If you’re visiting the Dinosaur National Monument in Utah, you’re most likely staying in a town called Vernal. Although it may be 30 minutes away from the park, it is the biggest city nearby so that’s where all the hotels are.
I have to say, Vernal is one of those towns that looks like a Hallmark movie. In fact, I really want to go back in the winter to see how they decorate for Christmas!
Picture this: A cute main street, fresh flowers hung on every corner, local mom and pop shops with the friendliest workers. Yeah, you know you want to go.
Part of what draws me to traveling is not only exploring our main destination (Dinosaur National Monument), but also seeing what cool attractions are held elsewhere. Vernal definitely doesn’t disappoint!
Keeping reading to learn about 6 family-friendly places to see in Vernal, Utah!
1. 7-11 Ranch Restaurant
This place was recommended to us by Nate’s grandfather. The only thing he told us was that they have a wall full of “suckers” (lollipops if you’re from the east like me) and that we had to get Parker whatever he wanted. Well, we didn’t buy Parker any lollipops, but we did explore their amazing gift shop!
Most of their products for sale were dinosaur-related (t-shirts, toys, stuffed animals, etc), but they also had nice scented candles and porcelain horses.
Once we sat down to eat, we realized why this place is so popular. The food is delicious!
I ordered the Chicken Parmesan with a scone and it did not disappoint. Scones are one of my favorite foods, after all.
They give you a good amount of food on your plate too so we each ordered some dessert to go. Coming to the 7-11 Ranch Restaurant was the best way to start our weekend in Vernal!
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2. Utah Field House of Natural History
It’s funny the kind of things you find from just driving around. That’s right, we spotted this state museum right off main street and thought it would be the perfect place to go for a nice Saturday afternoon.
Please note: Masks are required inside the museum, but they provide them for you if you don’t have your own.
This place has everything you’d expect of a natural history and dinosaur museum – introductory video, interactive digging sites, and a giant dinosaur skeleton. Our favorite part though was actually outside! There is a dinosaur garden right outside that you can walk around and see sculptures of different kinds of dinosaurs.
Did you know that all of earth’s history can be found within 80 miles of Vernal? There is definitely a lot of history to discover at the museum!
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3. Cobble Rock Park
Another spot on Main Street, this cute little park really gives Vernal that small town feel. What initially caught my eye were the rows of benches that have probably seen a lot of outdoor shows. We parked across the street and walked over to get a closer look.
Although small, it has a ton of great photoshoot opportunities! For starters, there are several water fountains that shoot straight into the sky to make a splash pad. And you can’t miss the beautiful flowers either.
To top it all off, there are giant murals of dinosaurs on the walls around the park. It’s a great place to stretch your legs or relax on a bench.
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4. Grandma Dot’s Ice Cream & Deli
Not gonna lie, we only learned about this shop because I was really craving ice cream. I’m glad I was because Grandma Dot’s was absolutely adorable!
With a dozen different ice cream flavors (including Root Beer and Superman), there was something for everyone to enjoy. And yes, there are sandwiches and normal deli foods too, but we were only interested in the dessert 🙂
Be careful when you order though. They may give you more than you asked for! We were (pleasantly) shocked at how many scoops they gave all of us.
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5. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple
We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, however we didn’t know there was a temple here until we were exploring the town on Saturday. Although it is closed to the general public, I still highly recommend stopping by and walking around.
As a last minute decision, we came by on Sunday and did a little scripture study together on the grounds.
Even if you have no interest in religion, it is still an impressive building. The landscaping is impeccable and the classic brick makes it looks super nice. Built in 1997, it was the 51st temple of the church to be constructed. There are now 168 temples built worldwide!
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6. Dinosaur Sculptures
Last, but not least, you need to check out all the different dinosaur sculptures around town! Similar to the apples in Virginia, the city of Vernal and the surrounding areas have many sculptures of dinosaurs hidden throughout. It is nicknamed Dinosaur Land for a reason, after all.
You could make it into a fun scavenger hunt for the kids!
Whether you decide to stop at each one or not, it is fun to point them out as you drive by. Parker roars like a dinosaur when he sees one, even the green Apatosaurus outside Sinclair gas stations! Do your kids get excited with dinosaurs too?
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All the dinosaur souvenirs will put this high on my sons list! ha!
We had to pry my son away from all the dinosaur toys everywhere 🙂
Vernal is a fun town! We went recently and a great time exploring!
I’m glad you liked it as much as I do!
We would love the field house of natural history. Looks like a wonderful town for families to explore!
It is! There is so much to learn!
Sounds like an interesting and fun trip. Love all the dinosaurs. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
Utah is on my travel bucket list!
You won’t regret it!
Cool! Coincidentally, I’m currently house sitting for a friend who will be spending a lot of time there after rafting.
Thanks for all the great info!
Haha that is a coincidence! You should trade and have your friend house sit for you too!
This looks so fun and so cute!
It is! We love it!
When I homeschooled my boys dinosaurs was their favorite thing.
That’s how my son is now 🙂
Sounds like a great place to go with family! I love little hallmark movie like towns!
Me too! There is always so many good photoshoot ops 🙂
This sounds like a darling town.
It is! I’m sure you would love it!
All the dinosaur attraction look like a ton of fun! I love the murals.
They were so big!
Those are amazing ideas! I love to travel and find new places to visit!
Me too! It makes it all the more fun!
Awesome! My youngest is just getting into dinos and there looks like lots of fun ones to see here.
Yes, he would absolutely love it!
Haven’t been to Utah yet… but its on the list! Thanks for providing a couple of great ideas for when we do make it there!
Of course! There is a ton to explore in Utah!
Anyone with a love of dinosaurs would love this!
Definitely 🙂
I love all of the dinosaur sculptures. This looks like a fun place.
They are so much fun to find!
My nephew and his wife are moving to Utah so even though they just have a newborn, I figure if I share this with them they can plan ahead!
Of course! Newborns can travel just as well as adults can 🙂
I had no idea about this place, but now I can’t wait to go! My boys would LOVE this trip!
It really brings out the kid in everyone!
Such a sweet little spot. It is exactly how I would expect a place named Vernal Utah to look – homey with a western flare.
Yep! All the classics 🙂
Looks like a great place to visit for all ages. I’ll add it to my must see list.
Please do! You will have a blast!
Looks like a great place to explore! Very interesting!
It is awesome!
So many fun things to do there! Love all the dinosaurs. So fun.
Thank you!
Fun fact the Vernal, Utah Temple was the first temple built out of an already constructed building. They turned the Vernal Tabernacle into the Vernal, Temple in 1997. Much of the brick is the original brick from the late 1800’s when they built it. Also the Zions bank in Vernal is the only building shipped through the mail. As there is no train to vernal delivery of building materials was outlandishly priced. However at the time there was no cost difference to ship anything, meaning a letter cost just as much as a crate of bricks to mail. So they had the bricks delivered by mail. The Zions Bank in Vernal, UT is sometimes called the parcel post bank, and today many federal mail regulations have been created because of the Parcel Post Bank. Just some fun Vernal facts. Great town and great place for Dinosaurs.
Wow, that’s so cool! I had no idea! Thanks for the extra fun facts!