When the booming silver mines of Park City, Utah, went bust, this place almost became a ghost town. But Park City’s transformation into a ski and outdoor mecca saved the town and established it as a year-round vacation destination in its own right.
Whether you visit for a weekend or a whole week, here are the best adventures for your bucket list.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Dine in the Mountains
Join as many as 2,500 diners on Park City Main Street for Utah’s largest outdoor dinner event, a celebration of summer and gourmet cuisine called Savor the Summit. A table set up down the length of Historic Main Street features Park City’s finest restaurants serving their best dishes and cocktails accompanied by live music and a festive vibe.
Stroll Historic Main Street
Park City’s Historic Main Street has been welcoming shoppers since the 1800s, and it’s today home to more than 200 businesses, including unique retail shops and art galleries housed in vibrant, restored Victorian buildings.
Spend a day exploring shops like Prospect, a clothing boutique that also hides a coffee shop, or peruse staff-selected reads at Dolly’s Bookstore. Cowboy up with authentic Western wear at Burns Cowboy Shop; then delve into the town’s prospector and powder past at the Park City Museum. When you tire of walking, hop a ride aboard the free trolley along Main Street.
Catch a Concert
Park City’s legendary outdoor amphitheaters are the places to see performances by local and leading acts. Bring a blanket for shows under the stars by big names and the Utah Symphony at Deer Valley’s Snow Park Amphitheater in the summer.
Or watch free slope-side concerts at Park City’s Canyons Village on winter and summer weekends.
Relive Olympic History
Experience the magic of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics at the Utah Olympic Park. Race down the legendary bobsled track with a pro or zip and zoom down the zip line and alpine slide. For tamer thrills stop by the free museum or watch freestyle ski jumpers train year-round.
Go to Market
On summer Sundays Main Street transforms into a bustling pedestrian market called Park Silly that’s filled with local produce and vendors selling Utah-made jewelry, photography, and crafts. The vendors change from week to week, so there’s more to explore each time you visit.
Keep an eye out for musical performances and kids’ activities at the street market, too.
Attend a Festival
Park City’s a festival town, and the Sundance Film Festival is the granddaddy of them all. Every January visitors from around the world flock to see films debut and spot celebrities at the nation’s largest independent film festival.
If Sundance’s crowds or snowstorms keep you away, peruse the works of renowned artists at the Kimball Arts Festival in August.
Every Labor Day, see Parkites hark back to the town’s silver-scavenging roots at Miners Day. This funky, daylong event begins with a parade down Main Street and a 5K fun run followed by a town-wide pancake breakfast and real-life mucking and drilling competitions.
Escape into the Mountains
Whether you love the mountains for powder skiing, speeding down single-track mountain-bike trails or hiking to beautiful views, you’ll find it at Park City’s two ski resorts, Deer Valley and Park City.
In winter, world-class grooming and stellar service at skier’s-only Deer Valley make it tops for luxury seekers. While Park City’s epic terrain, natural half-pipes, and 7,300 skiable acres call to adventurous skiers and snowboarders ready to explore.
When the snow melts, take the Town Lift to the mountains from Historic Main Street and then hike your way back to the base. Or master your single-track bike skills on Deer Valley’s famed trails, starting with a class from a pro to learn to navigate the tough terrain.
Relax at a Spa
Once you’re exhausted from a day on the slopes, restore with a pampering session at Park City’s award-winning spas. Try the town’s oldest, Align Spa, for an exquisite après-ski massage, or visit in-hotel favorite, The Spa at Hotel Park City, located at Hotel Park City, Autograph Collection. Unwind in the herbal-infused steam room, sauna, and whirlpool or relax the day away with luxurious treatments like the High Mountain Hydration Wrap or customized massage.
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