Moab Travel Guide: How to Make The Best Plans

There’s so much to do in Moab, Utah. Sometimes, it can feel like too much! The area offers such variety in activities and places to see that it can be overwhelming to choose. When the trip is shorter, you can feel even more pressure to select the right thing! Whether it’s your first visit or an annual return, this Moab travel guide will help make the best use of your time!

Your Moab Travel Guide Starts With You

As a Moab elopement photographer who also calls this town my home, I never grow tired of photographing the red-rock high desert. It holds enough space to endlessly explore or to simply watch such as an epic Moab sunset. But, it’s up to your own personality, goals, and what you tend to enjoy as a family or couple that determines how to spend your time. 

Even if you are more adventurous or laid back, there are activities for everyone! You can go with the flow, follow recommended favorites, or try activities that you can’t find back home. This Moab travel guide is here to get you started!

Moab is known for its outdoor adventures including hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, off-roading, skydiving, rafting and now even tandem base jumping! These activities are mostly dependent upon the season but many can be done year-round. The following are some recommendations:

What to Do When You Travel to Moab

• Rent a Jeep or take a Jeep Tour: this is the #1 thing to do in Moab! There are tons of trails all around Moab for all skill levels. 

• Mountain Biking at my favorite spots: Navajo Rocks, Slick Rock, Bar M & Dead Horse Point. You can also rent from Moab Cyclery, Poison Spider Bicycles, & Chile Pepper Bike Shop.
• Rock Climbing or Canyoneering: Front Range Climbing Co. & Moab Cliffs & Canyons.

• Hot Air Balloon Ride: Canyonlands Ballooning & Redrock Ballooning.
• Scenic Airplane Ride: Redtail Air.
• Hiking: You could hire a tour guide, but I recommend using AllTrails taking advantage of the filters to find the perfect hike for you!

• La Sal Loop Scenic Drive: The drive provides scenic views over the Moab Valley and Canyonlands National Park with routes to La Sal Mountain Pass, Geyser Pass, Oowah Lake, Warner Lake and Castle Valley.
• Horseback Riding: These paths and tours are mostly located in Castle Valley: Moab Horses & Canyonlands by Night & Day.

What to Do in Downtown Moab

Everyone knows that Moab is the place to go for adventure and outdoor activities but the town itself also has so much charm. Crucial to any Moab travel guide is experiencing downtown Moab. Most couples will utilize the hotels in the area for both their stay and getting ready on the wedding day. 

Downtown Moab, Utah is the hub for all Moab adventures and is dotted with outdoor outfitters including bike shops (rental, repairs, guided tours), off‑road outfitters, and rafting guides. The town also offers shopping, art, museums and dining all within the boundaries of this charming town. These are some favorites of both visitors and locals:

Art Galleries & Museums

1. Moab ArtWalk: free regular event held once every season. You can plan your trip around the next show date! 
2. Gallery Moab: fine art gallery featuring Western landscapes including those that capture the local greats such as Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. 
3. Lema’s Kokopelli Gallery: Native American Southwest jewelry, art and metalwork.
4. Moab Museum: natural and cultural history museum that covers geology, paleontology, and archeology.

Coffee Shops

1. Moab Garage Co.: cafe with plenty of seating offering coffee along with breakfast and baked goods. 
2. Más café: small and cozy coffee house with baked goods and coffee offerings. 
3. Bonjour Bakery & Café: smaller, family-owned bakery and cafe serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, coffee and fruit smoothies.

Dining & Breweries

1. Moab Food Truck Park: large assortment of food and dessert options with 14 regular vendors. 
2. Antica Forma: casual authentic Italian restaurant offering pizza and pasta favorites.
3. 98 Center Moab: Pho restaurant showcasing Vietnamese soups and salads, alongside cocktails.
4. Moab Brewery: microbrewery and American restaurant with ales, IPAs and cocktails. 
5. Proper Brewing Co.: diverse lineup of 20 beer taps paired with burgers and other pub fare including my favorite milkshakes.

My primary tip for exploring downtown Moab things to do is to stroll southward along Main Street. While it’s only a few blocks, the street is packed with cafés, galleries, shops, and dining options. Downtown Moab has just enough offerings to make it both a starting and landing point for your trip!

Find my Complete Moab Travel Guide for elopements HERE!

Vendors

Destination | Moab, Utah
Photographer | Matt Davidson Photography

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