My latest road trip was over to Utah to go skiing at Deer Valley Resort – one of the only skiier only mountains in the world. So of course, you know I had to do some major research for everywhere to eat and visit on our trip. I quickly fell in love with Park City, so whether you’re a skiier or just interested in a snowy adventure; this spot is a must! It’s adorable, people are friendly, and the food is delicious.
About Park City, Utah
The resort town of Park City, Utah can be found just 30 miles east of Salt Lake City. Park City is main location of Sundance Film Festival, and is also home to two major ski resorts: Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain Resort. Forbes Traveler Magazine named Park City one of the prettiest towns in the United States, and I completely understand why! I instantly fell in love with this the snow covered town during our week long stay and want to share all of the tips and hidden gems I discovered.
Where to stay in Park City, Utah
Option 1: Hotel
- If you want to save money on your accommodations, check out these budget options in Park City, Utah.
- For a mid-range hotel option, I recommend a boutique hotel or bed and breakfast.
- If you want to a luxury experience with easy access to the ski slopes, check out these high-end hotels.
Option 2: Airbnb / Home rental
Get the local experience by booking an AirBnb or vacation rental. Check out AirBnb or Vrbo for homes that will fit your needs! If you are going in a group, I recommend renting a home. This is especially ideal if you’re planning to stay for an extended period of time.
Where to eat in Park City, Utah
While researching spots to eat, it was a little overwhelming seeing spot after spot of highly rated places on Yelp. I have to say, every single meal we had was delicious.
Pro tip for eating in Park City: Utah is very strict about liquor licenses. Most places that serve alcohol are considered “bars” and therefore are 21+ only. So make sure to bring your IDs, and check on the rules before making reservations if you have little ones with you.
Coffee & Breakfast in Park City
Atticus Coffee, Books & Teahouse – Quaint bookstore meets coffee shop in the heart of Park City.
Silver King Coffee Co – Drive-thru coffee for a quick caffeine fix before hitting the slopes. They also serve little chocolates with your drink which is the cutest little detail.
Harvest Park City – Coffee, brunch, & lots of vegan options for everyone in your group. You have to try the banana bread with caramelized bananas on top, you’ll thank me later!
Lunch & Dinner
The Spur Bar & Grill – Casual restaurant with delicious burgers and live music in the evenings. I’ve had one of the best burgers I’ve ever tasted at this bar/ restaurant.
Fletcher’s Park City – Elevated American cuisine with locally sourced ingredients and craft cocktails. I recommend ordering the heirloom salad and short rib grilled cheese!
St. Regis Brasserie 7452 – Located in the St. Regis hotel, this is the perfect restaurant for an après-ski view of the slopes. You can actually ski in and ski out of the hotel. However, I recommend taking their gondola up and down because the views are amazing!
High West Saloon – Distillery and restaurant with American bar food and wide variety of whiskies.
For more Park City food recommendations, check out this blog post by Female Foodie, and for more Deer Valley food recommendations, check out this blog post by Ski Utah.
Skiing in Park City, Utah
Park City is a skier’s paradise with two world class ski resorts! We chose to purchase the 5 day Ikon Base Pass at Deer Valley Resort, but they also offer daily passes if skiing isn’t your main activity.
Aprés Ski in Park City, Utah
A highlight of our Park City trip was visiting Veuve Cliquot’s The Après Lounge in Deer Valley Resort. The lounge is set up in a yurt off of the slopes at the Montage Deer Valley hotel. It offers a perfect respite to warm up and drink champagne after skiing all day or if you’re in need of mid-day ski break.
P.S. Seating is limited, and they don’t take reservations so I recommend arriving right when they open.
Things to do in Park City Utah (& the surrounding areas)
On our weeklong trip to Park City, we decided to book two activities other than skiing. A trip to the Midway Ice Castles and a snowmobile tour.
Pro Tip: Tourist activities around Park City and in Deer Valley get booked very quickly. Plan to book ~1 month or 2 prior to departure. Check out Groupons – they sometimes have great deals on cool activities!
Prance through the Midway Ice Castles
You may want to visit for the ‘gram, but you’ll want to stay for the cool experience. We had never seen anything like it, and it’s fun for people of all ages! A few tips:
- Go during the week for cheaper ticket prices and book an early time slot to beat the crowds.
- You have to go in at your time slot, but can stay as long as you like.
Read our full blog post for more info and tips for your visit!
Scoot around the back country on a Snowmobile Tour
This one was more for the boys that wanted to speed around, but I enjoyed sitting on the back looking at the view! Snowmobiling is a fun activity for going a little off the beaten path. A few notes:
- Wear your snow gear (& waterproof boots) – but you can also rent gear onsite.
- Go in the morning to maximize your time.
- You’ll spend some time on a tour of the area, but will also have a chance to ride around a designated course for fun.
Soak in a Geothermal Spring at The Crater at Homestead Resort
- Snorkel or soak in this natural geothermal spring formed from 10,000 years of snowmelt.
- There are multiple packages and deals you can book through Groupon.
Stay cozy in the car with a Scenic Drive
If you bring or rent a car, Park City is surrounded by breathtaking wilderness you won’t want to miss. From mountain vistas to wildflower fields, don’t forget to bring your camera on your scenic drives.
Try something new with some Lunalobos Dog Sledding
We really wanted to book this activity, but everywhere we tried was 100% booked about a month before our trip. Lunalobos Dog Sledding is a must do for animal lovers! They offer dog sledding experiences, kennel tours, and even musher lessons for dedicated visitors.
Go snowshoeing and enjoy the stars with Stargazer Snowshoe
Stargazing while snowshoeing sounds like my level of romantic!
- Star gaze and watch the moon rise with your snowshoe guide.
- All gear is included including snacks and transportation.
