The Best Things to Do in Park City, Utah

About Park City

The Location

Sitting just 35 minutes east of downtown Salt Lake City, Park City tucks itself into the high-alpine folds of the Wasatch Range. That quick hop over Parleys Canyon means you can finish a morning meeting in the valley, then be clipping into skis—or a mountain bike—before lunch.

Folks eyeing homes for sale in Park City love that blend of easy access and genuine mountain-town seclusion.

The Vibes

Park City’s roots are silver-mining gritty, but today the vibe feels equal parts laid-back athlete hangout and low-key luxury.

There’s live music spilling out of saloons on historic Main Street, galleries hosting Friday-night gallery strolls, and coffee shops where you’ll overhear gear-heads debating the best mountain bike trails “this side of Park City Mountain Resort.”

Bottom line? There’s no shortage of things to keep you busy—or to help you slow down.

Explore the Great Outdoors in Every Season

Ski and Snowboard the Slopes of Park City Mountain Resort

With 7,300 skiable acres and 341 runs, Park City Mountain boasts the largest lift-served terrain in the U.S.

Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned snowboarder, the sheer variety of slope options makes it a premier ski destination for every kind of skier. Add in quick links to Canyons Village by chairlift, and you’ve got a playground that helped Utah host the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

Book a luxury ski lesson, carve groomers above Silverlode, then zip into town for après without ever unclipping—talk about peak outdoor adventures.

Hike Scenic Trails During the Warmer Months

Once the snow melts, the resort’s ridgelines morph into wildflower-splashed singletrack perfect for a July guided tour or an unhurried summer vacation ramble.

The Mid-Mountain Trail contours for 20 miles across three ski resorts—Park City, Deer Valley, and Canyons—delivering pine-scented panoramas and shady lunch rocks. 

If you’re craving something mellow, the crushed-gravel Rail Trail rolls east out of town, passing barns, beaver ponds, and pockets of aspen where elk often bed down.

Try Mountain Biking at Deer Valley Resort

When locals talk “downhill,” they don’t just mean skiing.

In July and August, the high-speed quads at Deer Valley Resort spin for lift-served mountain biking, letting you rip 3,000-vertical-foot laps without the slog. The 2025 lift schedule runs June 20 through September 21, complete with twilight sessions and concerts at Snow Park Amphitheater. 

Swing through Silver Lake Village for tacos between runs, then cap the day with a sunset cruise down the smooth and scenic “Holy Roller” flow line.

Experience the Magic of Fall in the Mountains

Come September, the aspens around Guardsman Pass trade their greens for electric gold. Peak foliage in Utah’s higher elevations typically pops from mid-September to early October. 

Hike the alpine ridge above Jupiter Bowl, or simply ride the Town Lift for a color-soaked perch. Bring a camera, those snow-dusted peaks framed by fiery groves rank among Utah’s best things to photograph.

Dive Into Local Culture and History

Visit the Park City Museum

Park City might be a high-energy ski trip hub, but the town’s past runs deep. Duck into the Park City Museum, tours run about an hour and cost $20 per person, to walk the old jail cells and check out a lovingly restored mining car. 

Kids can try the hands-on Ski Jumping simulator, proving this place has always courted thrill seekers.

Take a Stroll Down Historic Main Street

Cobblestone curbs, bright Victorian storefronts, and the faint aroma of truffle fries mingle on Main Street, where you can explore Park menus ranging from ramen pop-ups to whiskey-braised elk shank.

Pop into Meyer Gallery for modern landscapes, score a statement belt buckle, then warm up with a late-night sleigh ride…of the culinary sort: oozy raclette poured tableside at The Viking Yurt (yes, you read that right).

Catch a Show at the Egyptian Theatre

This 127-seat, 1926 playhouse hosts everything from bluegrass sets to “Jesus Christ Superstar.” The 2025 slate kicks off July 10-13, proving that live music here never really sleeps—even in mud season.

Snag balcony seats, grab a craft pint, and soak in that ornate Pharaoh-meets-Rocky-Mountain interior.

Savor the Flavors of Park City

Dine at Award-Winning Restaurants

From cedar-planked trout at Riverhorse to the wood-fired pizzas that fuel half the visitors to Park City, local chefs keep taste buds cheering.

If you need carbs after the winter season’s first pow day, make a beeline for Harvest’s banana-bread French toast.

Want romance? Fireside Dining at Empire Canyon ladles molten raclette like edible ski wax—because nothing says fun things like cheese scraped onto roast potatoes.

Explore the Craft Brewery and Distillery Scene

Utah’s liquor laws may be quirky, but Park City pours bravely.

At High West, tours run Wednesday through Sunday and end with a tasting of rye that’s as smooth as a groomer on first chair.

For hops fans, offset that whiskey with a plum-hazy at Offset Bier or a crisp lager from Wasatch Brewery, which has been wetting whistles “on the side of Park City” since 1986.

Enjoy Après-Ski Hotspots and Cozy Cafés

Slide straight off the Town Lift into Bridge Café for Brazilian mochas, or claim Adirondack chairs at the Umbrella Bar for hand-cut fries beneath a snow-covered peak.

Craving a post-ride massage? Align Spa offers CBD muscle melts a stone’s throw from Squatters, where you can cap the evening with local trout and talk tomorrow’s powder strategy.

Don’t Miss These Unique Experiences

Ride the Alpine Coaster

Part roller coaster, part gravity sled, the Alpine Coaster at Park City Mountain lets you bank 4,000 feet of track through spruce glades—the longest of its kind in Utah. 

Pair it with the zip lines next door for a combo thrill that makes even veteran riders giggle.

Attend the Sundance Film Festival

Every January, the town trades powder stashes for paparazzi flashes as the Sundance Film Festival premieres indie darlings inside makeshift theaters. 2026 will be the fest’s final Utah run before relocating to Boulder, so catch flicks while you can. 

Expect pop-up lounges along downtown Salt Lake City, too, adding another excuse to split your trip between canyon and capital.

Relax at a World-Class Spa

If your quads cry “uncle” after too many snow tubing laps at Woodward Park City, book a eucalyptus steam at Stein Eriksen’s five-star spa or a 90-minute alpine arnica rub at Montage’s famed Silver Lake relaxation wing.

Pair serenity with rooftop views, and you’ll understand why Park City offers repose equal to its adrenaline.

Plan Your Trip to Park City

Best Times to Visit

For ski or snowboard die-hards, lifts typically turn from late November through mid-April in Utah. Powder storms can dump feet overnight, yet blue-sky days still hit 30°F, balmy compared to the Rockies farther north. 

Prefer T-shirt hikes? July averages 72°F by day and a sleep-perfect 47°F at night, according to The Weather Channel. 

Fall foliage seekers should circle mid-September for golden aspens. Summer lovers: aim for concert-filled August evenings where you can sip rosé at Deer Valley’s Snow Park stage.

Where to Stay in Park City

From ski-in condos in Empire Pass to ranch-style VRBOs around Park City, lodging runs the gamut.

Budget travelers bunk at the Wasatch Hostel; high-rollers book penthouses at the Deer Valley Mountain Lodge where private butlers arrange dawn fly-fishing floats.

For families, Canyons Village offers easy gondola access to tubing, mini-golf, and kid-approved crepes.

Getting Around Town

Free electric buses loop every 10-15 minutes, so ditch the car and let someone else tackle icy hairpins.

Want to venture farther? Shuttle outfits whisk guests to Salt Lake City International in under an hour.

Adventure junkies can even rent fat-tire e-bikes to explore the side of Park City most tourists miss: quiet neighborhoods where locals string holiday lights along fence posts all winter long.

FAQ’s About Things to Do in Park City

Is Utah Olympic Park worth the drive?

Absolutely. You can tour 2002 venues, watch athletes ski jumping on summer plastic, or pony up $225 for a bobsled rocket ride that hits 60 mph. 

Are there family-friendly summer activities besides hiking?

Tons—think zip lines, alpine slides, ice skating at the Resort Center, guided horseback riding near Red Pine, and evening dog sledding demos where a pro musher lets kids meet the huskies.

Where can I grab a drink after the slopes?

Head to the outdoor fire pits at High West distillery for a spicy Boulevardier, or order local suds at No Name Saloon—both staples of any respectable trip to Park City.

Can I still have fun if I don’t ski?

For sure. Schedule a snow-coach guided tour, book a snowshoe yoga class, sample charcuterie on a sleigh ride, or chill with a book inside the library’s floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking snow-lapping rooftops.

What’s a can’t-miss Park City souvenir?

A bottle of High West’s limited “Valley Mountain” blend (yes, that’s its real name) or a locally cast pewter belt buckle stamped with “Park City’s Rail Trail”—both compact, TSA-friendly memories of your time in Park City.