28 Jun 2022
The Play’s the Thing! | A Shakespeare Festival Weekend
Join us for a weekend of arts and culture with the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Historic Downtown Cedar City. Experience the natural wonder surrounding Cedar City with scenic drives bookending your trip to the theater. Enjoy stunning performances beneath the stars in the grand Engelstad Theater, the lively song and dance of the evening Greenshow, and gilded matinee performances using the itinerary outlined below.
Explore the itinerary below then start planning your weekend getaway.
DAY ONE
Afternoon | On your way to Cedar City (traveling north from Las Vegas on I-15) is one of southern Utah’s greatest hidden wonders. Kolob Canyons is the lesser-known north side of Zion National Park. While typically less traveled, it is no less spectacular!
Take the 5-mile scenic drive through the canyon of rugged red sandstone cast against wildflowers and lush green trails. At the top of the scenic drive take the 1-mile Timber Creek Overlook trail for sweeping views. Then don’t forget to check out the scenic pull-offs along the way as you leave the canyon.
Things to know: As part of Zion National Park, Kolob Canyons requires a $35 entrance fee. National Park Passes (annual, senior, or lifetime) are accepted as well.
Evening | Once you arrive in Cedar City and check into your accommodations, enjoy dinner with one of our incredible locally-owned restaurants. Enjoy wood-fired pizza and hand-made gelato at The Pizza Cart. Sit down for steak and drinks with a true western flair at local favorite, Milt’s Stage Stop. Or discover vibrant Indian dishes and bold flavors with a meal at The Taj.
Find a full list of Cedar City restaurants as well as their amenities and menu options HERE.
DAY TWO
Morning | Start the day off with breakfast and coffee from a local spot before setting out for a day at the theater. Enjoy a bagel and coffee from The Grind Coffeehouse, or a freshly baked spudnut (potato bread donut) and tea from Silver Silo Bakery & Espresso, or kickstart the morning with a fresh Acai bowl from The Berry Bar.
Feeling caffeinated and satisfied, take a moment to explore Historic Downtown. Home to incredible locally-owned shops, restaurants, and more, downtown is also bursting with vibrant murals that are a must-see. Take a self-guided mural tour, enjoy a little retail therapy, and grab a bite before the play.
Afternoon | Enjoy a sandwich and salad with drinks with a visit to The Pastry Pub, freshly-baked NYC style bagels and lemonade at Bristlecone, or incredible dishes at Bunnisa’s Thai Cuisine. All within a short walk of the Festival grounds.
After lunch head to the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts (195 W Center Street) home of the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Before catching an afternoon performance take a moment to explore Historic Downtown.
Things to Know: Matinee performances at the Utah Shakespeare Festival are at 2:00 PM.
Evening | With a little downtime before the evening performance, it’s a great time to visit the other attractions housed within the Beverley Center for the Arts. The tree-lined walkways of the festival grounds lead to two incredible sculpture gardens on your way to the Southern Utah Museum of Art.
This state-of-the-art museum houses the stunning landscape work of regional artists, exhibits from renowned artists around the country, as well as the work of up-and-coming artists, including students from Southern Utah University. (Admission is FREE)
As the temperature starts to cool and the evening performances draw closer, it’s time to enjoy a true Festival treat, the nightly Greenshow. With music and entertainment, it’s a great way to preface the evening’s performance.
DAY THREE
Morning | Grab a freshly baked croissant and coffee from The French Spot before returning to the festival for the free Play Seminar to discuss yesterday’s performances. Join creative directors, directors (even actors at times) in discussing the previous day’s performances with peers.
The Play Seminars are a great way to bookend your Utah Shakespeare Festival experience and reflect on the performances you enjoyed the day before.
Three Nearby Places to Visit on Your Way Home
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Situated about two miles south of the town of Brian Head, this giant amphitheater sits high atop the Markagunt Plateau, over 2,500 feet deep and more than three miles across. The spectacular colors of Cedar Breaks National Monument are formed by an abundance of mineral deposits, making it breathtaking to behold.
The Parowan Gap Petroglyphs
With over 90 panels and 1,500 figures, the Gap is believed to be one of the most concentrated collections of petroglyphs in the west and one of the most accessible. Wind, water and sand carved out this natural passageway that was once used as a major thoroughfare by ancient Native Americans. The different cultures are evident by the hundreds of petroglyphs carved into the Parowan Gap.
Frontier Homestead State Park Museum
Imagine for a moment you’re a stagecoach driver steering his team across the Old Spanish Trail, a pioneer woman crossing the plains in a covered wagon, or a steam shovel operator digging ore in an iron mine. Rather than imagine, why not experience all of this at Cedar City’s own Frontier Homestead State Park Museum, where interactive displays and exhibits bring the early history of Cedar City and Southern Utah to life.
Come explore our backyard and capture a memory or two of your own! When you do be sure to tag @visitcedarcity to share your adventure.
Let WONDER be your guide. #VisitCedarCity