Five Utah Getaways for Under 500$
Back in October I wrote a post about why marriage is an investment worth spending on. One aspect of that post shared the importance of going on one-on-one overnight outings with your spouse. Getting away can be difficult--there's limited income to consider, transportation needs, taking work off, and coordinating schedules with a trustworthy child caregiver; just to name a few obstacles. Much can (and should!) be said about each of these obstacles and strategies for successfully tackling them.
For today, however, I will focus on the reality of creating a relationship-building, beautiful getaway with your spouse, while keeping to a budget. Here are five affordable getaways Kevin & I have experienced and paid for for 500$ or less. Since we live in Utah and much of this blog community lives here as well, the locations are local to us. 30$ is added to each "total cost estimate" to account for paying for fuel to drive to each location (it may be more or less depending on where you live or what kind of car you drive).
For out-of-state couples, we encourage you to find similar locations/experiences in your own area.
#1--Sundance Mountain Resort
Lodging: This stunning stay will have you and your sweetheart nestled in the heart of the Rockies. Room rates start at 234$ during summer months on the company's webpage (they are far more expensive during skiing season), but better deals can often be found through Booking.com and other travel sites. Perks of this location include limited cell service (more time focusing on your spouse and less screen time), the view of the Provo River and forest greenery from every room, spacious and uniquely decorated rooms, real wood-burning fireplaces, and locally produced (and scrumptious-smelling) soaps and other hygiene products.
Food: There's always the option of bringing your own favorite breakfast foods, but you can also purchase a delicious hot-cooked breakfast with your room rate. The Foundry Grill has a spread of breakfast options, but I recommend you try the fluffy pancakes with the scrumptious maple syrup--they are my total favorite and I think about them often. You can even request to eat outside, enjoying the mountain green while you enjoy your food. For Lunch & Dinner options--Besides the Foundry Grill (which costs about the same as Olive Garden), you can order room service (which costs about the same as a meal at Zupas), eat at the on-site Deli (also about the same $ as Zupas), or eat at the Tree Room (which is so fancy that Kevin and I have never felt we had the money or the class to eat there. So I can't help you much there). Everything we've ever eaten at Sundance has been nothing short of delectable. If you plan on eating three meals during your stay, perhaps plan on $40 for breakfast, $20 for lunch, and $100 for dinner.
Adventures: The hikes and nature walks are abundant and absolutely free, two of our favorites include Cascade Springs and Stuart Falls. Kevin and I have brought our own easels and canvases to try our hands at painting the nature scenes outside our room. If you have a larger budget or want to compromise food quality for experiences, you could venture to try the many classes & activities the resort hosts--horsebackriding, ziplining, fly fishing, sunrise yoga, art classes, and more.
Fuel for Travel: $30
Total Cost: about $424 (pre-tax) for a one-night getaway
#2--Moab, UT
Lodging: There are lots of options for lodging in Moab, from setting up a tent, to renting a camper trailer, to finding a hotel option. We enjoyed a perfect little bed and breakfast called Moab Beds & Bagels. Room rates start at $125 and include breakfast. Rooms are very clean and well decorated.
Food: Bagels of several varieties, Yogurt, Orange Juice, and more are left ready and waiting in your room's refrigerator for breakfast. You should probably pack your own lunch and snacks with you in a cooler so that you have it handy during your days' adventures, so perhaps plan on 20$ maximum for purchasing and packing those. You can use the same groceries for dinner, or you can go out to eat at a local gig for anywhere between 20$--50$. We purchased and prepared our own food for this trip, so we don't have any recommendations for good eats, but when in doubt--trust Yelp.
Adventures: Moab has so much beauty to offer inside Arches National Park. After the 30$ park entrance fee, unless you rent equipment, the rest of the adventure is without cost. Hikes, biking, and ATV trails are extremely popular. Our favorite was the hike to the ever-famous Delicate Arch. Hiking with my honey through the rapture of red-rock is an absolute treasured experience.
Fuel for Travel: $30
Total Cost: about $245 (pre-tax) for a one-night getaway, $430 (pre-tax) for a two-night getaway
#3--The Anniversary Inn
Lodging: This beautiful destination hotel features elaborately decorated themed rooms, from a waterway in Venice to the Pyramids of Egypt (to name just a few!). The Anniversary Inn has four locations, including 500 South in Salt Lake City, South Temple in Salt Lake City, Logan, and Boise, ID. Rooms start at 169$ per night.
Food: A delightful breakfast is included with each night's stay; including two beverages, a yogurt parfait, and a breakfast pastry per person. For the SLC locations, local good eats include The Red Rock Cafe, Chedda Burger, Bombay House, Gourmandise, and the Nauvoo Cafe. We usually like to plan for 20$ for lunch and 40$ for dinner, more or less.
Adventures: Vivint Smart Home Arena always has something exciting going on, from concerts to Jazz games. Last January, Kevin and I attended "Monster Jam," a monster truck rally. It was totally outside of our comfort zone and we totally had a blast. The Leonardo Museum has intriguing exhibits, the Hogle Zoo has exotic animals, and Temple Square is majestic. Of course, you can always enjoy a movie at the Gateway Megaplex. We like to plan on 20--80$ for some kind of activity.
Fuel for Travel: 30$
Total Cost: About 339$ (pre-tax) for a one-night getaway
#4--Timpanogos Campground
Lodging: Take some camping equipment with you and enjoy a night together in the great outdoors! Timpanogos campground on the Alpine Loop (closest to the Provo Canyon side) takes same-night campers and (if I remember right...) charges 20-30$ per night. Make sure to bring cash with you to pay the camp host! When we went, the camp host was an English woman in her 60's with rocking cat-style pink glasses, and she was a hoot.
Food: Whether the menu be kabobs, tinfoil dinners or a classic hot dog with s'mores, the food is what you make it! Plan on anywhere between 20$--50$ for your day's meals. Remember to bring enough water and to pack your food away in your car before you get to bed to keep it away from the critters.
Adventure: Hiking, fishing, card games, ghost stories, reading a book, playing a guitar and singing together by the firelight--there's lots of nature-full and stress-relieving options for you and your loved one in the Timpanogos woods!
Fuel for Travel: 30$
Total Cost: $110 for a one-night getaway, $190 for a two-night getaway
#5 Staycation!
Lodging: Your own home! Catch some great zzz's in your own bed with your own pillow snuggled up to your sweetie.
Food: You know that one recipe you've been meaning to bake off of Pinterest, but you haven't gotten around to it? Or those restaurants you two have been meaning to try in town, but haven't taken to the time or money to go check out? Let this be your opportunity to experience the place you live with tourist eyes instead of tax-payer eyes.
Adventure: Enjoy your local rec center together. Sleep in. Read a book cuddled up on your couch together. Stay up late playing board games. Go see a movie, buy chocolate from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, play mini-golf, go to the nickel arcade, watch a production at a local theater, attend a sporting event. Binge watch your favorite shows without the threat of answering the alarm clock the next morning. Dance together in the kitchen. Lock the front door and elect not to answer it--you're on vacation! Take a bath, with bathbombs. Resist the urge to clean or plan or organize or stress. Enjoy being truly together in the home the two of you share.
Fuel for Travel: 0$
Total Cost: You pick what you pay for! As low as 0$, but with a little fun and going-out for enjoyment, I think 150$ is reasonable for a two-night getaway staycation.
For today, however, I will focus on the reality of creating a relationship-building, beautiful getaway with your spouse, while keeping to a budget. Here are five affordable getaways Kevin & I have experienced and paid for for 500$ or less. Since we live in Utah and much of this blog community lives here as well, the locations are local to us. 30$ is added to each "total cost estimate" to account for paying for fuel to drive to each location (it may be more or less depending on where you live or what kind of car you drive).
For out-of-state couples, we encourage you to find similar locations/experiences in your own area.
#1--Sundance Mountain Resort
Lodging: This stunning stay will have you and your sweetheart nestled in the heart of the Rockies. Room rates start at 234$ during summer months on the company's webpage (they are far more expensive during skiing season), but better deals can often be found through Booking.com and other travel sites. Perks of this location include limited cell service (more time focusing on your spouse and less screen time), the view of the Provo River and forest greenery from every room, spacious and uniquely decorated rooms, real wood-burning fireplaces, and locally produced (and scrumptious-smelling) soaps and other hygiene products.
Food: There's always the option of bringing your own favorite breakfast foods, but you can also purchase a delicious hot-cooked breakfast with your room rate. The Foundry Grill has a spread of breakfast options, but I recommend you try the fluffy pancakes with the scrumptious maple syrup--they are my total favorite and I think about them often. You can even request to eat outside, enjoying the mountain green while you enjoy your food. For Lunch & Dinner options--Besides the Foundry Grill (which costs about the same as Olive Garden), you can order room service (which costs about the same as a meal at Zupas), eat at the on-site Deli (also about the same $ as Zupas), or eat at the Tree Room (which is so fancy that Kevin and I have never felt we had the money or the class to eat there. So I can't help you much there). Everything we've ever eaten at Sundance has been nothing short of delectable. If you plan on eating three meals during your stay, perhaps plan on $40 for breakfast, $20 for lunch, and $100 for dinner.
Adventures: The hikes and nature walks are abundant and absolutely free, two of our favorites include Cascade Springs and Stuart Falls. Kevin and I have brought our own easels and canvases to try our hands at painting the nature scenes outside our room. If you have a larger budget or want to compromise food quality for experiences, you could venture to try the many classes & activities the resort hosts--horsebackriding, ziplining, fly fishing, sunrise yoga, art classes, and more.
Fuel for Travel: $30
Total Cost: about $424 (pre-tax) for a one-night getaway
#2--Moab, UT
Lodging: There are lots of options for lodging in Moab, from setting up a tent, to renting a camper trailer, to finding a hotel option. We enjoyed a perfect little bed and breakfast called Moab Beds & Bagels. Room rates start at $125 and include breakfast. Rooms are very clean and well decorated.
Food: Bagels of several varieties, Yogurt, Orange Juice, and more are left ready and waiting in your room's refrigerator for breakfast. You should probably pack your own lunch and snacks with you in a cooler so that you have it handy during your days' adventures, so perhaps plan on 20$ maximum for purchasing and packing those. You can use the same groceries for dinner, or you can go out to eat at a local gig for anywhere between 20$--50$. We purchased and prepared our own food for this trip, so we don't have any recommendations for good eats, but when in doubt--trust Yelp.
Adventures: Moab has so much beauty to offer inside Arches National Park. After the 30$ park entrance fee, unless you rent equipment, the rest of the adventure is without cost. Hikes, biking, and ATV trails are extremely popular. Our favorite was the hike to the ever-famous Delicate Arch. Hiking with my honey through the rapture of red-rock is an absolute treasured experience.
Fuel for Travel: $30
Total Cost: about $245 (pre-tax) for a one-night getaway, $430 (pre-tax) for a two-night getaway
#3--The Anniversary Inn
Lodging: This beautiful destination hotel features elaborately decorated themed rooms, from a waterway in Venice to the Pyramids of Egypt (to name just a few!). The Anniversary Inn has four locations, including 500 South in Salt Lake City, South Temple in Salt Lake City, Logan, and Boise, ID. Rooms start at 169$ per night.
Food: A delightful breakfast is included with each night's stay; including two beverages, a yogurt parfait, and a breakfast pastry per person. For the SLC locations, local good eats include The Red Rock Cafe, Chedda Burger, Bombay House, Gourmandise, and the Nauvoo Cafe. We usually like to plan for 20$ for lunch and 40$ for dinner, more or less.
Adventures: Vivint Smart Home Arena always has something exciting going on, from concerts to Jazz games. Last January, Kevin and I attended "Monster Jam," a monster truck rally. It was totally outside of our comfort zone and we totally had a blast. The Leonardo Museum has intriguing exhibits, the Hogle Zoo has exotic animals, and Temple Square is majestic. Of course, you can always enjoy a movie at the Gateway Megaplex. We like to plan on 20--80$ for some kind of activity.
Fuel for Travel: 30$
Total Cost: About 339$ (pre-tax) for a one-night getaway
#4--Timpanogos Campground
Lodging: Take some camping equipment with you and enjoy a night together in the great outdoors! Timpanogos campground on the Alpine Loop (closest to the Provo Canyon side) takes same-night campers and (if I remember right...) charges 20-30$ per night. Make sure to bring cash with you to pay the camp host! When we went, the camp host was an English woman in her 60's with rocking cat-style pink glasses, and she was a hoot.
Food: Whether the menu be kabobs, tinfoil dinners or a classic hot dog with s'mores, the food is what you make it! Plan on anywhere between 20$--50$ for your day's meals. Remember to bring enough water and to pack your food away in your car before you get to bed to keep it away from the critters.
Adventure: Hiking, fishing, card games, ghost stories, reading a book, playing a guitar and singing together by the firelight--there's lots of nature-full and stress-relieving options for you and your loved one in the Timpanogos woods!
Fuel for Travel: 30$
Total Cost: $110 for a one-night getaway, $190 for a two-night getaway
#5 Staycation!
Lodging: Your own home! Catch some great zzz's in your own bed with your own pillow snuggled up to your sweetie.
Food: You know that one recipe you've been meaning to bake off of Pinterest, but you haven't gotten around to it? Or those restaurants you two have been meaning to try in town, but haven't taken to the time or money to go check out? Let this be your opportunity to experience the place you live with tourist eyes instead of tax-payer eyes.
Adventure: Enjoy your local rec center together. Sleep in. Read a book cuddled up on your couch together. Stay up late playing board games. Go see a movie, buy chocolate from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, play mini-golf, go to the nickel arcade, watch a production at a local theater, attend a sporting event. Binge watch your favorite shows without the threat of answering the alarm clock the next morning. Dance together in the kitchen. Lock the front door and elect not to answer it--you're on vacation! Take a bath, with bathbombs. Resist the urge to clean or plan or organize or stress. Enjoy being truly together in the home the two of you share.
Fuel for Travel: 0$
Total Cost: You pick what you pay for! As low as 0$, but with a little fun and going-out for enjoyment, I think 150$ is reasonable for a two-night getaway staycation.
Fun ideas. :) You guys obviously love Sundance.
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