City break (noun): a short holiday spent in a city, such as when on business travel.
Before there was bleisure travel, there was the city break—the short space of leisure time that grants you access to the cultural and culinary amenities that big cities offer. In this series from TripIt, we explore some of the world’s best cities for planning a quick getaway or extending a work trip.
Here are our tips for making the most of your city break in Park City.
Where to fly in
The nearest airport to Park City is Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), located about 40 minutes away in Salt Lake City.
Once on the ground at SLC, travelers can hail a ride share, such as Uber or Lyft, to make their way to Park City.
If you rented a car from one of the many on-airport rental car agencies, travelers can head straight to the rental car center. Simply follow the signs to the skywalk to find the rental car counters located in the parking garage lobby.
Where to stay during your city break
There are a few considerations to think through when it comes to where to stay during your city break. First, time of year; and second, what you hope to get out of your trip.
For instance, if you’re planning to visit during the winter and ski or snowboard the majority of your trip (but also head to a nice dinner or two)—you likely want to stay at a mountain resort, such as Montage Deer Valley, Waldorf Astoria Park City, The St. Regis Deer Valley, or The Chateaux Deer Valley.
Alternatively, if you’re planning to visit in early fall, and intend to art gallery-hop and shop on Main Street, but maybe go on a hike or two (more on what to do, below)—you likely want to stay in downtown Park City at a vacation rental, a hotel like Marriot’s MountainSide, or the condos at Silver King.
Of course, there’s Park City Mountain with its own Mountain Village—located right in downtown Park City—which is part of what makes this destination so unique.
My advice? Choose the option that allows you to experience Park City in a way that aligns with your travel style—and trip priorities.
How to get around
While you may be able to take an Uber or Lyft from SLC airport to Park City, ride share services aren’t reliable modes of transport once you’re in Park City—especially if you’re staying at a resort just outside of town.
Your best, but perhaps more costly, option is to rent a car for the duration of your trip. Renting a car allows you the freedom to explore at your own leisure, without the worry of wondering how or when you’ll get to your next stop. (Just brush up on your winter-weather driving skills ahead of time, if needed!)
Another reliable solution is to book a private car service, such as Daytrips Transportation or Canyon Transportation.
If you’re staying at one of the mountain resorts, check with the concierge desk to see if the resort offers a free shuttle. Many offer a regular service to and from Park City (and perhaps the airport, as well).
Thankfully, Park City itself is a very walkable city. You can also rent eBikes through Summit Bike Share (seasonal availability); each bike has a rental fee of $3.00 (for 30 minutes), plus $.15/hour after that.
There’s also a free Historic Main Street Trolley that runs Wednesdays to Saturdays.
Pro tip: Use TripIt’s Navigator feature to search transportation options available to you. It will show you the estimated costs and travel times for each option, so you can decide which works best. You can find Navigator within your flight, hotel and rental car details screens. Plus, if you add a restaurant reservation to your itinerary (more on where to eat, below), Navigator also helps you find the best transportation options for getting to your table.
Where to eat
After a great day of skiing (or shopping), you’re ready to experience the best of Park City’s fine dining establishments. Well, the good news is that you’re spoiled for choice. Spots like Firewood, Riverhorse, and Fletcher’s—all located on Main Street—have something special to offer.
Just be sure to make reservations for dinner as, even in the off-season, downtown restaurants tend to have long wait times.
Looking for something more casual for lunch? Head to 501 on Main, No Name Saloon, or The Spur Bar & Grill for American fare. Or, check out Yuki Yama for some of the best sushi this side of the Pacific.
What to do on your city break
If you’re headed to Park City during ski season, you’re in for some of the best alpine skiing the country has to offer. Choose from two world-class ski resorts, Deer Valley and Park City Mountain, or Woodward Park City—a state-of-the-art action sports hub.
In the non-snowy season (late spring to early fall), many of the resorts have excellent hiking and mountain biking trails that make for an adventurous day out. If you’re staying at one of the resorts, check with concierge or the on-site outfitter team to get expert advice on where to hike/bike based on your experience level.
Never hiked or biked before? Many of the area resorts offer guided experiences to make sure you feel confident and safe your first time on the trails.
A rail trail more your speed? Check out Park City’s Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail. Hint: here’s where you can really take those eBikes for a spin. White Pine Touring also offers bike rentals and guided tours, if you want a local expert to show you the ropes.
Back downtown, be sure to check out the many shops and art galleries on Main Street. Love supporting independent bookstores? Same. Head to Dolly’s Bookstore—a Main Street staple since 1972.
And by night? Head to Old Town Cellars for wine (definitely order a glass of their own), beer, spirits, and light bites. Or, check out Alpine Distilling (on Main Street) to enjoy locally crafted cocktails in a speakeasy-type atmosphere.
Note: As cities reopen around the world, be sure to consult and adhere to all local guidelines and travel restrictions, as they vary widely and will continue to change. One way to stay on top of changing guidelines is to consult the COVID-19 travel guidance feature in the TripIt app for destination-specific information, including testing and vaccination requirements, current infection rates, quarantine rules upon arrival, and other information you need to know before visiting the area.
