Cedar City, Utah is a hidden gem and while there are many great things to do in Southern Utah a visit to Cedar City is a must. Here are 3 unique things to do in Cedar City Utah.
Located a mere 2.5 hours from Las Vegas, and roughly 30 minutes or so from St. George, Cedar City is home to the world-famous Shakespeare Festival, great ski resorts, and the picturesque Southern Utah landscape. Settled by Mormon pioneers in the 1800’s the area was rich in coal and iron deposits. Despite the name “Cedar City” the area is actually rife with Juniper trees.
Unique Things to do in Cedar City Utah
Depending on the time of year, the activities afforded Cedar City visitors are plentiful. Winter visitors have access to world-class ski resorts, notably, Brian Head. Summer visits are all about the arts – namely Shakespeare – where a world-famous festival is held each year and incredibly reenactments of the finest plays ever written are performed.
Although arts are a big draw for summer visits to Cedar City, the amazing Southern Utah landscape beckons with easy access to national parks, hiking, trails, and more. Visitors to Cedar City won’t be disappointed no matter what time of year they visit. Here are 3 unique things to do in Cedar City, Utah!
Utah Shakespeare Festival
Yes, there’s skiing and mountains and hiking and landmarks all around in the state to occupy the most outdoorsy of tourists, but Cedar City hosts something very unique. Annually, the Utah Shakespeare Festival brings the Elizabethan era playwrights tales to life.
In June, Cedar becomes Utah Shakespeare Festival City with plays lasting about two and a half months each. Plays and performances are just part of the offerings available. Actors also hold extended Question and Answer segments for select ticket holders. New thespians can take stage combat courses, improvisation, and Shakespearean text classes in a workshop (limited to 50 participants.)
The Green Show is a play that appears outside the theater nightly during the Festival period, is free to attend, and appropriate for families with children of all ages.
Modeled after the Globe theater (Shakespeare’s own) the Festival is spread out over a number of theaters and attracts thousands of enthusiasts each year. For visitors to the area’s other attractions in the busy and warm summer months, the Utah Shakespeare Festival is a wonderful opportunity to entertain and educate families in the evenings after a busy day elsewhere in the region.
Zion National Park
One of our favorites, here at C Boarding Group, is Zion National Park. Known for its deep caverns, beautiful water, and breathtaking canyons, Zion National Park is so Instagram-worthy, you might actually put your phone down and just stare at your surroundings.
As a national park, activities like mountain biking, hiking trails, fishing, climbing, and all other sorts of outdoor activities allow guests to experience some of the American West’s finest natural history.
In addition to the active lifestyle visitors can enjoy while in the National Park, the area is also prehistoric. Dinosaur bones and fossils are consistently found in the area and is home to some of the best sites for discovering the ancient past of the world.
One of the premier attractions of the Park is Cedar Breaks National Monument. Like the Grand Canyon, this area has been eroded over time by water to create a stunning scene:
“Crowning the grand staircase, Cedar Breaks sits at over 10,000 feet and looks down into a half-mile deep geologic amphitheater. Come wander among timeless bristlecone pines, stand in lush meadows of wildflower, ponder crystal-clear night skies and experience the richness of our subalpine forest.”
Zion National Park is by far one of the most revered, beautiful, and memorable national parks to experience. Its unique natural rock formations, ability to engage the outdoors and connect with a past that far exceeds that of North American inhabitants make it truly unique.
Brian Head Resort
If you’re looking for a true Winter Wonderland experience, the Brian Head Resort has it all. Traditional skiers will enjoy a variety of slopes with varying levels of difficulty. The resort is home to eight-chair lifts and dozens of routes.
It’s not just for skiers, however. Inner Tube riders will enjoy activities designed especially for them. First-time skiers and snowboarders can schedule lessons to hone and improve their skills before heading out for more significant challenges.
The Brian Head Resort offers a complete winter experience with on-site restaurants, retail shopping, and lodging.
What makes the Brian Head so unique is its complete dedication to winter activities. Some ski resorts focus on the lodge aspect and a ski-in, ski-out feature, but the Brian Head Resort is great for experienced and extreme skiers as well as young families and first-time skiers.
Season passes are available for select segments of the resort as well as an all-access pass. Families can utilize child care facilities that allow them more time on the slopes while kids safely play games and interact with others.
Check out the Brian Head Resort website for daily snow totals, live webcams and temperature, and available trail numbers.
Other fun things to do in Cedar City, Utah
Depending on the time of year of your visit to Cedar City, some options may not be available. Always be sure to consult local conditions when planning your Cedar City visit. Regardless of the time of year, your visit to Cedar City can be rich, fun and memorable.
In addition to the fun things listed above here are a few additional things to do in Cedar City:
- Visit Dixie National Forest
- Tour the Southern Utah Art Museum
- Cedar Breaks National Monument
- Frontier Homestead State Park Museum
Be sure to check out all the great destinations in our “Unique Things to Do” Series and take a step out of the ordinary on your next trip.
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