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City in and county seat of Kane County, Utah, United States
Photo: P199, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kanab is a small town in the Canyon Country region of the state of Utah, in the United States of America. It is famous for its past use as a backdrop for many famous western movies as well as a good base for exploring the surrounding area. It is also well known as the home of Best Friends Animal Society. Destinations within driving distance include Zion National Park and the north rim of the Grand Canyon as well as Las Vegas.
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The famous "wave" is here. Only twenty people per day are permitted to visit: ten by online application months in advance, and ten by lottery at the Grand Staircase-Escalante Visitor Center here in Kanab. If you can't get the permit, don't worry, the national monument includes other beautiful scenery too. White Pocket is less popular than the wave because it's more difficult to get to (four-wheel drive is needed), but it doesn't require a permit, and some say it's even more spectacular than the wave.
A one-story, brick house built in 1891. Johnson's grandfather discovered Zion Canyon in 1858.
The Victorian style house was the home of the 1855 school teacher, Bowman. The Heritage House is on the National Register and has been restored as it was when first built and relics from the past adorn the walls.
Unique, built in 1892.
Built in 1906 using the stone of his father's home for the foundation. Edward Pugh was the man who built the first rock house outside of Fort Kanab.
Had one of the only two bathtubs in town. That home had to be the envy of all. Jepson built the first movie picture theatre in Kanab. That building was the Wok Inn and is now a western restaurant.
One of the oldest standing buildings in town, was a Kanab's original mercantile. Built in 1892, by H.E.Bowman & Co., the building has housed a bank (the safe was installed in 1902), a Post Office, a general store (the upstairs was added in the 20s), an ice cream shop, an Italian restaurant and a pawn shop. Since April 2000, the building has been home to The Rocking V Cafe, an eclectic American bistro, serving lunch and dinner to locals and tourists from all over the world. The Rafters Gallery is upstairs displaying local art & the original rough sawn, full dimension lumber that makes up the support for the roof. Notice the safe at the back of main floor dining room and the walls of original adobe brick.
Built in 1929, is now Terry's Camera Trading Company. Many old time movie stars spent their nights in the lodging.
The visitor center is on the main street. Besides travel info they have a lot of information on movies filmed in the Kanab area.
The lottery for permits to visit "the wave" in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument takes place here at 9AM every weekday morning. Be there around 8:30AM to fill out your application.
Be a cowboy for a weekend.
The Nation's largest sanctuary (~3,800 acres and 1,500-2,000 animals at any given time) for companion animals including dogs, cats, bunnies, birds, horses, donkeys, mules, goats, pigs, and a few others. This is a remarkable place that will impress any pet lover. You can visit and take tours through the facilities seven days a week, reservations may be needed. They have accommodations for overnight stays, reservations need to be made well in advance, and opportunities for you to work as a volunteer in the animal areas, volunteer commitments can be as short as 1/2 day or less.
Exhibits a collection of actual movie sets as the centerpiece of its exploration of how the sleepy little town of Kanab became the back lot for movies like The Outlaw Josey Wales, Planet Of The Apes and Stagecoach, and a haunt for Hollywood stars like Frank Sinatra, John Wayne, Charleton Heston, Clint Eastwood, Kiefer Sutherland and Willem Dafoe. The museum is set behind Frontier Movie Town, a large gift shop with tourist souvenirs.
This crew will take you on all terrain jeep adventures to slot canyons, an underground lake, hidden arches, Indian ruins, and petroglyphs
Jeep tours to local areas.
Hike.
Hike.
Mexican restaurant. Best food in town at a great price. This family owned restaurant is not much to look at but it's a local favorite.
It offers top-class cuisine in small-town Kanab - right on Kanab's historic Main Street. From Buffalo and seafood to eclectic vegetarian dishes, they have something for everyone. The Rafters Gallery upstairs displays all sorts of interesting local art for sale, or just to view. This is another favorite with the locals because of the unique food offered. Open 7 days a week during the "season" (mid-April - mid November)
A comfortable, family friendly restaurant with good American food. The servers sling pistols along with house-aged beef and their famous chicken fried steak, so be nice.
Wild Thyme
Casual American eatery serving chops, steaks & seafood in contemporary digs with outdoor tables.
Family-owned drive-in serving fast food.
A historic hotel and restaurant. American style family restaurant serving breakfast, lunch & dinner. Noted as the eating place of the stars.
An espresso cafe serving baked goods, made in house from scratch! The only homemade crossiant for miles! They usually have a special drink each month that is of an interesting concoction that is very delicious! THey are open at 7AM and close around 2PM.
Kanab City.
The best coffee in town.
A fun rock shop. It pays to hunt amongst the knickknacks to find the special rocks and items that come from local sources. They have a good selection of local raw materials for cutting, polishing, or tumbling.
There is not a bus route or trail route going through Kanab, but there is a small airport. You can fly into Las Vegas (4- to 5-hour drive) or Salt Lake City (an over 5-hour drive) on the major airlines.
Read in the guideWalking to the shops and movie theatre on Main Street is a popular pastime for tourists. The "Gazebo" on the church lawn, directly across the road from the theatre, hosts live entertainment most summer nights.
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St George · Regional · SGU
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