While Park City is world-renowned for its abundant options for outdoor recreation, this mountain town also offers a vibrant arts and culture scene. Cultural attractions in Park City include galleries dotting Main Street to famous festivals (Sundance takes over the town each January!), but there are a number of artistic gems you can explore year-round as well.
Where to Stay:
Rest your head at the award-winning Waldorf Astoria Park City, located in the Canyons Village. This resort features gorgeous accommodations, a heated pool, and easy access to all that the surrounding mountains have to offer. Before you hit the Arts Trail, enjoy breakfast at Powder, the resort’s on-site restaurant serving upscale, mountain-inspired cuisine.
Plan Your Day:
Set out on Poison Creek Trail, a portion of Park City’s Rail Trail, a recreational 28-mile trail that follows abandoned Union Pacific railroad lines. While this trail is often used by bikes, runners and walkers, there are also a surprisingly high number of public art exhibits along the way that you just might miss if you’re simply out getting some exercise.
As you stroll down the paved path from downtown, you’ll encounter the “Life of Ontario” mural inside an underpass, which depicts Park City’s mining history in cartoon form. Keep walking, and you’ll find the “A Sacred Community” tunnel mural, created by the 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.
As you continue walking down the Poison Creek trail, and you’ll discover an interactive Sound Garden, which features several musical instruments that you can play around with — making it a perfect spot to explore with children. Just beyond the Sound Garden, you’ll encounter a metallic school of fish, featuring whimsical fish sculptures made out of recycled materials.
Then, head up to Main Street for a gallery stroll. With 19 galleries to visit, the options are nearly endless. We recommend Bret Webster Images, where you’ll find exquisite images of nature that the gallery’s namesake photographer has taken in the Western U.S. and beyond. Gallery MAR is also a must-see, with intriguing multimedia works from a number of fine artists, both local and national.
For lunch, stop by Harvest Café to dine alfresco on fresh, flavorful Aussie cuisine while overlooking Park Avenue. The breakfast and lunch spot offers light bites like homemade muesli to heartier fare like a sweet potato stack topped with a fried egg.
Whether you’re an aspiring artist or haven’t picked up a paintbrush since third grade, taking a class at the Kimball Arts Center is a fun and interactive way to pass an afternoon. From pottery to abstract painting, they have a jam-packed schedule full of classes from covering a wide range of media, skill levels, time commitments, and prices.
Cap off your day with a live concert at the Dejoria Center, a world-class concert venue on a 1,100-acre working ranch, located just 16 miles outside Park City proper. Grab a blanket, order some snacks and drinks from the State Road Tavern and Restaurant, and enjoy a memorable evening with live music and breathtaking views under the stars.
*Note: We know this day is jam-packed! While it may not be totally realistic to fit all of these activities into 24 hours, we simply wanted to give a sampling of what our mountain town has to offer. Pack it all in, or spread it out — we want you to make your visit your own!