TimeOut

Bryce Canyon, Utah: Ruby's Inn

Jul 25, 2014,00:01 AM

Last year we had a wonderful trip explore the state of Utah. We visited the Arches National park which was filled with interesting natural rock formations ( http://timeout.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost/fi-686/pi-6042343/ti-885708/s-0/t-timeout-angeles-national-park-part1-moab-utah/ and timeout.watchprosite.com

. A few months ago we visited the Hill Aerospace Museum ( http://timeout.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost/fi-686/pi-6438793/ti-932738/s-0/t-timeout-hill-aerospace-museum-utah-aviation-hall-of-fame-hill-afb-part1/ ) at the Hill Air Force base. This time we head over to the Bryce Canyon area.

We start our morning at the historic Ruby's Inn, it's been here for almost 100 years!

Ruby's Inn is the closest accommodations to Bryce Canyon National Park and was built by Reuben 'Ruby' Syrett. Originally the lodge was called 'Tourists Rest' and built at Bryce Canyon in 1919. A few years later, the area was designated a National Park and in 1923 they moved to it's current location and have been operated by generations of Rueben's family. On the property is a Best Western, RV parking, campgrounds, food/restaurants, and a shopping area.

Let's take a look inside the Inn. Here's the large lobby area of the Main Lodge:

We were here when it was still cold so the fire place was a great place to warm up. So trophies hang from the high ceilings and the walls have pictures revealing the surrounding area over the years. There's not much out here so our dining and lodging choices were limited. Since we arrived in the morning we grabbed a bite to eat at the Cowboy's Buffet and Steak Room.

Here they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Let's do breakfast!

Some freshly brewed coffee to start as we browse over the menu...it was pretty good.

Although the name is Cowboy Buffet, they were not serving a buffet during breakfast. We got the Scrambled Eggs and Link Sausage...

Smoked Bacon and Basted Eggs:

Their pancakes were huge but since they were so light and tasted we had no problems finishing it off.

After the meal we walked around the property and check things out. On the other side of the Main Lodge lobby is Ruby's General Store. It's a large gift shop. They have everything you need, from food to camping gear they got it all. Makes sense as there is not much out here in the Bryce Canyon area.

I thought the bear that was carved out of wood was cool. Yep, they got real bears around here! When you visit, make sure you check the National Park website or the front desk for travel warnings. Right now certain backwoods areas popular for camping is closed due to bears in the area.

Across the street from Ruby's Inn are a bunch of stores. Souvenirs, mini mart, and some kind of ice cream and candy shop.

On the corner is a grand stand seating, I was told by the front desk that they do events through out the year. They host a 5 mile run/walk in August and set up a ice rink at the Ebenezer's Barn across the street. For Memorial Day weekend, the Bryce Canyon Rodeo comes to town.

Is that a jail? LOL!

Since we are near a National Park, in addition to the hiking there are a lot of outdoor activities. ATV and horse back riding is really popular. Of course there's skiing during the winter time.