Moab

Moab Utah
Arches National Park
Canyonlands National Park

This was actually my first time in Moab! Sometimes I forget I live a few hours from some of those most gorgeous national parks. If you are a Utah native, don't miss an opportunity to be a tourist in your own state. If you're a newbie, these park are well worth the road trip. Family friendly, college student budget friendly, backpacking nomad with dreadlocks friendly. My family has decided to try new and different vacations, instead of the normal drive to the beach in California -- so we took this trip with my 16yo sister (who insisted on a hotel) and my 8yo brother (who loves climbing things, especially giant red rocks.)

If you rent ATVs, ask to take the Chicken Corners trail to explore some super cool caves, and see lots of petroglyphs.

Food:
The Broken Oar - best reviews in Moab. A nicer diner place I would recommend the veggie wrap.
Quesadilla Mobilla - one of my favorite food trucks, also one of the fastest food trucks I've been to.
Moab Garage Co. - raddest cafe in Moab. Great vibes, great sandwiches. And they mix up their unique ice cream flavors individually and freeze with liquid nitrogen. I had Cap'n Crunch ice cream!
Pasta Jay's - super yummy, perfect for lots of carbs after lots of hiking
Jailhouse Cafe - cutest breakfast joint

Shops:
Moab Made - great selection of handmade notebooks and cool art/stickers. Lots of local pottery too.
Lin Ottinger's Rock Shop - our first stop in Moab, a rock lover's heaven. I got some tiny ones to make into rings at the Gem Studio in Provo! (see that guide.)

Extras:
Moab Tour Company - ATV Rental. Super fun and entertaining team of employees. Good availability.

Next time: I want to do rock climbing and rappelling, and more hikes. Looks like it's time to plan a even more granola Moab trip.