We are celebrating our 35th anniversary this year (yay!!!!!) by flying to Salt Lake City, Utah, and then driving to Moab for 5 nights. What are the not-to-be-missed things we should see/do?

You didn't ask about lodging so maybe that's set. If not, check out Sorrel River Ranch a few miles from Moab. Set amid lush meadows filled with grazing cattle along the Colorado River. Haven't been for a few years but loved it then. Worth a look.

When are you planning to go?

We stayed at Cali Cochita, a B&B a block from 191 near the center of town, great breakfast, short walk to shops etc.

In Arches drive in and stop at and/or hike to as many of the arches as you can. Don't miss Landscape Arch, The Windows, Delicate Arch etc.

In Canyonlands Island in the Sky District drive out as far as you can and stop at the overlooks, do hike out along the Overlook, and to Mesa Arch.

If you have time go down to Needles District of Canyonlands to get the view from down inside.

in addition to Arches and Canyonlands, drive up along the Colorado River to Fisher Towers, drive along Kane Creek road and check out the petroglyphs near the camp ground.

If you click my name there is a TR from the 2013 trip we took with friends that included the Moab area.

Samsaf,

There is so much to do in Moab! I usually go down once a year and never get tired of the scenery, hiking, and other adventures.

When is your trip? Makes a big difference.

+1 for Cali Cochita B&B

Arches National Park and Canyonlands national Park are two obvious choices and days. They are completely different. A rafting day on the Colorado is another option.

Samsaf

We just returned from 5 days in Moab as part of a two week trip to the area. At first, we thought that may be too long, but there just wasn't enough time to do everything.

Sounds as though there are several nice places to stay, but after having stayed in lots of B&B's, we honestly thought that Desert Inn was the best we've ever encountered. It's outside of town so very quiet. When I first saw the photos on line, the front of the inn looks like a regular house and I wondered how it would be. We couldn't have asked for more. Anna even did two loads of laundry for us and the room key has a card to scan at City Market for discounts and points towards gas. The outdoor area was so enchanting that we actually ate in 4 of the 5 nights. https://deserthillsbnb.com

If you have time and are in to hiking or photography, suggest you plan to visit Arches twice. Once in the morning and once a few hours before sunset. Sure the visitors to park will begin to dwindle as the weather changes, but we still had to wait 25 min to get into the park around 10 AM. No wait at 3 PM. Anna can give you excellent suggestions and conditions of trails if you want to hike/walk or just view sites from the road. My DH isn't able to walk too far and she gave us great suggestions of where to go. Windows/Turret as well as Park Ave are great in late afternoon sun.

Many people don't go out to Fisher Towers along Rt 128, but they are worth seeing especially late afternoon. Don't remember the exact commercial, but it shows a woman rock climber at the very top knob of one of the towers. Think it was for AmEx.

We also spent a full day at Canyonlands. Went to Mesa Arch last and the crowds were thin enough to be able to get photos that didn't have lots of people posing in the middle of the arch.

We didn't go there, but heard there is a free museum at a Red Cliffs Ranch on Rt 128 about the many films made in the area. Also didn't get to Dead Horse SP, but understand it has great views over the Colorado. Guests at the B&B went kayaking, on a jet boat and to a birding wetland that they really liked.

Lots to do--you must decide what is best for you.

We stayed at Red Cliffs this past October (wonderful, by the way). If you are interested in movies at all, the free museum is a treat. Couple that with a jetboat ride on the Colorado, where the pilot will point out where some famous movies were filmed (Thelma and Louise, recent Lone Ranger, etc.). Then go up to Dead Horse SP and look down at the same things you saw from the boat.

BTW - link to Red Cliffs Lodge is: www.redcliffslodge.com

Thanks for all these suggestions! My son got married yesterday! That's the reason I haven't been here in the last day or so

Our lodging is set -- we used Marriott points and will be staying at the Fairfield Inn and Suites right outside the town of Moab. We plan to see Arches NP, do a boat trip, go to Canyonlands. We will be there October 22-27 of this year.

I haven't had very much time to research this very much because of the wedding. I'll print out a copy of this thread before we leave.

We like beautiful scenery, easy day hikes, photography, seeing the stars at night, good (but not fancy) food.

Another vote for at least a few days at Red Cliff..then you could also stay a few days in Moab which cuts your drive time to some o the other parks.

Do one of the Colorado River float trips.

Samsaf, In Moab, the Canyonlands by day and night company runs 3 hour boat tours (power) down the Colorado river. We chose that tour because of time constraints for an all day raft tour. We also chose that company because unlike the others offering such tours, they are directly on the river so you do not spend 20 minutes or so each way on a shuttle from a tour company's office to to their dock. The tour was well run with a local informative guide and I would recommend it if a raft float is not your thing. The boat does cut its engine at times and drifts. Here is a link to photos that I took from the boat to give you an idea of what you would see on that tour. We took the morning tour to take advantage of morning light for photography.

http://basingstoke2.smugmug.com/On-the-Colorado-Moab/

We also drove to Moab from SLC where we stayed at the Crystal Inn, A nice place with an excellent breakfast. Good price too. Figure on a 3 hour drive to Moab from there if you do not stop along the way. Most of the drive is scenic.

Just be ready--October 22 and 23 are going to be PACKED with everybody in Salt Lake/Wasatch Front going down to Moab for Fall Break. I would not plan to do ANYTHING in Arches those 2 days. Canyonlands gets spread out enough that you could hike there. I have stayed at the Marriott there and it is quite nice. Fisher Towers is awesome but could be crowded. Also try Negro Bill Canyon--basically anything that is not in Arches. I would honestly do the river trip and Canyonlands those 2 days to stay away from the crowds. Once Sunday afternoon hits, you will be fine. Monday--you will wonder where everybody went. The "something" Pig BBQ place is good, as is Zyes (? something with a Z), and the Desert Bistro is amazing.

Not sure when you get into SLC. If you like Natural History and want to see some awesome dinosaurs, as well as exhibits on the ancient Native Americans who inhabited the Moab area--stop off at the University of Utah Natural History Museum. They also have a great exhibit on the tribes that live in Utah today. If you want to get going and then just want a break later, Price has an interesting Natural History Museum and it is at the 2 hour half way point.

Otherwise, just search here--you will find oodles of info and trip reports on the area.