Utah State Capitol

Salt Lake City in North-central Utah sits tightly between the Wastach Mountains along the city's eastern border and the desert to the west where the namesake Great Salt Lake is located. The Oquirrh Mountains west of Salt Lake City form a natural western boundary. The greater Salt Lake City metro area stretches north and south along the Wasatch range merging with Bountiful and Ogden in the north and Ogden and Provo in the south. Summer brings a wealth of activities, events and outdoor fun to residents and visitors to Northern Utah and Salt Lake City. Well known winter resorts like Park City, Deer Valley and Snowbird change with the season to become summer alpine playgrounds.

Salt Lake City's 24th of July celebration honors the entry of the first settlers into the Salt Lake Valley. An official state holiday, Pioneer Days festivities include events throughout July. The Days of '47 Parade is Utah's largest parade held the morning of July 24th. The rodeo is one of the country's best, and this year will be held at the Maverik Center (formerly the E Center) in West Valley City. The rodeo runs from July 19th through the 24th. Associated events range from the Deseret News Marathon/10k/5k Run and Walk to the Pioneer Heritage Festival and a variety of youth parades and events.

One of the best Northern Utah fourth of July celebrations can be found in Oakley, less than an hour from Salt Lake City. With four days of Rodeo events followed by fireworks the weekend is full of fun and activities. Highlights include a Saturday morning breakfast, Monday parade and barbeque, kids activities and a Jr Rodeo. A terrific family event in the charming western town of Oakley. The Best Western Holiday Hills in Coalville and the Best Western Landmark Inn in Park City are less than 15 miles away from Oakley with convenient and affordable accommodations for travelers.

One of Northern Utah's most popular summer events is the Bear Lake Raspberry Days Festival. A short drive from Logan through the Cache National Forest, Bear Lake is a gorgeous turquoise-blue fresh water lake and recreation area. Raspberry Days 2010 celebrates the area's raspberry harvest August 4th through the 7th. Event include the Miss Berry Princess contest, an arts and crafts fair, live entertainment and a weekend Rodeo.

There is a 5K fun run/walk that welcomes participants of all ages and abilities, and nightly dances after the rodeo. Raspberry Days is a wonderful event for a weekend family getaway. The two Best Western Hotels in Logan, the Best Western Weston Inn and the Best Western Baugh Motel, are ideal locations for accommodations in the Bear Lake Region. Ideal for visitors to Raspberry Days and other local sights including Utah State University and the Logan LDS Temple.

Mountain Biking
Moab, Utah

Utah, the Beehive State is is buzzing with summer activity. Central Utah, from the Orem Provo area in the North of the region, to Capital Reef Park and Moab in the Southern reaches, residents and visitors pick fantastic outdoor adventures and world-class events for summer fun. Traversed by I-70 heading west and I-15 going south, travelers can also pick scenic routes like highway 89 or state road 24 for a more leisurely pace. Summer brings popular town events like Green River's Melon Days, Apple Days in Torrey, or Beaver's Butch Cassidy Festival. Load up the family and enjoy your favorite event in the heart of Utah this summer.

Provo hosts America's Freedom Festival on the 4th of July. The 2010 highlight will be Saturday night's Stadium of Fire spectacular at BYU's Lavell Edwards Stadium. Carrie Underwood will headline the show also featuring local performers including the second generation Osmonds, the 5 Browns and Eric Dodge.

The weekend events also include the Grand Parade, Freedom Run, Balloon Fest and Freedom Days festival. The fourth of July is busy in Provo with lots to do and see. Best Western has three hotels in and around Provo that make ideal accommodations for a long weekend getaway. The Best Western Timpanogos Inn in Lehi, the Best Western Mountain View Inn in Springville and the Best Western CottonTree Inn are convenient and affordable for visitors. Enjoy America's Freedom Festival and rest and relax nearby with quality Best Western lodging.

The Women's Red Rock Music Festival is an amazing music festival set among equally amazing scenery. August 6th and 7th Torrey hosts the 4th annual event. The 2010 featured artist is Corday and the Classic Rock Cougars. Rapidly rising in popularity, the all female performers draw increasingly large crowds to the magnificent Capital Reef area. The Best Western Capitol Reef Resort is conveniently located just off highway 12 in Torrey for ideal festival accommodations. The Best Western is also pet-friendly so bring the family dog along.

For a quality good old fashioned county fair, the Sevier County Fair in Richfield is a good bet. The 2010 fair is August 9th through the 14th and the theme is - We've Got a Good Thing Growing! Visitors book your room at the Best Western Richfield Inn, enjoy the fair and some of the local outdoor adventures. Headliners for the fair concerts include the VooDoo Orchestra, Eric Dodge and magician Al Lampkin. Browse exhibits of the areas best livestock, agriculture and homemaking along with all the action of a great fair. Kids will love the midway and carnival rides, the demolition derby is always a favorite or just relax and enjoy an evening concert.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

St George is one of the west's best kept secrets. A clean, safe, small city – temperate climate with mild winter – set amongst beautiful red rock and mountain scenery – within two hours of Las Vegas. Packing your bags? Good – its a great place to visit, get a jump on spring and relax with a few rounds of golf. St George is the largest city in Southern Utah and offers visitors year round recreation opportunities.

St George is close to Zion National Park, north off Interstate 15. With spectacular almost other worldly scenery, spring is one of the best times to visit. Lovely warm spring weather without the summer crowds, gives visitors a chance to ponder and soak in the unbelievable sights in peace and solitude. Take a walk through a small narrow canyon or hike through the majestic cliffs and get intimate with Utah's first National Park.

Cedar City sits just north of Zion National Park on Interstate 15, is billed as Festival City USA. Home of Southern Utah University, there is a lot for visitors to enjoy. The Thunderbird Film Festival, held on the SUU campus April 9-10, is in its seventh year. The festival focus is on family values, and hosts competitions at a high school and amateur levels. A unique festival to support budding film makers and showcase their films.

2010 finds Cedar City's GrooveFest joining with the Cedar City Arts Festival in June. This collaboration promises to result in one heck of a great time. Four days of music, arts and crafts, food and activities, fun for the entire family. Local merchants and organizations pitch in with sponsorships making admission free for visitors, and demonstrating local enthusiasm and support for the arts.

Springdale, is the closest city to Zion National Park, sitting just outside the south entrance to the park. Surrounded on three sides by the Park, Springdale, has become a gateway for visitors. May 2010 brings the 6th Annual Zion Flute and Drum Festival to Springdale. A unique festival brings together world class flute and drum enthusiasts from across the globe to perform and celebrate world peace. Performers, drum and flute makers and artists gather, drawn to Springdale by the passion for music and their arts. Enjoy the music and learn from the best instructors – shadowed by the stunning backdrop of Zions National Park.

Southern Utah, down highway 89 through Mt Carmel and Kanab, is the gateway to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. The north rim opens in 2010, the morning of May 15th. Amazing Earthfest will be celebrated in Kanab, May 16th-22nd, celebrating in the magnificent surroundings of the Colorado Plateau. Enjoy the scenery and weather on bicycle, both road and trail rides will be featured. Other activities include rock climbing, camping, backpacking and hiking. The perfect place to celebrate earth day.

Best Western Hotels in Utah welcome visitors with fine hospitality and well appointed accommodations. Convenient to the wonders of Southern Utah and with affordable rates, Best Western Hotels will make your visit to Utah even more comfortable.