How to Experience Park City, UT Like a Local

view of park city, ut from above at night

Park City is one of the most beautiful and exciting places to visit or live in Utah. It’s got gorgeous scenery, a vibrant culture, and plenty of fun things to do no matter what interests you have.

Are you a young professional looking to kick back and meet new people? Someone looking for a variety of entertainment options? An outdoor enthusiast, a foodie, or a master angler?

There are amazing things to do in Park City for all of the above and more. In this guide to Park City, Utah, we’re going to go over five of the best things to do in Park City so that you can experience the city like a local.

1. Explore The Great Outdoors

Nature lovers everywhere will love Park City, especially since there are incredible outdoor adventures to be had in every season of the year.

You can check out Rockport State Park, where you can explore the gorgeous Rockport Reservoir by boating, water skiing, tubing, wake boarding, paddle boarding, and kayaking. While you’re on the water, try your hand fishing for trout and bass, and see what you catch! In the winter, experience ice fishing at its finest.

If you’re looking for something even more adventurous, you’ll need to visit Utah Olympic Park, which is found in Park City. Adrenaline junkies will love the zip line, extreme tubing, and bobsled rides, which allow you to experience a thrill while seeing some beautiful scenery.

There are several other state parks close by, too, so there’s plenty to explore when you’re looking to take in Utah’s breathtaking views. You can see a full list here.

2. Check Out Local Events

Park City has an active community that regularly hosts fun, diverse local events. They have everything from concerts to drive-in movies to community fairs, offering different events for everyone. You can challenge yourself in a local marathon, show off your latest and greatest artwork, and laugh until your sides hurt watching comedy shows.

There’s always something to do at Park City, which can be a ton of fun whether you’re just visiting and wanting to experience the city’s culture or you’re moving and looking to meet new people. You can find an up-to-date list of local events hosted by the city here.

3. Have an Incredible Meal on Main Street

Visit Historic Park City by taking a stroll down Main Street, which is found in the heart of Park City. Main Street is packed with shops including boutiques, fine jewelers, bookstores, and sports stores, but the food is the highlight of the area.

While there are plenty of restaurants to choose from (many of which serve lunch and dinner), here are a few of the most popular restaurants on Main Street to consider:

  • Handle, which sources local ingredients to make American dishes that may as well be artwork.
  • Grappa, which serves authentic rustic Italian cuisine and offers an incredible wine list.
  • 350 Main, which has diverse seafood dishes inspired by cuisines from all over the world; if you want to order harissa hummus and cauliflower before diving into rare tuna with a lavender-saffron vinaigrette, this is the place to go.
  • Bangkok Thai on Main, which has authentic dishes created by the executive chef who is actually native to Bangkok, and has lunch, dinner, and an expansive wine list.

You can see a full list of current restaurants in Main Street’s directory here so you can see what strikes your fancy (and your cravings!).

4. Check Out the Local Nightlife

If you’re looking for things to do in Park City, you should check out the local nightlife.

There are plenty of incredible bars in the area, so whether you want to have a relaxing night out with friends or go for a pub crawl, the choice is yours!

Stop in at the High West Distillery to see how they make whiskey, enjoy cocktails and live music at The Cabin, or try craft beers made in-house at Wasatch Brew Pub.

If you’re looking for something a little different, check out live music venue and speakeasy-styled cocktail lounge O.P Rockwell or see incredible performances at the Park City Live venue.

5. Stargazing

Park City, Utah has unbelievable stargazing opportunities. Even if you don’t think it’s your thing, trust us; this is an experience you absolutely don’t want to miss.

Thanks to its relative isolation from major cities and clean mountain air, Park City’s outdoor parks can give you an outstanding look at the night sky that you won’t find in many other places in the US today. Take a drive up into the mountains, a little away from everyone else, and find a spot to park. Bring some blankets because it can get chilly quick, and relax while you see stars and constellations sparkling in the night sky. Keep in mind that it’ll take about 30-45 minutes for your eyes to adjust, so turn off all the lights that you can so you can take in what you’re seeing to the fullest.

Become a Park City Local

Park City is a gorgeous city with an abundance of things to do, no matter what you like to do or what you’re interested in. Whether you want to take on the outdoors, kick back and enjoy some great food, or attend local events, Park City should be on the top of your must-visit list or places to move. Start browsing Park City homes here.

There’s always something going on, and with such incredible scenery, it’s a stunning place to visit and explore. You can’t ask for more than that!

Interested in relocating to Park City, Utah? Take a look at what to expect from Utah’s housing market in the coming months here.