Park City, Utah is known for its pristine mountains, vibrant ski scene, and miles of biking and hiking trails, but, underneath it all, the town is loaded with unique silver mining history. Bits and pieces of the area’s mining past still remain and it’s fun to learn about Park City’s existence prior to becoming an outdoor mecca. There are many ways to dive into the area’s mining history, including a few non-traditional options like hiking and skiing tours, as well as Fox School of Wine’s ‘Mines and Wines Tour.’ Not only can you enjoy a fun, activity-filled vacation, you can also become a Park City mining history expert!
PARK CITY MUSEUM
Located on Historic Main Street, the Park City Museum offers a deep look into the area’s silver mining days. With quite a few permanent exhibits highlighting the Great Fire of 1898, pre-prohibition days, and what daily life was like during the silver mining boom, you’ll leave the museum a Park City history expert. For hours, tickets, and more, visit the museum’s website.
MINES AND WINES TOUR
Fox School of Wine’s Mine and Wines Tour is a fun and unique way to learn about Park City’s mining history while enjoying delicious, carefully-chosen wines at stops along the way. The tour includes six stops at various historic mining relics throughout town and offers an in-depth look into the town’s past, as well as incorporates a little wine knowledge.
SKI TOURS AT PARK CITY MOUNTAIN
During the winter months, Park City Mountain offers complimentary Historic Mountain Tours. Guides take intermediate skiers (and above) on a tour past silver mining relics and historic buildings around the resort and provide fascinating facts about the area’s past. Tours depart daily from Park City Mountain Village at 10:00 AM near the Eagle Statue, and then from the top of Bonanza Lift near the big trail map at 1:00 PM.
GUIDED HISTORICAL HIKES AT DEER VALLEY RESORT
Deer Valley Resort offers 3-4 hour historical hikes throughout the summer to highlight the area’s mining history. These moderately strenuous tours are usually around six miles long start at the Silver Lake Lodge area near Sterling Express Chairlift. There is a $10 fee per person, and reservations are required. There are four tour dates left, July 8, August 12, September 9, and October 14, 2018, with each tour leaving at 8:30 AM. Learn more and make your reservation here.
HISTORIC WALKING TOURS
Historic Walking Tours, offered by the Park City Museum, run Monday-Friday at 2:00 PM throughout the summer (June-August). These one-hour tours along Historic Main Street, encompass information about Park City’s unique history and notable events including the town’s silver mining boom. Tours are $7 per person (or $15 in combination with a museum admission) and recommended for ages 13 and up. Learn more about the tour here.
PARK CITY GHOST TOURS
Park City Ghost Tours offers a unique take on Park City’s history. The tour, which takes place every night throughout the year at 8:00 PM (7:00 PM in the winter months), consists of area ghost stories that have been collected and researched for more than a decade. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children 16 and under and can be purchased from the knowledgeable guides (in costume!) at the beginning of the tour. Tours start from the bronze miner statue. For more information visit Park City Ghost Tour’s website.
HIKING AND BIKING ON YOUR OWN
As you hit the trails this summer and winter – skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, or otherwise – keep your eyes open and you’ll see remnants of Park City’s silver mining history everywhere you look. Statues, mining relics, and historic buildings are scattered around town, and some are accompanied with placards that better outline their stories. It’s fun to imagine the way things were!
