Travelers looking to take some time to unwind and relax somewhere rich in culture, spectacular scenery, and outdoor fun will find it all waiting for them, and so much more, in Park City, Utah. Within easy and convenient reach of the Salt Lake City Airport, and a wonderful place to linger no matter what your travel interests might entail, Park City truly has something for everyone to enjoy in every single season of the year. While an extended stay here is truly a treat for adventurers, Park City is equally appealing when you’re looking for a place to make the most of an unforgettable day trip. When you have limited time, the following guide is a great place to start when you want to plan a Park City day trip that includes fun, adventure, and access to amazing accommodations as well.
Start Your Day with a Beautiful Drive to Set a Scenic Vibe
One of the best ways to capture the charm and wonder that has come to define a Park City getaway when you only have a day to spare is to make it a point to enjoy an early morning drive. The scenic route to places like Emigration Canyon are hard to top, and you’ll only have to travel 25 miles west of town following I-80 West to reach this perfect place to enjoy the sunrise. Whatever you do, don’t forget to have your camera ready to go as the light begins to shine out over the red rocks, making for a truly spectacular morning view you’re going to want to capture on film to start your day on a high note.
Head Back to Central Park City and Enjoy a Hearty Breakfast
With the sun firmly high in the sky, it’s time to make the short journey back to the center of Park City and treat yourself to a hearty breakfast in good company. We recommend kicking off your local culinary experience at Harvest, located at 820 Park Avenue #101. This charming café is loved for its Australian-inspired fare and robust menu of mouthwatering options to pick from at the start of the day. While the coffee selections here are designed to inspire, it might just be the avocado toast that keeps you coming back for more. The menu also features options like a salmon wellness bowl, chicken laksa noodle soup, huevos rancheros, and sweet potato stacks to name a few of many. In addition to great lattes and brews, Harvest serves up delicious smoothies and cold-pressed juices upon request. While indoor dining here is always great, if the weather is right, don’t hesitate to ask for a table outside in the open-air courtyard where you pair your morning plate with a view.
Wander Through Historic Main Street at Your Own Preferred Pace
Next up on the day trip agenda once you’ve had your fill of breakfast at Harvest is time strolling along, and exploring Historic Main Street to the fullest! This is a great after-breakfast stop in town not only because it’s within easy reach, but because it’s a vibrant place where visitors can truly enjoy the surroundings at their own preferred pace. If you happen to be a history buff, you’re going to love the restored architecture that adorns this area. Those who are looking to indulge in some well-deserved retail therapy can pop in and out of boutique storefronts and enjoy the hunt for just the right souvenir, piece of art, or apparel to add to their at-home collection too. Destinations like Mountain Town Olive Oil are great for sampling gourmet salts and flavored oils while you wander through, and Gallery MAR is a terrific place for browsing local art that focuses on embodying the spirit of the Wild West.
Explore Some Time at the Park City Museum
An easy stop to add to your day trip lineup next in Park City is going to be the Park City Museum. You’ll find this insightful stop located at 528 Main Street, and it sits within the former City Hall that was originally built in 1885 and has since been restored to be the current place of education and engaging fun it is today. A visit to the Park City Museum is a great opportunity to learn more about Park City’s rich mining past, and its transition into the vibrant ski hub and tourism destination it’s become. You can drop by Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm and on Sundays from noon until 6:00 pm, making it a convenient addition to your itinerary no matter when you’re in town. When you’re here, don’t miss out on touring the territorial jail which is located in the basement and is the original Park City jail dating back to the 1880s!
The Tozer Gallery on-site is a great place to enjoy a collection of ever-rotating exhibits, while the Mega Mine Exhibit is permanent on-site, and comes complete with a two-story working mine replica to check out. If you’re looking to learn more, be sure to inquire about the museum’s guided walking tours that are offered along Main Street as well as into the Glenwood Cemetery. Depending on the time of year you find yourself day tripping here, you might be lucky enough to arrive at the museum at the same time a lecture series is being hosted of family-friendly seasonal programming is in full swing too.
Refuel at the High West Saloon
By this time, there’s a good chance that cravings have come calling once more. A fun place to refuel for the Park City day trip adventures ahead is the High West Saloon! You’ll find this one-of-a-kind eatery in town located at 703 Park Avenue, and they’re open from 11:00 am until 9:00 pm on weekdays, and until 10:00 pm on weekends. This is truly an iconic Western-inspired distillery in town where you can pair ice-cold beverages with everything from elk burgers to bison chili! While the interior dining room is a great place to settle in when you appreciate rustic-chic aesthetics, the outdoor patio is a popular place for patrons to gather when the weather is right and a great view is a priority too. The High West Saloon comes with the unique distinction of being the state’s first legal distillery, having been established back in 1870. Since that time, it’s also become the only ski-in distillery on the map! Whether you go for the duck gumbo or the whiskey-infused fondue, you’re in for a lunchtime treat. The menu here is truly locally inspired, and the service is often praised for its high level of friendliness.
Take a Scenic Hike
After lunch, you’ll likely be looking for a place where you can embrace life at a slower pace, while working off those added calories as well. The McPolin Farm Trail is the perfect place to do exactly that during your day trip this direction. His historic landmark is loved by photographers, but it’s also a picture-perfect destination in the area to enjoy a gentle walk along a pastoral pathway. As you stroll along, you can savor sights of the iconic barns, and if travel has you heading here in spring or summer, your surroundings will be adorned with gorgeous wildflowers as well.
Make Time for Thrills Over at Park City Mountain Resort
Winter day trippers heading to Park City have options to include some quality time on the slopes over at Park City Mountain Resort. Those who travel here in the warm weather months of the year have just as much to look forward to because Park City Mountain Resort’s thrilling alpine coaster remains open all year long! This bobsled-inspired thrill ride is fit for everyone in the family and might just be an experience you look forward to enjoying a time or two while you’re here.
Check Out Utah Olympic Park
It would be nearly impossible to feel like your day trip to Park City was truly complete without taking time to see and experience Utah Olympic Park for yourself. This is the next stop on the itinerary and a true hub of adventure, relaxation, and learning, depending on what your preferences for the afternoon might be. That’s because Utah Olympic Park hosts free museums on-site where you can learn about the history of skiing, as well as the area’s rich Olympic past. Utah Olympic Park is also home to all-season bobsled rides, zip lines to try, and plenty of green spaces to enjoy as well when some relaxing downtime is more what you’re looking for on a sunny day.
Treat Yourself to a Sweet Moment
Once you’ve explored everything there is to see and do at Utah Olympic Park, you deserve to treat yourself to a sweet moment. To do that, head over to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory located at 510 Main Street. They’re open until 9:00 pm on weekdays and until 10:00 pm on weekends, making this a convenient addition to your lineup for a late afternoon reward. At the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, you can browse a wide variety of inventory ranging from truffles and fudge to caramel apples, ice cream, cocoa, specialized gift baskets, and more. With so much to choose from, don’t be surprised when you end up lingering here for a bit longer than you might have originally planned.
Make the Most of a Delicious Dinner at Grappa
When evening closes in, your Park City day trip should come to a close with a well-earned and delicious dinner at Grappa. This is a must-visit eatery in town for those who find themselves longing for authentic Italian fare, and the ivy-cloaked walls and candlelit tables on-site only add to the charming appeal. You’ll need a reservation in place in order to enjoy this delightful stop located at 151 Main Street, but your efforts will be rewarded in flavorful fashion once you’re settled in.
Here, you can start your evening off with appetizers like grilled olives and calamari fritti paired with snow crab stuffed mushrooms and crispy Brussels sprouts too. While flatbread options topped with caramelized onions are sure to delight, it’s impossible to go wrong with main dish selections here like seared striped bass, grilled lamb chops, lobster fregola or Bolognese Bianca to name a few of many. For dessert at Grappa, patrons are treated to selections like tiramisu, Nutella Affagato, or grapefruit blackberry pavlova. And of course, you won’t want to miss out on pairing any dish you select here with just the right red, white, or sparkling selection from the restaurant’s truly impressive global wine list.
Book Accommodations that Keep You Close to the Fun and Living in Style
There’s absolutely no reason to sacrifice anything in the way of comfort, convenience, luxury, or style when you’re heading to Park City to enjoy an amazing day trip. When you choose to book your day trip accommodations through the team of property professionals at Abode Park City, you’ll find you have a wide array of luxurious options to pick from that are situated in your ideal destination too. From Main Street to iconic slopeside living options, our guests can enjoy a day trip journey that’s suited exactly to their style.
At Abode Park City, we’re proud to be able to offer our guests day tripping in this direction access to rental selections that are suitable for small or large groups alike. That means that whether you’re heading here on your own, as a couple, or in the company of family and friends, you can count on having the room you need to feel right at home from the very moment you arrive. Our rentals can be booked with ski-in ski-out access in place, or fireplaces and hot tubs to elevate a focus on relaxation while you’re here. From pet-friendly stays to rentals with custom-built master suites and guest rooms in place, we take care of the details that matter most so you can focus exclusively on your day trip fun ahead.
Reach out today to learn more about our thrilling rental options across Park City that are great for your next day trip, but just as wonderful when you’re looking forward to an extended stay. We can’t wait to help you plan an unforgettable adventure and look forward to welcoming you to scenic Utah soon.
