These 7 Towns In Utah Have Bustling Main Streets
Travel is big business in Utah. Each year, the “Beehive State” sees tourists drop upwards of $12 billion in the pursuit of outdoor adventure, cultural activities, places to stay, and food and drink experiences, with the state’s five national parks (only Alaska and California have more) acting as the biggest draw. So, it is little wonder that the best of Utah’s charming small towns are busy.
In addition to all the fun, Utah’s bustling small-town main streets also offer a fascinating glimpse into local life, with historic buildings, thriving businesses, and lively events adding to the appeal. From towns set in the scenic Wasatch Range to those bordering famous national parks, each of these destinations offers visitors unique experiences that can’t be matched in bigger places like Salt Lake City. Find out what you are missing with these seven towns in Utah that have bustling main streets.
Heber City
Heber City, located just 45 minutes southeast of the state capital of Salt Lake City, is known for having a bustling main street connecting travelers to both its rich history and nearby outdoor adventures. The town’s Main Street is home to several photo-worthy historic buildings, including the Wasatch County Courthouse, completed in 1889 and now a hub for local events. Here, you can explore local shops offering handcrafted goods, dine at eateries serving regional cuisine, and shop at galleries showcasing Utah artists.
Heber City Main Street comes alive in summer when visitors arrive to participate in events like the Intermountain Championship Pow Wow, a June celebration of Native American traditional song and dance; and the Wasatch County Fair in August, a fun local cultural event that draws large crowds. Although just a few blocks away, the Heber Valley Historic Railroad Depot, built in 1909, is a must-see attraction where you can hop aboard a scenic train ride through the stunning Provo Canyon. Heber City’s proximity to Jordanelle State Park and Deer Creek Reservoir is another plus and makes it a perfect stop for those looking to blend some urban exploration with a little outdoor recreation.
Moab
Jeeps and ATVs are very much the vehicles of choice in Moab, an outdoor adventurer’s paradise on the Colorado Plateau. Famous as the gateway to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, 4x4s are everywhere here, carrying sightseers and backcountry aficionados between downtown Moab and the stunning surrounding scenery. Busy Moab Main Street is a destination in its own right and is lined with a mix of restaurants, outdoor gear shops, and art galleries, reflecting the town’s quirky, diverse culture. The Moab Museum, built in the early 1900s and just a block from Main Street, is a must-visit for those wanting to learn more about the town’s Native American history and pioneer past.
Main Street is also a great place to sample local establishments like the Moab Brewery, which serves craft beers and hearty meals after a day of hiking or biking. It’s also the scene of several major events each year, including the Moab Easter Jeep Safari in April (we told you Jeeps were popular here!), and the Moab Music Festival in September, both of which bring in visitors from across the country.
Cedar City
Handily located on the I-15 connecting Salt Lake City to Las Vegas, Cedar City is a great destination to pull over for a wander. Dubbed the “Festival City” for its year-round schedule of cultural events, its Main Street serves as the heart of this bustling town and is lined with historic structures worth exploring. Highlights include the world-class Southern Utah Museum of Art, an impressive modern structure where visitors can explore a diverse array of regional artwork.
A great time to visit this and other Main Street attractions is during the Utah Shakespeare Festival, a summer-long event celebrating the works of the Bard and other great playwrights with plenty of related fun occurring in the downtown core. Other Cedar City attractions include the Iron Mission State Park Museum dedicated to the area’s pioneer history and the town’s role in Utah’s iron mining industry, as well as nearby Cedar Breaks National Monument and Zion National Park.
Park City
Situated just 30 miles east of Salt Lake City, Park City is renowned for its world-class ski resorts and outdoor adventures, ensuring its Main Street is pretty much hopping year-round. And it’s a fun area to explore on foot, full of historic buildings dating back to the late 1800s, many of them now home to boutique shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Now designated a National Historic Landmark, the Main Street Historic District is home to must-visit attractions such as the Park City Museum, housed in a former mining-era building and providing interesting insights into the town’s silver mining history.
Park City is also the home of the internationally acclaimed Sundance Film Festival, the largest independent film festival in the United States which takes place each January and transforms the town into a global cultural hub. It’s a great time to also explore local restaurants, ranging from casual diners to upscale bistros while enjoying lovely views of the surrounding Wasatch Mountains.
Kanab
Kanab is located in southern Utah near the Arizona border and is a great place to visit for those who have ever wondered what it was like back in the Old West. If that sounds like you, then Kanab Main Street is the place to start exploring with its impressive collection of old buildings dating back to the early 1900s. In fact, it reeks so much of the Old West that Kanab is known as “Little Hollywood” due to the many Western movies that were filmed in the surrounding red rock canyons. More can be learned about this legacy at the quirky Little Hollywood Land with its large collection of movie sets and props.
The town’s Main Street is also home to many quaint shops, and local cafés, as well as one of the best places to stay in Kanab: Parry Lodge. Built in 1931 and once frequented by famous film stars during Kanab’s heyday as a film location, this historic hotel is the perfect base from which to explore the town. The best time to visit? Kanab’s annual Western Legends Round-Up in August makes for a great excuse for a visit and celebrates the town’s cinematic and cowboy history.
Springdale
Its location just outside the entrance to Zion National Park has certainly served Springdale well. This attractive small town boasts a nearly-always bustling main drag that caters to the millions of visitors who pass through each year, many of them stopping to sample its restaurants and stock up at its outdoor gear shops. Notable attractions include the Canyon Community Center which hosts art exhibits and local events, while the nearby Zion Canyon Visitor Center offers useful information about the region.
Need a place to stay? Flanigan's Resort has been offering comfy, quality accommodations to Springdale visitors since 1978 and comes highly recommended, with an on-site spa to help you relax and unwind after all that exploring. While there’s never a bad time to visit, the annual Zion Canyon Music Festival in September gets Springdale rockin’ and rollin’.
Midway
Midway, located only 50 miles southeast of Salt Lake City in the picturesque Heber Valley, is a great place to visit for a memorable Utah weekend retreat. Boasting a charming downtown that reflects the town’s Swiss heritage, Midway Main Street is filled with delightful locally-owned businesses housed in Swiss-style buildings, giving the town a distinct European Alps feel. Highlights here include historic Midway Town Hall, built in 1941 and still the scene of local performances and community events throughout the year; and Swiss Days Mercantile which offers handcrafted goods and local treats, adding to the authentic experience.
Midway’s main street is especially lively during the annual Swiss Days festival, held every September in celebration of the town’s Swiss roots. Always fun, this popular event draws thousands of visitors with its parades, craft vendors, and traditional music. For outdoor enthusiasts, the town is also close to attractions like the Homestead Crater, a geothermal spring inside a limestone dome, where visitors can swim and snorkel.
The Final Word
There’s no doubt Utah’s small towns offer a diverse range of experiences for curious travelers to enjoy. Boasting bustling main streets that serve these communities as local culture and tourism hubs, you’ll find everything here from historic buildings and festivals to easy access to outdoor adventures. Whether you delight in wandering through art galleries, enjoying a meal in a historic café, or attending a local event, Utah’s busy small-town main streets offer plenty of excuses to stop and linger awhile. This list of seven towns in Utah that have bustling main streets will tell you everything you need to know to start planning a great escape.
