Brit’s Summer Travel Series: Park City, Utah

As Summer comes to a close, so too does Brit’s Summer Travel Series. And the last stop on my journey is one of my favorite places in the world, Park City, Utah. Because I grew up in Salt Lake City, Park City is like a second home to me.

Just 35 minutes from the Salt Lake City airport, Park City is a top destination anytime of the year. Although the town is famous for its skiing, the summer months are just as fabulous. From hiking to river rafting, shopping and eating, there are endless activities to do in Park City that work for people of all ages.

Since I’ve lived in Utah, Park City has changed so much. Many of the restaurants and shops are now different and even the ski resorts have had a major shakeup, but it is still charming as ever and now much fancier, which I love. For my most recent visit, we chose to stay at the Waldorf Astoria Park City and absolutely loved it.

The Waldorf was not only a beautiful hotel with huge, updated rooms, but the staff was also incredible. Everyone remembered us and they were so sweet to our puppy, Charlie. Little things like s’mores by the fire at night and the DJ at the pool on Saturday made our long-weekend stay so much fun. We booked our room through Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection so our room was automatically upgraded and we had free breakfast every morning which was amazing. I loved the food at the hotel, thought the wine list was ok and the cocktails were great.

The Waldorf is four miles from Main St. so if you’re looking to be right on Main St., the Marriott Summit Watch is a fabulous choice and affordable. If you’re interested in staying in Deer Valley, the Montage, St. Regis and Stein Eriksen are my top choices.

If you’re a foodie like me, then you will love Park City! I have to start with 501, it was by far our favorite restaurant of the trip and a total surprise. We actually went in because we wanted to have lunch on their balcony. The restaurant is situated right on Main St. and has wonderful views. We LOVED the food and they had an excellent wine list. I had the Ahi Tuna appetizer two days in a row and would have done it for a third if I could. The service was excellent and we couldn’t have asked for better lunches.

We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at Riverhorse and I would say this is a must-try if you’re in town. I made our reservation about a month in advance and the restaurant was full so definitely make a reservation for this one if you can. The service was also impeccable here and the food and wine list were top-notch.

If you’re staying in the Canyons like we did, Powder, the restaurant at the Waldorf, Versante and Cortona are excellent choices and are close by. If you’re looking to stay on Main St., Riverhorse, 501, Yuki Yama, and Tupelo will be perfect for you.

As far as breakfast spots and coffee shops go, I love the Java Cow Bakery. When I was growing up, we would always go here for ice cream (usually after dinner at the Pizza Noodle) and I just lived for it!! But they now have wonderful coffee and breakfast options so I highly recommend checking it out. Riverhorse Provisions, is also a great option for breakfast.

One of my family’s favorite places to go for a celebratory brunch when I was little was the Stein Eriksen so of course we had to go this past weekend. But things have changed. Because of COVID-19, they no longer do brunch as a buffet, but rather family-style and it was not good. The service was great here and the views can’t be beat, but the food did not do it for me. I would suggest going for lunch, dinner or maybe a drink to see Deer Valley, but I would pass on brunch for sure.

The activities in Park City are literally endless! On our long-weekend, we barely had time to scratch the surface. Of course, checking out Main Street should be on your list. Historic Main Street is filled with art galleries and unique shops where you are sure to find something you’ll want to take home with you. We stumbled upon Baranof Jewelers and I found a few gems I will definitely be returning for.

If you’re looking for souvenirs to take home to your loved ones, Park City Mercantile has fabulous leather coasters, cutting boards and more. I also love the Deer Valley Signature Store on Main Street for Deer Valley Merchandise like t-shirts, hats and odds and ends. If merchandise isn’t quite the way you want to remember your time in the mountains, an iconic piece from the McMillen Fine Art Gallery might be more up your alley. Jared and Tish McMillen have captured some of the most stunning scenes from the Rocky Mountains and any of their pieces would be the perfect addition to your home.

Growing up, we would always bike around McPolin Farm. Not only is there a great trail, but because of the iconic white barn with an American Flag, its makes a wonderful spot for family photos and is a landmark in Park City that is not to be missed. Don’t be fooled by the fence around it, McPolin Farm is owned by the people of Park City and is completely open to the public.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this trip to Park City as much as I did! What are your favorite things to do in Park City? Leave me a comment and let me know what I need to add to my list!

XO,

Brit