10 Things To Do In & Around Reno, Nevada

Posted by Salt Lake Express on February 19, 2021

Get ready for 10 Things to do in and around Reno, Nevada. Thanks to the new route linking Salt Lake, UT to Reno, NV you can now experience all the fun, thrills, and excitement Reno has to offer. Looking for an exciting detour from school or work? Reno has several getaway experiences to offer.

Mt. Rose Ski Resort

If you’re itching to hit the slopes, but don’t want to make the trek to Lake Tahoe, consider heading to Mount Rose. Situated a little more than 20 miles southwest of downtown, Mount Rose is the closest ski area to Reno. And at 8,260 feet, it’s also Tahoe’s highest base resort, making for optimal ski conditions. According to recent visitors, this is a great ski area with varied terrain and friendly, knowledgeable staff.

Suggested Duration: Half Day to Full Day

Steamboat Hot Springs

Nevada boasts the highest concentration of natural hot springs in the United States, many located within a short drive of Reno. Remote hot springs and hot spring resorts are popular options for those seeking a more adventurous spa experience. Just a short drive outside the downtown area Steamboat Hot Springs provides a truly spa-like experience. Complete with facial treatments, massage services, as well as other traditional hot spring services.

Suggested Duration: 2 hours to Half Day

Casino at the Eldorado

Recent travelers still rate the Eldorado as one of the best places to gamble in Reno. It boasts 13 restaurants and bars — a point of major praise for visitors who appreciate not having to leave the casino to dine. The Eldorado Resort also features several on-site nightlife venues and hosts regular concerts.

Suggested Duration: 2 hours to Half Day

Lake Tahoe

If you have the opportunity to take a car out of Reno and visit Lake Tahoe, you certainly won’t regret it. This crystal-clear lake is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful places in the country. Best known as a skiing destination in the winter but is equally exciting in the summer.

Suggested Duration: Full Day

Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts

Constructed in 1968, the Pioneer Center is an excellent example of mid-century Populuxe architecture. This Non-profit 1,500-seat performing arts venue in the heart of downtown Reno, presents Broadway, ballet, philharmonic, and more shows to be enjoyed with you and your loved ones.

Suggested Duration: Show Run Time

Wilbur D. May Center

The Wilbur D. May Center is a year-round destination. It contains a museum, arboretum, and botanical garden – dedicated to preserving the legacy of Wilbur May, a Reno rancher, world traveler, and philanthropist. The museum contains a beautiful, permanent collection of rare and exotic artifacts and animals from around the world. The 20+ acre arboretum and botanical garden features beautiful plants, trees, and flowers, along with hidden groves, ponds, waterfalls, and a meditation labyrinth.

Suggested Duration: 1 to 2 hours

Reno Arch & City Plaza

The iconic Reno Arch is a great place to take a picture. Not far from the arch is the City Plaza which is home to two former Burning Man pieces – BELIEVE and Space Whale. With Several restaurants nearby this is a great place to walk around before or after a meal.

Suggested Duration: Half an hour to 1 hour

Reno’s Riverwalk

The Riverwalk is a place you can stroll free of cost any time of day. It’s a clean and pleasant reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the busier Reno area. Take your time and enjoy the downtown sights. You’ll find everything from up-and-coming establishments to a collection of galleries and restaurants. Recent visitors highly recommend this walk for those traveling with kids.

Suggested Duration: 2 hours to Half Day

Nevada Museum of Art

The Nevada Museum of Art is the oldest established cultural center in the state. But you wouldn’t know that by looking at it. After its 2001 renovation, this building is a fantastic example of modern architecture inspired by the landscape. The four main permanent exhibits include Altered Landscape Photography, Art of the Greater West, Contemporary Art, and the Work Ethic. Their outside exhibits boast two outdoor sculpture gardens, a suspended atrium staircase, and stunning views of the Reno skyline. This smaller museum (spanning 60,000 square feet across four levels) is perfect for exposing kids to the arts at a young age.

Suggested Duration: 1 to 2 hours

Animal Ark

If you’re planning a trip from the end of March to the beginning of November, consider visiting Animal Ark. Sitting on 38 acres and 25 miles north of Reno, this facility is not a zoo, but rather a safe haven for non-releasable wildlife. Visitors have the opportunity to watch the ark’s residents – which include several species of North American predators and some exotic species from other geographic areas – interact and play. Though it is a bit of a drive from Downtown Reno reviewers said it was worth the extra effort, especially if you’re traveling with young kids.

Suggested Duration: 2 hours to Half Day

Book your trip to Reno today and enjoy all the amenities of riding the Salt Lake Express.

St. George Express Is Now Salt Lake Express

Posted by Salt Lake Express on September 10, 2020

St. George Express is now Salt Lake Express

We decided to consolidate our two brands under one name. Moving forward there will no longer be the southern Utah-branded St. George Express, rather, everything will fall under our main name of Salt Lake Express.

There will be no changes in routes, schedules, or the booking system. Everything will continue to operate as it always has.

“Our riders will only experience two differences with this change,” said Jacob Price, owner of Salt Lake Express. “They will ride on a bus that says Salt Lake Express instead of St. George Express and they will experience even better customer service than before. We are more committed than ever to provide our riders with top tier service, especially during this complicated time.”

The pandemic has been tough on the the travel industry, which is why we wanted to hit the road running. As we reintroduce our brand to the southern Utah and Las Vegas communities we want to emphasize our commitment to providing the best possible customer service and most flexible routes and schedules.

We will host a grand reopening event that will take place in early October at our St. George office (805 S. Bluff St., St. George, UT 84790). Community members are encouraged to stop by and enjoy complimentary refreshments as well as guaranteed discounts on future bus fares.

As a company, Salt Lake Express operates routes all around St. George, as far south as Las Vegas, NV, and as far north as Great Falls, MT. We travel heavily along the I-15 corridor as well as I-86 and I-84 between southeast Idaho and Boise, ID. Offering routes to many getaway destinations including Jackson, WY, Sun Valley, ID, and of course St. George, UT and Las Vegas, NV.

For more information about the new name or the company contact Lisa Young at 800-356-9796 ext. 6145 or at lisa.young@saltlakeexpress.com. If you’re interested in booking a trip visit saltlakeexpress.com or call 800-356-9796.

Read the official press release HERE.

St. George Express Zion National Park 15

4 Things To Plan Before Your Trip To St. George

Posted by Salt Lake Express on February 19, 2020

St. George Express and Salt Lake Express make visiting St. George convenient and memorable. However, trips are not fun unless you know what is in store. There are four things you need to consider before planning your trip to St. George. These things include museums/history, activities, parks, and food.

The Museums & History of St. George

St. George has loads of history and museums to display the amazing artifacts from history. Just outside of St.George is The Jacob Hamlin house. Inside there are preserved artifacts from the 1800s. These artifacts depict what life was like from Jacob Hamlin who played a huge role in serving the American Indians and settling St. George. Another key player in the history of St. George is Brigham Young.

In St. George you can find the Brigham Young Winter home. Tours of the home show what life was like for him and his growing family in the 1870s as well as his participation in the community.

Another gem found in the heart of St.George is the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum which is packed with pictures and artifacts from the pioneers. They offer tours and have a fun scavenger hunt to participate in.

Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum is another fun place to visit. There you can find wildlife from every continent. You are free to walk around on your own or pick up an electronic wand and be taught by individual narration about the creatures that roam and have roamed our continents.

The Activities

If you are looking for an outside adventure, St. George does not disappoint. The winters in St.George are pretty mild but if you go to certain resorts the mountains are full of skiers and snowboarders.

The summers on the other hand are hot. But there is nothing better than spending a hot summer afternoon near the water. St. George is home to three perfect water locations. Whether you choose to go fishing, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding or boating you will enjoy yourself at Sand Hollow State Park, Gunlock State Park, and Quail Creek State Park.

If you like shooting come practice your aim at “The shooting experience”. Horseback riding or ATVing is a unique way to view some of the canyons and trails in St. George. All of these activities are loads of fun but nothing beats hiking through the canyons of the state and national parks.

The Parks

St.George is known for its red rocks and national and state parks. You can visit one park or go see a few. Each park has unique wildlife, vegetation and rock formations.

Chuckwalla Trail

At the head of the Chuckwalla Trail you can find people rock climbing or repelling down the rocks. As you head down the path you can see several caves in the rocks, as well as a variety of trees, flowers and wildlife.

At the end of the trail there is a mini arch. That looks over a beautiful view of the red rock land below.

Snow Canyon State Park

Snow Canyon is a State Park that offers 12 unique trails just off of one road. Throughout the park there are several parking places, picnic areas and bathrooms. In the middle of the park, surrounded by red rock are one of a kind camping sites. It is also home to a diversity of plants and wildlife that are only found in this state park.

You can check out the Snow Canyon State Park Trail Map here.

In the middle of all this red rock however, is some white rock mountains. Due to its color one of the first trails at the top of Snow Canyon is called White rocks trail. It is a 4 mile trail that passes through red, white and black rock. A Quarter mile into the hike there is a fork in the path. If you take a right at this point you will come to the White rocks Amphitheater. This trail is a total of 1 mile that leads your to an amphitheater of natural sandstone and back.

Further down the road is the Lava Flow trail. This trail 2.5 miles of uneven surfaces due to the jumbled lava rock. There are also two lava tubes that are big enough to climb into.

Petrified Dunes is another fun hike. It is 1.2 miles long. There are some steep, uneven surfaces but a pretty moderate hike. This hike walks along Navajo sandstone outcrops and sand dunes that are petrified and frozen in time.

Snow Canyon is family friendly park. The shorter length hikes make it possible to enjoy more than one hike and see a variety of different views.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park is open everyday of the year, however some facilities and services may be closed during certain parts of the year. A free shuttle is in operation March through late November. The shuttle starts at the Visitors Center and goes to the end of the park. There are 8-9 stops depending on the time of year and weather. Due to the weather and rock slides some trails may be closed as well. It is smart to have an idea of what trails you want to hike before you arrive to make the most of your time.

Here is the Zion National Park Shuttle and Trail Map.

Angels Landing

One of the most famous hikes in Zion is called Angels Landing. Although the view from this hike is breath taking, this hike is not for everyone. This hike is 5.4 miles with and elevation change of 1488 ft which means long drop offs. Since 2004, 10 people have died falling from the cliffs on this route. The path is often snowy and icy. It is not for young children of people with fear of heights.

The Upper Emerald Pools

The Upper Emerald Pools is another popular hike. It is a mile long hike across a sandy and rocky path. The hike ends at the Upper Emerald Pools at the base of a cliff. In the winter the pool is covered in snow and ice but is still beautiful. In the summer when the snow has melted the pool is an emerald green color with vegetation surrounding the pool.

The Temple of Sinawava

Temple of Sinawava is the last stop that the shuttles go to. It has a beautiful view along with bathrooms and water. This stop takes you to the trail head of Riverside Walk and The Narrows. The Riverside Walk is just what its name says. It is 2.2 miles of paved trail along side the river. It is wheelchair accessible and very easy but can get pretty cold in between the canyons. At the end of this trail is the start of The Narrows trail. This hike is one of a kind but pretty strenuous. It is an additional 7.2 miles and most of that is through water. However, there are boots and dry suits available at the visitor center for this hike.

The Food

Food is always an important part of a vacation. No matter what you are in the mood for, they have it in St.George. Some of the local favorites are as follows. The Painted Pony is a well loved fine dining restaurant that serves American Contemporary food. The Hawaiian Poke Bowl is another option. It has 5 stars on trip adviser and its seafood, Polynesian food and Hawaiian food does not disappoint. Red Fort Cuisine of India is another favorite. It is a traditional Indian food restaurant. Another cheaper, yet popular option is Irmita’s Casita which is a Mexican restaurant. They offer all types of options from authentic to Tex-Mex.

Whether you want to relax and enjoy the scenery with some good food or experience an action filled adventure, St. George is the place to visit. So when you plan your trip to St. George, remember that the Salt Lake Express and the St. George Express are here to help.

Salt Lake Express Travel Bucket List

Posted by Salt Lake Express on January 31, 2020

The Salt Lake Express is not simply a shuttle. Yes, it is a convenient way to get to from point A to point B. Yes, they offer you WiFi, water, and comfortable seats. However, the Salt Lake Express also allows you to experience places that you never knew existed or never dreamed of visiting. With nearly 100 stops across six different states, there are a lot of trips you can take and a lot of memories you can make. So let’s check out just a few of the many places you can visit.

A Few Places We Stop

Sun Valley

In the middle of the Sawtooth National Forest and Challis National Forests is a town called Sun Valley which is the first stop on our tour. Sun Valley, Idaho is known for its famous Sun Valley Resort. In the winters the mountain and lodge is filled with snowboarders and skiers. With 18 lifts on bald mountain and 4 more on dollar mountain, people are left with several options for runs both easy and challenging.

In the summers, however, the mountain changes completely. The wildflowers color the mountain and line the trails for hikers and horseback riders. There are people camping and fishing and enjoying the warm weather. But the Resort is not all that makes Sun Valley such a great destination. In the city of Ketchum there are museums and shops for people to visit as well as events throughout the year. There is an art festival July 10-12 that includes art booths, live music, and food. The Tour de Force is July 23-25 where up to 200 cars gather for admiring and then a high speed race to finish off the week. You can also go visit the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve for some star gazing and astronomy. After you visit Sun Valley take a trip farther south and see what else Idaho has to offer.

Jerome

An hour and a half south of Sun Valley and just north of Twin Falls is a little town called Jerome. The area, although small in population, is exploding with activities and memories just waiting to be made. Country scenery with plenty of different hikes and adventures. The most famous activity in Jerome is the County Fair. It will be held on August 10-15 this year (2020) and will include a rodeo, live concert, fair food, and fun. Outside of the events and small town experiences are beautiful hikes and wildlife. The following is just a small list of hikes in and near Jerome County.

Perrine Bridge
Wilson Butte Cave
Devils Coral
Minidoka National Historic Site
Cauldron Linn
Pillar Falls
Shoshone Falls
Snake River Canyons Park
Miracle and Banbury Hot Springs – Buhl ID
Shoshone Ice Caves – Shoshone ID
Shoshone Falls – Kimberly ID
Thousand Springs – Hagerman ID
Balanced Rock – Glenns Ferry

Cedar City

If you keep traveling south you will come to beautiful Cedar City, Utah. Cedar City is famous for their tony-award winning, Shakespear festival in the summers. During the summer months there are numerous fun events. On Wednesdays from July through October the city of cedar hosts an open-air farmers market with locally grown produce, art, and handmade crafts. In July they host the Midsummer Renaissance Faire as well as the Jamboree car show. The Championship Rodeo is one month later in June. And in October there is the Cedar Live and Heritage Festival.

They also have attractions that are available year round. In the mid 1800s, the pioneers settled Utah. They found iron in Cedar City and sent volunteers to settle the area. Hundreds of years later we have the Frontier Homestead State Park to commemorate those settlers. The park offers several activities and displays for people and families to enjoy. Cedar Breaks National Monument is another beautiful site to see. It includes a dense forest of trees against the bright red and orange colored rock. The Coal Creek Parkway Trail is perfect for hiking. It features coal creek, underpass trail, gold medal mile walk, and more

Las Vegas

Even further down south we have arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada, the city that never sleeps. Las Vegas is full of life and a place where you will never be bored. The Las Vegas Strip is the perfect place to party. Vegas has several amazing places to stay, but the Bellagio Hotel and Casino is one of the highest recommended places to stay. While you enjoy the hype of the city do not miss out of the live music and comedy shows. They have new people every night to keep you entertained. The Adventuredome Theme Park is right in the heart of the city and is a perfect place for kids and adults to enjoy the thrill of the rides. It is also a great place to experience different foods from a variety of cultures.

Many, however, miss the beauty just outside of the city. If you travel just beyond the city, you will find mountains and canyons that will blow your mind away. If this is more your scene, carve out some time for Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, the Historic Railroad Hiking Trail, Gypsum Cave, and Ice Box Canyon. You can enjoy hikes or rock climbing or even ziplining over Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon. If you want to see all of this beauty from farther above, take a hot air balloon tour.

Locations Farther Out

The Salt Lake Express transports you to locations all over Idaho, Utah, Nevada, and Montana, as well as additional locations in Arizona and Wyoming. If these locations are not enough for your adventurous lifestyle then we suggest catching the Salt Lake Express to the nearest airport and traveling from there. The shuttle makes stops at the Boise, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City airports.

From these airports there are endless places to visit. Take a trip to New York to see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, to go shopping, and eat some delicious pizza and street hot dogs. Or you could fly to California to visit Disneyland or learn to surf. Chicago, Pittsburgh, and New Orleans all have tons of history, culture, music, and food. We could make this list a mile long!

No matter where you go, remember that The Salt Lake Express can take you there. We ride in style and offer comfort, safety, and kindness your whole way there.

Book now at www.saltlakeexpress.com.

Salt Lake Express offers great deals from Idaho Falls to Salt Lake City

3 Reasons to Travel from Idaho Falls to Salt Lake City

Posted by Salt Lake Express on June 19, 2018

One of Salt Lake Express’ most popular routes is the Idaho Falls to Salt Lake City corridor. This stretch of I-15 takes passengers through fascinating and underrated parts of Idaho, like the hills of Inkom and Devil Creek Reservoir. It also brings you within close proximity to a number of state parks, ghost towns, and trails. And, of course, it connects two great cities of the west with plenty to do and people to see in each.

So why choose Salt Lake Express? There are, of course, other options: a different shuttle company, carpooling with friends, or even driving yourself down. While there are many ways for you to get from Idaho Falls to Salt Lake City, there are a few ways that Salt Lake Express makes it completely worth your while.

Here are just three of them to give you a small taste.

A low $29 fare

In recognition of how many people take this route, Salt Lake Express offers a one-way fare for Idaho Falls to Salt Lake City starting at $29. That’s $29 you wouldn’t need to spend on gas or parking downtown (which we’ll get to in a sec).

Plus, Salt Lake Express always offering discount codes via email or social media that could knock another $5 or even 20% (about $6) off your ticket price! So you’re looking at under $25 to make the trip if you play your cards right.

Door-to-door pickup and dropoff

In addition to paying less for comfortable and quality travel, Idaho Falls and Salt Lake City each have plenty of stops for pickup and dropoff. And if you are traveling from Idaho Falls to Salt Lake City, did you know that the shuttle can pick you up right from your front door? In addition to the airport and Shaka’s Oasis, Salt Lake Express offers door-to-door pickup service in Idaho Falls. Less than $30 fare and you can get picked up at home? This deal just keeps getting better and better all the time.

Don’t pay for parking

Whether you’re heading to the airport or downtown, parking can get tricky — and expensive. By traveling with Salt Lake Express, we eliminate that problem. That means you can enjoy your trip without worrying about how much money your parked car is racking up. You can wander City Creek or go to a Real Salt Lake without fretting over street meters or your car’s safety.

Between the low fare and the convenience of both pickup and dropoff, Salt Lake Express has strived diligently to serve passengers according to their needs. The logistics of the ride aside, they also make an effort to make sure the ride is comfortable and safe. To book your trip from Idaho Falls to Salt Lake City, visit the Salt Lake Express homepage and let’s get you down there.

Photo by aqua.mech, via Flickr.

Why You Should Travel with Salt Lake Express

Posted by Salt Lake Express on February 8, 2017

Salt Lake Express is the shuttle service you can trust! We drive over 20,000 miles a day so that you do not have too! When you travel with us you get excellent customer service, additional perks at no extra cost and the assurance that we will get you where you need to be on time. Read with us below as we talk a little more about why traveling with Salt Lake Express is always a good idea!

Charging Outlets in our Shuttles

When we do the driving, you get to relax and use your phones or computers. The problem is all of these gadgets have batteries that need to be charged. Lucky for you, we have been updating our fleet to have outlets so that the days of dead batteries while traveling are over. Just ask your driver if you have a hard time locating the outlets on our shuttles. Keep your gadgets charged while traveling with Salt Lake Express today!

Promotions and Specials!

We love to reward our valued customers. When you travel with Salt Lake Express, you are treated like friends and family because you deserve it! We often provide promo codes and discounts on a variety of routes. The earlier your book, the better the pricing! Act fast and save on travel! We also like to reward customers who travel with us. You are automatically entered to win when you travel. One winner is selected every couple of months to win $500 cash! Who doesn’t want an extra $500 right? Book now for your chance to win! Get rewarded for traveling with Salt Lake Express today!

EXPRESS DEALS!

When you travel you want to save money while doing it because, well, who doesn’t love to save money where they can? That is why we came up with our EXPRESS DEALS! Similar to pricing plans like Southwest Airline’s “Wanna Get Away?” promotion, we have been able to set up a system where we can offer lower pricing on certain routes and time of day travel. When you book on our website, you will put in your route information and dates. Once you submit this form, you will be taken to the route options. On the left hand side, you will see listing options that include regular priced routes and our EXPRESS DEAL routes. These provide the lowest pricing possible for that trip criteria. Next time you travel with Salt Lake Express, find our Express Deals and save money because, well, who doesn’t love to save money?

Travel with Salt Lake Express Today!

We hope you have gotten to know us and what we provide a little better. At the end of the day, we want the very best for our customers. We have worked hard on making Salt Lake Express meet the needs of our customers and we hope you see that. When planning your next trip, we hope you consider giving us a try. If you are ready to book your next trip, head over to our reservation tool and book your trip!

There are many fun Salt Lake City activities in the winter.

5 Salt Lake City Activities To Do this Winter

Posted by Salt Lake Express on January 30, 2017

Planning on taking the Salt Lake Express to Salt Lake City this Winter? There are a lot of Salt Lake City Activities to choose from. We want to help you have a great experience while you’re there. Here are 5 Salt Lake City Activities you can do in the area during the Winter months.

1. Visit Temple Square

Temple Square is one of the top attractions in Salt Lake City. The scenery on Temple Square is amazing! Enjoy the view near the water fountains or reflecting pond near the Salt Lake City Temple. Temple Square has a visitors center, as well as other buildings full of church history. This is a great place to relax and enjoy a great view. This is just one of 5 great Salt Lake City Activities to do.

2. Hike Ensign Peak

If you want an amazing view of Salt Lake City, Ensign Peak is the place to go. It’s an easy hike for almost anyone. The trails aren’t too steep, making it easy to get up and down. The hike will take about 15 minutes each way. You’ll want to stay longer than the half hour it takes to hike there and back. The view at the top is incredible! The hike has a South facing slope, that is usually clear from large amounts snow. This makes it a great place to hike during the Winter months.

3. Snowshoeing at Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon

Donut Falls is located in Big Cottonwood Canyon, which is about 12 miles outside of Salt Lake City. This is a nice mild hike, and it’s great for both kids and adults. The hike is an estimated 3.5 miles long, taking about an hour. It’s a great sight to see anytime of year, but it’s best during the Winter. The iced over streams and snow covered trees make the experience even better. You’ll feel like you’re snowshoeing through a Winter wonderland!

4. Go to a Utah Jazz game

Salt Lake City is home to the Utah Jazz, who play in the Vivint Smart Home Arena. This is a great place to enjoy a night out with friends or family. To make it even better, the Jazz are good this year! Even if you’re not a Utah Jazz fan, come and enjoy some basketball.

5. Visit the Hogle Zoo

Hogle Zoo is a 42-acre zoo located in Salt Lake City. It’s home to more than 800 animals from all over the world. From lion cubs to polar bears, there’s so much to see you’ll enjoy every minute! Hogle Zoo allows you to get up close and personal with some of the animals. While you’re there, you’ll want to stop in for the 24th annual World of the Wild art show. It will feature some of the best animal art in the state. It goes from January 28th – March 12th, 2017. Admission to the art show is free for all Zoo guests.

We hope you enjoyed some of these activities. Salt Lake City is a big city with a lot of fun things to do. We can help you get there to enjoy many salt lake city activities! Book your trip today and save!

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