From Festivals to Spas: The Top Things to Do in Park City Utah 

Feb 22, 2024

Last Updated on: Nov 4, 2025

Travel Guides

It’s likely that when people think of Park City, they picture world-class skiing. Or, on snowy sidewalks, celebrities mingle while donning designer winter attire, hidden from the prying eyes of the media and the public. Given that it hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002 and is still the yearly location of Sundance, the biggest independent film festival in the country, it has a well-earned reputation.

But this picture-perfect mountain town is home to much more activity that is not widely known. To begin with, Park City is a worthwhile trip in any season. Perched at an elevation of 7,000 feet amidst the undulating peaks of the Wasatch Range, it offers unparalleled opportunities for springtime hiking, summertime mountain biking, and autumn foliage viewing in the American West. Yes, this place’s shoulder season is arguably its best-kept secret.

Whatever time of day you arrive, though, you’ll find a friendly and hospitable community that’s far more diverse than its 10,000 or so residents would indicate. Downtown offers a wide variety of dining experiences, from sophisticated Michelin-starred omakase to rustic, farm-raised cuisine. The only ski-in restaurant in the world serves drinks. Alternatively, just relax in front of a fire in the lobby of a five-star luxury hotel and take in the breathtaking scenery.

The closest ocean is more than a thousand miles away from this specific area of Utah. However, Park City is entirely your oyster. Additionally, access to this region of the world is now simpler than ever, thanks to the completion of enormous new additions to the nearby Salt Lake City International Airport. Here are some of the best things to do in Park City Utah.

Things To Do in Park City Utah

Park City Utah things to do

If you are curious about Park City, we have a list of details about all the things to do in Park City Utah that you cannot miss. Check them out and add them to your list when packing for the trip.

Picnic Fun

Picnic Fun

Maggie Alvarez is a Park City native and co-founder of Tupelo, one of the best farm-to-table dining concepts. As such, she has extensive experience finding delicious food. She wants to enjoy it outside as well, though. She enjoys taking her meal outside to enjoy the perfect mountain picnic on particularly lovely days. Additionally, there are many locations throughout the city where she can get the kind of quick lunch she needs for her job.

Reputable mixologist Xania V. Woodman creates a wide range of inventive drinks at two different locations in the city: Sip & Stir and Handle. She enjoys using the torch at Red Flower Studios when she isn’t working behind the bar.

Winter Sports

Winter Sports

In many resorts across the nation, skiing is still an intimidating experience for individuals with disabilities. Fortunately, the National Ability Center (NAC) in Park City proves to be an exception to that rule. This nonprofit organization offers outdoor adventures and adaptive recreation to people with disabilities. It recently opened a brand-new, cutting-edge facility with a focus on inclusive winter sport access for guests with developmental, physical, and cognitive disabilities.

Dine in a Yurt

Have you ever desired to savor chef-driven cuisine at 10,000 feet (about the height of Mount St. Helens) above sea level in an elegant tent? The Viking Yurt provides you and your loved ones with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The adventure starts on time at 5:45 p.m. with a 25-minute sleigh ride to Park City’s highest point. As you settle in for a 3.5-hour dining experience, you are greeted with a glogg mug upon entering the yurt. Dinners must be booked in advance and start at $280 per person, tax and gratuity included.

Shots at the World’s Longest Shot Ski

High West offers something a little stronger if that’s what you’re craving. Opening along Main Street in 2007, the massive saloon boasted its own stillhouse and a distinct Old West feel. The brand relocated the majority of its production to a distillery up the road in Wanship, which is currently accessible for public tours, as its whiskey gained popularity across the nation. But there’s still a lively restaurant and bar at this original location. It holds the World’s Longest Shot Ski event every October. In an attempt to break the previous record, the bar served 1,340 people a group shot of spirit by arranging 528 skis end to end.

Haunted History Stories

If you’re looking for a different kind of spirit, Park City Ghost Tours departs every night at 7 p.m. in the winter and 8 p.m. in the summer. Park City apparently takes its history seriously, as the mining camp as well as a boomtown that almost became a ghost town. The Park City Museum offers pre-planned hikes to historic locations, lectures, and local cemetery tours. It also has a top-notch Main Street exhibition that requires several visits to fully appreciate.

Main Street Escapade

Main Street Escapade

Escape Room Park City, situated along the lower portion of Main Street, provides four unique experiences, one of which is a Mine Trap with a distinctly Western vibe. They start at $39 per person and can be reserved for up to ten players. Families will have a wonderful afternoon out.

This is one of the cooler things to do in Park City Utah.

Local Vino

Local Vino

Sommelier-led wine tastings are available at the bar and lounge called Old Town Cellars. You can take pleasure in a custom assortment of pours made to your exacting requirements. Alternatively, you can accept the dealer’s selection of products. It may contain wines that are skillfully blended in this very town. Whatever goes into your glass, you’ll have a deeper understanding of the craft of oenology after reading this.

Bakeries To Check Out

Bakeries To Check Out

Although Slovakia and Utah may not seem like the most obvious geographic partners, one adventurous expat has made the connection delicious. During the two-hour hands-on cooking class, “Bake with Lenka,” guests arrive at the home of the namesake chef and learn the art of perfecting the Eastern European pastry. Reservations are accepted year-round at a rate of $115 per person.

Luxurious Hotels

Park City offers several choices when it comes to five-star lodging. For those who wish to stay as close to the mountain as possible, the St. Regis, the Montage, and the Pendry are all great choices. They all have heated pools, a variety of dining options, and extensive spa services. It’s not unusual to get into any of these properties for about $350 per night during shoulder season. You can anticipate those rates to double come ski season.

Scenic Drives

Scenic Drives

Enjoying the sights and the clean mountain air of Park City can be achieved by biking. For those who are unfamiliar with the ups and downs of alpine cycling, it can be difficult terrain, particularly at high altitudes. An enjoyable and reasonably priced workaround is e-bikes. Renting yours from Pedego will cost you $85 for a half-day. Get a good workout without becoming too intoxicated.

Consider making a quick trip up the Guardsman Pass Scenic Backway if you’re arriving in the summer or early fall. You’ll see a ton of views along the road, even though it requires driving up winding pavement for just under seven miles. All around you will be aspens, evergreens, and expansive fields dotted with wildflowers. And as you reach the 9,717-foot crest of the Wasatch Range, those views only get bigger. 

Alpine Coasters

Alpine Coasters

In all of Utah, the Park City Mountain Coaster is the longest of its kind. When you visit outside of the winter, you can reach up to 30 miles per hour as you zoom down the track’s mile length. Although each ride at the top costs $30, the views are incomparable. If you like coasting, this is one of the best things to do in Park City Utah.

Art and Culture

For a small town of its size, Park City has a surprisingly vibrant arts scene. Over 20 galleries, featuring everything from black-and-white nature photos to bronze sculptures, line the streets. The last Friday of every month is when the Park City Gallery Association hosts its three-hour gallery stroll, when each venue’s unique aesthetic is on full display. The public is welcome to attend for free.

For art lovers this should be one of the best things to do in Park City Utah.

Ski Deer Valley Resort

In addition to providing the most opulent amenities and top-notch customer service, Deer Valley is renowned for its excellent skiing. Only skiers are permitted on the mountain; snowboarders are not permitted. Additionally, the resort only allows 7,500 skiers per day, so even during the busiest holiday seasons, the hill is never overcrowded, and you can always count on getting the most vertical.

With terrain spanning four mountains, there is something for every skill level of skier. The resort caters to novice and intermediate skiers, but that doesn’t mean the terrain isn’t difficult. Skiers with more experience should visit Lady Morgan Mountain, as it offers excellent powder stashes and untracked glade runs. There are 6,570 feet at base elevation.

Ski Park City Mountain Resort

Ski Park City Mountain Resort

Park City Mountain Resort is a vast ski area featuring an almost infinite variety of runs. Before you ever run out of places to ski, your energy will run out. The resort features more than 330 runs, is distributed across 17 peaks, and tops out at 10,026 feet.

With a good assortment of intermediate and beginner runs, the resort caters to families. In addition, while there are soft greens and expansive blue groomers, there are also black diamonds that will make your pulse race.

Park City Mountain and Canyons Ski Resort combined to become one resort, but there are still two primary base areas. The largest parking area is found in the first area, which is just outside of town. The second area is in town and is mainly for guests staying at neighboring hotels. On busy days, arrive early if you want a spot because parking is extremely limited here. Vail Resorts owns Park City Mountain Resort, which is included in the Epic Pass network.

In the summer, you can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, riding the mountain coaster, taking a gondola ride to take in the scenery, and other entertainment options like the summer concert series.

Sundance Film Festival

Sundance Film Festival

Every year, during the final ten days of January, Park City hosts the renowned Sundance Film Festival. This is your opportunity to see famous people. During the festival, the town is lively and bustling, making it a great place to be. Along with other locations around town, the renowned Egyptian Theater screens movies.

While lodging can be expensive and hard to come by during the festival, keep in mind that Salt Lake City is only 45 minutes away, and free shuttle buses are provided by the festival from the various parking lots.

In actuality, the Sundance Film Festival is a fantastic time to ski at Park City Resort and Deer Valley Resort. It tends to discourage people from going skiing during the festival because of the thought of crowds and parking in town. There will probably be excellent snow and a few lines. It’s possible to spot a celebrity zipping down the hills or riding the chairlift next to you. For most people, this is one of the most exciting things to do in Park City Utah.

Park City Museum

Constructed in 1884, the original Park City Hall now houses the Territorial Jail and Museum. Although it may not appear large from the outside, the museum is home to a sizable collection and is spread across multiple floors totaling 12,000 square feet (about twice the area of a basketball court).

Numerous interactive exhibits about Park City and the surrounding area’s history are available at the museum. Exhibits include a mining exhibit where you can try riding in an old elevator and set off an explosion. Additional activities that are ideal for family outings include a visit to the Smith and Brim grocery store after a descent into the original, dank, and dark territorial jail. A synopsis of the history of downhill skiing is also provided.

Egyptian Theatre Show

Egyptian Theatre Show

Arts enthusiasts should visit the renowned Egyptian Theatre to see a play, comedy act, musical, or film. Additionally, the Sundance Film Festival’s initial screenings took place in this theater.

The theater has been restored to its former splendor after being around for more than a century. It is easy to find on Main Street. Just look for the neon-lit marquee and the bright red doors below. Throughout the year, performances happen. If you are into old stuff, this will be one of the best things to do in Park City Utah.

Wrapping Up

Park City offers free usage of its city buses. The buses travel all the way to lower Deer Valley properties, and taking the bus is frequently more convenient than trying to find Park City public parking. The two main ski resorts are also accessible by bus.

The historic street is traversed by the Main Street trolley. Most of the stores, galleries, and restaurants are located along the trolley’s route. The trolley operates between 10 and 11 p.m.

In the city, ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft are widely available. There shouldn’t be a long wait for these services because Park City is a popular place to get them.

If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask about things to do in Park City Utah, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!

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Abdul Aziz Mondol is a professional blogger who is having a colossal interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, he loves to share content related to business, finance, technology, and the gaming niche.

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Windy Canyon  Windy Canyon already has that drama on the verge of being surreal, thanks to its unique geological formation. So, stargazing here feels magical, with the canyon itself functioning as a natural observatory. The clarity of the sky is so high here that even the faintest celestial bodies become visible. In addition, the Windy Canyon is accessible for all types of visitors as the walk is short and easy. What Are The Top Stargazing Tours & Experiences?  The Good Heavens stargazing tours and experiences are the best on the Great Barrier Island. It offers the following stargazing tours on the Great Barrier Island. 1. Heavens Above - Private Dark Sky Experience  This private dark sky experience is organized at your accommodation with a telescope, hot chocolate, and bean bags arranged by Good Heavens. They can also take you to the nearby beach. The charge is $1560 for a group of 2 to 12 people, and beyond that, the price will be on request. 2. 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Know the dark sky spots and drive away from urban life to see the best cosmic display. 3. Bringing The Right Gear  On guided stargazing tours, the tour operators provide binoculars, telescopes, and red laser lights. If you are on a DIY tour, you will have to carry these essentials. 4. Using Stargazing Apps And Tools  You must use stargazing tools and apps for the best stargazing experience. The best is the free NASA app, and Astrospheric is another app known for brilliant forecasting. Furthermore, you can bring a star chart to locate and identify the stars and constellations. Astrophotography Tips For Beginners  The Medlands Beach and Awana Beach are two of the best beaches for reflection shots on the Great Barrier Island. Furthermore, here are some ideas about the essential equipment and camera modes for astrophotography on the Great Barrier Island, New Zealand.  Camera Mode Manual Aperture \(f/2.8\) or \(f/4\) ISO 3200 or 6400 Shutter Speed 15-25 Seconds Or, Divide 500 by the Focal Length of Your Lens File Format RAW or RAW + JPEG to Retain Better Color Data for Editing White Balance Manually Setting The White Balance to 4000 Kelvin Tripod Carry a Sturdy Tripod for Image Stabilization.Focus Keep Your Lens Focus to Infinity.Trigger You Can Use a Remote Trigger or Set the 2-10 Seconds Self-Timer of the Camera to Avoid Jerking while Pressing the Shutter Button.Lens Wide Lens (At least 24mm) for Full-Frame Cameras 18mm or Wider for APS-C Cameras  Seasonal Stargazing Calendar: What To See & When  Know when to watch meteor showers, the Milky Way, and Aurora Australis in the Great Barrier Island, New Zealand.  Season / Months Meteor Showers (Peak Dates) Milky Way Core Visibility Aurora Australis Chances Summer (December–February)• Geminids – Dec 13–14 (best annual shower) • Ursids – December 22• Quadrantids – January 3–4 (short, intense) • Early Morning Visibility• Low on Horizon before Dawn The chances of Aurora Australis visibility are low as geomagnetic activity is subdued; occasional events only during strong solar storms.Autumn (March to May) • Lyrids – April 22–23 • Eta Aquariids – May 5–6• Core Visibility from 2 AM to 5 AM There are moderate chances of seeing the Aurora Australis. As the nights grow longer, the chances become higher, and equinox-related geomagnetic boosts the visibility chances.Winter (June to August) • Bootids – June 27 (variable)• Southern Delta Aquariids – July 28–30• It is the Best Season for Milky Way Photography.• You Can See the Core for Most of the Night. These months offer high chances of seeing the Aurora Australis due to high solar wind and longer nights. The chances of seeing the Aurora increase after the Equinox.Spring (September to November) • Draconids – October 8th • Orionids – October 21–22 • Leonids – November 17th–18th• The Core Visibility Becomes Less in this Season.The September equinox gives strong geomagnetic activity. So, this season offers moderate to high chances for Aurora visibility. Stargazing-Friendly Accommodation & Camping  Camping on the Great Barrier Island, New Zealand, is the best option for stargazing. There are Department of Conservation (DoC) campsites such as Medlands Beach, Akapoua Bay, Harataonga, Awana Beach, The Green, and Whangapoua. In addition, Stay High Island Camping Co. and the Great Barrier Island Campground are two privately-owned campgrounds on the Great Barrier Island. Furthermore, stargazing tour providers, such as Good Heavens, can offer all-inclusive packages, including eco-friendly accommodations such as XSPOT Cliff House.  Beach Etiquette & Conservation For Night Sky Lovers  When you listen to the Maori stories about stars and celestial bodies, you have to respect their tradition. Be sensible, as the stories are a part of their value system and spiritual beliefs carried through generations. Our guide asked us to remain quiet during storytelling and participate in some cultural traditions. The more respectful you are toward their culture, the more enriching your experience will be. In addition, you have to abide by the light pollution rules and wildlife protection norms. 1. Light Pollution Rules  Great Barrier Island, New Zealand, is a designated Dark Sky Sanctuary. So, the protection of the dark sky is very important. So, you have to avoid using bright lights, and even if you need to use light for safety, keep the intensity low. Furthermore, you need to allow your eyes to adapt to the darkness of the sky. Slowly, you will also discover the faint stars. You can use a red laser light and binoculars to enhance the stargazing experience on the Great Barrier Island, New Zealand. 2. Wildlife Protection  Stargazing goes hand in hand with the wildlife tours on the Great Barrier Island. The sound of black petrels kept us alert during our entire stargazing experience on Medlands Beach. To protect the wildlife on and around your stargazing location, you must avoid feeding the animals and birds. Maintain a safe distance and remain on the marked routes to avoid disturbing their habitats and soil transfer. Furthermore, do not trespass on any private property, and you must not leave any litter behind. Adventure Add-Ons: Glowworms, Hot Springs & Night Kayaking  You can combine the stargazing experience on the Great Barrier Island with night kayaking at the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. As you kayak, you will notice the water of the Great Barrier Island transforming into a surreal landscape. Furthermore, if you are on the Great Barrier Island around February-March, you will see bioluminescence in the water on warm and calmer days. In addition, taking a bath in the Kaitoke Hot Springs after sunset is an experience that you will remeber for the rest of your life. Final Tips For Your Aotea Stargazing Adventure  You need to have some knowledge about the moon phase if you want to enjoy stargazing on Great Barrier Island, New Zealand. The New Moon or the Crescent Moon is the ideal day for observing the night sky. Also, even in the summer months, the temperature drops drastically after sundown. So, you will have to wear layered clothes.  Moreover, keep flashlights dimmed or the brightness of your phone screen low to avoid light pollution.

READ MORE national parks in Idaho

National Parks in Idaho A Comprehensive Travel Guide 2025

BY  Barsha Sep 2, 2021

When you are searching for a place with natural beauty, and historical ambiances, these national parks in Idaho are the perfect combinations where you can spend your holidays and feel the place’s historical vibes. These parks are the historical landmarks of the US. Not only the beauty of the palace is making it an attractive place for adventure lovers and tourists. For organizing the educational tours, these national parks in Idaho are the best places. These national parks in Idaho are the perfect places for adventurer lover tourists. The natural, adventurous hiking trails and granite rock climbing cliffs make the national parks the favorite places for adventurer sports lovers. In the list of national parks, most of the national parks are the most popular and historical landmarks like the yellow stones. Let’s see the six top national parks in Idaho. 6 Top National Parks In Idaho: The national parks in Idaho are the best places where you can see the lush natural forest, natural rock climbing mountains, and rugged cliffs and peaks. These parks are the perfect place to explore and find genuine mental peace. In addition, these national parks are the ideal place which is the natural playground for adventure lovers. Check out the names of the six most famous national parks in Idaho. 1. City Of Rocks National Reserve The city of rocks national reserve is a spectacular place that has natural granite rock formations. This national park is just across the state line from Utah. The towering granite rock formations are the greatest attraction of the park. The climbing routes range from 30 feet to 600 feet. Among the all national parks in Idaho, you will get experienced guides to guide you for the travel. Almost 65 campsites are scattered here and there for the tourists. And you will get all the camping facilities and equipment on rent. 2. Nez Perce National Historical Park Among all the national parks in Idaho, this is one of the historical parks on the list. This park has natural beauty and natural hiking walking trails. But along with hiking, you can explore the historical places of the parks. This national park was originally the home of the native American tribe Nez Perce. In the national park, you are getting two options. One is you can hike the national park. Other than this you can explore the museum and the natural campaign facilities. The park has individual 38 locations. So along with the museum, you can see the distinctive natural ecosystems and the climates of the place, which are a little bit unique from the other places. 3. Yellowstone National Park This is one of the best national parks in Idaho. The geothermal landscapes are making this park and a trendy popular place for educational activities and scientific excursions. The park was first to open in 1872. The geothermal landscapes are responsible for the distinctive nature and the living beings. And still, now the eruptions are taking place here. Large underground systems are responsible for volcanic eruptions. And after each eruption, you can see the big splash on the waters. Certain places in the park have very high temperatures. And these parks have the largest bison populations in the whole country. The supine forest, geothermal atmospheres, and bison populations are enough to make this park a perfect educational place to study. 4. Craters Of The Moon National Preserve This park is located in the central national parks in Idaho. The park is covering around 410,000 acres along the Snake River plain. The natural bush and the natural habitats of the places make this national park unique areas to explore. The whole park is full of scattered natural walking trails and different types of plants and bushes. This park is covered by almost 1,117 square miles. This park was expanded in 2000 by president Bill Clinton. The operations of the parks are jointly managed by the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management. 5. Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument Central national parks in Idaho are all the perfect places to explore for educational excursions. However, these Follicle beds parks are not also unexceptional. This place is full of the natural follicles the different archaeological art affects. The whole snake river bed is the follicle bed. From the Hagerman follicles bed, you will get plenty of horse follicles. These horses’ follicles are all from the Pilosaone era. The natural dry environments are working as the natural preserver of the Focciles. In 1975 this park was declared as a genuine natural fossil-preserving place by president General Ford. This park excursion trip is a great source to learn about the archaeological discovery of the park. 6. Minidoka National Historic Site The national parks in Idaho and Montana are all full of history. And this Minidoka National historic site holds much more history of World War 2. This park is also situated in the central part of Idaho. This park is naturally beautiful as the place is long and covered with rich stretching green lands. This total area has a historical background and the history of World War 2. During the world war, 2 9000 Japanese Americans were imprisoned.  And in 1979, this place was counted as a national historical site in the United States. The site measures approximately more than 210 acres. The Minidoka national historic site and the monuments are the best attraction of the place. So along with the excellent walking trails, you can explore the significant historical ground to feel the site’s history. Wrapping It Up: The national are excellent places for every tourist. But for the adventure lover, this place is like an adventure playground. The arts, history, and natural beauty when you search for the best places to explore these parks give you all types of options. From the archaeological displays to the geothermal landscapes, all make these parks a perfect place where you can do the tour planning with your friends and families.