60th Birthday Southwest Adventure

Morning

Arrive Las Vegas / Pick up rental car. Recommended: full-size SUV or compact SUV for canyon roads.

Breakfast in Vegas

The Barrymore at Royal George — eclectic brunch — or a quick grab at a hotel café before departure.

Depart by 9:00 AM

Head south on US-93, cross Hoover Dam vista (quick photo stop, ~45 min from Strip), continue through Kingman AZ, turn north on US-89.

Scenic Stop ~12:30 PM

Glen Canyon Dam Overlook, Page AZ — dramatic views of the dam and Lake Powell's turquoise waters.

Check-in ~1:30 PM

Courtyard by Marriott Page at Lake Powell — closest Marriott brand to canyon attractions, with Lake Powell views from some rooms.
600 Club House Dr, Page, AZ

Sunset ~7:45 PM

Head to Wahweap Overlook for sweeping Lake Powell views at golden hour.

Dinner

Fiesta Mexicana — Page local favorite, generous portions, casual — or Ranch House Grille — American comfort, solid steaks.

6:30 AM

Wake up early, light breakfast at hotel.

8:00 AM — Main Event

Dixie's Lower Antelope Canyon Hiking Tour — Book the 9:00 AM slot. $80.50/adult, 60–90 min. Descend 5 flights of stairs into the largest cavern. Navajo guides share cultural stories and help you capture stunning shots. Lower Antelope (Hazdistazí) is more adventurous than Upper — ladders and stairs required.

Indian Route 222, Page AZ

10:30 AM

Return, grab snacks and water from hotel or convenience store.

11:00 AM — Icon #2

Horseshoe Bend — 1.5 miles round trip, easy hike. $10/vehicle parking. The 270° meander of the Colorado River drops 1,000 ft below. Best photo: wide angle from the main overlook rim. Mid-morning (10–11 AM) gives fully lit canyon with rich color.

1:00 PM — Lunch

Slackers Burger Bar (Page) — locals' pick for burgers & shakes.

2:30–4:30 PM

Rest at hotel or explore Page townsite. Optional: kayak rental on Lake Powell marina.

Sunset ~7:45 PM

Return to Horseshoe Bend for sunset — the western-facing overlook glows amber-orange. Arrive 1 hour early for a good spot. The "starburst" effect occurs just as the sun hits the canyon rim.

Dinner

Big John's Texas BBQ (Page) — ribs, brisket, casual. Or Fiesta Mexicana if you missed it yesterday.

7:00 AM

Early breakfast, check out of Page hotel.

7:30 AM — Depart

Head north on US-89. Scenic desert plains transition to red rock mesas.

Scenic Stop ~10:00 AM

Kodachrome Basin State Park (short detour off UT-12) — 67 monolithic spires, surreal landscape. Walk the Nature Trail (1.5 miles). $10 entry.

Scenic Stop ~11:00 AM

Grand Staircase-Escalante pullouts along UT-12 — multiple roadside overlooks. Don't miss the Head of the Rocks Overlook — sweeping panorama of canyon country.

Lunch ~12:30 PM

Under the Rim Café in Tropic or grab picnic supplies for the park.

Arrive ~1:30 PM

The Lodge at Bryce Canyon — THE quintessential park lodge, inside the park boundary, steps from the rim. Historic Western-style cabins and suites. Book 6+ months ahead. Fallback: Best Western Plus Ruby's Inn just outside the park (excellent amenity hub, multiple dining options).

Afternoon Hike ~3:00 PM

Navajo Loop Trail — 1.3 miles, 515 ft elevation change, 1–1.5 hrs. Descends into the amphitheater past Thor's Hammer and Wall Street narrows. Absolutely spectacular introduction to the hoodoos.

Sunset ~8:15 PM

Sunset Point overlook — watch hoodoos glow fiery orange-pink. One of the most photographed moments in the American West. Arrive 30 min early.

Dinner

Ebenezer's Barn & Grill (Ruby's Inn area) — cowboy dinner show, Western BBQ, fun atmosphere. Or The Lodge Dining Room for a sit-down experience inside the park.

5:45 AM — Sunrise

Wake up for sunrise at Bryce Point — rated the #1 sunrise viewpoint in the park. Arrive by 6:00 AM. The rising sun ignites the hoodoos in electric orange, pink, and red. Absolutely unmissable.

7:30 AM

Breakfast at The Lodge or Ruby's Inn dining room.

9:00 AM — Classic Hike

Queen's Garden + Navajo Loop Combination — 2.9 miles, 521 ft descent, ~2 hours. THE classic Bryce hike. Start at Sunrise Point, descend to Queen Victoria hoodoo, loop back up through Wall Street. Do the Figure-8 combination for maximum variety.

11:30 AM — Scenic Drive

Drive the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive south to Rainbow Point (18 miles one-way). Stops: Inspiration Point, Bryce Point, Farview Point, Natural Bridge, Aqua Canyon overlook, Rainbow Point (9,115 ft, highest in park). Allow 2–3 hours.

Lunch

Picnic at Rainbow Point, or return to Ruby's Inn area for Valhalla Pizzeria & Coffee Shop — casual, good pizza, affordable.

3:00 PM — Optional Hike

Fairyland Loop (8 miles, 4–5 hours) for serious hikers, or a relaxing Rim Trail walk between Inspiration and Sunrise Points.

After Dark — Stargazing

Bryce Canyon is a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park — one of the best stargazing sites in the USA. Join the free Astronomy Program offered by rangers (check NPS schedule) or simply lie on a blanket at Sunset Point. The Milky Way is visible to the naked eye on clear nights.

Dinner

The Lodge at Bryce Canyon Dining Room — American classics with park ambiance. Reservations required. Or Ebenezer's Barn & Grill if you missed it yesterday.

7:30 AM

Breakfast, check out of Bryce Lodge.

8:30 AM — Scenic Drive

Drive to Zion via UT-9 (Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway) — carved through tunnels in red sandstone, one of the most dramatic drives in the US. Stop at Checkerboard Mesa and the Zion–Mt. Carmel Tunnel Overlook on the way in.

10:00 AM

Check in / drop bags at Zion Lodge (preferred — inside the park, stunning canyon setting) or Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Springdale as fallback.

10:30 AM — Quick Viewpoint Hike

Canyon Overlook Trail — 1 mile RT, 163 ft gain, 45 min. Best quick viewpoint hike in the park. Stunning view of Pine Creek Canyon and Zion Canyon. Trailhead at the east end of the Zion–Mt. Carmel Tunnel.

12:30 PM — Lunch

Zion Park Grill (at Zion Lodge, burgers & sandwiches) or Oscar's Café in Springdale (legendary local spot, Mexican-American fusion).

2:00 PM — Afternoon Hike

Emerald Pools Trail — 3 miles RT, easy-moderate, ~2 hrs. Three tiered pools, waterfalls, and hanging gardens along red canyon walls. Take the shuttle to The Grotto stop.

5:00 PM

Return to lodge, freshen up, relax on the Zion Lodge porch overlooking the canyon walls.

Sunset ~7:45 PM

Sunset at Canyon Junction Bridge — wide open view of the Towers of the Virgin glowing pink. One of the most accessible yet jaw-dropping sunset spots in the park.

8:30 PM — Dinner

Red Rock Grill at Zion Lodge (sit-down dining inside the park, American menu, reservation recommended) or Bit & Spur Restaurant in Springdale (upscale Southwestern, best in the area).

5:30 AM — Epic Hike

Angels Landing — 5.4 miles RT, 1,488 ft gain, ~4–5 hrs. One of America's most iconic and thrilling hikes. The final half-mile uses chains bolted into the rock. Permit required — apply via recreation.gov seasonal lottery. Depart trailhead by 6:00 AM to beat the heat and crowds. Views from the summit are life-changing: 1,500 ft above the canyon floor with sheer vertical walls on both sides.

9:30 AM

Descend, return to lodge for breakfast at Red Rock Grill or a packed snack.

11:00 AM — The Narrows

The Narrows — Bottom-Up (no permit required). Take the shuttle to Temple of Sinawava, hike 1 mile on Riverside Walk, then wade upstream through the Virgin River inside 1,000-ft slot canyon walls. Go as far as Orderville Canyon (~4 miles RT) or deeper. Rent water shoes + neoprene socks + trekking poles from Zion Outfitter in Springdale ($30–45).

1:30 PM — Lunch

Castle Dome Cafe near Zion Lodge (quick sandwiches, wraps, perfect post-hike fuel) or return to Springdale for Whiptail Grill (patio dining, Southwestern, casual).

3:00 PM — Wind-Down Stroll

Pa'rus Trail — 3.5 miles RT, flat, paved (bikes/leashed dogs allowed). A gentle wind-down stroll along the Virgin River, great for birding and canyon reflection. Or explore Springdale town's galleries and shops.

7:30 PM — Sunset

Sunset at Zion Human History Museum lawn — broad open view west toward the canyon entrance, great for watching alpenglow on the sandstone towers.

8:30 PM — Farewell Dinner

Bit & Spur Restaurant (Springdale, upscale Southwestern, excellent cocktails) — celebrate your best hiking day of the trip.

7:00 AM

Breakfast, check out of Zion Lodge.

7:30 AM — Depart Springdale

Head west on UT-9, connect to I-15 N toward Las Vegas.

Optional Scenic Detour

Valley of Fire State Park (45 min off route, NV-169) — stunning red Aztec sandstone formations, ancient petroglyphs, $15/vehicle. Add ~1.5 hrs to the day if taken.

10:00 AM — Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam — America's greatest engineering achievement. Book the Power Plant Tour ($15, 30 min, guided) + self-guided Visitor Center ($10). Walk the dam crest for free. Marvel at the Art Deco details, the Nevada/Arizona dual clock towers, and the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge overlook for aerial dam views.

(Or ~11:30 AM with Valley of Fire detour)

12:30 PM — Lunch

Boulder City Brewing Company (~20 min from dam) — craft beers, burgers, shaded patio.

2:00 PM — Arrive Las Vegas

Arrive at the Las Vegas Strip (~35 miles, 45 min from Hoover Dam).

Evening — Celebrate!

Celebrate the end of an epic trip on the Strip! Dinner at Lago by Julian Serrano at Bellagio (Italian, Bellagio Fountains views) or Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips at The LINQ.