Top Activities and Attractions in Park City, Utah

What sets Park City apart from other mountain towns? It offers a wealth of outdoor activities beyond skiing and snowboarding. With more chefs per capita than Paris, it’s easily accessible, located just a 35-minute drive from Utah’s Salt Lake International Airport.

During your visit, regardless of the season, you will find countless dining options, endless trails, and an intriguing mining past to explore. Activities range from dogsled rides, mountain coasters, and bobsledding to whiskey tastings, ghost tours, and scenic drives. Here are some fantastic ways to immerse yourself in Park City.

Take a Stroll Down Historic Main Street

Park City’s Main Street retains much of its late-20th-century silver-mining-town character, earning it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. With dozens of boutique shops, art galleries, outdoor gear shops, restaurants, and bars, Main Street serves as a vibrant hub for both locals and visitors. It is especially lively in late January when celebrities and film-goers converge for the Sundance Film Festival.

Ski the Perfect Groomers at Deer Valley

While many flock to Park City for Utah’s famed featherlight powder, a lack of snow does not have to dampen your spirit. Skiing Deer Valley offers velvety runs that are equally exhilarating. This skier-only resort limits daily tickets, ensuring lower crowd levels. Warming up on the Jordanelle, a long cruiser that transitions to perfectly groomed terrain, is a great way to start your day.

Drive Guardsman Pass, a Scenic Backway

This picturesque mountain pass provides stunning views of the Wasatch Mountains, just minutes from Park City’s Main Street. Open from summer to fall, it is best driven mid-summer when wildflowers bloom or during fall when aspens turn a vibrant gold. The winding mountain route connects Park City to Big Cottonwood Canyon, home to the Brighton and Solitude Ski areas.

Explore Local Mining History at the Park City Museum

Park City stands out as one of the few Utah towns founded by non-Mormons. Following the silver discovery in the 1860s, prospectors flocked here to seek their fortune. Similar to many old western mining towns, it has a wild and colorful history. The Park City Museum, located on Main Street, features engaging mining exhibits, a film about the town’s transformation into a ski destination, and an old jail resembling a dungeon.

Sample Award-Winning Whiskey at High West Distillery

Despite Utah’s reputation as a dry state, Park City is home to an award-winning distillery. Whisky Advocate named High West its 2016 Distiller of the Year, marking a significant honor for any whiskey brand. Visitors can tour the distillery or sample their offerings at the downtown saloon; however, note that Utah does not allow free alcohol samples, so there is a charge for whiskey flights during tours.

Try Every Action Sport Imaginable at Woodward Park City

For families seeking activities for kids, Woodward Park City is an action-sports center unlike any other. It’s an excellent place for children to learn skiing or snowboarding at a fraction of the cost of larger resorts. Additionally, it features an indoor sports center with a pump track, skate park, trampolines, a parkour zone, and more. The tubing area is especially popular, complete with a magic carpet to whisk tubers uphill.

Bite into a Huge, Juicy Steak at a Park City Institution

For over 40 years, the family-friendly Grub Steak Restaurant has built a reputation for serving serious steak, seafood, and game dishes. With a rustic fireplace, Western decor, and live entertainment on weekends, the restaurant creates a warm, casual atmosphere. Be sure to enjoy their signature bread pudding, accompanied by High West Distillery vanilla-whiskey sauce.

Try a Pint of Polygamy Porter at Wasatch Brew Pub

Situated atop Park City’s historic Main Street, Wasatch Brew Pub was the first craft brewery in Utah and one of the earliest in the United States. Founded by Greg Schirf in the early 1980s, it humorously addresses Utah’s culture through its beer names, particularly the well-known Polygamy Porter with the catchy slogan, “Why have just one?” In addition to a wide selection of award-winning brews, it boasts a menu of pub favorites and delightful weekend brunch options.

Learn to Cross-Country Ski at White Pine Touring Nordic Center

While Park City is renowned for downhill skiing, it also excels as a location to learn cross-country skiing. White Pine Touring Nordic Center provides affordable classic and skate-ski lessons that include gear rentals and ski passes. If you have your own equipment, you can access Round Valley’s 15.5 miles of trails for free, or explore trails utilized in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center in the nearby town of Midway.

Explore the Haunted Side of Main Street on a Ghost Tour

After silver prices declined in the 1940s, Park City transitioned into a ghost town. Interestingly, some claim that spirits from the town’s mining era still roam. Regardless of belief, joining a ghost tour offers a fun way to discover the area’s history while hearing tales about its eccentric characters from the mining days. Tours, conducted on foot, are offered nightly along Main Street.

Browse Local Goods at the Park Silly Market

Every Sunday throughout the summer, Park City’s historic Main Street transforms into an open-air market. This bustling event features local crafts, fresh produce, food trucks, live music, and more, including a beer garden to sample local brews and relish acclaimed Bloody Marys.

See Adorable Sled-Dog Puppies at Rancho Luna Lobos

Located just 15 minutes from downtown, Rancho Luna Lobos hosts a family-owned sled-dog team offering thrilling dogsled adventures along with mushing lessons and kennel tours. Participants in the dogsled experiences enjoy an exhilarating ride while learning what it takes to be a musher, with plenty of quality time spent with the pups. Note that reservations can sell out quickly, so consider a kennel tour instead to learn about dogsled racing and meet adorable puppies.

Enjoy a Thrilling Ride on the Park City Mountain Coaster

Come late spring, as the snow melts away, Park City Mountain Resort transforms into a vibrant summer destination. With hiking and mountain biking trails, scenic chairlift rides, and an exhilarating mountain coaster, visitors of all ages can enjoy a spin on this toboggan-style ride that allows you to control your speed.

Cruise the Smooth Singletrack on the Mid-Mountain Trail

The mountains surrounding Park City feature over 400 miles of public-use trails ideal for hiking, running, and mountain biking. Stretching 26 miles, the Mid-Mountain Trail runs from Deer Valley to Park City Mountain Resorts, offering a classic experience through aspen forests and open meadows that present lovely vistas of the area along the ridgeline. Trail maps are available through the Mountain Trails Foundation website and at the White Pine Touring gear shop in town.

Delve into the State’s Athletic Legacy at Utah Olympic Park

No visit to Park City is complete without a stop at Utah Olympic Park, built for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. The park hosts various competitions and serves as a training center for future Olympians. Guided tours provide a closer look at the Nordic ski jump and bobsled tracks, while adventurous visitors can book a ride in a bobsled.