Just a couple of hours north of Las Vegas lies an oasis called Cedar City. Home to Southern Utah University, and close to a number of scenic national parks, this charming and compact city offers visitors a great home base for exploring the area. Golf, skiing, biking and other outdoor recreational activities abound. In the summer, mountain bikers flock to the Brian Head Peak Activity Center, for challenging runs and spectacular scenery. Also called the "Festival City," Cedar City plays host to a number of prestigious film, theater and art festivals throughout the year (the summer Shakespearean Festival is one of the more well-known fetes), making anytime a great time to visit.