14 Great Things To Do in Surprisingly Fun Cedar City, Utah (2024)

Cedar City is located about 250 miles (400 km), 3 hours 20 minutes, south of Salt Lake City along Interstate 15. It is well known for being home to Southern Utah University, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and the Utah Summer Games.

However, there is so much more to do and see in Cedar City than festivals and games! Cedar City is also home to a state park, historic sites, an eclectic downtown, incredible restaurants, and is a gateway to Brian Head, Zion National Park, and more!

Keep reading to learn all the best places to visit on your next trip to Cedar City!

Frontier Homestead State Park

Frontier Homestead State Park is located right in Cedar City’s downtown area! This state park is home to a museum with fun hands-on displays, historic artifacts, historic buildings, and more. Telling the history of Utah’s native people, and earliest settlers.

The best part about this state park is that once you go through all the indoor exhibits you get to go outside to explore even more! Some of the fun things include: walking through multiple historic pioneer homes and a replica of a native American pit house, panning for gold, and dressing up as prisoners to stand in a prison cell for fun pictures!

Things to know before you go:

• It is roughly $4 per person to enter the Frontier Homestead.
• Hours vary with the seasons. They are as follows: Spring – 9 am to 6 pm, Mon-Sun; Summer – 9 am to 7 pm, Mon-Sun; Fall – 9 am to 6 pm, Mon-Sat; Winter – 9 am to 5 pm, Mon-Sat.

Southern Utah Museum of Art

The Southern Utah Museum of Art is located on the Southern Utah University Campus. This museum is free and open to the public. It features art not only from faculty and students of the school but also from up-and-coming artists from around the country.

The exhibits change throughout the year, so this is a great spot to visit anytime you are in Cedar City!

Things to know before you go:

• Hours vary depending on the time of year. It is closed on Sundays. June-September it is open 10 am-8 pm and October-May it is open 10 am-6 pm.
• The Southern Utah Museum of Art is free.

Old Irontown

Old Irontown is a historic site located about 20 minutes west of Cedar City. It is home to the ruins of the Old Irontown, or as it was known then, Iron City. This city was founded in 1868 for the purpose of mining Iron, but after failing to get a decent yield the town was abandoned by the 1876s.

Today you can walk trails around the ruins of the Iron Town, including a beehive-style charcoal oven, a furnace, and foundations of different buildings. There are signs and plaques to read about the old town and the iron industry there.

Things to know before you go:

• This is a free spot to explore.
• The trails have very little shade so wear sunscreen and bring water!
• Check out our recommended gear for hiking.

Downtown Cedar City

Downtown Cedar City is a fun place to walk around, eat, and shop! Take a stroll past the Cedar City mural (pictured at the beginning of the article) and stop in for some pizza at Centro Woodfired Pizzeria! Stroll past the old Cedar Movie Theater and the Union Pacific Railroad Depot, built in 1923. Then stop in for some sweets at Bulloch Drug Store & Soda Fountain, which has been a Cedar City favorite since 1955!

Downtown Cedar is lined with many fun, little shops and boutiques. You can easily spend a few hours wandering around. Also located downtown is the Frontier Homestead State Park (mentioned above), which is well worth a visit!

Cedar City Aquatic Center

Cedar City Aquatic Center is a fun place to swim and play any time of the year as it is indoors! Float around the lazy river, play and splash on the playground, zip down the water slides, do laps in the lap pool or relax in the hot tub. They also have a gym available for use.

Things to know before you go:

• There are different hours for open swimming, lap swimming, and water walking. Open swim is Monday-Friday 4:30 pm-8:30 pm, Saturday 12:00 pm-6:00 pm.
• The center is closed on Sunday.
• You can host gatherings and parties here, contact the center to book.
• Children 3 & under, or anyone not potty trained, must wear a swim diaper and plastic cover.
• Prices for the center are as follows: Adults 18-62 ~$5.00, Youth 4-17 ~$4.50, Senior 63+ ~$4.50, Toddler 0-3 Free with paying adult, Military 10% off with ID. Check the website for current pricing.
• You can also purchase memberships or punch passes, a 10-punch pass is ~$41, and a 20-punch pass is ~$79. Check the website for current pricing.

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Cedar Breaks National Monument is an incredible place to visit. Located east of Cedar City, it takes about 45 minutes to drive there. The National Parks Website describes Cedar Breaks perfectly:

The park is open year-round, but is difficult to access from October – May. However, you can ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile up to Cedar Breaks in the winter when the roads are rough or completely closed.

During the Summer the road is open and you can drive right up to the overlook, no need for hiking!

For us, this is a must-stop near Cedar City, especially when you pair it with Brian Head Resort, which is a great stop any time of the year!

• Don’t miss Kolob Canyons in Zion, only 20 minutes from Cedar City.

Brian Head Resort

Brian Head is right near the Cedar Breaks National Monument and is known for its ski slopes but it also hosts fun events and activities all summer long! You can ride the lift to the top, watch live music, ride the zipline, tube the hill, do archery, play disc golf, or enjoy the climbing wall and bungee trampolines.

Of course, you can’t forget about the hiking and mountain biking trails around the resort! Brian Head is an incredible destination year-round.

Things to know before you go:

• Summer activities run from Friday – Sunday, costs vary.
• The trails, lodges, and restaurants are open all week long.
• If you would like to camp, there are several campsites in the Dixie National Forest, where Brian Head resides.

Utah Shakespeare Festival

Probably what Cedar City is most known for is its Shakespeare Festival. This amazing festival takes place every summer at Southern Utah University.

The Festival was founded in 1961, with its first shows hitting theaters in 1962. It began due to summer tourists visiting nearby National Parks needing more evening activities. One actor decided to start up a theater! This new festival drew the crowds into Cedar City businesses and has continued to do so ever since.

Today, the festival draws in huge crowds and takes place on the SUU campus. The shows are held in three separate theaters, all within the Beverly Taylor Sorensen Center for the Arts. Shows take place every June through October. Grab your tickets by phone, online, or in person at the ticket office.

• Need a place to stay while visiting? Check out .

Parowan Gap Petroglyphs & Dinosaur Tracks

A short 25-minute drive to the north of Cedar City brings you to Parowan Gap! This area not only features incredible rock walls covered in petroglyphs, markings from Spanish Explorers and 19th-century pioneers but also a dinosaur track site.

It has been highly speculated what the petroglyphs may mean, but no one can be quite sure! But there are interpretive signs at this site that help explain some theories behind them! Wander both sides of the road to look at all the petroglyphs.

Another couple miles further down the road is the dinosaur track site. It is marked by a sign and a small parking lot. Follow the trail around the tracks. Each track is clearly marked with a metal post so they are easy to spot!

Things to know before you go:

• There is a decent-sized parking area with a bathroom at the petroglyph site.
• No real hiking is needed for the petroglyphs or the dinosaur tracks, just wander around and see them!

Kanarra Falls

Kanarra Falls is one of those iconic must-do Utah hikes! Featuring desert landscapes, slot canyons, and waterfalls! Located to the north of Cedar City, it is only a short 20-minute drive to the falls which are near the town of Kanarraville.

The hike is 3.7 miles out and back. Once you reach the first waterfall, you can scale the ladder and climb over a few boulders to get to the second falls. The canyon narrows the further you get in. Do not go beyond this second waterfall.

Things to know before you go:

• To visit you must purchase tickets in advance (they sell out!). They are ~$12 a person and are non-refundable.
• NEVER enter a slot canyon when there is a chance of rain or has been recent rain. Flash floods are a major risk in slot canyons.
• Bring your ID with you to check in for your hike.
• You will be partially hiking in a creek. The water can be cold in the spring and in the fall! Wear appropriate shoes and possibly neoprene socks.
• There are bathrooms at the trailhead.
• This is a watershed area, so make sure to pack out all garbage and do not go to the bathroom along the trail!

Where to Eat in Cedar City

Cedar City has a small-town vibe but has been rapidly growing in recent years. Along with that growth, many chains and fast-food restaurants have popped up. But Cedar City does have some great restaurants that we think are well worth the visit!

Centro Wood-Fired Pizza

Centro Wood Fired Pizza has to be my favorite restaurant in Cedar City! I love a good Margherita pizza, and you can definitely get that here! But you honestly cannot go wrong with any of their pizzas. You can even build your own! Their appetizers and salads are also great, we have never had a meal here that we did not enjoy.

All American Diner

This is THE spot to grab a burger, fries, and a milkshake in Cedar City. You won’t just find good food here, but also good prices! And the countless good reviews speak for themselves.

This is definitely a great spot to bring the family for a meal. Breakfast is served all day!

Bunnisa’s Thai Cuisine

If you are a Thai food fan, this is a stop for you! The chef is Thai and the food is to die for!

I love a good pad see ew, spring rolls, and mango sticky rice any day. It is so nice to know there is a good Thai food spot in Southern Utah.

Don’t let the building scare you away, the inside is clean and the staff is friendly and welcoming!

Bowman’s Cowboy Kitchen

Bowmans Cowboy Kitchen serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner from their sit-down restaurant. They offer everything from steaks and prime rib to burgers & French toast!

They definitely do not skimp on portions here! Make sure to grab some hickory fries if you visit!

Where to Visit Near Cedar City

Cedar City is a great jumping-off point for many great Utah destinations. Listed below are some of our favorites.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park is Utah’s most visited National Park, home to the popular Angel’s Landing and the Narrows hikes. Its towering red rock canyons are truly incredible to see up close.

This park is about an hour south of Cedar City.

We have travel itineraries for Zion National Park, as well as articles and videos about the park, that will help you have a successful trip to Zion.

Fees are ~$35/per vehicle and the pass is good for 7 days.

• Find out: Do you Need a Reservation to Enter Zion?
• Don’t miss: Can I Drive in Zion National Park? (What You Need to Know)

St. George

St. George is a destination for many travelers from Northern Utah, as well as those visiting from out of state. With Snow Canyon State Park, Sand Hollow State Park, Pioneer Park, and Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, it is an outdoor lovers’ playground.

St. George is located about 45 minutes south of Cedar City.

• Discover 10 Great Things to Do at Snow Canyon State Park.
• Check out all the fun things there are to do in St. George.
• Let us show you How to Spend 1 Day in St. George, Utah.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon is one of Utah’s Mighty Five! One of the five National Parks in Utah and definitely not one to be overlooked!

It has towering red hoodoos and breathtaking trails! Every time we looked up or turned a corner while at this park, we were amazed!

If you venture down into the hoodoos at Bryce, be prepared for a climb back out. Even though it may be challenging, the climb is definitely worth it to walk amongst the hoodoos.

We feature many articles about Bryce Canyon here on our website.

Bryce is about an hour and a half east of Cedar City.

Entrance Fees are ~$35/per vehicle, the pass is good for 7 days.

• Discover 45 Great Things to Do at Bryce Canyon National Park and 11 Cool Side Trips Between Zion and Bryce National Parks.

Cathedral Gorge

Cathedral Gorge State Park is located an hour and a half west of Cedar City in Nevada!

This unique state park features some incredible towering spires that you can walk through and explore. It is an incredible geologic area that is simply amazing to behold. It is well worth the drive out!

There is camping available here along with bathrooms, a regional visitors center, a four-mile loop trail, and a one-mile connector trail to explore the park.

Entrance fees are ~$5 for residents, and ~$10 for non-residents (per car).

Is There Anything Else I Should Know?

As mentioned earlier, Zion and Bryce National Parks are relatively close to the Cedar City area. A trip to Southern Utah is not complete until you have visited one or both of them. Many visitors like to visit these areas but they are huge! They often wonder what they should see and what they should do when visiting.

The planning can be overwhelming and frustrating.

Lucky for you, we have you covered. Most travelers want to visit the mostpopular sites, yet still try to avoid the crowds. We have detailed itineraries for Zion and Bryce. Both itineraries will give you a step-by-step game plan so you can get to the best places at the right times!