Visit Cedar City · Brian Head 3 Day Itinerary (Summer)
Cedar City is home to a vibrant and diverse arts scene, Tony Award-Winning Theater, and galleries in astonishing proximity to stunning natural wonders.
DAY ONE : Cedar City & the Utah Shakespeare Festival
MORNING | Grab breakfast from a local favorite before leaving Cedar City. Bristlecone Company, Amber Kay's Cafe, and Great Harvest Bread are great places downtown to enjoy a coffee and a bite. Before taking some time to explore the arts waiting in Historic Downtown Cedar City. Within a 10-minute walk along Center Street (from Main Street to the Beverley Center for the Arts) you’ll find several murals. Each done by a different artist in varying styles.
AFTERNOON | Have you purchased tickets for tonight's performance by the Utah Shakespeare Festival? This is a perfect opportunity to take some time and explore the Beverley Center for the Arts. Home of the festival, you'll find familiar faces from the works of Shakespeare, and even The Bard himself among the Character and Sculpture Garden. As well as the stunning galleries at the Southern Utah Museum of Art.
Ticket prices range from $23 to $80 depending on seating. Advanced purchase recommended at bard.org
After that take a moment to explore Historic Downtown. Visitors can find dining, shopping, art, and entertainment, as well as something to remember your visit by from our local shops. Surrounded by landscapes that inspire, Cedar City is home to several art galleries, established and pop-up alike. Find stunning handcrafted items and images that you’ll love at Artisans or Kolob Gallery. Then visit the small galleries featuring local artists at local businesses like Groovacious Records, Octopus Apothecary, and the Pastry Pub.
EVENING | Before settling in for an evening performance, enjoy dinner and drinks in Historic Downtown from one of the many locally-owned restaurants. Sit down for woodfired pizza from Centro Pizzeria, Thai cuisine from Bunnisa’s or a classic burger and sweet potato fries at Brick House Café. After dinner, enjoy the wonders of the Utah Shakespeare Festival in the Englestad Theatre beneath the stars.
DAY TWO: Brian Head Resort
MORNING | Start with breakfast and coffee, or a smoothie from a local spot in Cedar City. Silver Silo Bakery & Espresso and The Berry Bar both offer a wide variety of freshly made and uniquely local breakfast options. Then gear up for some high mountain adventure and sightseeing at Brian Head Resort! Only a 40-minute drive from Cedar City, take the opportunity to see incredible views along the way on Scenic Byway Hwy 143 through Parowan Canyon.
AFTERNOON | A summer afternoon in Brian Head is a great destination to escape the heat at 10,000 feet! Start the day off with an early afternoon OHV ride through the backcountry of Brian Head. Rent your off-road vehicles from Brian Head Outdoor Adventures starting at $249 and set off with a trail map in hand for incredible views.
View pricing and tour lengths at utahatvrentals.com.
After your OHV tour pause for lunch and summer activities at Brian Head Resort. On weekends the resort is a-buzz with activity as mountain bike enthusiasts fly down the trails of the lift-serviced mountain bike park and visitors enjoy the variety of summer activities available. Take a scenic chair lift ride, take a run on the alpine tubing hill or try the zipline. Learn more at brianhead.com. Grab lunch at the Giant Steps Lodge or enjoy a meal and drink on the patio at Last Chair Grill & Brews.
EVENING | A 5 minute drive from Brian Head Resort, the last stop for day two is Cedar Breaks National Monument. This stunning red rock amphitheater is sure to inspire and the sunset from one of the scenic overlooks? Wonderful. Find a place to park and hike along the two-mile paved Sunset Trail to the aptly-named Sunset Overlook and enjoy the spectacle of color that follows. Admission Cost is $10 per person over the age of 16. National Park passes accepted.
Local Tip: Plan your visit for July to catch the Cedar Breaks Wildflower Festival!
On the way back to Cedar City take Hwy 14 (Cedar Canyon) and plan for a late dinner. Both Rusty’s Ranch House and Milt’s Stagestop offer drinks, steaks, and seafood with a rustic western feel. Or enjoy a medley of flavors and drinks at local favorites, Don Miguel’s and Puerto Vallarta Jalisco Mexican restaurants.
DAY THREE: Cedar Mountain & Navajo Lake
MORNING | Beat the afternoon heat with an early morning hike into a beautiful red rock haven, Thunderbird Gardens, on the Thor's Hideout Trail. This moderate 3.6 mile trail starts at the Thunderbird Gardens trailhead and climbs through the red rock formations and rolling striated hills to a unique rock formation. After your hike, head back to Cedar City for a late breakfast. Order sweet fruit-filled crepes at Park Place Eatery or eggs benedict and biscuits and gravy at Pork Belly’s Eatery.
AFTERNOON | Today's high elevation views await at Navajo Lake! A 40 minute drive from Cedar City, take Hwy 14 through Cedar Canyon 22 miles to Navajo Lake. Recreate among the lava beds and swim among the clouds at this high mountain lake. Take in the sweeping views of Zion National park in the distance on the one mile Cascade Falls Trail. Fish, kayak or play in the clear cool water. Or take the 12 mile Navajo Lake Loop Trail. Open to mountain biking and hiking this trail is a great way to explore the area.
For lunch take a 13-minute drive to the picture-perfect mountain town of Duck Creek. Enjoy burgers, soup, and salad from Martin's Corner Deli. Or sit down for pizza and a beer at Hot Mama's Pizza & Brew. Don't forget a freshly baked pie for dessert from Aunt Sue's Chalet!
EVENING | After you've had your fill of high mountain adventure travel Hwy 14 (Cedar Canyon) back to Cedar City for an early dinner. Stop for pizza and homemade gelato at The Pizza Cart. Enjoy Thai dishes bursting with flavor at Erawan Thai. Or sit down for fish and chips or Cajun Salmon at Lighthouse Seafood & Grill. After diner, we recommend an evening drive to the north side of Zion National Park, Kolob Canyons. Only a 30 minute drive from Cedar City, the 5 mile scenic drive along Kolob Canyons Road to get an up-close view of the crimson canyons. There are several scenic pull-offs along the way as well as hiking trails.
Admission cost is $35 for a pass, valid 7 days. National Park passes accepted.
Find Lodging, Dining, and more things to see and do in Cedar City by visiting our home page. @visitcedarcity