Things to do / Travel Guide
For visitors hoping to take home with them a piece of the southern Utah region, the shopping options won't disappoint. Southwestern-style jewelry, art, and home décor top the list of specialty shopping in the region, but guests to the region best not overlook the unique rock shops, fresh fruit picking opportunities, and fun flea and farmer's markets.
Art Galleries in Southern Utah
The majestic scenery of the Southern Utah region inspires local artists just as much as it does the hikers, bikers, and nature lovers that flock to its lands. The St. George, Hurricane, and Springdale areas, as well as Spring City and Cedar City, are full of art galleries and studios, where you are bound to find a nature-inspired masterpiece to mount your walls at home. Expect plenty of landscape paintings of your favorite sites and attractions, unique bronze and wood sculptures, pottery, and southwestern-themed jewelry and artwork.
Several art galleries are clustered along Zion Park Boulevard in Springdale, and galleries are spread around the St. George historic downtown district, providing diverse photography, sculpture, and painting. Historic Spring City is also known for its budding art scene, and visitors can stop in one of the many galleries and studio showrooms scattered around the city center featuring photography, pottery, ceramics, and silverwork. In September the town hosts an Artist's Studio tour and in May, during the town's annual Heritage Day, an Art and Antiques Show and sale features the work of local and national artists.
The St. George and Moab areas also host plenty of boutiques, galleries, and craft and antique shops that also spotlight local artists or feature nature-inspired works. Southern Utah University in Cedar City offers art exhibitions and events throughout the year, and visitors will always find art galleries and regional arts and crafts shops in the Cedar City Historic Downtown Shopping District.
Farmer's Markets, Fruit, and Flea Markets in Southern Utah
Just about everything in the southern Utah region screams fresh: fresh desert/mountain/forest air, refreshing outdoor recreation opportunities and, for the shopping lovers out there, fresh food. Farmer's markets and fruit stands can be found in the region's main cities throughout the summer season. The Moab Farmers Market is a favorite, held every Saturday from June-October one block west of Main Street in Swanny City Park.
From March-November, the Springdale Fruit Company, located along U.S. Highway 9 about three miles south of Zion National Park, offers a natural foods market and deli, specializing in organic and gourmet foods bound to make your mouth water. The bonus: the market is surrounded by one of the company's beautiful organic apple orchards and has a pleasant picnic area.
If the fruits on those trees kick in your gatherer inclination, head to the deserted pioneer town of Fruita in Capital Reef National Park. The National Park Service still maintains the old orchards and visitors are welcome to self-serve pick and take the fruits - cherries, apricots, peaches, pears, and apples, depending on the season. Harvest time starts in late June or early July and ends in October. Prices are around the same as commercial pick-your-own-fruit orchards. In the evenings, deer and other animals can be spotted in the area.
At the Indoor Fall Flea Market and Furniture Sale in Spring City you may just find some unique historic artifact from the city's pioneer days or a piece of artwork that the locals can do without, but that you just can't. The prices can't be beat!
Specialty Shopping in Southern Utah
If you are looking to bring home something uniquely representative of the southern Utah region, you are bound to find it one of the many specialty shops, boutiques, or craft stores in the region. The Cedar City Historic Downtown Shopping District offers unique mom and pop-style stores that offer specialty gift selection and southwestern-style home décor. Antique stores and arts and crafts shops are also located in the area.
St. George and Moab are also shopping hubs for southwestern-style jewelry, pottery, gifts, clothing, collectables, alternative books, iron works, and rustic furniture and décor. Shops are located throughout town, but are primarily clustered in the downtown historic areas in Moab along Main Street.
While it may seem counterintuitive to buy rocks when the region has so many scattered around, geology buffs will love the specialty rock shops located in Moab, Springdale, and other locations. The shops give visitors an opportunity to buy some special stones and learn more about the unique geology of the region. "Kanab Wonderstone" slabs are special natural sandstone with curious patterns resembling scenic landscapes, found in the Kanab area. They can be bought pocket-size or in up to five-foot slabs. Several other shops in Kanab sell Indian crafts, jewelry, Western art, and a selection of regional books.
Shopping Malls in Moab, Zion, Bryce, Arches National Parks in Southern Utah and the Arizona Strip
Shopping
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