Things to Do and Best Attractions
in Park City, Utah
Amazing Without Clicking The Bindings
Park City is famous for deep powder and world-class terrain, but here’s the truth: you can have an amazing trip here even if you never click into bindings. This guide is all about things to do and best attractions in Park City, Utah.
This is the stuff that makes a visit feel complete, whether you’re here for a family ski trip, a summer getaway, or a quick weekend escape from the Salt Lake Valley.
And yes, we’ll still give a quick nod to the ski scene because it’s a big part of why this mountain town is on the map. Between Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort, you’re covered for legendary winter days (not so legendary snow this year).
But when the lifts close (or your legs vote “no”), Park City shines with history, food, art, and outdoor adventures in every direction.
Quick Orientation for First-Timers
Park City is basically three “zones” that matter to visitors:
- Old Town + Park City’s Historic Main Street: the walkable heart of town, packed with restaurants, galleries, shopping, and nightlife.
- Kimball Junction: easy access off I-80, lots of hotels, shopping, and quick drives to big attractions.
- Jordanelle/Heber side: where summer lake time, wide-open views, and day trips toward the Heber and Midway area begin.
If you’re planning a 3-night stay, you can comfortably sample all three without feeling rushed.
Iconic Park City Experiences
Beyond Skiing
Let’s start with the “only-in-Park-City” hits—the best things that give your trip that classic Park City vibe.
Feel the Olympic Energy
If you do only one non-ski activity, make it Utah Olympic Park. Built for the 2002 Winter Olympics, it’s part museum, part adrenaline playground, and part training ground for elite athletes.
Depending on the season, you can tour venues, watch athletes fly, and sign up for high-energy activities (think sliding-track thrills and more). It’s also a fun way to connect the dots with fantastic views of the valley below.
Park City isn’t just a ski resort town in the United States. It’s a legitimate winter-sports hub with a legacy you can feel the moment you approach the town.
Ride the Mountain in Summer Mode
When the snow melts, Park City Mountain Resort turns into a different kind of playground. Two classics you’ll hear about everywhere are the Alpine Slide and the Alpine Coaster.
They are fast, scenic, and ridiculously fun (yes, adults too). If you’re traveling with kids or teens, this is one of those “do it again!” moments.
And if you’re chasing a little extra height and speed, you’ll also find zip lines and other warm-weather mountain activities that make the summer months feel like a second peak season.
Wander Main Street Like a Local
Some towns have a “main strip.” Park City has a full-on scene. Plan at least one evening to stroll, pop into shops, and treat yourself to dessert. Or a drink if you like to indulge.
This is also where you’ll find Park City-inspired schwag—hats, stickers, hoodies, and the kind of souvenirs you actually might wear back home.
And if you like art, you’re in luck. Park City has a surprising number of art galleries for a town its size. The monthly gallery stroll tradition makes it easy to sample them in a fun, social way.
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History, Culture, and That
“Old Mining Town” Soul
Before Park City became polished, it was a gritty silver mining town. That story is still baked into the buildings, the steep streets, and the local legends.
Step Into the Story at the Museum
Make time for the Park City Museum. It’s one of the quickest ways to appreciate the rich mining history that shaped historic Park City into what it is today.
You’ll walk away with better context for everything you’re seeing especially if you’re the type who likes a trip to have a little meaning, not just pretty views.
Sundance is Now History
If you’ve ever wanted to see the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, it’s too late. It just ended its long run and has moved on. I’m not going to give the new location any pub.
It still seems a little unbelievable that this festival … nurtured by Robert Redford … named after an iconic Utah location, has moved elsewhere. But then, everything nowadays seems to be temporary.
I will say, though, that I won’t miss the black, faux leather-clad army that invaded this formerly sleepy town every year. It's far too crowded already without the phoniness that this festival forced old-timers to endure every year.
Art Time, Anytime
For a more relaxed cultural stop, swing by the Kimball Art Center. It’s approachable, interesting, and a great “reset” activity between meals, shopping, and outdoor time.
This is especially true if you’ve got a family member who actually loves art (or just needs a quieter hour).
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Food, Drinks, and Cozy Breaks
Between Adventures
Park City visitors tend to eat well and this town happily supports the habit.
Make It a “Browse and Bite” Day
Here’s a simple formula that works almost every time:
- Morning: coffee shops + a pastry
- Midday: museum or shopping
- Afternoon: easy scenic outing
- Evening: a great dinner + dessert + live music
You don’t need a complicated plan to have fun things lined up all day. You just need a few anchor stops and flexibility.
Toast the Evening at High West
If you enjoy whiskey (or just a great atmosphere), put the High West distillery on your list. It’s one of those Park City experiences that feels both polished yet distinctly local.
And so unlike what visitors think Utah is like. It is perfect for couples, friend trips, or anyone who likes a memorable “last stop of the night.”
Family-Friendly Fun That Isn’t Skiing
If you’re traveling with kids (or adults who act like kids in the best way), Park City makes it easy.
Woodward is a Big Win
Woodward Park City is the kind of place that earns you “best parent” points. It’s an action-sports campus with year-round options. It’s especially handy when the weather is doing that Utah thing where it’s gorgeous one minute and windy the next.
Market Day on Main Street
In summer, don’t miss the Park Silly Sunday Market—a lively street-festival vibe with vendors, community energy, and music. And yes, I’ve even seen people typo it as the Park Cilly Sunday Market.
If you’re searching online and get odd results, now you know why. This is a great place to grab casual bites, browse local goods, and enjoy the “we’re on vacation” feeling without trying too hard.
Summer Adventures: Hikes, Bikes,
And Fresh Air
Park City’s summer scene is no joke. If you love being outside, you’ll feel like you found a cheat code.
Pick Your Pace on the Trails
The trail network here is massive. You can tailor it to your group. Want a short stroll with views? Easy.
Want longer hiking trails that earn your lunch? Also easy. Either way, you get that fresh mountain air and big-sky perspective that makes you forget your inbox exists.
If you’re visiting with the whole family, consider mixing one “real” hike with one lift-served scenic ride day. Everyone wins.
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The Best Nearby Add-Ons
And Easy Day Trips
One of the best parts of Park City is how quickly you can change scenery. In 20–30 minutes, you can be somewhere that feels totally different.
Jordanelle: Lake Views and a Different Side of the Mountains
Head toward Jordanelle State Park for water, views, and a relaxing change of pace. It’s an easy way to add “lake day” energy to a trip that’s otherwise all peaks and town time.
Heber, Midway, and the Scenic Countryside
From the Jordanelle side, it’s natural to continue toward Heber City and Midway. This is where you slow things down—pretty valleys, classic small-town Utah, and a calmer tempo that pairs nicely with Park City’s buzz.
Nonetheless, even these two “small towns” have exploded and become much more crowded than even just a few years ago.
Of course, that’s coming from someone who’s been driving through Heber City on his way to fish at Strawberry Reservoir for many decades.
That’s another excellent way to go if you happen to like fishing.
Kamas Valley and the Mirror Lake Drive
If you want a true mountain day, point your car toward Kamas, roll through the Kamas valley, and consider a run up the Mirror Lake Highway. This is the kind of outing that earns the label scenic drive without any exaggeration especially in late summer and early fall.
Guardsman Pass: the Postcard Route
One of my favorite drives is Guardsman Pass and it’s just 10-15 minutes up the hill. It’s a stunning connector route with views that remind you why the Wasatch Mountains are such a big deal.
View wildflowers in warm months, golden aspens in fall, and that dramatic alpine feel almost anytime you go although it does close during the winter months.
Final Thoughts
Park City is a perfect place to build a trip around skiing. But it’s also a great place to visit when skiing is only part of the story.
Between Olympic history, arts and culture, food, shopping, and easy day trips, you’ll never be stuck wondering what to do next. If you’re building your own list of “Things to Do and Best Attractions in Park City, Utah”, save this page and use it like a menu.
Pick two “big” experiences, sprinkle in a few relaxed ones, and leave room for the magic that sometimes still show up in this mountain town. Maybe the present-day traffic and crowds won’t bother you like they do me.
You just might be able to visualize what it was like when my wife and I first started going up there every weekend back in the day. What a place it used to be.