Utah has some of the tallest mountain peaks in the United States and world class skiing resorts. Nature enthusiasts can go by horseback to any of the three national monuments, and visitors who prefer to view the sites on foot can hike by trail through any of the five national parks. Utah will not fail to bring the "cowboy" out of visitors interested in history when they step back in time at one of the numerous Old West towns scattered throughout the state.
The 42-acre Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City is home to many wildlife exhibits. The zoo recreated a Himalayan village to house five endangered species of Asian cats. The Asian highlands area is also where visitors can get up close to African elephants and a white rhinoceros. The Wildlife Theatre has a 30-minute free flight bird demonstration with audience participation. For additional fees, the zoo offers areas for giraffe feeding, rainforest feedings and bat feedings. As of October 2010, the zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. from March 1 through Oct. 31, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 1 through February. The zoo is not open Christmas Day or New Years Day. Admission prices as of October 2010 are $9 for adults, $7 for seniors 65 and older, $7 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for children 2 and younger. For an additional $3 per ticket, visitors will also receive a train and a carousel ticket.
Utah has several old mining turned ghost towns scattered throughout the state. Some of the towns have numerous old buildings still in existence, while some only have cemeteries and mine entrances. For those with an interest in history, a visit to Utah would not be complete without a visit to a "ghost town." All tours through the old mining towns are self-guided. In southwestern Utah, the town of Grafton was where the filming some of the movie "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" took place. The town, settled in 1859, washed away by a flood in 1862. Residents rebuilt it and approximately 28 families lived there in 1864. Because of Indian attacks, floods and loss of mining work, the town dwindled down to only three families in the 1920s. According to ghosttowns.com, several buildings remain including the church, post office and several log homes. Also in southwestern Utah is the town of Silver Reef, discovered sometime between 1866 and 1870. The last mine shut down in 1891 after the removal of approximately $25 million in ore. Several buildings remain standing, including the old Wells Fargo Express office, which is now a museum and listed on the National Historical Register. Other old mining town options include Eureka, Coal City and Ophir.
Ruby's Inn has several activities for visitors to Bryce Canyon. Guided tours on horses are available for a half day, full day or a few hours. Tours include places such the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and a Butch Cassidy tour with story. The monument located in Bryce Canyon is a geological formation of cliffs, canyons and plateaus. It has the name "Grand Staircase" because of the various formation levels. The levels became exposed gradually over time as the lake below receded. Horse riding tours are available that will take visitors through the trails to the monument. Following the horseback ride, Ruby's Inn also offers tickets for Ebenezers Barn & Grill where visitors finish off the day with a cowboy dinner and western music show. Dinners include choice of rib eye, salmon, chicken or barbecue pork, cowboy beans, Dutch oven potatoes, dessert and beverage as well as the western show following the dinner. As of October 2010, prices for Ebenezer's Barn & Grill, start as low as $26 for the meal and show.
