Renowned for its world-class ski slopes and dramatic mountain scenery, this alpine destination ranks among the premier winter resorts in the United States. With hundreds of runs spread across multiple top-tier ski areas, it draws snow lovers from around the world each year.
Park City was once a rugged mining settlement before being transformed into a global winter sports hub in the lead-up to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. While skiing and snowboarding remain its biggest draws, the city’s historic district still showcases handsome brick buildings that reflect its mining-era past.
The appeal doesn’t end when the snow melts. Hiking and mountain biking are popular in the warmer months, and the city also gains international attention each year as the host of the Sundance Film Festival. Located just east of Salt Lake City and nestled within the Wasatch Mountains, Park City is a year-round destination that blends outdoor adventure with culture and charm.
11. High West Distillery
The only ski-in distillery in the whole of the world, the High West lies at the bottom of the Park City Mountain Resort’s snow-coated slopes. Since opening in 2006, it has won numerous awards and accolades for its wonderful whiskeys and now has four unique locations in Park City and nearby Salt Lake City.
Located in a beautiful old building that was once a livery stable, the rustic interior is home to a full-service bar and exhibits the original copper pot whiskey still. Its sumptuously decorated saloon is a very popular place to enjoy an après ski drink.
As well as taking tours of its facilities, visitors can also sample spirits in the tasting room and try delicious alpine-inspired dishes.
10. Kimball Art Center
Set just a short distance from the city center is the Kimball Art Center which hosts exhibitions, artworks, and educational events.
Since being founded in 1976 in a local garage, it has expanded to include numerous galleries. As well as exhibiting excellent artworks by local artists, it displays delightful paintings, pictures and sculptures by internationally-acclaimed artists.
The center also offers art classes to the community. Adults and children alike can learn everything from pottery and photography to drawing, glasswork and visual arts.
In addition to this comprehensive program, it also hosts the annual Kimball Arts Festival which sees tens of thousands of people attend its artistic extravaganza of music performances, film screenings and art exhibitions.
9. Park City Museum
Located in what was once the town hall, Park City Museum can be found midway along Main Street. A very interactive and interesting tourist attraction, this museum teaches you all there is to know about Park City’s rich history with a series of engaging exhibits and captivating collection of artifacts.
As well as offering an invaluable insight into the mountain town’s mining past, its hands-on displays document its development into a hippie hangout and chic ski resort. Through fascinating photos, mining models, and memorabilia, visitors can delve into Park City’s past. You can even see how silver is made and how skiing and snowboarding took off.
Just as impressive as the educational exhibits themselves is the historic town hall in which they are housed. Built in 1885, the brilliant brick building also served as the territorial jail. Visits down into its dingy dungeon are just one of the museum’s many highlights.
8. Alpine Coaster
If you’re looking for a fun and family-friendly thing to do in Park City, then look no further than the exhilarating Alpine Coaster. One of the largest coasters of its kind, not just in Utah but the world, its tracks stretch over a mile in length, taking you past stunning scenery as you go.
Part of the Park City Mountain Resort, the coaster’s toboggan-style cars shoot along a raised sled track with speeds reaching up to almost 30 miles per hour in places. As you twist and turn your way down the mountain, you can bask in beautiful views of the surrounding scenery and Park City far below.
Very popular with families and thrill-seekers alike, the Alpine Coaster is a must if you’re after an exciting outdoor adventure activity.
7. Historic District
Centered around Main Street is Park City’s handsome Historic District, a picturesque place to stroll around. Home to beautiful old buildings, it has countless shops and restaurants, as well as several excellent art galleries.
Following a fierce fire that swept the city in 1898, many brick buildings were rebuilt in an array of architectural styles. These historic houses now host all kinds of boutiques and bars, with ski shops and souvenir stores dotted about here and there.
The Historic District has some great art galleries to browse, as well as a fun Sunday morning farmers market and street festival in the summer months.
6. Sundance Film Festival
First started in 1978, the world-famous Sundance Film Festival has been held every year in Park City. For 10 days in late-January, the city is packed with actors, directors and filmgoers coming to attend film screenings and cultural events.
The largest independent film festival in the States, Sundance has countless competitive categories, from documentaries and dramas to short and feature-length films. With so many showings scheduled, cinephiles can spend their time either watching new releases at the famous Egyptian Theater, or attending panel discussions, exhibitions, and music events.
During this time, Park City’s hotels and lodges are usually all fully booked. Tens of thousands of people descend upon the town to catch a glimpse of celebrities or the world premieres of much-anticipated films and documentaries.
5. Canyons Village
Nestled in the northwest of the city is the charming Canyons Village which has sublime snow-coated slopes. After having opened in 1968, it merged with the nearby Park City Mountain Resort in 2015 to make it the largest ski resort in the States.
At the colossal Canyons Village, you can find almost 200 runs catering to all levels and serviced by more than 20 chairlifts. Remarkably enough, its sprawling slopes cover nine mountain peaks and have a total vertical drop of 930 metres.
While most people come to ski or snowboard, Canyons Village also has pretty paths to hike or mountain bike in the summer months. In addition to this, it also has countless cabins and condos to stay in, with restaurants, shops and entertainment options on offer.
4. Park City Mountain Resort
The phenomenal Park City Mountain Resort is an absolute must-visit when in town. Spread across a staggering 17 mountain peaks are 348 runs for you to shoot down, aimed at beginners, intermediates and experts alike.
Since being founded in 1963, the resort has expanded considerably. It is now the largest in the country following its merger with the nearby Canyons Village. As well as being a major tourist attraction, it also has numerous training courses that are used by the US Ski Team. It hosted slalom and snowboarding events in the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Besides boasting snowy slopes and beautiful mountain scenery, the resort has eight excellent terrain parks to try out and 14 bowls. With over 370 miles of hiking and biking trails to explore in the summer, plus lodges and restaurants to try at any time of year, Park City Mountain Resort is not to be missed.
3. Guardsman Pass Scenic Backway
Due to the spellbinding scenery and magnificent mountain vistas, the Guardsman Pass Scenic Backway is a delight to drive along. Winding its way through the mountains, the road connects Park City to Salt Lake Valley, passing by Deer Valley Resort on the way.
Stretching over 12 miles in length, the scenic route takes you high up into the remote reaches of the Wasatch Mountain Range. Before arriving at the precipitous pass and its epic viewpoint, you’ll drive through valleys and flower-filled meadows with prominent peaks rising all around.
The scenic backway is very popular to drive along in fall due to its fabulous foliage.
2. Utah Olympic Park
Just 15 minutes’ drive to the northwest of the city is the incredible Utah Olympic Park, built to host the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. While its fantastic facilities are still used to train Olympic athletes, the colossal complex has a range of attractions and adventure activities for visitors to check out.
As well as state-of-the-art ski jumps and sliding tracks, the park is also home to a huge tubing area, ziplines and a fun climbing and ropes course. As well, there are bobsledding, free-jumping and freestyle skiing for guests to try out.
You can also take a tour around the interesting and interactive Alf Engen Ski Museum which explores the 2002 Olympics and Utah’s skiing history and heritage.
1. Deer Valley Resort
Renowned for its upscale amenities and ambience, the delightful Deer Valley is regularly ranked among the best ski resorts in the States. Besides boasting a staggering number of ski slopes, it also has luxurious lodges, restaurants and boutiques to enjoy.
Spread across six mountains are over 100 runs which cater to beginners, intermediates and experts alike. As the entrance to the resort is limited to a maximum of 7,500 skiers per day, its slopes are never crowded and guests rarely queue to use the ski lifts.
Since opening in 1981, the resort has won numerous awards and accolades for its facilities, exemplary customer care and superb skiing.
Map of Things to Do in Park City, Utah
