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Las Vegas. Zion. Rise.

4 nights · 3 worlds · 1 lantern festival in the desert
4Nights
3Worlds
1Lantern Festival
Days 1 & 2

Las Vegas

Strip views from the 50th floor. Speakeasies behind unmarked doors. Handmade pasta overlooking the Bellagio Fountains.

Day 2 · Sunset

Rise Lantern Festival

Thousands of lanterns released at once over the Mojave Desert. Write a message on yours. Watch them rise until they become the stars.

Days 3 & 4

Zion National Park

Sunrise over canyon walls. Walking upstream through thousand-foot slot canyons. Earning dinner at the best restaurant in Springdale.

Day 01 · Thursday

Arrive in Vegas

Check in. Decompress. First taste of the Strip.
The Cosmopolitan
Center Strip
Wraparound terrace with 180° Strip views. Best restaurant collection under one roof. Walking distance to everything that matters.
Home Base
Scarpetta
4.6★ · $$$$
Overlooks the Bellagio Fountains. Handmade pasta, mood lighting, Italian music. The date-night sweet spot — elevated without being pretentious.
Dinner
Ghost Donkey
Speakeasy
Unmarked green door with a donkey sign in Block 16. Mezcal-focused cocktails. Signature nachos. Small, cozy, perfect nightcap.
After Dinner
Brady’s Note

Keep tonight low-key. You just flew in. Walk the Strip, get dinner, find the speakeasy. Save the energy — tomorrow night is Rise.

Day 02 · Friday

Pool Day → Rise Festival

Recharge by the water. Then the desert lights up.
LIQUID Pool Lounge
Aria · Adults Only
Intimate, 16,000 sq ft. Private dipping pools, craft cocktails. No EDM blasting — just sun, water, and us.
MorningPool
Mon Ami Gabi
Paris LV · 4.5★
One of the only Strip-front patios in Vegas. Steak frites and eggs Benedict watching the Bellagio Fountains. Late lunch before we head out.
Late Lunch
Lotus of Siam
James Beard Winner
The best Thai restaurant in America. Off-Strip, locals-only feel. Khao soi, larb, 300-bottle wine list. $40-60/person for Michelin-quality food.
Backup DinnerHidden Gem
Brady’s Note

We leave for the festival around 2 PM. It’s 30 minutes south on I-15 into the Mojave. Dress in layers — warm during sunset, cold after dark. Comfortable shoes you don’t mind getting dusty. This is the night.

Day 02 · 7:00 PM · Jean Dry Lake Bed, Mojave Desert

Rise Lantern Festival

The desert goes quiet. Thousands of people hold their lanterns. At once — they release. Warm light lifts from every direction, rising past you, above you, until the entire sky is glowing. You’ll write a message on yours. Then let it go.

What You Need to Know

🔥
The lantern release happens at exactly 7 PM. Be at the Compass Stage by 6:30. Position yourself center-crowd — the best view is lanterns rising on all sides of you.
🌡️
Desert temperature drops 25°F after sunset. Bring a hoodie and a blanket. It’s warm during the festival, then cold fast once the sun’s gone.
🚗
No Uber or Lyft. We’ll drive ourselves — 30 min from the Strip. Parking is $30, pre-purchased with tickets. Expect traffic leaving after.
📶
Almost no cell service on the lake bed. Screenshot tickets and download playlists before we leave. That’s part of the magic.
✏️
Write your message before the ceremony. Everyone writes something on their lantern — a wish, a tribute, a goal. Take your time with it. Markers are provided.
Day 03 · Saturday

Drive to Zion

2.5 hours north through the desert. A different world entirely.
Flanigan’s Resort & Spa
Springdale
Boutique resort steps from the park entrance. Full spa, pool, hot tub, labyrinth garden. The elevated pick for couples in Zion.
Home Base
Watchman Trail
3.3 mi · Easy-Moderate
Starts at the Visitor Center — no shuttle needed. Views over Springdale and the Towers of the Virgin. The Watchman peak glows red-orange at sunset.
Sunset HikeGolden Hour
King’s Landing
Springdale · $$$$
Bison carpaccio, charred octopus, NY strip with canyon views. The best restaurant outside the park. Earn this one on the trail.
DinnerDate Night
Brady’s Note

Leave Vegas by 9 AM. You cross from Pacific to Mountain time — lose an hour. Check in, relax, then catch Watchman at golden hour. Keep tonight simple — tomorrow is the big hike day.

Day 04 · Sunday

Zion — The Full Day

Sunrise, slot canyons, and the best hike on Earth.
Canyon Overlook Trail
1 mi · Easy · Sunrise
The best sunrise in Utah. Panoramic view of the entire canyon as first light spills across the walls. 30 minutes up. Drive yourself — it’s outside the shuttle zone. Be there 30 min before sunrise.
SunriseMust Do
The Narrows
3–6 mi · Moderate
Walk upstream through the Virgin River inside a slot canyon with thousand-foot walls on either side. Rent canyoneering shoes + walking stick in Springdale ($35). Go as far as you want — the deeper you go, the more dramatic it gets.
AdventureIconic
Emerald Pools Trail
3 mi loop · Easy-Moderate
Three tiers of waterfalls and green pools. Chain all three together for a solid loop. Lower is paved and easy. Upper has scrambling and the best views. Shuttle Stop 5.
AfternoonWaterfalls
Canyon Junction Bridge
Sunset · Free
THE sunset shot. The Watchman glows red with the Virgin River reflecting in the foreground. Most photographed spot in the park. Be there 30 min early.
SunsetPhoto Spot
Spotted Dog Cafe
Flanigan’s · 4.8★
Highest-rated in Springdale. Lamb shank, fresh local ingredients, scratch sauces. On-site at Flanigan’s — walk downstairs after a full day on the trail.
DinnerLast Night
Brady’s Note

The Narrows is one of the most unique hikes on Earth. You’re literally walking through a river inside a canyon. Bring a dry bag for your phone. The water is cold but you won’t care — the walls towering above you are something else entirely.

The Details

Getting There

Fly into LAS (Harry Reid). Rent a car — you need it for Zion and the festival. ~$40/day.

Rise Tickets

Gold tier ($269) — skip the lines, VIP restrooms. Worth the upgrade over Silver.

Zion Shuttle

Free. Runs every 5-10 min from Visitor Center. First shuttle 7 AM. No reservation needed.

Gear Rental

Narrows shoes + stick from Zion Outfitter in Springdale. ~$35/person. Reserve ahead.

Time Zones

Vegas is Pacific. Zion is Mountain. You lose 1 hour driving east. Plan accordingly.

Best Window

Early October. Rise Festival dates. Zion is 65-75°F, fall colors, trails open, crowds thin.

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