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Amazing Stay at the Smithsonian Retreat, Utah

March 28, 2019 by Grace Leave a Comment

Smithsonian Retreat House, Dog and Ford Excursion

The Smithsonian Retreat is what drew us to Utah. This is an Airbnb near Zion National Park, and having stayed there for a week I can confirm that it is truly an awesome property. If you are looking for lodging in Southern Utah, look no further this is it!

As you can see, it is dog friendly. The beautiful grounds are 2.5 acres (plenty of room for pooches to run!) and has volleyball, tennis, and basketball courts.

Tennis Court and St Bernard

It is called The Smithsonian Retreat because it is across from the Smithsonian Butte. The house is amazing in itself, however what really makes it stand out is the incredible views and the location. The Smithsonian Retreat sits atop a mesa, so that you can look over the valley below.

Unique Place Near Zion National Park

This Airbnb is a unique place to stay near Zion National Park. Zion is about a 45 minute drive away. You can also easily take some day trips to St. George (30 miles) and Kanab (50 miles), where the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is located. Please read my post “Explore Southern Utah” for additional details and some other great options for adventure and exploration!

Keyhole Entrance to house in Apple Valley Utah
Beautiful keyhole entrance to The Smithsonian Retreat

I loved the red adobe style of the house and the beautiful keyhole entrance! The property and grounds (2.5 acres) are large, and will accommodate up to 14 guests. There are 4 bedrooms (with 8 beds), and 4 baths.

Dog and person with gorgeous view behind them
Outdoor Dining With a Beautiful View

Dining at The Smithsonian

One of the benefits of staying in an Airbnb is that you can save money by cooking your own meals. There is a fully stocked kitchen available for use, along with an outdoor grill and an awesome fire pit! I have wonderful memories of roasting hot dogs and marshmallows in the fire pit under a bright and full moon.

Person roasting hot dogs in a fire pit
Roasting Hot Dogs at The Smithsonian Retreat
Hot dogs and salad on a plate
These roasted hot dogs were so delicious!

There is ample dining space for large groups, both inside and outside the home. I believe some of the best times take place around the dining table, and we truly enjoyed the dining we had at The Smithsonian Retreat.

Person grilling steaks with dog watching
Toby patiently waiting for steaks

Other Amenities at The Smithsonian Retreat

In addition, The Smithsonian Retreat also offers:

  • Huge deck with amazing views
  • Enormous game room with Xbox and pool table, just to start!
  • Fun hammock garden! Just sit and enjoy the amazing views from your hammock!
  • Jeep for rent – although we did not take advantage of the jeep rental, there is one available
Hammock Garden at The Smithsonian Retreat
Hammock Garden at The Smithsonian Retreat

I truly cannot praise this property enough. This has got to be one of the best places to stay near Zion National Park! It offers so many amenities with amazing views for a great price! This home is also perfect for large groups!

The Smithsonian Retreat – A True Retreat

Although the property is located close to one of the most beautiful places on Earth, Zion National Park, you may not want to leave The Smithsonian Retreat. You will find peace, quiet, and serenity while staying here.

Imagine waking up after an incredible sleep and enjoying having coffee at the outdoor dining area taking in the incredible views. Then cooking up a delicious breakfast and perhaps playing some tennis or volleyball during the afternoon. You can spend hours reading in one of the hammocks, or just hanging out and watching TV. There is also great wifi!

Wind down at the end of the day by soaking in the beautiful bathtub, and then cook up a delicious dinner in the kitchen. Or perhaps grill up some steaks or use the fire pit to roast hot dogs, as we did.

Our family at The Smithsonian Retreat
Having fun at The Smithsonian Retreat

To conclude, we found this to be a unique place to stay near Zion National Park, and one of the best lodging options in Southern Utah! Our family had an amazing time, and we dream of the day when we can return to this fantastic place! It is also dog friendly which is critical…Toby loves his vacations too!!

If you have any questions or recommendations, please type them below!

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About Me

Hi I’m Grace! I'm married and a mom to my fur baby, Toby, and food and travel are two of my greatest passions! Since our bank account does not allow us to travel or eat out as much as we'd like, I decided I would cook delicious meals that could give us a taste of all the places we'd like to go. My goal is to get you in the kitchen, and inspire you to cook and taste delightful meals that will transport you too. Let’s throw some actual travel in from time to time, all with an emphasis on keeping your wallet full and happy as well. Let’s get cooking and let’s start exploring!! I'm excited to be on this journey with you!!

By the way most of these recipes are Toby taste tested and Toby approved!!

Chief Taste Tester Toby

Toby Chief Taste Tester

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Stewing Hen in a crockpot

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My Favorites

Stewing Hen in a crockpot
Mince and Tatties with peas and carrots
Khatti Daal with salad, paratha, and samosas in the background
Blood oranges whole and cut
Chengdu Chicken
Baby back pork ribs with baked potato and Central BBQ Jerk Seasoning
Impossible Burger
Bucatini all'Amatriciana
Lobster risotto and asparagus
Penne Carbonara with salad, santa claus, tabasco bottle, greenery, and a lit candle in the background
Banoffee Pie with mr and mrs klaus
Bunny Chow and salad in the background
Cawl cennin
Cock-a-leekie soup with prunes
Shrimp Gumbo
Rigatoni With Sausage in a white bowl with salad in the background
Spicy Chicken Tenders with purple potato in the background
Camarones a la Mexicana in a cast iron pan
Barbacoa Taco
Turmeric Chicken With Sumac and Lime
Tomato Basil Chicken
Korean Zucchini Side Dish with chopsticks

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