Salt Lake City and Park City are an outdoor lover's vacation getaway. With hundreds of trails for hiking and skiing, there are endless opportunities to get outside. Offering year-round activities, both cities can be visited throughout the year, but high season is over the winter for peak ski season. During a trip to either city you'd be remiss to skip on the other - when planning make time for both. Be prepared for a cool mountain vibe with a lively food and bar scene.
↓ Check out these Park City Travel Guides & Salt Lake City Travel Guides. ↓
HOW TO GET THERE
Visitors can fly into Salt Lake City International Airport then rent a vehicle from the onsite car rental companies. From there you can drive to downtown Salt Lake, or about 30 minutes east to Park City. There are also ride share services located in the area that you can use if you choose not to rent a car, however we'd advise renting a car for this trip for maximum flexibility.
TIPS FOR VISITING
Don't feel obligated to stay at the base of a ski resort or right downtown. Within 10-15minutes of Park City there are plenty of hotels and Airbnb's that will still be within the vicinity and may provide a better housing situation.
Within Park City there is a free mass transit system that visitors can use. It can take you throughout downtown and to a select few near by resorts.
Routes of the Park City Transit System
WHERE TO STAY
We'd recommend staying in Park City - the area felt more like a true vacation town filled with activity and relaxation. There are various ski-in/ski-out resorts for visitors to stay at. One upscale, popular resort is The Montage Deer Valley. It is a luxury resort located alongside the mountains with upscale restaurants and great views. Located only 5-10 minutes from downtown Park City, hotel guests are close to many popular spots.
We chose to stay at the Westgate Park City Resort & Spa. The resort consists of various buildings and amenities such as restaurants, pools, and spas. At the base of the resort is mini golf course and ski lifts to take you up into the mountains. It is located about 10-15 minutes north of downtown Park City, but there are still plenty of places to eat and things to do in the area.
WHAT TO DO
Park City
Boneyard Saloon Park City - A restaurant located on the out skirts of downtown Park City, but still close to many mountains and resorts. This bar-styled restaurant offers American foods in a relaxed atmosphere. There is ample parking and seating here making it nice for an easy dinner.
The Eating Establishment - Situated alongside Main Street in Park City, this restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating. It's located in the heart of the town and fills up quickly around breakfast time.
Five 5eeds - A popular breakfast spot located in Park City, but not in downtown. Oddly enough, it's located in a strip plaza. This restaurant fills up very quickly and typically has a long wait time.
High West Saloon - An old style saloon, most famously known for their branded bourbon. Stop by to grab a bourbon flight or a bourbon inspired cocktail. This is a great spot to feel those old western vibes and grab a nice drink.
Park City Mountain Resort - This is one of the largest resorts in the country with over 500 acres and 330 trails. During the wintertime, visitors can buy a lift pass to go skiing for the day. In the off season, visitors can enjoy the mountain by taking the lift, riding the mountain coaster, or heading down the alpine slide.
RIME | Steak. & Seafood - Located atop the St. Regis Deer Valley resort, RIME offers mountain side views and delicious meals. Specializing in steak and seafood, guests can enjoy an upscale dinner with a bottle of wine while overlooking scenery. Guests can make reservations online for this restaurant.
Riverhorse on Main - A highly regarded popular lunch and dinner spot located in downtown Park City. The menu specializes in American food and wines. This establishment does not take reservations.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate - In the heart of downtown Park City lies a store with lines out the door and down the street, and that store is Rocky Mountain Chocolate. It's always busy, but the lines move quickly, stop in for an ice cream cone or traditional chocolate treat.
Salt Lake City
Bewilder - A bar with a relaxed atmosphere and great beer. Stop in for a quick pint and a game of darts. Recommended beer: Orange Honey Wheat (wheat beer)
Fisher Brewing Company - A large bar with an extensive draft list, Fisher Brewing Company notoriously has rotating food trucks located just outside. Recommended beer: Cerveza (American lager)
Proper Brewing Company - If the trendy beer labels don't bring you in alone, know that Proper Brewing Company has great beer and good vibes. Recommended beer: Lake Effect Gose (sour traditional gose)
Red Rock Brewing Co - A brewery with a restaurant feel, Red Rock Brewing Co offers a thorough food list and plenty of indoor/outdoor seating.
Squatters - Located in down town Salt Lake, Squatters offers a local vibe and a wide variety of lagers. Recommended beer: Hell's Keep (Belgian strong golden ale)
Whiskey Street - A trendy cocktail bar located in a busy area of downtown Salt Lake City, Whiskey Street is the perfect spot to grab a nice drink.
Nearby
Antelope Island State Park - About an hour north of Salt Lake City lies Antelope Island State Park. Located on Great Salt Lake, visitors can take a quick day trip to explore the wildlife this park provides. The entrance fee ranges per entry type, but general admission is $15 for the day. Visitors are able to camp in the park.
Many, many Buffalo roam Antelope Island State Park.
Deer Creek State Park - Surrounded by mountains on all sides, Deer Creek State Park is located in a valley with an almost 3,000 acre all-sports reservoir. Visitors can windsurf, boat, kayak, zip line, swim, and fish in the waters. There are also beaches to relax and hiking trails to explore for alternative options. Camping is available. Additional details and fees are located on the state park website.
Stewart's Cascades/Stewart Falls - About an hour south of Salt Lake City on the outskirts of Provo, there are plenty of hiking trails for visitors to explore. Stewart's Cascades/Stewart Falls is a 2 mile roundtrip, moderate hike to 200 ft waterfalls. The trail is unpaved, but clear, and does require going uphill. In total, the route can take around 1-1.5 hours.
Amazing views during this hike! Bonus pic of a nearby lake on our drive back to Park City.
Sundance Mountain Resort - Home to the annual Sundance Film Festival, the Sundance Mountain Resort is located an hour south of Salt Lake City (near Stewart Falls). Take a drive through the mountains and you'll end up at the resort. In addition to stay, the resort has restaurants, a spa, and plenty of ski and hiking opportunities.
Provo - Most famous as the city where Brigham Young University is located, Provo is a 45 minute drive south of Salt Lake City. A quiet college town, this area has restaurants along small streets and BYU to drive through. During the college school year, swing down to BYU to catch an athletic event.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Salt Lake City and Park City were great- both cities exceeded our expectations. Salt Lake City felt like a major city with small town vibes. We enjoyed taking an electric scooter around the city to see the various sites as well as brewery hop. At the time there was a brewery pass the city was offering which gave us discounted food and beer. Park City offered a nice downtown area with great shopping and restaurants. Otherwise, no matter where you went in the city, it felt like you were fully embracing the outdoors. The area can be enjoyed in all seasons and there is more than enough to do!
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