From October to March, Moab seems to be a ghost town. However, many Utahns argue that the prime time to see this tourist destination is during the off-season. Although the weather is colder, the lively red cliffs surrounding the town seem to radiate a summer warmth and herald warm weather to come. This time also gives one the chance to wander around the area without having to fend off hordes of tourists.
With that said, the popular activities drawing tourists to Moab in the summer months are still available during the winter season, and most of the local hotspots remain available for all to enjoy.
Located on the main strip of the town is a Mexican restaurant called Miguel’s Baja Grill. Serving authentic Baja California cuisine, tourists and locals alike claim that the best fish tacos in all of Eastern Utah are served here. Served with a heaping pile of rice, the plate comes with two tacos and a side of fixings. One of the meal’s well-known ingredients is the side dish of roasted pepper, which is considered the hottest pepper in Moab.
A good vacation centers around the idea of relaxing and having fun. Designed for locals and tourists alike, Moab features an abundance of small cafés in which people can sit down and enjoy the moment. One such café is a combination of store and restaurant. Called the Moab Coffee Roasters, this hangout is located in the store named Lost River Clothing Company.
“They roast their coffee fresh, and it’s delicious,” said Robyn MacDuff, an at-home coffee roaster and regular Moab tourist. “You can really tell the difference between the beans that have been roasted at the establishment versus those roasted and then shipped [to] it.”
A Moab vacation would not be complete without adventuring into the great outdoors. Among mountain bikers, the slickrock cliffs surrounding the city are commonly referred to as the mountain biking mecca, and many travel from around the globe just to experience the sensation of defying the laws of gravity when scaling the red cliffs.
Because mountain biking is Moab’s most well-known activity, the city offers a variety of outdoor adventure gear available at rental shops. The oldest shop is Rim Cyclery, which is located just off of the main strip. Rim Cyclery differs from the rest of bike rental shops because it is the only shop in the area that features specialized bicycles.
“We were the first and still the best,” said Kelby Groff, general manager of Rim Cyclery. The shop was founded by his father and grandfather nearly 30 years ago. The shop is mainly operated by Moab locals, and Groff mentioned Rim Cyclery employees have many years of local trail knowledge. It is this unique knowledge that helps them stand out above the rest.
No matter the temperature or season, the city of Moab maintains that is has something for everyone, whether it’s to stimulate the inner thrill seeker, food fanatic or coffee connoisseur.
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