Top 10 Things to Do in Park City During the Summer

Summer is a great time to visit Park City.  While the summer sun scorches lower elevations, the alpine climate in this mountain retreat can easily be 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the Salt Lake Valley. Add amazing attractions and sumptuous lodging, and you have the makings of an unforgettable summer getaway. A common local saying is, “I came for the winter but stayed for the summer.” Here’s a list of our favorite things to do during the summer months.

1. Savor Wine & Cheese at a Free Wednesday Night Deer Valley Concert

There are amazing free concerts on nearly every day of the week each summer. On Wednesday nights, that means an outdoor experience at the Deer Valley Resort Amphitheater. While the music itself is more than enough reason to stop by, the real treat comes in bringing along a picnic basket or cooler full of wine and cheese, or whatever your preference, to accompany your outing. Bringing in your own food and alcohol is completely acceptable.

Pack in your own blanket and basket for a scrumptious feast and fantastic entertainment. Or, if you don’t want the hassle of preparing your own meal, Deer Valley offers their own baskets. Just make sure to make arrangements ahead of time.

2. Brunch or Dinner at Silver Star Café

Locals love Silver Star Café. Stop in on any given day, and you are likely to find the place full of locals and visitors in the know. Offering a surprisingly diverse menu, including a pretty great selection of wood-fired pizzas, the café’s popularity is well-deserved. Brunch and dinner on the patio are the highlights. On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, enjoy an intimate live music show to go with your fare. We named Silver Star Café our Staff Pick for “local secret”. This awesome spot was even featured on an episode of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.

3. Hike Armstrong Trail

The Armstrong Trail pairs perfectly with #1, brunch or dinner at the Silver Star Cafe, and is one of the city’s most popular trails. Starting at the Silver Star Cafe and Silver Star chairlift, Armstrong Trail takes hikers up the mountain for some gorgeous views of town. The first leg of the trail has a serious elevation gain and fantastic views of town. As it reaches a flatter stretch, the trail dips into the trees for a lovely forested experience. The covered nature of the trail’s latter portions keeps the hike from becoming a sweaty, dusty, oppressive mess in the direct sun, which makes it perfect for tackling in the height of summer.

4. Go for a “Last Friday” Gallery Stroll

Downtown Park City is stuffed with stunning art galleries. From traditional art to photography, sculpture to mixed media, you’ll find a bit of everything along Main Street. On the last Friday of each month from 6 – 9 pm throughout the summer, over 20 art galleries open their doors to a free community “Last Friday” Gallery Stroll, complete with light refreshments. Most of the galleries are within walking distance of one another, so wander as you delight in the diverse gallery scene.

5. Get Active at Utah Olympic Park

A collection of Olympic venues perches above the Kimball Junction area of Park City. Built for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, these fantastic facilities are now available for public enjoyment. The bobsled runs even with no snow on the ground. The huge Nordic ski jumps are used for zip lines and unbelievable tubing rides. Ropes courses present a number of challenges for both strength and dexterity. Or, if you aren’t in the mood for athletics of your own, watch everything going on or take in any of the exhibits at the free on-site museums.

6. Get Silly at the Park Silly Sunday Market

Each weekend, Main Street transforms into a spectacle of food, art, craft goods, performances, and costumes. Tents and stalls line the street, up and down. Everyone goes all out. You will find some of the area’s best art, music, food, and local goods each Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some of the market’s most popular attractions include a killer lobster roll—featuring lobster flown in from the East coast—and some out-of-this-world bloody Marys. There is plenty to keep you entertained the whole afternoon, and the lineup changes frequently.

7. Bike the Mid-Mountain Trail

One of Park City’s most famous, versatile, and enjoyable trails offers 28 miles of exceptional biking. There are plenty of ways to get into this fantastic trail system. You can pedal up from Park City Mountain, take the PayDay chairlift, or start at the Mid-Mountain Trail over in Deer Valley. Our trails page has more information on ways to enjoy this ride.

8. Indulge Yourself at World-Class Spas

Those looking to spoil themselves are spoiled for choice in Park City. Services offered range from couples massages to Ayurvedic treatments to more esoteric techniques. There are exceptional spas at Montage Deer Valley, Waldorf Astoria Park City, Hotel Park City, St. Regis Deer Valley, Main & SKY, and more. To go with your relaxation, try a yoga lesson at Park City Yoga Studio or The Shop. Your spirit will thank you just as much as your body.

9. Zip and Slide Around Park City

There are plenty of exciting downhill rides all over Park City. Park City Mountain Base Area features an alpine slide and alpine coaster, both of them racing down the hills above the downtown area. Canyons Village is home to an exhilarating zip line.

Meanwhile, back at Utah Olympic Park, you can find another alpine slide and a different zip line. When it comes to high-speed, gravity-driven fun, Park City has you covered.

10. Thursday Night Newpark Amphitheater

Another of Park City’s free summer concert series, Mountain Town Music at Newpark Amphitheater, has a full schedule of rock, bluegrass, and Americana planned for your Thursday evenings. The performances take place at a charming outdoor amphitheater in the Redstone area of Kimball Junction, right against the Swaner Nature Preserve. Take in the concert, then go for a relaxing nature walk along the preserve.

Bonus: Eat and Drink Your Way Across Town

It is no secret that Park City is home to some incredible bars and restaurants. Sushi, American, Mexican, steakhouses, pizza joints, and Irish pubs all litter the streets and byways around town. Distilleries, dives, upscale wine bars, and more cater to your thirst. Our How To pages are filled with scores of suggestions for days of gustatory indulgence.