Park City Utah Main Street Olympic Park and Deer Valley

Why visit Park City

Few mountain towns combine history, culture and outdoor access as easily as Park City. Silver strikes in the late nineteenth century made it one of the richest mining districts in the West, and the boom left behind miners' cottages, headframes and a Main Street lined with saloons and banks.

Park City hosted major events during the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, and it is set to be a venue again when the Winter Games return to Utah in 2034.

What makes Park City special is how much you can do without long drives. You can ski from Main Street on the Town Lift, ride a gondola to a summit lunch, hike to wildflower meadows or simply wander between galleries and historic buildings in walkable Old Town.

Main Street and Old Town

Historic Main Street

Main Street climbs steeply through Old Town, lined with restored nineteenth and early twentieth century buildings that now hold galleries, boutiques, restaurants and bars. Look for the old mine structures on the hillsides above and the miners' houses stacked along the side streets.

Egyptian Theatre

With its distinctive Egyptian Revival facade, this historic theater on Main Street opened in 1926, during the era of fascination with ancient Egypt that followed the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb.

Park City Museum

Housed in the historic former City Hall on Main Street, the Park City Museum brings the town's story to life with exhibits on silver mining, the devastating fire of 1898, early skiing and the 2002 Olympics. Do not miss the original territorial jail in the basement.

The resorts and Olympic venues

Park City Mountain

Since its merger with neighboring Canyons Resort in 2015, Park City Mountain has been one of the largest lift-served ski areas in the United States, with two base areas linked by the Quicksilver Gondola. The Park City side sits right above Old Town, while Canyons Village lies a few miles away along the highway.

Deer Valley Resort

Deer Valley is known for meticulously groomed runs, attentive service and excellent on-mountain dining. It is a ski-only resort, one of the last in the country that does not allow snowboarding.

Utah Olympic Park

Just outside town, Utah Olympic Park was built for the 2002 Games and remains an active training center for ski jumpers, aerialists and sliding athletes. You can watch freestyle skiers flip into a training pool in summer, take a guided tour, try adventure courses or ziplines, and in some seasons ride a bobsled down the Olympic track with a professional pilot.

Farms, trails and lakes

McPolin Farm

The white barn of McPolin Farm stands in a meadow beside State Route 224 at the entrance to Park City, framed by the mountains. The city-owned historic farm has a short nature trail along its edge, and the barn is one of the most photographed sights in town, particularly at sunrise and when snow covers the fields.

Round Valley and the Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail

Park City has hundreds of miles of trails, and some of the most accessible start right in town. Round Valley, a large open space near the Quinn's Junction area, offers rolling trails for hiking, running and mountain biking in summer and groomed tracks for Nordic skiing and fat biking in winter.

Jordanelle State Park

About fifteen minutes east of town, Jordanelle Reservoir is the summer playground for boating, paddleboarding, fishing and lakeside camping. Separate areas on the reservoir suit motorboats and quieter paddling.

Food and local flavors

Main Street is the heart of Park City dining, with everything from casual pubs and cafes to upscale restaurants serving mountain cuisine.

Park City also has a strong drinks scene, including local breweries and a whiskey distillery tradition, and Utah's alcohol laws have some quirks worth knowing: beer, wine and spirits are widely available in restaurants with food, while packaged liquor and wine are sold in state-run stores.

Where to stay

Old Town is the best choice if you want to walk to restaurants, nightlife and the Town Lift. It suits couples and groups who value atmosphere, though streets are steep and parking is limited.

Canyons Village, on the west side of the resort, is a self-contained base with ski-in, ski-out lodging and its own dining, ideal if skiing is your main focus. Deer Valley's Snow Park and Silver Lake areas are quieter and more upscale, with easy access to Deer Valley's lifts.

Best time to visit

Ski season usually runs from late November into April, with the most reliable snow from January through March.

Summer, from late June through August, brings warm days, cool nights, wildflowers, outdoor concerts and the town's well-known Fourth of July celebrations.

Getting there and getting around

Salt Lake City International Airport is about thirty-five miles from Park City, roughly forty minutes by car on Interstate 80 and State Route 224 in good conditions.

Once in town, you may not need a car. Park City Transit operates fare-free buses connecting Old Town, the resort bases, Kimball Junction and many lodging areas, plus the Main Street trolley.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Start with coffee in Old Town and a visit to the Park City Museum, then stroll Main Street's galleries and shops.

Second day

Spend the day skiing or riding at Park City Mountain or, in summer, hiking or biking from the lifts. In the evening, drive past the McPolin Farm barn at sunset.

Third day

Ski at Deer Valley in winter or head to Jordanelle State Park in summer.

Practical tips

• Book lodging, lift tickets and ski rentals early for holiday weeks and February.
• Use the free Park City Transit buses instead of hunting for parking.
• Drink plenty of water and take it easy on your first day, as the town sits at roughly seven thousand feet.
• Wear sunscreen and sunglasses year round; the mountain sun is intense.
• Check the official resort websites for current lift hours, parking rules and fees.
• Remember that Deer Valley does not allow snowboards.

Find local businesses in Park City on WiserMap

From ski shops and gear rentals to cafes, restaurants and local services, Park City has plenty of independent businesses worth knowing before you arrive.

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