The Perfect 7 Day Park City Itinerary for Families

Give yourself permission to do nothing ambitious on the first afternoon. You’re here for a week—the trails and adventures will wait.

Historic Main Street rewards slow exploration. The galleries change with the seasons, and the mix of local shops—from Dolly’s Bookstore with its tucked-away ice cream counter to the sock shop that somehow always has something the kids need—has a way of filling an afternoon without any real agenda.

The Park City Museum is worth an hour of your first day. It grounds the whole week in context: the silver mining boom, the ski era, the Olympic chapter, and how all of it shaped the town you’re standing in. The basement jail tends to get the most animated reactions from kids. Want a spookier take on Historic Main Street, check out a Ghost Tour! They're family-friendly, of course.

Timing tip: A Sunday arrival unlocks the Park Silly Sunday Market, when Main Street closes to cars and fills with local vendors, food, and live music. Worth timing your trip around if the schedule allows.

This is the day the trip finds its footing. Get outside early and let the trail set the tone for the rest of the week.

Morning Hike

The choice depends on who’s in your group and what kind of morning everyone’s up for.

Bloods Lake is the standout option for families with older kids or anyone who wants a proper mountain experience. The moderate hike moves through aspen groves and open meadows before opening up at a high alpine lake—a natural stopping point for lunch or a long rest. Wildlife sightings, including moose, are common enough to make the approach feel genuinely exploratory. Getting there involves a scenic bus ride up through Empire and Guardsman Pass, with views across Deer Valley and the Heber Valley that are worth the trip on their own. 

Families with younger kids have two solid options closer to town. The Farm Trail at McPolin Barn is paved and stroller-friendly, with open pastoral views and room to wander without much planning. The McPolin Nature Trail branches off from there for a slightly more adventurous unpaved loop. Both connect easily to Park City Transit.

Afternoon

Lunch at Bridge Café on Main Street—the patio sits directly next to the Town Lift—is a good midday anchor. From there, Java Cow’s housemade ice cream is a short walk and a reliable crowd-pleaser.

The Park City MARC outdoor pools are set to reopen in summer 2026 with newly renovated spaces and are accessible by bus from downtown—an easy add-on if the afternoon calls for it. If the weather shifts, the Kamas Recreation Center is the reliable indoor backup. 

Dinner

Maxwell’s in Newpark is a dependable choice for pizza, with live music on Friday evenings at the Newpark Plaza. Versante at Hotel Thaynes is a step up—house-made pastas and a seasonal menu that locals return to regularly.

Morning Ride

Trailside Bike Park is the natural starting point for a family riding day. The layout is forgiving by design—beginner loops and pump tracks for kids building confidence, with Round Valley’s more technical terrain close by for anyone ready to push further. A skate park, playground, and picnic area make it easy to set up a base and let people go at their own pace.

Getting there is part of the experience. Summit Bike Share e-bikes are available from stations around town, and the bus reaches Trailside directly—which means the car can stay parked all day.

Eat your Luna’s lunch at the park, then decide as a group: head back to your hotel to reset, or carry the momentum straight into the afternoon.

Utah Olympic Park

Utah Olympic Park was built as a competition venue for the 2002 Winter Games and has since become one of the most genuinely fun afternoons available in the region. The Alf Engen Ski Museum is a good first stop—interactive enough to hold kids’ attention, and it gives the outdoor activities that follow a richer context.

Plan for a full afternoon and purchase tickets ahead of time. The Gold Pass covers the full range: alpine slide, zip lines, ropes courses, drop tower, tubing. The progression works well for mixed-age groups—there are lower-intensity options for younger kids and progressively more adrenaline-driven ones for older kids and adults. The bobsled ride—with a professional driver on the actual Olympic track—is in a category of its own.

On select Friday and Saturday summer evenings at 6:30 PM, the Flying Ace Aerial Show runs in the aerated pool area. Athletes launch off the ski jumps and land in the water below. It’s the kind of thing that’s hard to explain and easy to remember.

After three active days, the pace shifts naturally. Today is built around water and open space—the kind of day that doesn’t need much structure to feel full.

Swaner Preserve

The Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter is one of the more underrated stops in Park City, and an afternoon visit after a morning on the water is well-timed. The boardwalk trail moves through protected wetlands—quiet, unhurried, and consistently productive for wildlife spotting. The EcoCenter’s exhibits engage kids without competing for attention, and on Sundays, free nature-themed crafts run from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The observation tower at the end of the loop offers a wide view across the preserve that rewards the climb. The preserve sits directly on the transit corridor, so no car is needed.

The Basin Recreation splash pad nearby makes a natural late-afternoon add-on for families with younger kids.

On the Water

Jordanelle Reservoir is the move if you want space. The shoreline is wide, the views looking back toward Deer Valley are impressive, and the water is calm enough for paddleboarding and kayaking alongside swimming. Bring towels, snacks, and no particular agenda. This is the kind of afternoon that earns its time. You'll need a ride share or hotel shuttle to get you there.

For something closer to town with a bit more atmosphere, Pebble Beach at the Deer Valley ponds offers paddleboard rentals and easy lake access. The Deer Valley Grocery Café is steps away for a picnic lunch. On Thursdays in summer, the café runs its Music on the Deck series—good timing if you happen to be there. 

If you’re packing your own picnic, Most delis and cafés near Kimball Junction and downtown can put together a solid spread on the way out.

A full week in Park City means you have room for the experiences that don’t fit a long weekend. Today is that day. Pick a direction based on what your family hasn’t done yet—or what you want more of.

Weber River Rafting

The Weber is a family-friendly float—scenic and mellow with just enough splashy sections to keep things interesting. It’s a completely different gear than the mountain activities, and tends to be a hit across age groups. Half-day trips work well for families with younger kids. 

Horseback Riding

Open meadows, aspen groves, and a slower pace—horseback riding offers a quieter way into the landscape that’s a natural counterpoint to the more adrenaline-forward days earlier in the week. Guided rides are accessible to beginners, and kids take to the experience quickly. 

Fly Fishing

A guided session on the Provo or Weber River is approachable even for first-timers. The guides do the heavy lifting, and the experience is as much about being in the water as it is about what you catch. A good choice for families who want something contemplative after a few high-energy days. [LOCAL COLOR] Add recommended local guide service for family fly fishing.

Evening

Head back to your hotel and give everyone time to decompress. Check the Mountain Town Music schedule—free concerts run on Fridays at Newpark and Saturdays at Miner’s Park through the summer, and this is a natural night to catch one. 

Look for a spot with a patio and a broad menu—somewhere easy and unhurried that matches the pace of the day. Main Street and the Deer Valley base area both have good options for an evening like this.

Today is mountain-focused, and the options are wide open depending on what your crew still has energy for.

Base Area

The Park City Mountain base area has enough to fill a morning on its own: mountain coaster, alpine slide, zip lines, and mini golf. It’s low-pressure and easy for kids to lead—which is sometimes exactly what a day six calls for.

Up the Lift 

For a different experience, take the Crescent chairlift up for scenic ride and explore from elevation. The trail network above the resort is quieter than the base, with views that stretch toward the Uinta Mountains on clear days. You can hike your way down on Jenni's trails, winding through aspen groves and alpine meadows full of wild flowers, or ride the lift back when you’re ready.

Mountain Biking

Bike haul tickets let you take your bike up the lift for quick laps, or you can link trails from the base for a longer, more earned ride. When hunger hits, route yourself over to Silver Star Café via the Silver Spur connection—a mellow traverse that makes the lunch stop part of the ride rather than a detour. Armstrong Trail is the natural next move after eating: steady climb, shaded tree cover, and a path that works equally well on foot or wheels.

Morning

Five5eeds or Harvest is the right call for a final breakfast—a local favorite with great coffee, fresh seasonal plates, and the kind of easy, unhurried vibe that makes you want to linger. It’s a good place to let the week settle before you pack up.

After eating, pick up Summit Bike Share e-bikes and head out on the paved paths toward Willow Creek Park. The route passes beaver ponds, public art installations, and open space—a quiet, low-effort version of everything the week has been about. Willow Creek has an all-abilities playground that gives younger kids one last chance to run before the drive home. Summit Bike Share e-bikes are for adults. So, you'll want to rent kids' bikes from one of the many bike shops in Park City.

A few things to keep in mind as you plan your trip:

Events to Know About

Park City’s summer event calendar fills in quickly. A few worth building around:

• Park Silly Sunday Market: Main Street closes to cars; local vendors, food, and live music fill the street.
• Fourth of July: Annual parade on Main Street plus Forum Fest at Canyons Village
• Live music: Deer Valley Concert Series, Canyons Village Music on the Slopes, and Mountain Town Music free concerts (Fridays at Newpark, Saturdays at Miner’s Park).

Check the Park City event calendar ahead of time to see what lines up with your week.

Getting Around

Park City’s free transit system makes it easy to get around without relying on a car, especially between Main Street, Kimball Junction, and the resorts. You’ll also see Summit Bike Share stations around town, which are great for short rides, and High Valley Transit if you’re coming from or heading toward the broader Wasatch Back area.

Where to Stay

Stay in an area that makes it easier to move through the day without feeling rushed. Canyons Village, Kimball Junction, and Deer Valley all offer convenient access to trails, dining, and activities.

Family-friendly options include the Waldorf Astoria Park City, Pendry Park City, Grand Summit, Newpark Resort, Montage Deer Valley, and Marriott’s Mountainside.

Where to Eat as a Family in Park City

A week in Park City is enough time to build a short list of places you’ll return to. Main Street covers the broadest range—from casual lunch spots to dinner destinations with outdoor patios and live music. Kimball Junction and the Deer Valley base area round out the options for days when you’re farther from downtown.

The farmers market (when it’s running) is worth a morning stop for picnic supplies. Most delis and cafés near the resort villages open early and can put together a solid spread for days when you’re heading straight to the trail or the lake.

Keep it Flexible

Seven days is a guide, not a contract. Some days will move slowly by design. Others will surprise you. Leave room for both. For more fun ideas and inspiration, check out more stories on the Visit Park City blog!