Nestled in the heart of southern Utah, Cedar City is a vibrant destination that offers an impressive mix of outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, and historical attractions. Known as “Festival City, USA,” it’s the perfect base for your next trip, providing easy access to some of the region’s most breathtaking national parks.
Located about 250 miles south of Salt Lake City along Interstate 15, Cedar City is an ideal spot for those looking to explore the natural beauty of southern Utah. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer adventure, this charming city has something for everyone, from outdoor enthusiasts to art lovers.
As you visit Cedar City, you’ll discover why it’s a top pick for travelers. With its rich cultural scene, stunning landscapes, and exciting festivals, Cedar City is ready to make your trip unforgettable.
Discovering Cedar City: Utah’s Festival City
Cedar City, with its vibrant arts scene and proximity to national parks, is an ideal base for your Utah adventure. This charming town is nestled in the heart of southern Utah, making it the perfect place to experience the natural beauty of the region.
Why Cedar City Should Be On Your Utah Itinerary
Cedar City is a unique blend of culture and outdoor adventure. As the “Gateway to the National Parks,” it’s strategically located within miles of some of America’s most spectacular national parks, including Zion and Bryce Canyon. The city’s elevation provides a pleasant climate, cooler than nearby St. George, making it an attractive destination year-round.
Best Times to Visit Cedar City
The best time to visit Cedar City depends on your preferences. Here’s a breakdown of the seasons:
| Season | Activities | Weather |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (April-June) | Hiking, wildflower viewing | Comfortable temperatures |
| Summer (June-August) | Festivals, outdoor concerts | Warm weather |
| Fall (September-October) | Exploring national parks, autumn colors | Mild temperatures |
| Winter (November-March) | Skiing, snowboarding at Brian Head Resort | Cold weather |
Cedar City’s central location in southern Utah makes it an excellent base for exploring national parks and enjoying the city’s festivals. Whether you’re interested in outdoor adventures or cultural experiences, Cedar City has something for everyone.
Frontier Homestead State Park Museum
Step into the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum, where Cedar City’s rich history comes alive. This museum is located in the heart of Cedar City’s downtown area, making it an ideal stop on your Utah itinerary.
Interactive Exhibits and Historical Artifacts
The museum features engaging interactive exhibits where you can touch authentic artifacts, try on period clothing, and gain hands-on experience with tools and implements from Utah’s pioneer era. The extensive collection includes horse-drawn vehicles, farming equipment, mining tools, and household items that tell the story of daily life in early Cedar City.
Outdoor Pioneer Buildings and Activities
Beyond the indoor museum, you’ll discover a captivating outdoor area featuring restored and replicated pioneer buildings, including homes, a schoolhouse, and a blacksmith shop. Families particularly enjoy activities like panning for gold, exploring a replica Native American pit house, and taking photos in the old jail cell.
The Frontier Homestead State Park Museum is open year-round, but the hours vary with the seasons: Spring hours are 9 am to 6 pm, daily; Summer hours extend to 9 am to 7 pm, daily; Fall hours are 9 am to 6 pm, Mon-Sat, and 10 am to 4 pm, Sun; Winter hours are 9 am to 5 pm, Mon-Sat, and 10 am to 4 pm, Sun. Admission is roughly $4 per person, making it an affordable home for history enthusiasts.
Explore Downtown Cedar City
As you step into downtown Cedar City, you’ll be greeted by a charming blend of history, culture, and entertainment. The area is designed to be explored on foot, with plenty of attractions to discover.
Historic Main Street and Shopping
Downtown Cedar City’s Historic Main Street is lined with well-preserved architecture, including the iconic Union Pacific Railroad Depot built in 1923 and the classic Cedar Movie Theater. You’ll find unique gift shops, art galleries, and specialty stores selling handcrafted items and southwestern souvenirs.
Local Eateries and Cafes
The dining scene in downtown Cedar City offers a variety of cuisines to suit every taste. You can enjoy wood-fired pizza at Centro Woodfired Pizzeria or classic American fare at All American Diner. For a nostalgic treat, visit Bulloch Drug Store & Soda Fountain, a Cedar City institution since 1955.
Southern Utah Museum of Art
The Southern Utah Museum of Art, situated within the Southern Utah University campus, offers a sophisticated cultural experience in the heart of Cedar City. This museum is free and open to the public, featuring an array of art from local and national artists.
Rotating Exhibits and Collections
The museum boasts rotating gallery spaces that display a diverse range of artistic styles and mediums. From traditional paintings and sculptures to innovative multimedia installations, there’s always something new to discover during your visit to Cedar City.
Student and Faculty Artwork
The Southern Utah Museum of Art proudly showcases the creative achievements of Southern Utah University’s talented faculty and students. This provides visitors with a unique insight into the region’s emerging artistic voices. The museum’s educational programming, including artist talks and guided tours, further enhances your understanding and appreciation of the exhibited works.
When planning your visit, note that the museum’s hours vary depending on the time of year. It’s open from 10 am to 8 pm during the summer months (June-September) and from 10 am to 6 pm during the academic year (October-May). The museum is closed on Sundays. You can also explore the museum’s gift shop, which offers unique art-inspired merchandise and souvenirs to remember your visit to Cedar City.
Utah Shakespeare Festival
Cedar City, Utah, is renowned for its Utah Shakespeare Festival, a cultural gem that attracts visitors from across the nation. This festival is a highlight of summer in Cedar City, taking place annually at Southern Utah University.
World-Class Theatrical Performances
The Utah Shakespeare Festival is known for its diverse repertoire, featuring Shakespeare’s classics alongside contemporary plays and Broadway musicals. With three distinct venues within the Beverly Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts, visitors can enjoy a unique theatrical experience. The festival’s performances cater to a wide range of tastes, ensuring that there’s something for every theater enthusiast.
Festival History and Venues
Founded in 1961, the Utah Shakespeare Festival began as a solution to provide evening entertainment for summer tourists visiting nearby national parks. Today, it stands as one of America’s most respected theatrical events. The festival takes place in three venues on the Southern Utah University campus, including the outdoor Adams Shakespearean Theatre, modeled after Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Located just east of Cedar City, Cedar Breaks National Monument is a breathtaking natural wonder that awaits your visit. This stunning monument is perched at over 10,000 feet and offers a unique experience throughout the year.
Spectacular Red Rock Amphitheater
Cedar Breaks National Monument showcases a spectacular natural amphitheater of eroded red rock formations, rivaling the beauty of nearby Bryce Canyon but with significantly fewer crowds. The monument’s elevation offers breathtaking panoramic views across a half-mile deep geologic wonder filled with colorful hoodoos, spires, and natural arches.
Hiking Trails and Stargazing Opportunities
The monument features several hiking trails, including the Spectra Point/Ramparts Overlook Trail, a moderate 4-mile round-trip hike along the rim with stunning viewpoints and ancient bristlecone pine trees. Cedar Breaks has also earned designation as an International Dark Sky Park, offering exceptional stargazing opportunities with ranger-led astronomy programs every Saturday night from May through Labor Day.
Brian Head Resort: Year-Round Adventure
With its high elevation and diverse terrain, Brian Head Resort is a must-visit for anyone looking for year-round mountain adventures. Situated just 40 minutes from Cedar City, the resort boasts the highest base elevation in Utah at 9,600 feet.
Winter Skiing and Snowboarding
During the winter months, Brian Head Resort transforms into a skiing and snowboarding paradise. With 71 runs across 650 acres of skiable terrain, served by eight lifts, there’s something for every skill level. The resort’s high elevation ensures quality snow conditions from November to April, with an average annual snowfall of 360 inches.
Summer Activities and Mountain Biking
In the summer, Brian Head Resort becomes a hub for mountain biking and other outdoor activities. With over 100 miles of trails, ranging from smooth cross-country routes to technical downhill tracks, the resort is a mountain biking paradise. Visitors can also enjoy scenic chairlift rides, zip lines, an alpine tubing hill, and more.
Kanarra Falls Hike
For outdoor enthusiasts, the Kanarra Falls hike is a thrilling adventure that combines desert landscapes, narrow canyons, and picturesque waterfalls. Located just north of Cedar City, this 3.7-mile round-trip trail follows Kanarra Creek through increasingly narrow canyon walls, requiring hikers to wade through ankle to knee-deep water in several sections.
Slot Canyon and Waterfall Experience
The hike features two stunning waterfalls, with a wooden ladder positioned against the first waterfall allowing hikers to climb up and continue deeper into the canyon toward the second waterfall. The canyon narrows as you progress, creating an unforgettable experience.
Permits and Preparation Tips
To visit Kanarra Falls, you must purchase tickets in advance ($15 per person), which often sell out weeks ahead, especially during peak summer months. It’s crucial to check the weather forecast and never enter the slot canyon when rain is forecasted. Proper preparation includes wearing water shoes or hiking sandals, bringing a dry bag for electronics, and carrying plenty of water.
Cedar City, Utah: Best Things to Do for History Buffs
Cedar City, Utah, is a treasure trove for history buffs, offering a plethora of historical sites and landmarks that showcase the region’s rich pioneer heritage and Native American history. You can explore the remnants of the past, from abandoned mining towns to ancient petroglyphs, and gain a deeper understanding of the area’s cultural significance.
Old Irontown Historic Site
Located about 20 minutes west of Cedar City, Old Irontown Historic Site preserves the ruins of a once-bustling 1870s iron mining community. You can walk along the self-guided trails and explore the remains of the iron industry, including a unique beehive-style charcoal oven and the remnants of the original blast furnace. Interpretive signs provide insight into the history of the site and the attempts to establish an iron industry in southern Utah.
Parowan Gap Petroglyphs and Dinosaur Tracks
A short 25-minute drive north of Cedar City brings you to Parowan Gap, a site featuring one of Utah’s most significant collections of Native American petroglyphs. The rock faces are adorned with hundreds of mysterious symbols, including calendar-like markings that archaeologists believe may have tracked solstices and equinoxes. You can also explore the nearby Parowan Gap Dinosaur Track Site, where clearly marked fossilized footprints provide evidence of the area’s prehistoric inhabitants.
Family-Friendly Activities in Cedar City
Cedar City is a haven for families, offering a variety of activities that cater to all ages. Whether you’re looking for indoor fun or outdoor adventures, Cedar City has something for everyone.
Cedar City Aquatic Center
The Cedar City Aquatic Center is a fantastic place for families to enjoy water activities year-round, thanks to its indoor facilities. You can float along the lazy river, enjoy the water slides, or relax in the hot tub. The center also features a lap pool for those who want to stay active and a splash playground for younger kids. With different hours for open swimming, lap swimming, and water walking, you can plan your day according to your preferences. Open swim is available Monday through Friday from 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm and on Saturdays from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Admission prices are around $5 per person, making it an affordable option for families.
Parks and Playgrounds
Cedar City’s park system is another highlight for families. The Canyon Park and Main Street Park are particularly popular, featuring modern play equipment, picnic areas, and open green spaces where kids can burn off energy. During the summer months, the free Summer Concert Series at Main Street Park offers family-friendly entertainment with local musicians performing every Wednesday evening. Additionally, the Southern Utah Museum of Art hosts free family art days on select Saturdays, providing a creative outlet for children.
Families visiting Cedar City can also enjoy the public library, which hosts regular story times, craft activities, and special events for children. This provides a cool and engaging indoor activity option during hot summer afternoons or inclement weather.
Day Trips from Cedar City
With its strategic location, Cedar City serves as an ideal base for day trips to some of Utah’s most breathtaking national parks and natural wonders, all within easy day-trip distance.
Zion National Park
Just one hour south of Cedar City, Zion National Park offers iconic hikes like Angels Landing and The Narrows, where you can wade through the Virgin River between towering 1,000-foot canyon walls.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Located 90 minutes east of Cedar City, Bryce Canyon National Park showcases thousands of otherworldly hoodoos in a natural amphitheater best experienced by hiking the Queens Garden/Navajo Loop combination trail.
Kolob Canyons
The less-visited Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park is only 20 minutes from Cedar City and features the spectacular Kolob Arch, one of the world’s largest natural arches, with dramatically fewer crowds than the main canyon.
Cedar City’s proximity to these natural wonders makes it an ideal location for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or simply taking in the views, there’s something for everyone in the day trips available from Cedar City.
Where to Eat in Cedar City
Cedar City’s culinary scene is more diverse than you might expect. You’ll find a range of restaurants serving everything from casual comfort food to international cuisine, making it easy to feel at home.
Centro Wood-Fired Pizza
Centro Wood-Fired Pizza is a local favorite, serving artisanal pizzas with perfectly charred crusts. You can even build your own pizza!
All American Diner
All American Diner is the perfect spot for a classic American meal, with generous portions and good prices. Breakfast is served all day!
Bunnisa’s Thai Cuisine
Bunnisa’s Thai Cuisine brings authentic Thai flavors to Cedar City, with dishes prepared by a Thai chef. Try their pad thai or spring rolls!
Bowman’s Cowboy Kitchen
Bowman’s Cowboy Kitchen serves hearty portions of steaks, prime rib, and their famous hickory fries. A great spot for families and hungry hikers.
Cedar City’s dining scene offers a surprising variety of options, from casual comfort food to international cuisine, making it easy to find a meal that suits your taste.
Planning Your Cedar City Getaway
Cedar City, Utah, is a hidden gem waiting to be explored, offering a mix of outdoor adventures, historical landmarks, and artistic experiences. As you plan your trip to this vibrant city, consider allocating at least three days to fully immerse yourself in its attractions and surrounding natural beauty.
Getting to Cedar City is straightforward, with the city located approximately 250 miles south of Salt Lake City along Interstate 15, making it a 3.5-hour drive. Alternatively, you can fly into the Cedar City Regional Airport. For lodging, Cedar City offers a range of options from familiar hotel chains to charming bed and breakfasts, ensuring a comfortable travel experience.
When planning your itinerary, consider the season: summer offers festival experiences but comes with higher temperatures and crowds, while spring and fall provide milder weather and fewer visitors. A balanced road trip plan that includes Cedar City’s cultural attractions and outdoor adventures in the surrounding national parks will make your visit to Southern Utah unforgettable.
By planning ahead and checking schedules for events like the Utah Shakespeare Festival, you can create a memorable trip to Cedar City.
The above is subject to change.
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