Why Logan, Utah is the Perfect Family Vacation

We drive along Logan Canyon Scenic National Byway taking in the limestone cliffs and colorful fields of wildflowers from Logan, Utah on our way to Bear Lake.  Along the way we stop for a hike at Wind Caves Trail, which has a triple arch and natural cave made out of the limestone outcropping.  After our hike, we continue on our way along Logan River to Bear Lake which has the most beautiful shade of turquoise water.  Once there we spend some time on the beach before heading back to Logan.  

Where is Logan, Utah?  It is located in Northern Utah, approximately an hour and half from Salt Lake City.  Logan is in Cache Valley and home of Utah State University at Logan.  Fun fact: Stan Checketts lives and works in Cache Valley; he invented bungee-jumping towers and some of the fastest, scariest roller coasters on earth (like Tower of Terror in Disneyland and the ride at the top of the Stratosphere in Las Vegas).

On day two, we step back in time to the Old West with a trip to the American West Heritage Center.  We learn about how life was like between 1890-1920s by making rag dolls, weaving rugs, milking a cow and learning to set traps with the mountain men.  It is so cool to see the demonstrators in period clothing to give you the full feeling of how life was different.  We take in the fresh mountain air and spectacular views of Wellsville Mountain on a wagon ride.  Before we leave, we check out the herd of Buffalo for an up-close (but safe) experience.

We catch the free concert at Noon at The Tabernacle in downtown Logan, which is offered every weekday mid-May through mid-August.  We listen to performers on flutes, harps and banjos.  

After the performance, we stop at Logan’s Bluebird Restaurant, which is the longest running restaurant in Utah (opened in 1914), for a delicious teddy bear sundae.  We sit at the soda shop counter, because that’s not an experience you can get everywhere and dig into our decadent dessert!

Our last day in town, has us heading to Beaver Creek Lodge to explore the Rocky Mountains on horseback.  My daughter loves to go horseback riding and it is now a must on every trip!  It is amazing the scenery that we take in on the back of horse as we pretend that we are cowboys!

We round out the evening at the Caine Lyric Theatre, home to the Lyric Repertory Company, as we take in the musical Singing in the Rain.  However, the theatre rotates their schedule and performs musicals, mysteries, dramas and comedies.

While the above would be my trip to Logan and Cache Valley, Utah during the summer, I would really like to visit Hardware Ranch in Cache Valley during the winter (December to February) to take a horse-drawn sleigh through a herd of 600 magnificent Elk.  This would be absolutely amazing!  I know my daughter would fall in love – it’s one of those rare opportunities!  Since I am living in the south right now, we do not get any snow, so to get to visit a winter wonderland full of snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and downhill skiing would be a spectacular trip!

Have you been to Logan, Utah or Cache Valley?  What would be your favorite activity?