Visitors flock to Park City for outdoor adventures during all seasons, from skiing in the winter to hiking and biking in the summer. No matter what time of year you visit, this mountain town has much more to offer in terms of arts and culture than you might realize.

“There’s a current of creativity that flows through town,” says Jocelyn Scudder, managing director of the Park City Summit County Arts Council. “People may come for the mountain biking or skiing, but they’re pleasantly surprised by the booming artistic and cultural community when they come off the mountain.”

One excellent way to experience the creative side of Park City is to take a self-guided tour of Park City’s public artworks. The eclectic works of art are completely free to view, ranging from the historic to the whimsical. Below, Scudder shares an easy-to-follow itinerary that will lead you on a meandering path by some of the city’s most eye-catching artwork.

Also, Park City & Summit County's transit system is the best way to get around town. The transit system provides easy access to recreational areas, our Historic District and Kimball Junction without the worries of having to drive your car and find parking. To start this tour, Park at the Kimball Junction Transit Center and catch a free bus ride to Old town. 

Stop #1: Old Town Transit Center

Start your public art walk with a visit to the Old Town Transit Center, off Deer Valley Drive. Inside the center, you’ll find a mural that depicts Park City throughout the years, which will give you a nice overview of the town’s history and layout.

Stop #2: “Wild City” China Bridge Mural

Descend the stairs outside the transit center to the China Bridge Parking Lot. While a parking lot may not sound like an artistic mecca, the murals inside each level will prove you wrong. Visiting artist Emily Herr painted a wall on each floor on the structure to represent various flora and fauna of Park City in an eclectic variety of colors and shapes.

Stop #3: Loosey the Moosey and Franz the Bear

Keep walking down Swede Alley toward Main Street to say hello to Loosey the Moosey and Franz the Bear. You’ll find Loosey, a fun and funky sculpture of a moose, off Swede Alley near Fletcher’s restaurant. Franz the Bear is the iconic bear sitting on the park bench right outside the restaurant and provides an ideal selfie opportunity.

Stop #4: Miner’s Park

About halfway up Main Street, you’ll encounter Miner’s Park, featuring an intimate music stage as well as a sculpture of a miner that gives a nod to the town’s mining history. The sculpture was dedicated on “Miner’s Day,” September 5, 1999, a date which is celebrated every year in the Park City community. Local artist Peter Fillerup created the statue, which is modeled after a real miner named Jim Ivers III, who oversaw the first stages of Park City’s economic shift from mining to skiing.

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I’ve still got a half hour before the Mike Wallace doc, so this might be a good time to post something Park City related while I wait for my next Sundance screening. This miner statue is located on Historic Main Street; it commemorates the original industry that brought people to the area long before anyone thought Park City would be a good spot for an international film festival. It kind of looks like he’s taking a selfie; I guess miners need social media followers, too. #parkcity #parkcityutah #historicmainstreetparkcity #sundancefilmfestival #sundancefilmfestival2019 #filmfestival #utah #utahillustrated #lifeelevated #statue #selfietime #mikewallaceishere #mikewallaceisnotactuallyhere

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Stop #5: The Banksy Mural

Ready for a refreshment? Grab an ice cream cone across the street at Java Cow, before checking out one of the most iconic works of public art in Park City by Banksy. The renowned yet anonymous guerilla artist from the United Kingdom has graced the walls of Park City with a mural depicting a man photographing a flower in the alley right outside Java Cow. (The glass case was broken years ago in an act of vandalism!)

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Plot twist, I’m Banksy.

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Stop #6: Life of Ontario Tunnel Mural

Head down Main Street to Heber Ave. Then, take a right until you meet up with the paved hiking trail, known as Poison Creek Trail, that runs parallel to Main Street. Next, check out the Life of Ontario mural inside the underpass you’ll pass through, which depicts Park City’s mining history in cartoon form.

Stop #7: “A Sacred Community” Mural

Keep walking down Poison Creek trail, you’ll find the vibrant “A Sacred Community” tunnel mural, created by University of Utah students Danny Stephens, Miguel Galaz, and Jessika Jeppson. Featuring brightly colored geometric shapes, the mural was created using only spray paint and markers, and was finished with a waterproof coating.

Stop #8: Sound Garden

Continue down the paved trail to the interactive Sound Garden, just before you reach Miners’ Hospital. The garden features several musical instruments that you can play around with—making it a perfect spot to explore with children.

Stop #9: School of Fish

As a final stop along the Poison Creek Trail, just beyond the Sound Garden, you’ll encounter the “school of fish,” featuring whimsical fish sculptures made out of recycled materials.

Stop #10 (optional): McPolin Barn

Still have some energy left? Great! Grab a free e-bike through Park City’s Summit Bike Share program, and head down to the historic McPolin barn. While the barn is a work of art in itself, there’s a brand-new artistic treat if you know where to look—a.k.a, below ground. Visiting artist Bill Louis recently completed the brightly colored McPolin Tunnel Mural.

Stop #11 (optional): Kimball Junction

Ready to keep riding? Keep heading down to Kimball Junction (about nine miles away), where you’ll find two notable works of public art. First, “The Future of Now” mural can be found in the tunnel that runs underneath Highway 224, connecting Redstone and the Visitor's Center. The mural was conceived by contemporary street artist Bisco Smith and features written positive messages sourced from Summit County youth.

Finally, in the Kimball Junction Transit Center, you’ll find one of six pianos that are part of the “Pianos for All” initiative from the Summit County Public Art Advisory Board. Artist Kylie Millward painted the old player piano with folksy scenes of Utah wildlife, including a skunk, elk, snake, beaver, and mountain goat, and more.

Bonus Stop

While it’s not on the trail, there’s one more artistic surprise to keep an eye out for around Park City. All over town, you’ll find large-scale, weather-resistant artistic “stickers” that have been placed on power boxes. They’re the result of a partnership between Rocky Mountain Power and PC Public Art Advisory Board, and features work by local artists, from professionals to elementary school children.