Park City must-dos

(Updated!)

I love the old west, artsy feel of Park City. It makes the perfect fresh-air getaway for my little family’s annual staycation. (See our Park City highlight videos here.)

I lived in Park City for a short time as a teenager, in a 100-year-old former miner’s boarding house on old Main Street (Daly Avenue). Although I’m pretty sure it was haunted, I loved hiking in my backyard to the old abandoned cars and houses that lay there and scaring myself with my friends at the old abandoned mine up the road.

Although I don’t particularly want to sleep in that old house again, we do love passing it by every time we go up there, then returning to our cozy room at the Mountainside Marriott. I highly recommend it for families. They have so many fun activities for families every day and the pools, kid-friendly hot tubs and proximity to the Park City Mountain Resort (Alpine slides, etc.) If you hit it during the off-season and/or have a hook-up through Marriott’s vacation club, it’s a good deal.

Here are some things we like to eat and do (but mostly eat) while in Park City. Please add your own so I can hit them up next year!

To do: 

The Rail Trail: This is our new favorite thing to do in PC. We rented e-bikes from here (and a trailer for our littlest) and took the trail through the prettiest farm land and scenery. There was a fun park and farm store to stop by along the way.

Hiking: We love the trails right by the Mountainside. We usually take the kids on the Armstrong trail. You can also ride a lift up to the top of the mountain and hike down on one of the trails. Hiking the PC, the Spiro trail, and Quarry Mountain are great ones too.

Mirror Lake: The pretty drive alone is worth it. You’re likely to pass some cowboys herding their free range cattle, which is fun. The leaves are breathtaking during fall, and the lake is peaceful and beautiful.

Guardsman Pass: This gorgeous intersection of mountains provides a great viewing spot and also has some hiking trails. If you hit in in the fall, take my advice and follow the signs to Midway for one of the most breathtaking leaves shows you’ll ever see.

Lofty Lake Loop & Silver Lake:  (More about these hikes here)

Park City Mountain Resort: The alpine slides, alpine coaster and other activities the Mountain Resort has to offer are a must when you’re in PC. The prices are a tad steep, but it’s worth it.

Main Street: Check out the old territorial jail, stroll through some amazing art galleries and grab a gourmet sucker or gelato from La Niche. Dolly’s Bookstore Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and Java Cow are favorites too. While a little overpriced, Java Cow has tons of homemade flavors, including classics like mint chocolate chip, and more unique ones, like honey lavender. My husband got a malt with a vanilla-based caramel flavor and it was yummy.

Park City Library: One of the coolest libraries in Utah. It has an attached cafe and an adjacent dog park that my kids love playing at. Dreamy.

Farmers markets: Park Silly is a huge, fun market that happens every Sunday throughout the summer and fall. Not tons of produce, but lots of fun local artisans. If you’re looking for produce, hit up the Wednesday farmer’s market at the Canyon’s Resort. I bought some of the best peaches and raspberries I’ve ever eaten there!

Ghost Tours: As I mentioned above, I’m not too thrilled about the whole ghost thing and don’t tend to seek those guys out because I’m a scaredy cat and I like to sleep at night. But for those of you who like a good supernatural thrill, I’ve heard the Park City ghost tours are pretty legit. Have fun with that.

The white barn: The McPolin Farm is a famous  landmark in Park city because of its history and because it’s just plain stunning. Take some time to walk around the farm trail and snap some photos. You won’t regret it. Watch for the scarecrow festival in autumn!

Outlets Park City: We do some of our fall school shopping here.

This is the Place Heritage Park: We sometimes take a day trip down to This Is The Place during our staycation. This is one of our family’s favorite places to frequent. The history and all the old-fashioned activities for kids are too good to miss. There are two trains, panning and digging for gold, two awesome playgrounds, crafts, food, and more. It’s always so beautiful in the fall too because of all the huge old trees!

To eat: 

Windy Ridge Cafe & Bakery: I went there with my mom and some girlfriends for the first time this trip and it I’ll definitely be making it a regular thing. I got a turkey avocado sandwich and kale salad, but my friend’s artisan mac and cheese looked pretty amazing.

We took the kids back to the bakery on our way out of town and the chocolate croissants were amazing! Heads up: Don’t get the bran muffin unless you love raisins. Which I do not. If you ask me, warm, soft raisins absolutely ruin a perfectly good muffin.

Silver Star Cafe: Another cafe with a delicious menu and cozy vibe.

Java Cow ice cream: I’ve been going to this place for years and it never disappoints. Anyone who knows me knows I am an ice cream snob, and this place definitely meets my expectations

Flanagan’s on Main: I have an obsession with Ireland, and this Irish pub and restaurant is serves authentic Irish fare and plays Irish music, so yeah.

High West Distillery: My brother, who owns his own restaurant (Sweet Lake Biscuits and Limeade) knows how to spot a good restaurant like nobody’s business. I’m so glad he recommended this one to me. It’s unique, yummy, and has the feel of an old west saloon with a modern twist.

Hearth and Hill: A classy, cozy vibe and good food. We like to go here with friends.

Davanza’s: This is our go-to for takeout pizza.

For more Park City to-dos, check out my other post: Our 2021 Staycation in Park City.