16 May 2022
A Day of Culture: Exploring Art and Theatre
by Discover Davis
Looking for a day filled with local creativity, incredible live performances, and mouth-watering local eats? Tucked right into the heart of Davis County is a vibrant community of local artists, stunning galleries, and world-class community theatre. If you are looking for an inspired date night, a weekend outing with friends, or a memorable day with the family, this step-by-step guide takes you from historic Main Streets to center stage. Pack your camera, secure your theater tickets, and get ready to experience a perfect day of arts and culture.
🌅 Morning: Historic Main Streets & Local Masterpieces (Bountiful)
Begin with a stroll down Bountiful’s historic Main Street, where local flavor meets incredible regional art.
Breakfast Stop | Bun Basket Bakery: Kick off the day by grabbing a delicious breakfast or fresh pastry from Bun Basket Bakery on Historic Bountiful Main Street. Serving Davis County since 1995, they specialize in handmade breads, cookies, pastries, and deli sandwiches.
Art Stop | Bountiful Davis Art Center (BDAC): Just one block down the road from the bakery is Davis County’s favorite art museum. BDAC features three spacious galleries housing rotating exhibits from incredible regional and local Utah artists.
Insider Pick | The Art-O-Mat: While inside BDAC, look for Utah’s only Art-O-Mat art vending machine! Simply insert $5, pull the knob, and walk away with an original, miniature work of art handmade by a real artist.
☀️ Midday: Smoked BBQ & Picture-Perfect Murals (Centerville)
By lunchtime, it’s time to refuel with some authentic local food and snap some Instagram-worthy photos just a few minutes north.
Lunch Stop | Smokin’ Bones BBQ: An easy 12-minute walk or 2-minute drive from BDAC brings you to this family-owned local favorite. Smokin’ Bones specializes in authentic, Southern-style smoked meats. Grab a smoked meat platter and enjoy a true taste of local Davis County comfort food.
History Stop | The Whitaker Museum: After lunch, head over to Centerville’s Heritage Museum. Housed in a beautifully preserved 1800s pioneer home, The Whitaker serves as a cultural hub for the community. Depending on when you visit, you can catch local history exhibits, tour the pristine gardens, or participate in one of their seasonal community heritage workshops.
Photo Op | “Keep It Real” Mural: Head north into Centerville for a fun pitstop and a stunning photo background. The gorgeous “Keep It Real” mural was painted by local Davis County artist Jill De Haan and can be found on the south side of So Mighty Studios (12 N. Main St., Centerville).
🌇 Afternoon & Evening: Comfort Food & Center Stage (Centerville)
As the sun sets over the valley, wind down your day of culture with a cozy dinner and a spectacular live performance.
Dinner Stop | Hug-Hes Cafe: Not far from the mural is Hug-Hes Cafe, a modern eatery serving up comforting, delicious American dishes. Local fan-favorites include their famous French Dip sandwich, beer-battered Gulf Shrimp, pastrami burger, and smoked chicken pasta salad.
Theater Stop | CenterPoint Legacy Theatre: End your evening with a spectacular live production. Housed in a beautiful 62,000-square-foot, multi-venue facility, CenterPoint features a massive main stage as well as an intimate black box theater. Their professional-quality productions are perfect for date nights, family outings, or get-togethers with friends.
Bonus Evening Options
Summer Bonus | Concerts & Movies under the Stars: If you are visiting during the summer months, keep an eye out for opportunities to hear live music in the park! Check out Davis Arts Council upcoming events.
Hopebox Theatre (Kaysville): Located a short drive north in Kaysville, the Hopebox Theatre performs incredible plays and musicals with an inspiring mission. This venue was founded to bring hope to those facing cancer; each production honors a local individual fighting the disease, with a portion of the proceeds directly supporting their family.
On Pitch Performing Arts (Layton): Head up to Layton’s Main Street to visit OPPA! This high-energy theater company splits its season across two spaces—the Creator’s Stage and the Main Stage. Alongside their fantastic main-stage plays and musicals, they are heavily focused on teaching and training the next generation of actors and theater technicians.
💡 Pro-Tips For Your Arts & Culture Day
To make sure your itinerary goes off without a hitch, keep these quick planning tips in mind:
Check the Calendar: The Bountiful Davis Art Center (BDAC) is typically closed on Sundays and Mondays. Plan your arts day between Tuesday and Saturday to catch the open galleries!
Book Ahead: Because Davis County loves the performing arts, popular weekend productions at CenterPoint, Hopebox, and OPPA! frequently sell out completely. Be sure to purchase your show tickets online a few weeks in advance.
Easy Navigation: Davis County is compact and easy to traverse. Even if you choose to breakfast in Bountiful and see a show up north in Layton, the total drive time across the county is only about 20 minutes.
Ready, Set, Stay!
Once the curtain falls on your perfect day, discover a welcoming place to stay and refresh within our beautiful county.
Discover Where to Stay
