What to Do in Park City in the Summer

Jul 12, 2014

parkcity_feature — A stunning view of Park City from the town lift service // © 2014 Amy Sung

Our hiking guide tells us a few safety notes about hiking the Silver Lake Trail, a 2.1 mile traverse up Bald Mountain at Deer Valley Mountain Resort in Park City, Utah. The hike will bring us from 8,100 feet in elevation to nearly 9,400 feet.

“There are moose here – the thing to be careful of is getting between a mother moose and its young,” he said. “If that happens, stand behind a tree out of its sight. Give the moose space.”

Other general tips for traveling around Park City during June through August? Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and a strong sense of adventure.

Known as one of the best ski towns in the world, Park City, Utah, is also just as much of a gem in the summer. More than 400 miles of trails, hiking, horseback-riding and mountain biking routes suit a wide range of tastes and skill levels, and the weather during my visit in mid-June was ideal — bright and sunny, sans humidity. Lush terrain amidst towering aspens and pines are a given. And if you’re too tired to make a round-trip hike, select lifts run up and down the mountain in the summer as well. Lift-access mountain biking is also available.

Outdoor activities are the highlight of Deer Valley Mountain Resort, one of three resorts in Park City. Deer Valley tends to draw a more upscale crowd, with lodging options such as the charming Austrian boutique hotel, Goldener Hirsch Inn, and the celebrity-frequented Stein Eriksen Lodge.

For those who like to dabble in nightlife and more city-like activities, head to the action-packed Main Street, which is full of more than 50 restaurants and bars, a historical museum, historic buildings and plenty of upscale shopping. If you’re staying at Park City Mountain Resort, its “Town Lift” service will take you on a scenic ride up to and from Main Street.

On Sundays, the Park Silly Sunday Market fills the lower half of Main Street with local arts and crafts vendors, live music and an impressive bloody mary bar. Outdoor concerts run aplenty throughout summer, with free shows available at Deer Valley Mountain Resort, Canyons Resort Village, Newpark Town Center and Silver Star Cafe.

1/5Park City in the Summer

Park City, Utah, welcomes guests during the summer with trails such as the Wasatch Crest Trail, perfect for mountain biking and taking in sights. // © 2014 Park City Chamber/Convention and Visitors Bureau

If you make it to Park City during the summer solstice, be sure to check out Savor the Summit, an annual outdoor feast where local restaurants set up tables down the middle of Main Street and create menus and decor to outdo one another.

I experienced the dinner, now in its seventh year, at the table of High West Distillery and Saloon, a 5-year-old restaurant that describes itself as the world’s only ski-in distillery and gastro-saloon. It’s also the first distillery in the state since Prohibition. Pay a visit to the restaurant-and-distillery’s permanent location just a block away, and check out the retail store to take a taste of High West home with you. Bill White Restaurant Group’s Grappa restaurant is also highly recommended — it offers a romantic outdoor patio, one of the few in Park City.

A highlight for kids is an amusement park of sorts at Park City Mountain Resort featuring a zipline, Alpine Coaster and Alpine Slide. Even as an adult, I have to say that a few hours here are well worth your while if thrill-seeking (on a smaller scale) appeals to you.

Both exhilarating and serene experiences are ready to be had during the summers in Park City, whether that includes zipping down the mountain from the seat of a rugged mountain bike, sampling delicious eats and drinks or shopping around town. Meanwhile, moose sightings can even be enjoyed — as long as you areat least 50 feet away.