8 Of The Most Eccentric Towns In Utah

With nearly 15 million travelers in 2023, Utah has no trouble attracting visitors. While many head straight to the state’s five national parks, there are plenty of eccentric towns to visit across the state as well. In fact, some of the smallest towns have the most fascinating stories, featuring Swiss festivals, old Western movie sets, and annual chalk art celebrations. If you are hoping to discover some of Utah’s more unexpected and quirky corners this year, these eight towns will certainly surprise you.

Midway

Settled by a large number of Swiss families in the 1860s and 1870s, Midway continues to preserve its European heritage today. Each August, the town hosts the annual Swiss Days festival, a weekend that celebrates its Swiss heritage through Swiss-German food vendors, dancing, live music, a parade, and more. The Blue Boar Inn is another prominent piece of European culture in town, an old-style European chateau that provides guests with elegantly furnished rooms, candle-lit dining, and mountain views. If you love cheese, make sure to stop by Heber Valley Artisan Cheese, a local cheese farm and creamery that has been producing artisan cheeses since 2011 and offers dairy farm tours of the facilities.

Heber City

Just a 10-minute drive from Midway, travelers will reach the equally quirky town of Heber City, renowned for its historic railroad, county fairs, and old-timey restaurants. Travelers can start off their exploration of the area aboard the Heber Valley Railroad, which offers rides through the Heber Valley and Wasatch Mountains. The railroad also occasionally has themed rides, such as a Freedom Train Ride for the 4th of July and a Rock' N Roll Train on July 18th. From July 24th through August 2nd, the town will host the Wasatch County Fair, which features eccentric events like a demolition derby, a pool party, a carnival, and fair exhibits. If you are looking for a good spot to eat while in town, check out Vintage Heber, a locally owned restaurant with dishes like tater tots, fried pickles, cowboy burgers, barbecue pork ribs, and other classic pub fare.

Kanab

Since 1924, the area surrounding Kanab has hosted more than 100 films and numerous TV shows, leaving behind a rich film heritage in the town. You can explore this heritage at the Little Hollywood Movie Museum, which allows you to stroll among old movie sets and film relics. Afterward, hop in the car and drive by the Gunsmoke Movie Set, where you can view the old Hollywood set from the iconic 20th-century television series right from the road. Travelers needing a place to stay can spend the night at the Parry Lodge, which has hosted numerous famous Western movie stars over the years, such as John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and Burl Ives.

Moab

Famous for its hot air ballooning scene and natural arches, Moab is filled with eccentric outdoor activities. Travelers can start their trip at Arches National Park, a rocky wonderland with more than 2,000 stone arches, hundreds of pinnacles, giant balanced rocks, and rock fins. After exploring the park, take to the air with Redrock Ballooning, which offers sunrise balloon rides that soar above the area’s redrock landscapes. For even more adrenaline-provoking activities, travelers can sign up for an excursion with Elevate Outdoors, a woman-owned outfitter that specializes in canyoneering, rock climbing, and highlining trips near the Moab area.

Springdale

While many travelers associate Springdale with Zion National Park, there are plenty of other attractions worth checking out in the area. Each spring, the town hosts the Zion Chalk & Earth Fest, welcoming some of the most talented chalk artists to create colorful street art while also featuring a beer garden, live music, and educational vendors. There are several incredible art galleries to check out in town as well, such as the Worthington Gallery, which exhibits wind sculptures, glass art, paintings, pottery, and jewelry. To unwind after exploring town, grab dinner at Oscar’s Cafe, a beloved local restaurant that serves Mexican and southwest cuisine, burgers, sandwiches, and more.

Helper

Certified as an International Dark Sky Community, Helper is a tremendous place to go stargazing. Just west of town, travelers can hike the Spring Canyon Trail, which follows an abandoned railroad line, showcasing stunning dark skies at night. The Price River also flows through town, which you can explore along the Helper Riverwalk, a hike and bike trail that runs through the downtown district. Rich in mining heritage, make sure to spend an afternoon at the Helper Museum, where you can learn about the miners who worked in the area between 1880 and 1950. The museum also features model trains and themed rooms filled with authentic artifacts.

Eureka

Eureka is another Utah town abundant in mining heritage, proudly exhibited each year during the annual Tintic Silver Festival! Each August, this festival celebrates its mining history with several days of activities, including a parade, food and craft vendors, a car show, an auction, and more. Another way to learn about the town’s interesting mining history is at the Tintic Mining Museum, which is located in a historic train depot, showcasing relics that date back to the 19th century. For a hearty meal, stop by Tintic Pizza Co., a local pizzeria that serves both classic and specialty pizzas.

Blanding

If you love dinosaurs, make sure to plan a day in Blanding to check out The Dinosaur Museum. This museum dives into the complete history of dinosaurs, exhibiting everything from skeletons and footprints to eggs and fossilized dinosaur skin, allowing you to see the prehistoric creatures like never before. To continue your museum tour, stop by the Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum, which contains the region’s largest collection of Ancestral Puebloan pottery. For a souvenir, Hunts Trading Post has a fine collection of southwestern-style goods, an authentic, family-owned Navajo Trading Post that sells jewelry, gifts, Native American artwork, and coffee.

Utah is full of attractions, and some of the most surprising can be found in its small towns. For a European-style vacation, a town like Midway offers plenty of unexpected experiences, while places like Moab give you the chance to soar high above the desert in a colorful hot air balloon. All you have to do is book your hotel and get ready to discover the eccentric side of Utah.