There are most definitely many delightful travel destinations to add to your must-visit list over time, but one you certainly don’t want to miss out on is Park City, Utah! Located in the beautiful Wasatch Mountains, Park City is a place that’s packed with rich history to discover, filled with fantastic dining and shopping stops, and a true oasis of opportunity for those with a passion for the great outdoors. In every single season of the year, Park City has something mesmerizing to offer its visitors whether you head here to enjoy the world-class ski resorts or make time to unwind when the Sundance Film Festival comes to town. Experiencing Park City like a local means embracing the lifestyle at every turn. Whether you’re planning a trip for a few days or you’re looking forward to a well-deserved extended stay in Utah, the following stops, activities, and experiences will help you feel right at home when you visit Park City, alongside its adoring residents.
Keep Seasonal Highlights at the Top of Your List
In Park City, making time to enjoy the local highlights in every season of the year isn’t considered a tourist activity—it’s considered making the absolute most of your amazing surroundings! Letting go of stress and focusing on the fun that you’ll find every step of the way instead is a sure way to get the most out of your journey and fall in love with Park City for the same reasons its residents have and continue to do. If you’re traveling this way in the fall, make time to get out, soak up the mild weather, and enjoy local leaf peeping at its very best. As the landscapes here transition to reds, golds, and oranges, you’ll be delighted with drives along Guardsman Pass that offer up incredible stopping points for fantastic photos. For those who prefer to lace up their hiking boots and hit the trails, the route leading to Bloods Lake is known among locals a top spot for admiring the changing seasonal colors.
When winter calls you to Park City, you’ll find there’s truly no better place to spend your time alongside the locals than the ski resorts. Both Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley are picture-perfect places to spend time on the slopes with Deer Valley being a smaller, ski-exclusive choice and Park City Mountain Resort being open to snowboarding as well. At both resorts, you can book helpful lessons if you’re a newcomer to downhill fun, as well as rent the gear you need for a fun day right on-site. You never have to worry about curbing a craving or two at these resorts because both feature award-winning eateries and an overall après-ski scene designed to impress the palate. When you want to take your snow-focused fun beyond the slopes, you’ll find locals often head into the Uintas with snowshoes on to check out the backcountry trails that await. Over at the Park City Ice Arena, you can sign up for a skating lesson or participate in free skate sessions throughout the winter as well.
Spring in Park City means the arrival of wildflower blooms that have locals and visitors coming out in droves to see along the hiking trails. As temperatures begin to rise and the snow starts to melt away, the Mid Mountain Trail is a great choice to kick off the warmer season while you won’t want to miss out on a trek along the Armstrong Trail in town either. Both are spectacular for springtime birdwatching so be sure to pack your binoculars in your pack for your day out in nature.
When summer brings you to Utah and you’re excited to spend your time in Park City, you’ll find this destination is packed with free outdoor concerts and festivals well worth checking out alongside the locals. One of the most popular to add to your itinerary is the Deer Valley Music Festival which brings impressive names to the stage each year including the Utah Symphony.
Check Out Fan-Favorite Eateries in the Area
It would be nearly impossible to explore all of the best restaurants Park City hosts in a single trip. As a result, many travelers make it their mission to add as many as possible to their itinerary each time they’re in town. When you’re working your way down that lineup and hoping to enjoy some stops that are always loved by locals, you’ll have an impressive collection to pick from. If you know that your day out and about in Park City is going to be packed with activities, you’ll want to be sure to fuel up well at places like Windy Ridge Café. This local favorite breakfast stop and hangout has great breakfast burritos to enjoy that can easily be paired with a plethora of sweet pastries too. Over at Five5eeds, Australian-inspired breakfast options are a hit with locals and equally loved by visitors.
If you find that by midday you could really use a re-energizing boost, head over to Atticus Coffee & Teahouse to find the sips you’re craving. This charming spot invites guests to come inside, grab a book, and relax with a latte or espresso in good company every day of the week! In the evening, treat yourself to authentic Mexican fare at El Chubasco in town. This flavorful and fun stop has a menu brimming over with mouthwatering tacos to try and a salsa bar to match. Another great dinner option in Park City that’s equally adored by locals is the High West Distillery. While it’s a must-visit for whiskey enthusiasts heading this way, it’s just as fun when you’re in the mood for comfort food in a setting that’s decidedly inspired by the Old West!
Discover the Rich Arts and Culture Scene Locals Love in Park City
While it’s fair to say that many Park City residents choose to make this destination their home of choice due to the scenic surroundings and exceptional access to outdoor adventure at their fingertips, Park City is just as plentiful when it comes to its rich arts and culture scene. A stroll along Historic Main Street is a great way to get in touch with all the possibilities the city offers in terms of boutique shops to explore, historic architecture to admire, and museums to visit that offer up a unique look at the area’s mining past. Historic Main Street is also a hub for great art galleries when you’re looking to enjoy works crafted by local talent. At the Park City Museum, you can step inside the city’s very first jail and learn more about the local tribes that inhabited the lands before settlers arrived as well. Over at the Kimball Art Center in Park City, there are options to browse rotating and permanent exhibits or sign up for an art class to participate in if time allows.
For travelers who want to embrace the best of Park City’s local music and theater options, setting your sights on a show at The Egyptian Theatre while you’re here is always a great choice. It’s located right on Main Street and showcases concerts, comedies, and more throughout the year. Just be sure to book your tickets in advance to this inviting venue which is popular among locals as well and tends to fill up fast.
If you want to be a part of one of Park City’s most beloved cultural events, make time to plan your trip this way in January when Park City welcomes the annual Sundance Film Festival to town. This world-renowned gathering brings directors, talented actors and actresses as well as film enthusiasts and rising stars together in the name of a shared passion for cinema. Whether you attend high-profile premieres, make the most of independent film screenings, or attend as many panels as possible, it’s a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t soon forget in Park City.
Unique Additions to Your Itinerary
There are certainly a lot of stops in Park City that are well known by visitors. Then, there are other activities to add to the list that are more well known by locals and could be easily overlooked if you don’t take a moment to appreciate their unique value to your experience. Among them is a hot air balloon ride over the city. While this isn’t something locals will likely do every day, it’s very likely it’s something they’ve experienced at least once during their time in Park City and visitors should consider enjoying as well! There are several companies in Park City that offer hot air balloon tours year-round, giving you a bird’s eye view to balance out your land-based fun while you’re here. Many of these aerial tours take off in the early morning hours to provide the best light and wind conditions and some are followed up by a celebratory Champagne toast on the ground afterward.
Booking your place on a horseback trail ride while you’re in Park City is another great way to take advantage of the surrounding landscapes in a unique style. There are local ranches that offer guided rides in the warm weather months of the year to riders of all skill and experience levels. Many offer lessons ahead of time, and along your route, your guide will offer up local insight about the area’s geology, wildlife, and history that makes your outing that much more meaningful and memorable.
When you really want to connect to the community you’ve come to enjoy, be sure to add a stop to the Park City Farmer’s Market to your list the next time you’re in town. This farmers market is hosted at Canyons Village and is a great place to find everything from fresh produce and handcrafted goods to homemade skincare products, pastries, freshly baked breads, and more. It’s always a fascinating place to shop among locals and a wonderful way to show support to local farmers and artisans alike.
Finally, don’t leave Park City behind without trying an activity that locals are known to love—fly fishing! The waterways here like the Weber River and Provo River are top-rated areas for casting a line and beginners and experts alike have a lot to glean from getting out and putting their skills to work. While you can always book a guided excursion with a local expert, there’s no reason not to make the most of a tranquil riverside afternoon on your own either when you’re waiting to see what bites.
Off-The-Beaten-Path Stops in and Around Town
Park City is loved for its iconic attractions, but there are certainly places to discover that are more off the beaten path while you’re here. Established back in 1885, the historic Glenwood Cemetery is a great example. Here, visitors can encounter a bit of local history in a place that was originally set aside as a final resting place for miners. It’s a beautiful place to visit in any season, but there’s something a bit mystical about it all when you visit Park City in the fall and the leaves are changing colors all around. Another great historic hidden gem to make sure you enjoy is a trip to McPolin Farm. This alluring white barn sits in the midst of a serene landscape and is a standing testament to the robust agricultural history of Park City. You’re welcome to come by and enjoy a self-guided tour or take pictures to commemorate your visit.
Book Your Park City Vacation Today
Finding time to let go of the to-do list, leave work behind for a while, and head to Park City in the name of a well-deserved break is always something to look forward to enjoying. When you do, make sure you team up with Abode Park City so you can rest easy knowing you’ll have amazing accommodations in place upon arrival. Our diverse lineup of property options available across Park City keeps our guests close to the places they can’t wait to explore and are always outfitted with world-class amenities, features, and furnishings too. We can help you customize your view, home style, and elevated standards upon request so that your trip is tailored to your travel preferences at every turn. Reach out today to learn more about our exciting Black Bear Lodge vacation rentals and how we can help you make it a one-of-a-kind stay in Park City to remember.
