Cedar City, Utah – The Amazing Destination For All Four Seasons

Cedar City, Utah – The Amazing Destination For All Four Seasons

 
By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
 
When we decided to enjoy a Western USA sightseeing trip, we chose to book our hotel in Cedar, City, Utah. This beautiful mountain town not only has beautiful views of its own, it is a perfect launching point for visits to Utah’s five national parks including Zion, Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef. We asked the Cedar City – Brian Head Tourism Bureau to share their thoughts with us.

 How would you describe Cedar City in one sentence? 
 
Maria Twitchell, Director, Executive Director of the Cedar City – Brian Head Tourism Bureau told us, “Cedar City is a surprisingly cool mountain town that just happens to have world class cultural attractions in astonishing proximity to southwest Utah’s famous Mighty Five© National Parks.”
 
Why is Cedar City a good choice for accommodations and dining when vacationing? 

Lani Penney, Communication Specialist, Cedar City – Brian Head Tourism Bureau told us, “Cedar City is unique to southern Utah in the sense that it offers such a wide variety of options for visitors to enjoy.  Cedar City is almost dead center in the middle of Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park, which explains the early on reference of “The Gateway” to the southern Utah’s national parks. “
 
“One of the greatest times to visit Cedar City and the surrounding area is in the winter.  Many travelers plan their trips to the national parks in the winter in combination with a family ski trip to Brian Head Resort.  There is nowhere else on earth you can literally ski the beautiful snow covered Brian Head slopes and hike Zion National Park the very next day.”  
 
“After a day in the parks, Cedar City is the perfect place to wind down.  Cedar City has multiple dining options, as well as the only winery in southern Utah right in the heart of downtown.  The Utah Shakespeare festival is always an amazing experience with late night plays to accommodate those spending the majority of the day in the parks.  Mountain Biking, hiking local trails, outdoor music, farmers markets, Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA), local art galleries, Frontier Homestead State Park are also popular among visitors in Cedar City.”
 
“Brian Head not only thrives and adds activities for Cedar City visitors in the winter season.  This past year, Brian Head Resort added an extension amount of mountain biking trails.  The Resort also has summer activities every weekend throughout the summer months with a plethora of kid-friendly fun, live music and local breweries.   Summers can get hot in our neck of the woods, so a nice mountain air evening after a day in the parks is the perfect end to a southern Utah summer day.”
 
What is special about Cedar City? 
 
“I would say the answer above would be very similar to this one.  We are a great vacationing spot because of our unique location to the parks and the ability to combine a ski/national park trip all in one,” said Lani Penney.
 
What events are offered in Cedar City?
 
“Cedar City has hosted the Tour of Utah three times in the last four years with high hopes of a return next year.  Utah Summer Games brings children, teens and their families from all over Utah and surrounding states to participate in athletes in this week long summer event,” Lani Penney said.
 
“Of course we have continuous events throughout the summer season including the Utah Shakespeare Festival, the Neil Simon Festival, and Star Parties at Cedar Breaks National Monument.  In addition to continuous events, Cedar City holds the Cedar City Live Stock and Heritage Festival, July Jamboree, Spring Equinox at Parowan Gap, Utah UFO Festival, Wildflower Festival at Cedar Breaks, Iron County Fair, Southwest Astronomy Festival, Iron Mission Days, Thanksgiving Pow-Wow, Christmas Parade, multiple events at Frontier Homestead State Park (Haunted Homestead, Frontier Days, Christmas at the Homestead), as well as multiple events throughout summer and winter months at Brian Head Resort, such as, Rocktoberfest, Festival of Flavors, Christmas/New Year Celebrations with torch run down slopes, fireworks, live music and more!” Penney continued.

For our LGBTQ travel readers, is Cedar City welcoming to gay travelers and LGBTQ families?
 
“Absolutely!  One thing you will find about Cedar City is the welcoming, accepting and warming spirits of business owners and community members.  We hear time and time again, “the people are just so nice here”, that makes us proud.  With Shakespeare drawing such a broad audience with different backgrounds, cultures, sexual preference, we truly believe that we just look at everyone as equal and welcomed just the same.  We are happy to have people here enjoying the beauty around, the fantastic talent we are blessed to have in our community and the exposure to our community and what is has to offer,” Lani Penney said.
 
For more information, visit https://www.visitcedarcity.com/
 
Our thoughts
 
Cedar City, Utah is a friendly mountain town with amazing views, friendly people, ample dining options, and fantastic arts and theatre choices.
 
Centro Woodfired Pizzeria in Cedar City, Utah is FABULOUS! We enjoyed their delicious Pollo Rustico and Bianco Rosso pizzas, Almond Crème cake and Spumoni Sundae.

Honolulu Grill in Cedar City, Utah is DELICIOUS! The servings were so big, we had to take half home! 

Article by Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
Copyright Sunny Harbor Publishing