9 Utah Towns That Were Ranked Among US Favorites for 2024
Even for the most traveled, Utah's stark beauty has an electric current to it that makes many parts of the state appear new, fresh, and heart-stirring almost every time. In some spots, the landscape is as a calm day. At others, it gushes like a hurricane. Think of Bryce Canyon — or even Zion National Park. Then, wrap your head around Mount Timpanogos at Sunrise. Feature after feature; hill and valley are odes to nature’s sculptural prowess. The towns that dot this surreal expanse are loved for their character and personality — and the access they provide to world-class outdoor recreational sites. If scoping for the Utah towns ranked among US favorites, check out Park City and the other towns below.
Park City
You will probably be thinking about skiing when visiting Park City. This is partly because Park City is a big name in the skiing world, with sites such as the nearby Utah Olympic Park co-hosting the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. But even if skiing is not up your alley, Park City still boasts a delightful range of offerings. One can explore Historic Main Street, admiring vibrant art at spots such as Trove Gallery. Here, enjoy hearty meals at the tasty restaurants that dot the main drag, including the incredibly cozy Harvest. Also, you can go snowshoeing in the area or get a therapeutic body massage at the Aura Spa Collaborative. You will have to top this off with a visit to the Utah Olympic Park.
Heber City
From floating down the Provo River to enjoying an unforgettable ride on the Heber Valley Railroad, it is easy to see why Heber earns a spot among the Utah towns often ranked among U.S. favorites. The ride on the Heber Valley Railroad, for example, which winds through a part of the Provo Canyon, reveals beautiful bits of Utah scenery that only a few are prepared to handle. To light up the journey, interesting sing-alongs, dancing, and talks pepper the experience — giving it a feel that is nothing short of electrifying. Granny's Drive-In, located right on Main Street, probably serves the best shakes in the state. But their delicious onion rings also deserve some honorable mention. Just don’t miss the trout-filled Deer Creek Reservoir, known to offer some of Utah's finest fishing experiences.
Kanab
Kanab reclines at the foot of Vermilion Cliffs, from where the Arizona state line is less than 10 minutes. It is famous for several reasons, including as a jumping-off point to the north rim of the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, and Bryce Canyon. But there is the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park as well, just west of town. The area presents one of the most beautiful desert landscapes in America. The trick is to visit late in the evening, when it is not hot, so you can enjoy walking barefoot on the sand. Because it has served as the setting of several movies, including The Lone Ranger, El Dorado, and Billy the Kid — Kanab has been called “Hollywood’s backyard.” If food is high on your list, your adventure should begin at the Wild Thyme Cafe, located right on Highway 89.
Moab
Most Utah towns ranked among U.S. favorites are close to one or two mind-bending outdoor attractions. Moab, which is right at the doorstep of the Arches National Park, follows this pattern. The erosion of the area’s colorful sandstone has created a range of extraordinary shapes, including arches, windows, and several honeycombed pinnacles. Moab also provides access to Dead Horse Point State Park, a cliffside campsite that provides beautiful views of the Colorado River. Besides its deafening silence, this park serves one of the most magical sunsets in the West. For those who want to break some sweat, there is the Slickrock Bike Trail, arguably the most popular mountain bike trail on the planet. Moab Diner, known for all-day breakfasts in retro but homey surroundings, should be everyone’s first port of call.
Green River
The taste of a sweet melon, whose succulent flesh is a bright red, especially when the day is hot and balmy, is one of life’s most delightful experiences. Interestingly, this is one of the things Green River is known for. In September, when the town celebrates its most famous export, one can get to enjoy free melon slices in an atmosphere filled with fun and a lively, jocund spirit. But you don’t have to visit on Melon Days, a tradition that dates back to 1906. Although a lusty bite will be off the cards, the fleshly watermelon slice in the parking lot of the John Wesley Powell River Museum will whet your appetite. It is the largest watermelon slice sculpture in the world. There is the Green River State Park, where one can boat and fish, the well-designed Athena Mountain Bike Trail, and some kick-ass apple pies at Ray's Tavern.
Garden City
Another Utah town that deserves a spot on a list of U.S. favorites is Garden City, whose defining attraction is aptly called the "Caribbean of the Rockies.” Bear Lake, which scientists believe to be among the oldest lakes on the continent, is famous for its turquoise-blue color. It is the perfect place to enjoy a good read, play in the water, build a sand castle, watch a sunset, or just bob about on a boat. That said, one will want to travel to Garden City for just the raspberry shakes that LaBeau's, a fun, retro outpost on Bear Lake Boulevard — is mostly known for. Stay in a rustic cabin at Bear Lake / Trail Side KOA Journey, especially if seeking a front-row seat to the town’s long line-up of outdoor offerings.
Helper
It may not help with many troubles that life swings your way, but Helper is the most beautiful mining town for miles. That said, its artsy side is just as vibrant. There is the awesome Helper Museum on Main Street, which reveals what a small Western mining town in the early 1900s looked like. Its four floors are packed with fascinating artifacts and dioramas and can easily steal an afternoon. The town's historic district, now on the National Register of Historic Places, features cute shops and galleries, including Canvas Alchemy, a fun little spot perfect for rousing one's senses. You can start with some delicious iced coffee at the dog-friendly Happiness Within before heading over to Balance Rock Eatery & Pub for some tongue-tingling sandwiches. In the final minutes of daylight, a stroll down Helper Riverwalk will prove therapeutic.
Springdale
A postcard backdrop (Springdale is framed by Zion National Park’s soaring canyon walls), exceptional art galleries, including the much beloved David J West Gallery, and a delightful array of tasty eateries — all combine to earn Springdale a spot among the Utah towns ranked among U.S. favorites. You can have breakfast at Oscar’s Cafe and lunch at MeMe’s Cafe before heading over to Zion Outfitters to rent a much-needed vacation accessory in the area: an e-bike. With this, outdoor sites such as the scenic Pa’Rus Trail will be screaming for attention. One can also just chill out at the Springdale Town Park or sit down with Charles Dickens at the Springdale Library. But for what it is worth, Zion National Park remains Springdale’s most defining attraction by far.
Midway
Rounding off the list of Utah towns ranked among U.S. favorites is the charming town of Midway, which styles itself as “close to everything but far from typical.” Midway is tucked away in the Heber Valley, just about 3 miles west of Heber City, in an area backdropped by the austere grandeur of the Wasatch Mountains. The town was incorporated in 1891 and is known for its Swiss heritage, especially since many of the town's early settlers were Swiss families. Today, Little Switzerland celebrates that side of it through Swiss Days, a fun-filled carnival that takes place the Friday and Saturday before Labor Day every year. Start by indulging your taste buds at Lola's Street Kitchen before exploring the Wasatch Mountain State Park, hitting up Dutch Hollow Trailhead, and enjoying a night worth everything money can buy at Zermatt Resort — as you receive world-class spa treatments.
The Takeaway
“Utah’s national parks,” it has been observed, ”are not merely places to visit but to reverence.” The towns that provide the world access to these other-worldly landscapes are no less surreal. At least many of them. Although everyone will have their own favorite Utah town — the palm here goes to Park City, Heber, Kanab, and the rest of the towns highlighted here. But don't travel yet; that is until you are sure you have a good camera.
