sit in their Zero Gravity Dream Lounger. You’ll feel like you’re floating!
Deep Canyon Adventure Spa
Flanigan’s Inn is home to the Deep Canyon Adventure Spa. They offer a Sports Recovery massage that is tailored to the needs of hikers. And after your massage, you can go to Flanigan’s Salon and treat yourself to a haircut or nail service.
2. Visit the Art Galleries
There are some pretty impressive art galleries in Springdale that have a range of styles.
The Tribal Arts Gallery showcases a variety of Native American art that is local to the area. They sell pottery, jewelry, rugs, and baskets. There are a variety of indigenous groups represented, including the Hopi, Navajo, Kewa (Santa Domingo), and Zuni.
You might also enjoy stopping by the David J. West Gallery, which focuses on photography from Zion National Park. This would be an excellent place to stop by and get a photo to frame as a souvenir of your trip. They also sell puzzles, which is an affordable option to enjoy the art.
The LaFave Gallery hosts a collection of works by regional and local artists. Their goal is to “capture the landscape and spirit of this high desert country in a variety of mediums.”
Another must-see gallery is the Sorella Gallery. At this gallery, you will be able to find photography and local artwork.
3. Walk Around Downtown Springdale and Go Shopping
Downtown Springdale is filled with unique shops and souvenir stores. One of the stores we really liked was the Zion Prospector. We were drawn by the boxes of minerals, gems, and fossils outside of their store. They also have live shows periodically that they announce through their Instagram page.
Zion Canyon Offerings is a good place to go for souvenirs. I like to buy t-shirts from the places that I visit, and they have a good selection of high-quality pre-shrunk cotton shirts.
Trailhead Gifts and Gear is located close to Zion National Park and has you covered for most things you might need. They sell hiking gear, souvenirs, t-shirts, and hats.
4. Visit Springdale Town Park
If you have young kids, you’ll probably be excited to know that Springdale’s Town Park has lots of outdoor recreational opportunities and a playground. It’s a great way to burn off some energy before or after a long car ride. It’s also located close to Zion National Park, so you don’t have to go out of your way to get there. (We walked there from our hotel in Springdale.)
In addition to the playground, the park also has tennis courts, a basketball court, a volleyball court, and a pickle-ball court. Basically there’s lots of options to be active outside here.
The address for the park is: 126 Lion Blvd, Springdale, UT 84767
(We’ve linked this cute toddler safari hat. The neck flap provided extra protection for the summer sun!)
5. Spend an Afternoon at the Pool
Especially during the summer, you’re going to want to cool down while you’re in Springdale. It was 100 degrees while we were visiting Springdale, and we found we had to complete most of our hikes by 10am before it got too hot. After we returned from an early morning hike, we would eat brunch and then spend the afternoon at the pool. We stayed at the Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn and Suites, and we really liked their pool area. They even had a shallow area with an umbrella posted in the pool, so you could sit in the pool and be in the shade. That worked out perfectly for our toddler!
If you’re not staying at a place with a pool, it would definitely be worth inquiring to see if any of the hotels offer day passes for a fee. We have done that for other vacations, and it’s worked out great!
6. Float the Virgin River
What better way to keep cool during the summer than floating along an ice-cold river? At Zion Tubing, they take care of everything for you. You’ll be provided inner tubes as well as frequent shuttles for drop-off and pick-up. We also always recommend a life jacket rental while you are on the water. It typically takes people about an hour and a half to float the section of the river.
7. Go out for a Nightcap
There are several cool bars in Springdale that are worth checking out. The most iconic is Zion Canyon Brew Pub. It’s Southern Utah’s first microbrewery, and it’s located right next to the entrance to Zion National Park. They have beers such as the Zion Pale Ale, Springdale Amber, and Red Altar. If you’re not interested in ordering food, you can go straight to the Zion Brewery Tavern. Note that they close at 10pm.
If you’re looking for a sports bar, look no further than Jack’s Sports Grill. They have indoor seating and an outdoor patio space. It’s a great place to watch a game while you unwind after a long hiking day!
For wine, you should check out Spotted Dog Cafe. They have been recognized by Wine Spectator Magazine with an annual “Award of Excellence” since 2009. They take reservations for their indoor seating, and the patio is open on a first-come, first-served basis.
8. Eat at One of the Many Incredible Restaurants
We wrote a full post on the best restaurants near Zion National Park. Be sure to check out that post to see where we liked eating the best! There’s a variety of restaurants ranging from Southwestern fare to a nice steakhouse. We really enjoyed dining at the Whiptail Grill and having the Famous Goat Cheese Chile Relleno. It was seriously one of our favorite meals of our entire trip.
We also really liked Zion Pizza and Noodle Company. Their pizzas came with lots of toppings and they have great beer options. For brunch, try Meme’s Cafe. Their crepes were incredible.
You’ll also probably want to take some meals to-go for a day of hiking. We recommend an insulated backpack system to keep your food cold, especially if you are hiking in the summer.
9. Visit Grafton Ghost Town
Grafton Ghost Town is less than a 20 minute drive from Springdale and is definitely worth seeing. (Note the last two miles of the road to Grafton are unpaved.) It’s one of the most famous ghost towns of the American Southwest. The town was established in 1859 and was abandoned in 1944.
There are a few things to see while you are visiting this ghost town. The first is the cemetery, which has several graves of people killed in violence. You’ll also see the schoolhouse/church still standing. There are also a couple of houses from former tenants. The buildings were restored in 1997, so as far as ghost towns go, this one is pretty well-preserved.
10. Attend an Event at the O.C. Tanner Amphitheater
The O.C. Tanner Amphitheater is probably one of the most underrated music venues in the country. With Zion Canyon as a backdrop, it doesn’t get much more epic. If your visit coincides with an event or a festival, you should definitely check it out.
| See our post on must-see destinations in Utah and Arizona! |
(And a Bonus: Visit the Zion Human History Museum)
Technically, the Zion Human History Museum is located within Zion National Park. (It’s about a half mile walk north from the South Entrance). BUT, it’s not hiking-related, so this is a good option if you’d like to do something educational and fun. The museum contains a variety of exhibits that will teach you about the local area. There’s a 22-minute video that plays every 30 minutes that provides an overview of the park. There’s also park rangers on-site to answer questions. Some of the temporary exhibits have included replicas of the Union Pacific Railroad lodging, Civilian Conservation Corp diaries, and park employee photographs. The museum is open seasonally, so be sure to check out the hours of operation in advance.
Where to Stay Near Zion National Park
The following hotels are located within walking distance of Zion National Park’s main entrance:
- Zion National Park Lodge: This is the only hotel within the park itself. If you’re lucky enough to stay here, you’ll bypass a lot of the crowds. I would recommend this option if you are able, as it’s definitely the most convenient!
- Cable Mountain Lodge: Located 500 feet (2 minute walk) from the park entrance.
- Cliffrose Lodge: Located .3 miles (6 minute walk) from the park entrance.
- Desert Pearl Inn: Located .8 miles (16 minute walk) from the park entrance.
- Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn and Suites: Located .9 miles (18 minute walk) from the park entrance.
We personally stayed at the Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn and Suites. It was easy for us to just walk to the park in the morning. Plus, we really enjoyed the nice pool and free breakfast. Their pool had a shallow area with an umbrella that was perfect for our toddler to enjoy pool time without us having to worry about too much sun exposure.
You can also check out a full list of hotels in Springdale, Utah.
Frequently Asked Questions About Springdale, Utah
What is Springdale Utah known for?
Springdale is known as being the gateway city to Zion National Park. Although it’s a small town, it hosts thousands of visitors each year. The city is where most of Zion’s hikers find their lodging.
When’s the best time to visit Springdale?
We asked several locals when the best time to visit Springdale is, and they all told us that November is one of the best months to visit. The weather is typically very good for hiking, there are no crowds, and the hotels are much more affordable.
What is there to do in Springdale?
With lots of shops and restaurants, downtown Springdale has a lot to offer tourists. You can also visit the city park, head to Zion National Park, or spend time along the Virgin River.
Summary: Best Things to Do in Springdale, Utah
We built-in a ‘rest day’ in Springdale during our trip to Zion so that we could have some downtime. We really enjoyed spending the day in Springdale. We especially liked the shops, restaurants, and the spa. We hope this post is helpful in planning your trip to Springdale, Utah.
Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information.
