By Bob Grove
Shorter days, cooler temperatures and brilliant colors appearing on the trees mark the end of summer and the coming of winter. But before you put away your summer clothes and dust off your winter gear, grab the keys to your car, round up your family or friends and take advantage of some of the best travel bargains of the year.
Known as “shoulder season” in the travel industry, fall is the time when tourism businesses are slowing down from the busier months of summer and gearing up for winter. Hotel occupancy is low and attendance is down at attractions, national parks and recreation areas. This is the season of deals at a time when deals have never been better. Below are a few local places that are offering terrific travel bargains this fall.
Homestead Resort 700 N. Homestead Drive, Midway, UT; 888-327-7220. Throughout the month of October, Homestead is offering Sleepy Hollow Haunted Wagon Rides, which are a 45 minute adventure that takes guests through the story of Sleepy Hollow. Rides are offered Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in October from 6:30–9:30 p.m. Adults are $15, children are $10. Other great activities are planned during Fall Break (October 15–17), including pumpkin carving. Adults will love the Aveda spa and golf course. Room rates start at $89. homesteadresort.com
The Cabins at Bear River Lodge SR-150 – Mirror Lake Highway, 30 miles southeast of Evanston, WY; 801-798-1008. Stay in a beautiful one, two or five bedroom cabin in Christmas Meadows, Utah for half the normal cost! Rent one night in any cabin and get a second night free, or rent any ATV Sunday–Friday get a second ATV free. Offers valid through December 18, 2009. bearriverlodge.com
Red Mountain Resort & Spa 1275 E. Red Mountain Circle, Ivins, UT; 800-246-4453. Enjoy warm weather throughout fall at this Southern Utah resort. Also try luxurious treatments at the on-site spa or play a round of golf at the nearby Ledges Golf Club. Stay and Dine packages are available from $159 per person, per night which includes deluxe accommodations, three daily meals, use of pools, trails and fitness center. Offer valid through December 31, 2009. redmountainspa.com
Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort Five miles up North Fork Road from Highway 9, Zion, UT; 800-293-5444. Stay in luxurious accommodations at the border of Zion National Park by booking a mountain home at the fall season discounted rate. Stay two or more nights and receive 10 activity vouchers good for ATV rentals, horseback riding, canyoneering, zip line, climbing wall, shopping, dining discounts and more. Or if you like to rough it, purchase two canyoneering trips or two adventure voucher packages and receive two nights of camping free or half off on cabin suites and cowboy cabins. Both offers are valid through November 30, 2009. zionponderosa.com
Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort Highway 210, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Snowbird, UT; 800-232-9542. Spend the weekend hiking, biking, riding the zipline, taking a tram ride and more at Snowbird this fall. Deals are available at the Inn and start at $59 per person based on double occupancy. Each adult will receive a Peaks Perks Coupon Book, a voucher for an Aerial Tram or Peruvian chair lift ride and a breakfast voucher good at the Atrium or Forklift restaurants. snowbird.com
Wolf Creek Utah 3632 North Wolf Creek Drive, Eden, UT; 800-771-7037. Take in beautiful autumn scenery and enjoy a wide range of activities like horseback riding, fly fishing, hiking and more at this resort. This fall you can stay for $99 per person, per night based on double occupancy, which includes accommodations at the Red Moose Lodge, a round of golf or a spa treatment, $50 certificate to Harleys & Buck’s Restaurant and continental breakfast. Or stay for $120 per person, per night based on quad occupancy, which includes a 2–bedroom Moose Hollow condo, a round of golf, a ride in Powzilla at Powder Mountain to view fall foliage and a $100 gift certificate for Harley & Bucks Restaurant. Both packages are available until November 15, 2009. wolfcreekutah.com
Best Western Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel
30 North 100 East, Bryce Canyon City, UT; 866-866-6634. This new hotel has 164 luxurious rooms, free buffet breakfast, exercise facilities and an enclosed courtyard with pool, whirlpool and patio. Experience Bryce Canyon’s newest accommodations for a low price by paying the regular rate the first night and half off each consecutive night. Offer good from October 16 to November 22, 2009.
brycecanyongrand.com
Ruby’s Inn
26 South Main, Bryce Canyon City, UT; 866-866-6616. Stay near Bryce Canyon National Park and enjoy spacious rooms, an indoor pool and spa and a large onsite general store at this hotel. Ruby’s Inn also offers guided tours of the area on ATVs or on horseback. Pay the regular rate the first night and get each consecutive night for half off. Offer good October 16 to November 22, 2009. rubysinn.com
For more information on these and other local fall travel deals visit: driveawayvacations.com
