This last week we went on a four-day excursion to Park City, Utah’s playground for the rich and famous. Why the distinction of the rich and famous? Well, Park City is home to numerous celebrities, Olympians, and professional athletes.
But what if you are not famous or don’t have extra money to spend on a $10,000,000 second or third home? Can you still have fun?
YES, YES, YES. This was our first time, and we had a blast. Despite the pricey shopping and eateries, there are lots of ways that you can enjoy Park City even if you don’t have an unlimited budget.
Park City, Utah is nestled in the majestic mountains of the Wasatch Range and is one of the most popular ski resorts in North America. Even when there’s no snow on the ground, this amazing mountain town is worth a visit. It has world-class restaurants, trendy bars and unique boutiques. In addition, it is a shoppers’ paradise. We were not disappointed.
In addition, it is home to Olympic Park, the venue for several Olympic events in the winter of 2002, as well as the annual Sundance Film Festival.
Wow, we had no idea the fun that we would have here. We spent four glorious days here walking in the old historic part, shopping at a more modern center, riding the chair lifts, and eating great food.
Below are some recommendations for you to think about if you plan to visit Park City.
The Best Places to Stay in Park City
We stayed at the Park City Peaks. Our room was spacious and roomy. There was a decent continental breakfast served every morning and it was near to most of the city’s major attractions. They have a great indoor/outdoor pool for those who just want to chill and relax for the day. There is also covered parking. In addition, the staff was very responsive when we had a question or needed extra linens. It was a tad pricy for the stay, but the prices were average for the area.
Some of our family stayed at the Hyatt. They enjoyed their stay and said that it was very large and had nice amenities. They reported that the breakfast was the standard continental fair. The littles were in a soccer tournament and the hotel was really close to the soccer complex (which was extremely nice, by the way). Again, the price was average for the surrounding area.
We have other family members that make a trek to Park City at least once a year. They stay at the Marriott MountainSide. This is a beautiful hotel and vacation rental with game rooms and heated outdoor pools. They stay in a suite with a kitchen so they can make most of their own meals. It is close to one of the ski lifts and other popular attractions in the area.
There is a myriad of other accommodations. These include hotels, vacation rentals, AirBnbs, and Vrbos.
These can be pricey, but you can travel with friends and split the bill to lessen the nightly costs.
Where to eat in Park City
Just like places to stay there is no shortage of good eateries. We ate at a number of wonderful places.
Our best breakfast was served at The Eating Establishment. I had the French toast with lemon curd and my husband had the Belgian waffle. Since I could not decide which I wanted more, we each took half. The food was delicious and the bartender who served us was very conversational and funny.
Our best dinner was served at Main Street Pizza and Noodle. It was a little spendy, but the portions are large and you could easily split an entrée and salad to curb the cost.
Top it all off with a visit to the Java Cow. The ice cream is incredible. Try the salted caramel, it is delicious. Be aware of the sizes though. My husband ordered a small single scoop and I ordered the kiddie single scoop, they were virtually the same size. The sign says that they are different sizes, but we could not tell the difference.
Where to Have Fun While in Park City
Oh, the places that you can go. There are lots of things to see and do. Here are some of my favorites:
- Olympic Park – Olympians still train here. You can visit the two museums on site and learn about the 2002 Winter Olympics hosted by Salt Lake City. You can also ride the chair lift, ride in a bobsled on the Olympic bobsled track, try zip lining, and go extreme tubing. If doing the real thing is too scary, you can do the virtual activities. These include mountain biking, snow skiing, bobsledding and ski jumping.
- Park City Mountain – This was my favorite place. It does get busy so make sure to plan ahead. The best things here are the Alpine Slide and the Alpine Coaster. I am kind of a scaredy cat when it comes to anything with speed, but I loved these rides. They were so much fun. You can also play mini golf or ride a zip line (you will need to be wearing closed-toed shoes for the zip line) at this location.
- Old historic Park City – This is a great shopping and eating area. All the above restaurants are located in this district. There is also the Park City Museum. If you visit, make sure you go down to the basement and view the jail. Very creepy.
There’s plenty to do in Park City, including guided tours and escape rooms. You can also explore on your own! There are trails for hiking or biking along with many walking paths that will take you wherever your fancy leads – whether it’s through shopping places or over mountain ridges. You can also relax at your hotel and treat yourself to a mini spa or your favorite read.
If you’re looking for a summer trip that will knock your socks off, Park City is the place to go. My family had so much fun here. With world-class skiing in the winter and an abundance of outdoor activities in the summer, this mountain town has something for everyone. So, what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to Park City today! I am glad we did.
