We originally were going to NYC for our anniversary, but my husband found out he has to be in Las Vegas that week, so we've decided to combine the two trips.

I will fly out to LV to meet him on Friday evening (late October). I think we're staying at Wynn on Friday night (on company's dime) and maybe on Saturday night (depending on what rate we can get).

On Sunday, we are picking up our rental car (CONVERTIBLE!!) and driving to Zion. We have reservations at the Desert Pearl for 3 nights.

We fly home to Atlanta on Wednesday late afternoon.

We've been to Las Vegas before, but never to Zion. We'll have two full days in Zion, and we're thinking about doing Zion one day and Bryce the next. Is this a good plan?

Any other suggestions for an October visit?

Thanks.

It depends on what level of activity you're interested in. You could easily do a driving tour and a few short walks (which definitely does give you a great perspective of the parks) in each park, in a day each. If you're more into hiking, you would probably be better off to choose one park and spend more time there, and then maybe do a drive-through of the other...

Well, the Wynn was $429 a night (yes, that's PER NIGHT) for Saturday night, so we're going to drive to Zion on Saturday and stay 3 nights. Then we're staying at the JW Marriott on Tuesday night, and then home on Wednesday. We were able to get the JW with Marriott points.

Happy Anniversary! Our anniversary is in early October.

Zion should be fine weatherwise, but Bryce could be pretty cool because it's at a higher elevation. There could even be snow in Bryce. Otherwise you plan looks good.


Utahtea

Thanks! This is #24! I think we're headed back to Hawaii for our 25th next year.

Is there another park that would be good to visit if we can't go to Bryce?

I went to Bryce w/ a hiking buddy last OCt. (flew into LV day 1, drove straight to Zion, stayed there 3 nights-- spent day two hiking Zion, day 3 hiking Bryce, back to Zion overnight, day 4 hiking Kolob canyon section of Zion, then to LV for one night before leaving). I think you could do one day hiking Zion and one Bryce. The drive is not difficult between the 2 parks, just get an early start Zion to Bryce. The trails in Zion were crowded (esp. Emerald Pools). We really enjoyed the Kolob canyon section of Zion alot more than the main area, but it takes about 40 min to drive there, so you might not make it to that part on this trip, unless you are willing to make that drive. But the trails were much less crowded and more interesting for us in Kolob.
I know Bryce can be cool in Oct. but we were there the 3rd weekend of Oct. and it was very very warm and sunny and draining- we required ALOT of water going down and back up from the canyon. It was not cool by any stretch- we had on hiking shorts and Tshirts.

Keep in mind that last fall was unseasonably warm all over the west. It could happen again this year, but I'd go for at least cool evenings.

I'd keep Bryce in as a day trip, if for some reason you don't go, it's easy to spend a several days in Zion and not get bored. We'll go for a week and just relax and enjoy the scenery.

If you want to move around, there is the Kolob section of Zion that is off of I-15, Snow Canyon State Park is just outside of St. George and Valley of Fire State Park is a little detour in Nevada on your way back to Las Vegas.

Cedar Breaks National Monument is also nearby, but it's at an even higher elevation than Bryce.

Utahtea

Zion is perfect...was there w Sierra Club on 5-night campout in late May. Two best hikes are Observation Point and Angel's Landing. Take lotsa lotsa water and good hiking shoes. Start early (8 -8:30) @ morning to beat crowds. Pack snacks/lunch. The views up/down are spectacular and different. When you're back at the trailhead by 1 p.m., take your golf clubs and enoy Coral Creek (Washington, UT) and Green Springs (skip the course in Hurricane). You'll play for half price in Twilight rate (after 2 or 3)....much cheaper than playing in Vegas. After 18 holes, scrub down and eat at one of the surprisingly good restaurants just on the west side of the Park entrance. food reasonably priced and very, very good...casual and fun. Bryce was a speeding 2 hours from Zion to the East. Great for day hike but it's a full day over, hiking and back....