Kanab, Utah, might be a small town, but it’s packed with charm and attractions for adults and kids. From the restaurants and unique museums to family-friendly parks and playgrounds, Kanab offers a well-rounded experience, but not everything is a gem. What if you only had 24 hours in Kanab? Well, you'd certainly want to do the best of the best.
Here's what our itinerary would look like if if I was traveling with just my hubby and then with kiddos:
24 Hours: For Adults
8:30am Breakfast: Havana Cabana offers affordable American and Cuban fare; their pancakes are so buttery and the Arepas (only avail on Fri/Sat) are delish! The owners, Cici and Chris are warm and friendly, the cuban coffee delivers just the right amount of caffeine to start your day, and all the beautiful plants hung around the interior, meticulously cared for by Cici, are lovely.
10am Rent an eBike: Work off breakfast and rent an e-bike for a couple hours at Jake's Bike Shop and take it to the Reservoir at the edge of town; it offers a 3.5 mile paved loop with 360 degree views of the red rocks. There are benches along the way for romantic snuggles and picturesque selfies, a sandy beach and plenty of bird watching.
12pm Lunch: By now you may have worked up an appetite, so head over to Wild Thyme Cafe just at the south end of town. It's a beautiful atmosphere, and I love snagging a spot on the outdoor patio. Their robust salads and homemade soups are a highlight. And if you're up for a cocktail, the Kanab Mule really hits the spot on a warm afternoon.
1:30pm Downtown Stroll: Our cute downtown offers a good mile or so of shops that you can easily stroll in and out of. My favorites are the Thrift Store and Lily Pad Consignment, offering gently used goods and gear that is fun to sift through. The Thrift Store has $1 clothing days on Wednesdays and Saturdays! The Raven's Heart Gallery has a beautiful array of local art and Kanab United Drug boasts the best curated selection of decor, jewelry, specialty items and Kanab-y things. And, while strolling, be sure to pay attention to Kanab's Hollywood Walk of Fame, plaques dispersed through town memorializing the actors and other film industry professionals who helped earn Kanab its nickname of “Little Hollywood, " and read tributes to Charleton Heston, Clint Eastwood, and Maureen O’Hara.
3:30pm Check In To Your Hotel: There are many options for lodging to choose from. If you're traveling in an RV, well, I highly recommend yours truly, Dark Sky. The online check in system allows you to get into your site on your own timeline and without the hassle of stopping at an office. However, if you are not traveling with your own home, check out the super unique glampground, White Camel, just a few miles outside of Kanab. These cozy, luxurious geodesic domes offer dark skies and panoramic views of the red rocks from bed. If you want to stay in town, The Quail Park Lodge is a newly remodeled retro boutique hotel and their pool is the perfect place to relax mid-afternoon. Or, if you're traveling with an animal, the Best Friends Mercantile is a chic, pet friendly hotel with beautiful grounds, a great little cafe and store.
At this point in the day, I'm ready to slow down so I'd work in a little nap by the pool...
6pm Museum & Dinner: The Once Upon a Time In America Museum is a new gem in Kanab just 4 miles east of town and showcases the owners' private collection amassed over three decades traveling you through time from Civil War History and Hollywood Memorabilia to one-of-a-kind vehicles. Then, cozy up in their 1800s bar with a craft beer or cocktail at their Smoke Wagon Saloon, you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu full of smoked meats, tasty sides and decadent desserts (hello hot gooey pizza cookie!)
Next Day
8:30am Coffee You're not quite ready to leave so pop over to Taro Coffee Bar truck (7am-1pm Thurs- Mon), their Taro drinks and lattes are the best in town.
9am Grab and Go Breakfast: On your way out of town, make a stop at Jakey Leigh's Bakery and grab a dozen bagels, freshly made every morning!
24 Hours: With Kids
8:30am Breakfast: The Parry Lodge has a nice breakfast buffet in their dining room and is the perfect for the pickiest of eaters, from cereal to eggs and bacon, there's something for everyone, and it's not usually that crowded!
10am Library: The Kanab Library offers a variety of family-friendly activities including free story time sessions for young kids and hands-on crafts and special events. My kids love finding the hidden object and getting to pick a prize for their awesome efforts.
11am Lunch: Brown Box Cafe is a must - serving regular and gourmet grilled cheeses, tomato soup, fresh salads and homemade ice cream - no one will walk away hungry! Their monthly sandwich, cookie and ice cream specials keep you coming back for more each time you visit. The homey, family atmosphere, outdoor seating and cute porch swing make this the perfect lunch spot with littles, though bigs love it too!
12:30pm Pool/Skate Park/Playground: It's time to let them be kids! The Kanab City Pool features a large swimming area, kiddie playscape in the pool, a lazy river, shaded seating and a grassy area to spread out. The snack bar has cheap drinks and snacks and the low admission price of $6 for out of towners, this is a no brainer! Right outside the fence is Jacob Hamblin Park with a splash pad for kids, covered playground equipment, pavilions and grills, greenery and baseball fields. And if you have scooter or biker enthusiasts, be sure to bring your wheels to try out the skatepark and pump track designed by Velo and America Ramp Co.
2:30pm Check In To Your Hotel: Timber & Tin comes in at a higher price point but with larger living spaces, two+ rooms, a rooftop lounge, common area with pool, hot tub and game room, it's the perfect place for families and it's right in town making it easy to walk the town.
3:30pm Book an Adventure: Plan a horseback ride through Cave Lakes or schedule a Via Ferrata tour if your kids are more thrill seekers; these family friendly tours with ROAM Outdoor Adventure Company will definitely be a highlight for your kids.
6pm Dinner: Grab a hometown burger, fries and a shake at Big Al's Burger Junction. The Bison burger with waffle fries (fry sauce is a must!) and a homemade pie shake are staples here. Sit outside in their charming, old-school covered area, where the nostalgic atmosphere transports you back to a time when food was delivered on roller skates.
7:30pm Movie: You've got a 50/50 shot that the Crescent Moon Theater is playing a family friendly movie; it boasts just one screen and limited showings Thursday through Saturday... gotta' love a small town! With simple concessions, a cute little lobby, a wiener dog to welcome you, and red velvet curtains to enter the theater, you're sure to feel transported back to the 80s.
Next Day
8:30am Coffee You're not quite ready to leave so pop over to Taro Coffee Bar truck (7am-1pm Thurs-Mon), their Taro is kid friendly, and they have hot chocolate and fun colored lemonades the kiddos will love. Pick up a loaf of Ron's Fresh Baked Banana Bread dropped here fresh every morning, it's the best thing to pair with your morning Taro. Sit here and people watch!
9:30 Sand Caves: Before you leave, I'd be remise to not mention the iconic Sand Caves hike just north of town. A short half mile round trip hike but what's extra cool is that you'll head straight UP the rock face and over to the man made sand caves. Take your shoes off when you're in there and dig deep down in the sand, it's so cold and refreshing. If your kids are not afraid of heights, do not leave Kanab without checking this one off the list.
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