USA Travel Magazine - Topics

Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, overlooking Salt Lake City is the Natural History Museum of Utah at the University of Utah. It is here that you'll discover the Rio Tinto Center that was designed to showcase the diverse landscape and historic treasures of Utah. This Museum sets a new standard for a Natural History Museum of the 21st Century. Since opening over 60,000 visitors admired the Museum that sits on a stunning 17-acre site, and was designed by Todd Schliemann of Ennead Architects. With over 41,300 square feet of gallery and education space, you'll discover more than imagined within these world-class collections in new exhibitions designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates. Among the exhibits are The Canyon where some Museum theater pieces will be performed. The re-envisioned Museum presents a fresh, fascinating and immersive journey through the natural formation of life and land around Salt Lake City and throughout the state of Utah. The Natural History Mu...

  The varied topography found in Grand County offers excellent, and practically unlimited, recreational opportunities throughout the year. Activities Include: Sightseeing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Golfing, Horseback Riding, Fishing, Extreme Sports, Photography, Four Wheeling, Rafting, Canoeing, kayaking, jet boating, Museum Hopping, Swimming, Rock Hounding, Winery Tours Dining & Entertainment include : Chuckwagon Dinners with Western Entertainment, Evening cruise along the Colorado River, with a sound and light show, Fine Dining at specialty restaurants, Micro Brewery Restaurants Calendar of Events - Annual events include sports tournaments, music festivals, art festivals, film festivals, rodeo's, marathons, fat tire festivals, square dance festivals, annual jeep safari and jamboree, barrel racing, car shows, rock & gem shows and so much more. Our Calendar of Events page has a complete schedule of events. By Kevin Willeitner Plan A Trip To Utah: Explore the vast beauty, hi...

  The rock in Bryce Canyon is composed of layer after layer of sediment deposits, deposited millions of years ago when the area was at the bottom of a lake. Now the Paria River has exposed the layers, allowing a detailed history of the lake to be determined. The Park itself was established in 1924, and was named after an early settler in the area, Ebenezer Bryce. He emigrated from Scotland, married a local girl then moved southwards in stages, building sawmills as he went. Bryce Canyon is not a canyon. It is the spectacular edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, a place where intricately carved towers and archways of stone shimmer in a dazzling array of color under the bright sun. The state of Utah in the United States is home to many beautiful National Parks, and Bryce Canyon National Park ranks as one of the most magnificent and awe inspiring. 15 million years ago the earth in this region began to shift, forming a series of plateaus. The Paunsaugunt is an extensive plateau, with the Pa...

  The National Park Foundation is proud to release their annual ‘Top 10’ list, a photography guide highlighting the very best Fall photo experiences in America’s national parks and public lands. Coming in at number two among the ‘Top 10’ is Bryce Canyon National Park, famous for its unique geology, consists of a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah. The vast and austere landscape is one of the world’s most scenic backdrops. Its awe-inspiring canyons and cliffs embrace a spectacular array of geological wonders. This high, rugged, and remote region has bold plateaus and multi-hued cliffs running for distances that defy human perspective. The park’s diverse landscape makes Bryce Canyon National Park an ideal site for photographers to explore the rich color and texture of rock formations. A Ford Photo Tip For Your Trip - With such vast beauty it is often best to search for details, and this is easy to do when...

  In downtown Salt Lake, one may satisfy the taste for art by visiting the Capitol Theater and viewing a Broadway show, by hearing Beethoven's fifth symphony inside the beautiful Abravanel Hall, or by listening to the world famous Mormon Tabernacle choir in the elegant conference center. One may also visit one of many art shows and concerts that are continually occurring in convention centers, theaters, or surrounding cities such as the Shakespearean Festival held in Cedar City, or the Sundance film festival held in Park City. Shopping In Salt Lake - If shopping is more one's forte, Salt Lake has plenty to offer. Within a few blocks of each other are located three shopping centers: the ZCMI Center, Crossroads mall, and The Gateway Mall ; all three offering premier shopping and a wide variety of tastes and are easily accessible by Salt Lake's commuter rail, Trax. Getting around Salt Lake is as easy as getting away from Salt Lake. The city is nestled up in the mountains an...

  Classic Journeys' host adventures for family's which are unique and memorable each summer in the U.S. and Canada. This is a chance to enjoy six days filled with nature hikes, whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, and cookouts under the stars. The wonderful Classic Journey guides make the experience a fresh and exciting trip that is fun and educational as well. Among the recent Classic Journeys families can enjoy together are a adventure at Montana's Glacier Park or head to Bryce, Grand Canyon & Zion in Utah. They also explore the Canadian Rockies and offer a deluxe camping trip as well, and have trips to Nova Scotia. Families can also explore the San Juan Islands on a Classic Journey. If you've been looking for a unique way to celebrate a family gathering or create that once in a lifetime trip, Classic Journeys has adventures for every age, and can help you plan a amazing adventure. By Melody Schubert Plan A Trip To Utah: Explore the vast beauty, history, recreation a...

  Moonlight Meadow is the place to watch the scenery change as the sun goes down. The view of Canyon Country is spectacularly framed between Haystack Peak and Brumley Ridge. Brew some tea, stay for the sunset and ski in the moonlight! For those who prefer a little warmer atmosphere, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are open year-round, with the Visitor Centers closed only on Christmas Day. With the crowds of the main season gone, the serenity of the parks unfold as you explore nature and take in the sparkling beauty. Generally mild winters lend to sunny winter-warm days that make hiking especially pleasurable.   Under a blanket of white or even a skiff of snow the views in the parks are magnificent, with the glistening white snow creating a stark contrast against the red rock. Rock formations that go unnoticed during the other seasons, suddenly come to life in the winter snow. Photograph opportunities are spectacular due to the added dimensions brought out by the w...

  Filmed in the states of Utah and California, the Academy Award-winning movie Thelma and Louise is available in a special edition on Blu-ray. This exciting film took us on a wild ride with Thelma and Louise, and highlight some of Utah's beautiful landscapes. Among the filming locations were Moab, Arches National Park , and Dead Horse Point State Park , which was the site of the final scene. To celebrate the anniversary the Utah Film Center in downtown Salt Lake City hosted an evening with Geena Davis at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. During the event, she discussed her career on and off the screen. Those who joined the event also enjoyed a a screening of Thelma and Louise. Afterwards, the film producer, Mimi Polk Gitlin, participated in conversation about he film. Co-produced and directed by Ridley Scott, Thelma and Louise was first released in 1991, and included a amazing cast. With Geena Davis playing Thelma, and Susan Sarandon playing Louise, they soon find themselves...

  Where can you find a gathering of fifty artists from five different countries? At the Orion Independent Music Festival, taking place in Mid January in one of the world's most renowned ski resort towns. Coming from all over the U.S. and Sweden, Chile, Australia, and Canada, the artists represent an array of musical genres that will cater to every whim of those looking to discover new talent following a day on Park City's powdery slopes. Among the artist expected at this year's festival are Kettlefish, Peter Brienholt, Andy Frasco and Kole Hansen. "We have featured an exciting line-up of some of the best independent artists today, who will perform the regions most popular live music venues," says festival CEO and founder Steffon Olsen. "Our goal is to revolutionize the music industry by providing an international forum for high-caliber talent to be discovered by music industry professionals and fans alike." Most of the acts are independent artist, but th...

  Known as "Adventure Central" and gateway to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Moab's red rock country is world famous for mountain biking, four-wheeling and whitewater rafting. Grand County, Utah, contains some of the world's most spectacular scenery. Within its boundaries lie Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Dead Horse Point State Park, Manti-La Sal National Forest, the Colorado River, and an abundance of Bureau of Land Management Recreation Areas. This region is an outdoor wonderland for hikers, bikers, sightseers, photography buffs, rafters, golfers, four wheelers, hunters, fishers, heritage culture seekers, and much more. With its combination of varied types of terrain and spectacular scenery, Moab has become known as a Mountain Biking Mecca for enthusiasts from all over the world. Mountain bikers of all skill levels will find trails to their liking in the Moab area. Moab is also the home of the world-famous Slickrock Bike Trail and several major annu...

  Whether you want to commune with nature or have some mechanized fun; the perfect activity is waiting for you in Deer Valley , Utah . On a vacation in the winter you can enjoy awesome downhill skiing, and there are plenty of other fun activities that the winter snow provides. Enjoy the area's undefiled wilderness by touring the area by way of cross-country ski or snowshoe. It is a physical, yet relaxing possibility that is sure to make you feel in harmony with nature. Especially if you are new to backcountry adventure, it is a wise thing to go with a guide, although, the flight back to civilization in a Search and Rescue helicopter is a pretty memorable experience. If you like taking in the scenery with ease and speed, embarking on a snowmobile tour is a great option. Deer Valley offers the Summit Meadows Adventure snowmobile tours. Tours are held on the Garff Ranch which is only 5 miles from nearby Park City's historic downtown. This seven THOUSAND acre ranch is available by ...