When Park City, Utah, comes to mind, what’s the first thing that pops into your head? Is it their first-class skiing and snowboarding, fantastic outdoor activities available during the summer, or the world-famous Sundance Film Festival?
Whether you’re looking for a quick getaway with your friends or an action-packed vacation with the entire family Park City, Utah, has something for everyone. With year-round events, attractions, and festivals in Park City, there are a million reasons why you should visit, but here’s our top four.
1. Outdoor Activities Capital of the USA
Park City, Utah, is blessed with incredible skiing and snowboarding runs. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also cross-country ski or snowshoe across many of the miles upon miles of groomed trails around Park City Mountain.
For those visiting Park City, Utah, outside of the winter season, there is a diverse range of outdoor activities to help keep you active. Repurposed ski lifts provide mountain biking and hiking enthusiasts access to the stunning trails above Park City Mountain Village itself. Alternatively, if you’re looking to cool down, head to Jordanelle Reservoir, where the crew at Utah Boat Rentals has a host of jet skis and boats to rent so you can enjoy the spectacular surrounding lakeside vistas.
Other year-round outdoor activities include visiting Utah Olympic Park, which was home to many of the events of the 2002 Winter Olympics. Here, you can brave the Comet Bobsled ride or jump one of the six onsite Nordic ski jumps. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more relaxing activity, join the crew at Bigfoot Balloons for a sunrise sky-high hot air balloon adventure and a truly panoramic view of Park City, Utah.
If you’re in need of some well-earned retail therapy, look no further than Park City, Utah’s historic Main Street. Park City shop fronts and restaurants have been stunningly preserved to provide a traditional fascia to modern-day Main Street shopping.
Park City, Utah’s Historic District incorporates Main Street and Old Town, and forms the beating heart of this fabulous city. It’s packed with excellent art galleries, stylish stores, and specialty shops, including a farmers’ market that is open throughout the summer months. However, when shopping on historic Main Street, stop in at Whimsy Clothing, Park City’s award-winning boutique, with exquisite women’s clothing and designer accessories.
After a day of shopping, take a chance to sample some of the fine dining and farm-to-table cuisine available on Park City Main Street. We also recommend visiting the world’s first and only ski-in gastro-distillery at the High West Saloon before heading over to the acclaimed Riverhorse on Main for an unbeatable Park City culinary experience.
Park City, Utah, is also a cultural mecca with a year-round diary packed with activities and globally recognized festivals. While many visitors flock to Utah Olympic Park, which was once dubbed the “World’s Fastest Ice” during the 2002 Winter Olympics, it’s the two main annual festivals that attract the most visitors to Park City each year.
The first of these is the internationally celebrated Sundance Film Festival held in Park City since August 1978, which famously opened with featured films including Deliverance, Midnight Cowboy, and A Streetcar Named Desire. Now held every January, the event is considered one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals, focusing on independent cinema. The Sundance Film Festival has also launched numerous careers in the film industry, including discovering breakthrough filmmakers such as the Cohen Brothers, Quentin Tarantino, and Kevin Smith, not to mention one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood, Michelle Rodriguez.
Held every August, Park City, Utah, is also home to the Kimball Arts Festival, which takes over several blocks in and around the historic Main Street. The festival includes American and international artists specializing in various crafts, including photography, designer jewelry, and digital art. As if this wasn’t enough, Park City also entertains its visitors during the Kimball Arts Festival, featuring live music across two stages in the historic district.
Because Park City, Utah, is nestled in the heart of the Wasatch Mountains, it offers spectacular vistas in every direction throughout the year. However, the views aren’t just limited to the historic Main Street, so when you’re in town, be sure to adventure out into the magnificent landscapes encircling the city, too.
The shifting seasons always deliver a captivating spectacle for visitors, showcasing a diverse range of stunning backdrops. Visitors can witness the surrounding rich green forests transcending into fiery yellows and orange colors as fall sets in and the crystal-clear lakes freezing over during the winter. Additionally, you could explore the Park City Mountain area by biking, hiking, or snowshoeing the multiple available trails, catching glimpses of the local wildlife such as moose, deer, and elk.
Alternatively, another way to enhance your experience is by embarking on some of the superb scenic drives that fork out from Park City. For example, we highly recommend taking a trip along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, located to the west of Park City, which comprises some of the most stunning landscapes in the country. You’ll be awestruck by the pristine, translucent waters of Mirror Lake, perfectly mirroring the rugged mountains and fertile forests surrounding its shores.
So, if you’re looking for a vacation destination that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and thrilling adventures, Park City has it all. Whether you’re visiting during the Sundance Film Festival, exploring its historic Main Street, or hitting the slopes at Park City Mountain for some world-class skiing – you’ll always be rewarded with an unforgettable Park City experience.
From the breathtaking mountain views to the vibrant local culture, Park City, Utah, has something for everyone. So why wait? Book your stay at the Best Western Plus Landmark Inn today and experience the ultimate relaxation at one of the finest hotels in Park City.