We are headed to Arches and Canyonlands for 3 full days in mid-March. Would appreciate any recommendations for the top hikes in each park and the surrounding area. We are avid hikers. If you have any top restaurant recommendations, I'd love to hear those too! Thanks!

If you are truly serious hiker, skip Arches and focus on Canyonlands - Needles district.
That park is exclusively for back country hikers.
Go to Amazon and purchase the book Moab, Utah to Monument Valley in Kindle or paper cover (it has GPS)
My favorite hike there is Salt Creek Canyon. 22 miles one way which is beyond your 3 day limit. In that case, go to Chesler Park - permits required.

We had time for only one hike with our young kids along and chose Delicate Arch, a favorite travel memory for all.

Short easy hike that is very rewarding especially in the winter with snow on the La Sals
Personally, they should stabilize that arch. They tried several times, but the current theme is let nature take its course.
Some day it will fall and kill some people wherein relatives will file a negligence law suit

Go to the nps.gov site for each park. They list the hikes and miles etc. Or buy the book--Best Day Hikes in Arches and Canyonlands.
For avid hikers-do the Devils Garden Loop in Arches and Delicate Arch is a must.
For Canyonlands--Chesler Park in the Needles District is truly incredible.
Other areas: Fisher Towers is fun, Grandstaff Canyon to see a bridge, Corona Arch

Restaurants--if you want top food, go to the Desert Bistro. There are plenty of casual food places in town. We like Zax. I ate at the Trailside recently and had an amazing salad. Best breakfast/coffee and sandwiches to go for hikes: Red Rock Bakery. yum!!! Eat early or you will be in for a long wait.

On the way to Delicate Arch


If you zoom in to this photo you can see the cars parked near the start of this trail, this cairn is about three quarters of the way up on the slick rock.

Thank you everyone that was very helpful!!!