Park City is a year-round destination nestled in the heart of Utah’s stunning Wasatch Mountains and is especially great to visit in the summer.
Its breathtaking scenery and variety of outdoor activities attract millions of visitors from around the world each year.
Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, nature enthusiast, or just enjoy the arts scene, Park City has something for everyone. Keep reading to discover the best things to do in Park City, Utah!
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8 Best Things to Do in Park City in the Summer
Table of Contents
- Explore Park City’s Main Street
- Ride the Alpine Slide and Mountain Coaster
- Take Photos of the McPolin Barn
- Stop By The Park City Gardens
- Grab a Bite to Eat at Five5eeds
- Go Downhill Mountain Biking at Deer Valley
- Soak in the Hot Springs at Homestead Crater
- Visit Utah Olympic Park
Explore Park City’s Main Street
Downtown Park City boasts a rich history that dates back to the 19th century when it was a booming mining town.
Park City was founded in the 1860s and quickly became one of the most prosperous silver mining communities in the West.
The historic Main Street is lined with Victorian-era buildings and stands as a testament to this legacy.
After the mining industry’s decline, Park City reinvented itself as a world-class ski destination and even hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Today, the downtown area seamlessly blends its storied past with modern attractions.
The best way to explore Main Street is on the Main Street Trolley. This free hop-on-hop-off trolley will connect you to Main Street’s most popular attractions.
A few things that you won’t want to miss in downtown Park City include the historic Egyptian Theater. This theater opened on Christmas Day in 1926 and is where the Sundance Film Festival was first held.
The world-renowned Sundance Film Festival takes over Park City every January, showcasing independent films and attracting stars and visitors from around the world.
If you are interested in attending the festival, check out the Sundance Institute site for more information.
In addition to the festival, the Egyptian Theater hosts a variety of live performances and events throughout the year.
Check the calendar of events if you would like to catch a show while you are visiting.
The Park City Museum is also worth a quick stop as it delves into the town’s mining history, Olympic legacy, and the evolution of Park City into a world-renowned ski destination.
If you are visiting in the summer, The Park Silly Sunday Market is held weekly during the summer months.
This outdoor artist market and street festival is a lively, family-friendly event that captures the eclectic spirit of Park City. It features local artisans, musicians, and food vendors.
You’ll also want to keep your eye out for artwork by the elusive world-famous street artist, Banksy. You can find the Camera Man and Flower at 402 Main Street and the Praying Boy at 537 Main Street.
There are also plenty of great restaurants on Park City’s Main Street.
Davanza’s is a family favorite with delicious pizza and wings.
It has a fun eclectic vibe as the walls are lined with cans, photos, and money from around the world.
My kids also like the old-school arcade games that are found at some of the tables.
A few more of the best places to eat in downtown Park City include No Name Saloon, The Eating Establishment, High West Distillery & Saloon, Handle, and Riverhorse on Main.
If you’re looking to indulge your sweet tooth, head to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for homemade fudge, chocolates, and decadent caramel apples.
A few of the shops on Main Street that are worth visiting include Dolly’s Book Store, a charming independent bookstore with a carefully curated selection of titles.
Embrace the Southwest at Burns Cowboy Shop where you can find authentic cowboy boots, hats, and other Western wear.
Root’d is the place to go for unique handcrafted items. This boutique features local artisans and a diverse range of goods from jewelry to home decor.
If you’re looking for a fun and unique way to explore downtown, consider taking a Park City Ghost Tour, or an Urban Art & Historical E-bike Tour.
Ride the Alpine Slide and Mountain Coaster
Park City Mountain Resort is not only a winter destination, but it also offers a variety of summer activities.
The Alpine Slide at Park City is one of the longest slides in the world and riding it is one of the most popular things to do in Park City.
Visitors will take a scenic chair lift ride to the top of the slide, then ride the 3,000-foot luge track as it winds down the side of the mountain.
The Mountain Coaster is our personal favorite. Guests will take a scenic ride up the hill on the coaster, before racing down at speeds of up to 25 mph.
The track is over a mile long with exciting twists and turns along the way.
Tickets are a little pricey, but you can buy a combo pass for the slide and coaster.
The line also gets extremely long during the summer, so plan to arrive early on a weekday if you want to avoid waiting for hours in line.
Park City Mountain also offers a variety of other summer activities.
These include the Zip Rider, Flying Eagle Zip Line, Downhill Mountain Biking, Scenic Lift Rides, a Ropes Course, a Climbing Wall, a Trampoline, and other kids activities.
The summer activities are open through the beginning of October when the leaves are starting to change. It is a great fall activity! For more recommendations, see our guide The Best Things to Do in Park City in the Fall.
Take Photos of the McPolin Barn
The picturesque McPolin Barn is set against the backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains and is one of the most photographed structures in Park City.
The 7,468-square-foot barn was built in 1922 by the McPolin family who were Irish immigrants that settled in the area.
It was hand-built by fitting the planks of salvaged timber together without using any nails.
The barn was originally used for livestock and hay storage. Today, it stands as a cherished landmark and a symbol of Park City’s agricultural heritage.
The farmstead is owned by the town of Park City. While you cannot go inside the barn itself, visitors are free to walk around the property and take photos.
Photographers are attracted to the barn’s rustic charm, with its weathered wood and classic gambrel roof.
It is especially picturesque against the snowy backdrop in winter or the lush greenery of the surrounding fields in summer.
You can also walk or bike along the 1.75-mile scenic McPolin Farm Nature Trail.
The barn is occasionally open for guided tours and community events. Check the events calendar for more information.
Stop By The Park City Gardens
The Park City Gardens just might be the cutest place in all of Park City!
The nursery and gardens are located at an old historic site dating back to 1890. You’ll find several distinctive buildings, each with its own story.
This includes the Garden Cafe, Garden Boutique Shop, the Flower Barn, and a glass greenhouse.
The Garden Cafe is housed inside the old general store.
The menu includes coffee, tea, hot chocolate, milkshakes, and Italian sodas.
The Garden Boutique is found inside of the old farmhouse.
Each of the rooms of the old house is filled with one-of-a-kind gifts and treasures made by local artisans.
The Flower Barn has a flower bar where you can create your own bouquet. They also hold floral arrangement classes and take custom orders.
The greenhouse with its whimsical chandelier, bright yellow door, and hundreds of plants just might be my favorite.
In addition to the historic buildings and greenhouse, the gardens extend across 6 wooded acres with streams and walking paths.
Park City Gardens hosts workshops and events throughout the year. Check the schedule for gardening classes, planting workshops, or holiday events.
Grab a Bite to Eat at Five5eeds
Five5eeds was established in 2018 by the Australian-born Percy Family, who named the restaurant as a nod to their five children.
It has quickly become a favorite among locals and tourists and is hailed as the best place to get brunch in Park City.
During the Sundance Film Festival, there’s a good chance that you might even see a few celebrities dining here.
The restaurant has built a reputation for its innovative menu that blends international flavors with a commitment to using fresh, local ingredients.
Everything on the menu is fresh and flavorful, but one of the most popular items on the menu is the Hot Cake.
This dish is a work of art with a fluffy hot cake topped with mixed berries, nuts, seeds, citrus mascarpone, and even edible flowers.
The Shakshuka is also a standout. This North African-inspired dish features eggs poached in a spiced tomato and capsicum stew, served with grilled sourdough.
If you are craving a sandwich, the Chicken Parmy Sando features breaded chicken, pesto mayo, marinara, mozzarella, and arugula sandwiched between two slices of warm focaccia bread.
It is served with the most delicious herbed parmesan fries on the side.
The Five5eeds’ Smashed Avocado is also a savory breakfast favorite. The smashed avocado is served on sourdough with feta, cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of dukkah spice.
The Waffle and Chook is a modern twist on the Southern classic chicken & waffles.
The savory spinach, chorizo, and Gruyรจre waffle is topped with breaded chicken and a Sriracha aioli sauce. It has a bit of a kick, so ask for the sauce on the side if you don’t like a lot of spice.
This is a popular restaurant, so expect a wait. They do not take reservations, but you can call ahead or visit their website to join the waitlist.
Go Downhill Mountain Biking at Deer Valley
Deer Valley Resort is also a popular year-round destination.
During the summer months, the downhill ski slopes turn into a playground for mountain bikers.
Here you will find one of the best mountain bike parks in the West with over 70 miles of trails and 3,000 vertical feet of elevation change.
My boys are beginner mountain bikers and there were plenty of trails that they could tackle. They had the best time and are begging to go back next year!
Three different chairlifts will take riders and their bikes to the top of the course where you’ll find a variety of flow trails for all different skill levels.
The Silver Lake Express is located at the base of the mountain. The Homestake Express and Sterling Express can be found midway up the mountain by the Stein Eriksen Lodge.
I would recommend going on the Homestake Express and Sterling Express lifts as they have access to the most trails.
Bike and protective gear rentals are available at the base of the Homestake Express and Sterling Express lifts, or visitors can bring their own equipment. Lessons are also available for beginners.
The season typically runs from mid-June through September, depending on the weather.
The mountain bike park is open daily during the season from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They also offer evening sessions from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. during Twilight Tuesdays.
You may want to consider staying at the Stein Eriksen Lodge for its convenient bike in/bike out access in the summer, and its ski in/ski out access in the winter.
The Stein Eriksen Lodge was voted as one of the “finest properties in the world” by Forbes Travel Guide in 2023.
This luxury mountain resort has a prime location just steps from the ski lifts and it offers breathtaking views from the back deck.
They even have Alpenglobes on the outdoor deck that can be reserved for a cozy dining experience in the winter.
Another unique dining experience is at the Apres Lounge which is located inside of a yurt at the Montage.
Here, you can enjoy cozy surroundings and delicious refreshments in this unique aprรจs-ski setting.
A few more recommended things to do in Deer Valley in the summer include horseback trail rides, summer concerts at the Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater, hiking the Silver Lake Trail, or renting paddle boards at Pebble Beach.
And if you like hiking, check out Stewart Falls in Provo Canyon, it’s one of our favorite waterfall hikes in Utah!
Soak in the Hot Springs at Homestead Crater
The Homestead Crater is located in Midway, about a half hour from Park City, but is worth the drive.
This unique hot spring is found at the bottom of a 55-foot limestone cave.
A tunnel has been carved into the base of the limestone dome so that visitors can access the natural hot spring.
There is also a hole at the top of the dome so it feels like you’re swimming inside of a volcanic crater.
The crystal clear water is about 65 feet deep and remains a toasty 95 degrees year-round.
Reservations must be made in advance if you would like to visit Homestead Crater. See our guide Six of the Best Hot Springs in Utah for more details.
While you’re in Midway, take time to appreciate this European-inspired town that was settled by Swiss immigrants in the 1850s.
You’ll find darling shops, galleries, a chapel, and even Highland cows. Our favorite place to stay in Midway is the charming Blue Boar Inn, a European chateau tucked into the Wasatch Mountains.
For another Utah hidden gem, check out the Pink Lake at Stansbury Island near Salt Lake!
Visit Utah Olympic Park
Salt Lake hosted the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and the Olympic spirit still lives on in Park City.
The Utah Olympic Park is a 400-acre venue that was built specifically for the 2002 Olympics. I would recommend taking a guided tour to learn more about the Olympic legacy in Park City.
The park has also been designated as an official US Olympic Training Site, so there’s a good chance you’ll find athletes actively training on the world’s highest Nordic ski jumps.
If you are visiting on a summer weekend, you will definitely not want to miss the Flying Ace Freestyle Show.
This choreographed show features stunts by Olympic and National Team skiers and snowboarders.
They’ll race down the Nordic track and perform acrobatic feats high in the air before landing in a swimming pool.
Utah Olympic Park is also home to one of only four sliding tracks in North America where the bobsled, luge, and skeleton events took place during the Olympics.
For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, you can even book a Winter Bobsled Experience where you’ll hop on a bobsled with a trained pilot and race down the track.
For more information and recommendations, see our guide 10 Fun Things to Do in Park City in the Winter.
You can also visit the free Alf Engen Ski Museum as well as the Eccles Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum.
The museums feature interactive exhibits, artifacts, a virtual reality ski theater, and different activities highlighting the history and evolution of skiing and the events of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
During the summer, a multitude of summer activities are also available at Utah Olympic Park. These include an Alpine slide, summer tubing, ziplining, a summer bobsled experience, scenic chairlift rides, and more.
A Few More of the Best things to Do in Park City:
- Woodward Park City: This mountain complex is an all-encompassing destination for outdoor enthusiasts. It offers skiing, snowboarding, tubing, an indoor tumbling arena, as well as a mountain bike park and trails.
- Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter: Experience the beauty of nature at Swaner Preserve, a serene oasis that offers walking trails and educational programs about the local ecosystem.
- White Water Rafting: Enjoy an exciting guided rafting trip on the Weber River with All Seasons Adventures. It is located about 45 minutes from Park City, but transportation from your hotel can be arranged. They also offer a variety of other winter and summer guided trips from Park City including fly fishing, mountain biking, dog sledding, and snowshoeing.
- Park City Outlets: Score some deals at this outlet mall where you’ll find discounted merchandise from some of your favorite retailers.
*Click the button to download the Park City Travel Guide to take with you on your trip!
I hope this guide will help you discover the best things to do in Park City, Utah!
And if you’re planning to spend time in Utah County during your trip, here are 14 Fun Things to Do in Utah County.
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