St George Utah Blog

Get to Know Cedar City, Utah

Southern Utah is home to a number of amazing cities that have so much to offer. Cedar City, just north of St. George, is one of the most charming little cities in Utah. The small town atmosphere  makes City Cedar the perfect place to visit for a day trip. You can browse a variety of street shops, enjoy a delicious meal from a local restaurant, and you can travel beyond the city to the neighboring outdoor resorts and parks. The quaint town of Cedar City can be a place for you to experience the simple pleasures of a small town. Read on to learn more!

Explore the Shops Downtown

Cedar City’s historic downtown shops are a must visit. You can shop like a local and meander through the charming outlets along Main Street. Enjoy the experience of retail therapy as you visit antique shops, clothing boutiques, an old fashioned soda fountain, a unique music store, arts & craft shops, and so much more. If you’re a fan of exploring a city by window shopping their unique array of stores, you’ll have to make a trip to historic downtown Cedar City!

Brian Head Ski Resort

Brian Head Ski Resort is the place to ski for both locals and visitors of Southern Utah. It is located a few miles northeast of Cedar City. Brian Head is a great place for both novices and pros to enjoy snow sports. Take on the adventure of skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing in this Southwest winter wonderland. This resort offers top quality resort lodging and cabins that will be the perfect place to cozy up inside. The winter season will begin November 10th, so it is coming up very soon! 

Southern Utah University

SUU was founded in 1897 as a normal school and eventually became the public University that it is today. This University is the heartbeat of Cedar City. It is known as the University of the Parks because of its close proximity to a number of national parks and its educational partnerships with the National Parks Service. On campus you can visit the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) which features artwork from regional artists as well as faculty and student artists from the SUU Department of Art & Design. There are also occasional seasonal events for the whole family on campus. Southern Utah University ties the city together. Go Thunderbirds!

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Located right near City City is Cedar Breaks which is a natural amphitheater that spans across 3 miles with a depth of more than 2,000 feet. The rim of the amphitheater is at an elevation of 10,000 feet above sea level. It is safe to say that this monument is very large. You can wander through great green pine trees, beautiful fields of wild blossoms, and you can view the clear starry skies with little to no light pollution. Cedar Breaks is full of unforgettable beauty where you can experience nature, history, culture as well as make long lasting memories. 

Shakespeare Festival

One of the features of the city that is the most well-known is the Utah Shakespeare Festival which Cedar City hosts every year. This festival gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the theatrical world of William Shakespeare. You can see a wide range of Shakespearean plays with casts of talented and captivating actors. The festival runs through the summer months into early October. Get a head start and put the Shakespeare Festival on your calendar for next year because this will be an event you will not want to miss!

Authentic Woodfire Pizza

A favorite place for both the locals and visitors alike are the delicious local eateries that can only be found in the heart of the city. The most popular is Centros Woodfire Pizza which serves artisanal rustic-oven baked pizzas. These handcrafted authentic Italian-style pizzas have a thin and soft crust with a lightly charred edge, with sauce made from fresh ingredients, and simple and flavorful toppings. Centros also offers a variety of tasty salads and starters, as well as mouthwatering desserts. Once you have a meal at Centors you’re going to want to go back again and again

Cozy Coffee House

What good is a small town without a classic coffee shop? The Grind Coffeehouse is a family owned cafe with a delicious menu offering Caffe Ibis coffee and a number of tasty breakfast and lunch options. Try their large variety of coffee drinks, as well as sandwiches, pies, smoothies, salads, and more. This cafe will satisfy your hunger and the cozy atmosphere can be a comfortable place to be. Something unique about this coffee shop is it shares a space with an old-timey book store. You can browse the bookstore while breathing in the scent of warm coffee in the air. You can find the coffeehouse located in Historic Downtown Cedar City. 

A Classic Burger Joint

The most authentic place to eat in Cedar City is Hermie’s Drive In. This modest setting is as simple as it gets. You can drive through and order a classic American burger, crispy fries, and a tasty shake. The menu offers a range of your favorite comfort foods. At Hermie’s you can travel back in time to the simple ways of dining. This eatery has been around for many years, so it is a classic spot you can always count on to satisfy you. Try their raspberry shake and onion rings!

Cedar City is known as “Festival City, USA” because of the music festivals, parades, and more that you can find in this colorful city. You can enjoy a number of events and activities while still experiencing the simple and calming feel of a small town. With urban-esque shops and breathtaking surrounding beauty, there is something for everyone at Cedar City. Southern Utah is home to a large variety of cities, but because of Cedar City’s charm and appeal, this town may have to be crowned the hidden gem of them all.