Utah has always been one of the most popular states to visit and explore, thanks to its beauty and diverse range of outdoor activities. Among all of its wonderful surroundings, there are many attractive cities and villages that serve as portals to the breathtaking beauty and nature that surround them.
While the great outdoors and its several national parks and natural monuments are definitely Utah’s biggest attractions, the state also boasts a rich history and heritage for visitors to explore. You may discover more about the pioneer history and early Mormon pioneers in communities like Provo and Logan, while prehistoric petroglyphs and paleontological sites can be found in Moab and Price.
While most of Utah’s top cities have a laid-back small town vibe, Salt Lake City and Park City both provide a plethora of dining, shopping, and nightlife options for you to enjoy. Although the state is well-known for its breathtaking natural beauty, its cities are definitely worth visiting for everything they have to offer.
1: Moab
View this post on Instagram
The little town of Moab is surrounded by awe-inspiring vistas that beg to be explored, making it a paradise for outdoor adventure aficionados. It is located in the eastern section of Utah, in an arid and lonely part of Canyon Country, close to both Arches and Canyon lands national parks.
Moab has long been a popular tourist destination due to its vicinity to these parks, with its downtown now crowded with stores and restaurants, hotels, and tour companies. You may go river rafting down the Colorado River or go off-roading through the vast mesas and exquisite arches from here. Also, read Best Tacos near me.
In addition, you may go hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing while taking in the breathtaking surroundings, with prehistoric petroglyphs and dinosaur fossils strewn about.
2: Salt Lake City
View this post on Instagram
Salt Lake Metropolis, the state’s capital and largest city, offers everything from historic and cultural landmarks to breathtaking scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities. It truly has something for everyone, nestled between the shimmering waters of Great Salt Lake and the looming Wasatch Mountains.
The vast Temple Square, which stands at its core, is undoubtedly the city’s major tourist attraction. It is well known for being home to the Mormon Church’s headquarters. There is some beautiful architecture and old structures here, as well as monuments and a Mormon museum.
You may see its stunning State Capitol or City County Building, as well as various museums on its huge university campus, in addition to visiting its temple and tabernacle. In addition, the neighbouring mountains offer fantastic hiking and skiing opportunities.
3: Cedar City
View this post on Instagram
Cedar City is a wonderfully gorgeous place to visit, sandwiched between two large mountain ranges, with a variety of wonderful nature to explore. It is also noted for its large Shakespearean Festival, which takes place each summer and serves as a handy entrance to Zion National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument.
The tranquil college town, which was founded by Mormon pioneers in the 1850s, is located in the southwest of the state, close to both Dixie National Forest and Bryce Canyon. Guests can enjoy skiing at the Brian Head and Eagle Point resorts, in addition to hiking and mountain biking in the beautiful surroundings.
The Shakespearean Festival, which takes place on the town’s college campus in the summer, brings the town to life with a variety of performances and events. Also read romantic hotels near me.
4: Park City
Park City is snuggled away in the Wasatch Mountains, just forty minutes from Salt Lake City, and is home to some of the country’s largest and best ski resorts. For the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, it was turned from a boom-and-bust mining town to a world-class mountain resort.
Due to the magnificent ski resorts that extend across the surrounding mountains, it is now a very popular vacation destination. While Deer Valley and Park City Mountain have a plethora of slopes to blast down, the summer months offer some excellent hiking and mountain biking opportunities.
Although most visitors come for the recreational activities, Park City also features a picturesque Main Street with restaurants and stores to explore, as well as hosting the annual Sundance Film Festival.
5: Provo
View this post on Instagram
Provo, Utah’s third-largest city, is located about forty minutes south of Salt Lake City, along the enormous Utah Lake. It is one of the country’s most conservative settlements, and it serves mostly as a base for exploring adjacent national parks and natural wonders. Also, read Best Italian Restaurants Near Me.
The Mormon Church dominates life in the city, which was founded in 1849 as Fort Utah. Most stores and restaurants are closed on Sundays. There are noteworthy Mormon temples to view as well as historic locations associated to both the church and early pioneers, in addition to visiting the museums and art galleries on the Brigham Young University campus.
Bridal Veil Falls, the Timpanogos Cave system, and the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest are all conveniently accessible from Provo and offer breathtaking scenery and good outdoor activities.
6: Logan
View this post on Instagram
Logan is a hidden gem with loads of wonderful scenery and outdoor activities for you to enjoy. It is often ignored by visitors. The small community, which is nestled in the Wasatch Mountains in northern Utah, has a rich history and legacy to explore.
Its historic heart, which was founded in 1859 by Mormon settlers, is filled with lovely old buildings and sites such as the Tabernacle and Temple. While the American West Heritage Center provides an interesting peek into the region’s history, Utah State University’s large student population gives the community a vibrant and youthful air.
The majority of visitors, however, come for the amazing hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking, as well as the excellent skiing available during the winter months. Furthermore, the Logan National Scenic Byway is a joy to drive along, especially in the fall when the foliage is vibrant.
7: Vernal
View this post on Instagram
Vernal, also known as “Dinosaurland,” has long been a famous tourist attraction thanks to its interesting fossils and exciting outdoor activities. The hamlet is located in the northeast corner of Utah and is surrounded by stunning landscape, including flowing rivers and canyons, as well as spectacular gorges, mountains, and desert.
Hiking, mountain biking, fishing, swimming, and camping are all popular activities in this beautiful wilderness, with river rafting being particularly popular. There’s also the massive Ashley National Forest and the immense Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area to visit in addition to Red Fleet State Park. Also, read Burgers Near Me.
Dinosaur National Monument, which features a remarkable collection of prehistoric fossils and petroglyphs, is the town’s principal must-see attraction, with more dinosaur bones can be seen at the Utah Field House of Natural History.
8: St. George
View this post on Instagram
The sun-kissed St. George, tucked away in a gorgeous and isolated valley in the southwest of the state, is wonderfully lucky when it comes to its variety of natural delights. It is close to Zion National Park and the state parks of Snow Canyon and Sand Hollow, in addition to the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon.
As a result, the city is an excellent starting point for exploring the surrounding landscapes, which range from deserts and canyons to mountains and lakes. Boating, camping, rock climbing, and ATVing are all popular activities in addition to hiking and bicycling.
9: Brigham City
View this post on Instagram
Brigham City, located in northern Utah and surrounded by the Wasatch Range’s rising mountains, is a wonderfully tranquil and attractive community with a lovely small-town vibe. Despite this, it provides a wide range of amenities and hosts a number of important historic sites and museums for visitors to visit.
The city was also founded by Mormons in the 1850s and is named after Brigham Young, the Mormon Church’s second president. Visitors can learn about the city’s history at the Brigham City Museum or the Box Elder Museum, both of which are located along the city’s historic main street and include attractive architecture.
Every September, the city celebrates its peaches with festivals, parades, and pageants. It’s also a good starting point for visiting Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and Golden Spike National Historic Park.
10: Price
View this post on Instagram
The small town of Price is a terrific place to spend a night or two because it is close to so much incredible environment and historic places. While most visitors come for the abundance of outdoor activities and prehistoric petroglyphs, it is also known for its multicultural makeup and booming eating scene.
Price was formed as a mining town in the distant depths of Utah’s Castle Country, with its railways and coal mines drawing everyone from Greeks and Italians to Mexicans and Japanese. You may discover more about its fascinating heritage in both its prehistoric and pioneer museums.
You may see awe-inspiring old Native American artworks in adjacent Nine Mile Canyon, while San Rafael Swell offers spectacular views, walks, drives, and camping.