From the arts to the parks, there are so many things to see and do in Cedar City, and no wrong combination or way to do it. You can hit the trails and stay outdoors, experiencing the national parks and new adventures, or embrace the arts and see Shakespeare beneath the stars without glancing at the parks. But we would recommend blending the two for the best of both worlds.
Use the itineraries below (or mix and match as needed) to plan your perfect 3-day visit to Cedar City.
Outdoor Adventure Itinerary
Out & About| 3 Days of Outdoor Adventure in Cedar City
Hiking trails, national parks, guided tours, and must-see views: this itinerary is built for getting outside, touching grass, and exploring the best of Southern Utah.
Note: Fee areas, required permits, and paid experiences will be indicated with links to their respective information.
Day One: High Elevation Adventure - Cedar Breaks & Brian Head
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
- Get dinner at Brian Head Resort for burgers, BBQ, and drinks on the patio at Giant Steps Lodge or The Lift Bar & Grill.
- In summer, the sun goes down late, so pack in one more adventure for the evening!
- Rent ATVS in town for a quick tour to some cool overlooks in Dixie National Forest. (~ 2 hours)
- After your tour, drive down the mountain to spend the evening in Cedar City.
Day Two: Bryce Canyon National Park
Morning
- Grab breakfast before taking SR 14 (Cedar Canyon) to Bryce Canyon.
- On the way to Hwy 89, stop at the Navajo Lake scenic overlook for incredible views.
Afternoon
Evening
Day Three: Zion National Park & Kolob Canyons
Morning
Afternoon
- Take the Zion Shuttle through the Zion Scenic Canyon to hike iconic park trails.
- Hike Emerald Pools, the Riverside Walk, or The Grotto for iconic park views.
- Take the shuttle back to the visitor center for a quick walk into Springdale for lunch.
Evening
- On your way back to Cedar City, detour (just barely) to Kolob Canyons.
- Take the 5-mile scenic drive to the top, stopping at scenic overlooks along the way.
Arts, Culture, & Local Flavor : 3 Days of Arts in Cedar City
World-Class theater, sculpture gardens, and a state-of-the-art museum: here are all the things art & culture to do in 3 days in Cedar City.
Note: Fee areas and paid experiences will be indicated with links to their respective information.
Day One: Downtown Cedar City & The Arts
Morning
Afternoon
- Visit the Southern Utah Museum of Art and Sculpture Gardens.
- Stop for lunch in downtown Cedar City.
- Catch an afternoon performance from the Utah Shakespeare Festival.
Evening
Day Two: History and Heritage Highlights
Morning
- Drive to Parowan and start the day with a cinnamon roll.
- The Parowan Cafe, Southern Country Bakery, and Sweet Pea Farm & Orchard
- Walk the idyllic Parowan Main Street to find preserved historic buildings and bright murals.
- Visit the Old Rock Church Museum for pioneer artifacts and area history.
Afternoon
- Take Gap Road to the historic Parowan Gap Petroglyph site.
- Don't miss the dinosaur tracks along the way! (off to your right)
- After the Parowan Gap, continue to Cedar City along Minersville Hwy.
- Grab lunch in Cedar City along the way to Frontier Homestead State Park Museum.
- Visit historic buildings, do hands-on activities, and learn about the past of southern Utah.
Evening
- Stop by the Cedar City Visitor Center to get a Historic Downtown guide. (before 5 pm)
- Grab dinner in downtown before taking a self-guided walking tour through Cedar City.
- Find historic statues, buildings, and stories of Cedar City's past.
Day Three: Festivals and Events (Festival City, USA)
Morning
Afternoon
- Revisit the Utah Shakespeare Festival with an afternoon performance.
- Grab lunch and fresh gelato from The Pizza Cart.
- Take a scenic drive to Kolob Canyons to take in beautiful crimson cliff views and wildflowers.
Evening
- Return to Cedar City to catch a second Greenshow with the Utah Shakespeare Festival
- With three rotating themes, you can catch the show two nights in a row for a different experience!
Where the Arts Meet the Parks: The Best of Both Worlds
A blend of the arts, the parks, and unique things to do in Cedar City & Brian Head: here are 3 days of adventure to consider while you're here.
Note: Fee areas and paid experiences will be indicated with links to their respective information.
Day One: Cedar City and Shakespeare
Morning
- Start the morning with breakfast and coffee in Cedar City.
- Before the temperatures climb, hike the Thor's Hideout Trail for red rock views.
- Find murals and local shops in downtown before stopping for lunch.
Afternoon
Evening
- For dinner, take a scenic drive through Cedar Canyon to Milt's Stagestop.
- Local steakhouse with mountain views, great food, and a long history in the area.
- Drive down the canyon to catch the free nightly Greenshow at the Utah Shakespeare Festival.
Day Two: High Elevation Adventure + Views
Morning
- Start the morning with breakfast and coffee in Cedar City.
- Take SR 14 through Cedar Canyon for scenic views on your way to Cedar Breaks.
- Stop at about mile marker 16 to hike the quick 1-mile Bristlecone Pine Trail.
- Find views of Ancient Bristlecone Pines and Zion in the distance.
- Continue on to Cedar Breaks National Monument and the visitor center at the park.
Afternoon
Evening
- After dinner in Brian Head, drive back to Cedar Breaks National Monument for the sunset.
- The Sunset Overlook earned the name for a reason and is a great place for this!
- On weekends (Friday & Saturday evenings), you can join a free ranger-led dark sky program at the Point Supreme Overlook.
Day Three: Guided Tours, High Desert, & Kolob Canyons
Morning
- Grab a quick breakfast and get on the road; we're headed to Kanarraville!
- Join Rising K Ranch Trail Rides for an early morning horseback ride through forests and red hills.
- Experience some of the best views in southern Utah with a true "wild west" experience.
Afternoon
- After lunch at Fire + Smoke BBQ in Kanarraville, drive less than 15 minutes to Kolob Canyons.
- Kolob Canyons is the north side of Zion National Park with incredible views and hiking trails.
- Take the 5-mile scenic drive to the top of the canyon for views of the valleys and crimson cliffs.
- Hike the Timber Creek Overlook trail for a short 1-mile trail with panoramic views
- Or hike the 5-mile Taylor Creek Trail along the valley floor for views looking up at the formations.
Evening
- Enjoy dinner in downtown and a glass of wine on the patio at I/G Winery.
- Walk the short distance to the Beverley Center for the Arts to catch the evening Greenshow.
Travel safe, take lots of pictures
and share your adventure with us @visitcedarcity
