Sometimes it’s just nice to be somewhere else. Everything you need for the perfect vacation is closer than you think. Escape into the mountains and take it easy in Park City!
Maybe it’s a night of drinks on Main Street followed by a nice stroll back to Silver King. Or maybe it’s a full day of hiking followed by dinner with 10 of your closest friends in our one of The Caledonian’s Main Street units. Whatever you choose, Forget your worries-indulge yourself in some hard-earned rest and relaxation. You deserve it!
Your Home Away From Home
The “stay” in your Park City staycation is just as important as the “cation.” Your home away from home sets the tone for your experience. If you want to spend most of your time out on the trails or shopping up a storm, consider a cozy studio or a compact condominium. If you want to lounge in luxury, spending your “me time” around the house, book yourself a large vacation home with all the comforts like our Three Kings Condominiums vacation rentals offers.
As a world-class vacation destination, Park City has lodging for every taste. Make sure to browse all the options and select the perfect staycation destination.
Stay In This Gorgeous Property »
Pillow Fort
A staycation is the perfect time to indulge your inner child. Is there anything that children love more than a pillow fort? Pile up the cushions and bring out the blankets! Construct a castle of comfort in your living room (or bedroom) and hunker down for a movie night-just remember to put it all back. Our housekeepers would appreciate it! Pop plenty of corn and get cozy.
Rediscover a childhood favorite in a fortress of nostalgia or put your upholstered fortifications to work protecting yourself from a scary horror flick. With no parents to tell you to go to bed, you can even make it a double feature! Put your fort to the ultimate test and spend the whole night there. Makeovers and games of truth or dare are optional.
Pillow forts are great for rainy days, too. If clouds darken the skies and you’re looking for something else to do, try our rainy day activities blog for a few ideas.
Get Outside
There’s a world of excitement to explore around Park City. Even though this is a staycation, going out to enjoy the sights is a fantastic idea. Make sure to get the whole tourist experience.
Take the trolley up Main Street, grab a selfie with a Banksy, or take a scenic lift ride.
Craving something a little more active? There are hundreds of miles of trails criss-crossing the area. Slip on your hiking boots or strap on your bike helmet and take to the wilderness. There are hikes and rides for outdoor enthusiasts of every skill level. You can walk a paved trail along a mountain brook or ride a grueling back-country tour.
Whatever form of outdoor fun you prefer, it’s important to take a step back from the modern grind to appreciate the beauty of nature and fill your lungs with the pure mountain air.
Adventure Mode
Things can get even more exciting in the great outdoors. Did you know that Park City is home to year-round bobsled rides? You can race at blinding speeds down a real Olympic bobsled course, even in the middle of July!
There are also zip lines, tubing hills, alpine slides, and alpine coasters to ride. There’s no shortage of high-speed thrills for the budding adrenaline junkie.
Park City is also located right next to the Jordanelle Reservoir. Watersports are very popular among locals and tourists alike. Head over to the lake and hop on a jet ski, strap into a parasailing harness, or indulge in some alpine angling. There’s nothing more iconic than a waterfront cookout in the middle of your summer.
You want to know the best part? All of those activities are only a sample of the summer fun on offer across Park City.
A Very Special Meal
Celebrate the good life with a good meal. Your Park City staycation wouldn’t be complete without a special dinner to mark the occasion. Park City is home to a dazzling selection of spectacular restaurants. You could eat well for weeks exploring Main Street alone. It’s easy to find an unforgettable dining experience, whether you want a romantic meal for two or a boisterous culinary celebration with friends. If you’re more of a morning person, try Park City’s breakfast hotspots.
Restaurants aren’t the only option, however. Many of our condos, townhomes, and vacation residences come equipped with full kitchens. You can just as easily whip up a masterpiece in the comfort of your home away from home-sharing a home-cooked feast to remember.
Shop Till You Drop
While you’re here, how about a little retail therapy? Park City has a great shopping scene.
Main Street is famous for its cute boutiques and excellent galleries. You could take home a one-of-a-kind treasure like a hand-forged knife or a striking painting. Or you could add a local creation to your wardrobe that will help you remember your staycation every time you put it on.
The Redstone district in Kimball Junction has a nice mix of local retailers and national brands- the perfect place to browse if you need to pick up some functional necessities while you shop for souvenirs.
And bargain-hunters love Outlets Park City. With more than 50 brand outlet stores ranging from Banana Republic to Bath & Body Works, there is a deal for everyone.
Pool Time
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, the pool is the place to be in Park City! Most condominium properties in town have access to a pool. Ranging from seasonal to year-round, indoor to outdoor (sometimes both), there’s plenty of pools to choose from. Nothing says, “I’m on vacation” like an afternoon lounging by the pool.
Make sure to take a dip, splash around, and swim some laps. But you can also just put on a podcast and work on your tan or air-dry while watching the kids. Remember, you’re enjoying a staycation-take it slow and relax.
Spa Day
Take your relaxation even further with a spa day. Align mind and body with a day of peaceful self-care. Park City has no shortage of excellent, full-service spas that are ready to help you on your journey to mindfulness. But they aren’t your only option.
You can make your own spa day! Schedule a relaxing bath with a glass of wine. Kick it up a notch and book a vacation rental with a private hot tub! Bring your candle-warmer and your most soothing playlist for some meditation. You might even consider calling for an in-room massage to work out the knots in your muscles. If you pack your mat along, you can finish up with some relaxing living-room yoga. Namaste!
Unplug
An important part of any staycation is getting away from the day-to-day concerns of mundane life. In a 24/7, interconnected world, that can be tough. Make sure to step back from social media, silence that phone, and ignore those work emails. You’re staycationing. All of those niggling digital influences can take a hike for a few days.
Your Park City staycation is about you. Turn off the notifications and let yourself exist in the moment. The world will still be there when you get back. Until then, cut loose and relax. Remember: you deserve this.
Note: This post was originally posted on 6/29/2020. Last revised on 8/5/2021.
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One of the coolest things about Park City is our totally free, full-coverage Park City transportation system. While you’re in town, skip the Ubers and Lyfts, forget the rental cars and traffic jams, and take advantage of our amazing mass-transit system.
As of July 1, 2021, the Park City transportation system is getting even better. Our beautiful town is now served by two cooperating districts-Park City Transit and the new High Valley Transit system. Find out how our transportation system is changing to better serve riders from Kimball Junction to Main Street.
Two Systems, One Town
Park City Transit has been providing fare-free public transportation in the Park City area since 1975. From the Main Street trolley to the new electric buses bringing guests in from the Kimball Junction Park & Ride, their vehicles are a regular sight in almost every corner of town.
A Park City Transit Bus Carrying Two Mountain Bikes // source: parkcity.org
But Park City is a growing town. To better serve our community and the surrounding towns in Summit County, it is crucial to address our flourishing population with an expanded transit system.
High Valley Transit was created to do just that. This new transit service will serve the larger Summit Valley community, connecting to Park City Transit’s services at regional hubs while serving satellite communities like Snyderville, Kimball Junction, Jeremy Ranch, Hideout, and Kamas. Instead of stretching resources across a vast area, the creation of High Valley Transit lets each service focus on specific needs in the area.
Services and Service Areas
That’s all well and good, but what does that actually mean for visitors and residents in the Park City area? It means you can get a ride to exactly where you want to go from just about any part of the greater Park City area. Both Park City Transit and High Valley Transit will provide a combination of fixed bus lines and on-demand vehicle service supplemented by ADA ride programs.
Buses
Buses are the centerpiece of the transit program, and they always have been. Both services will run five to six route lines. Park City Transit will operate multiple loops in the downtown area, Prospector Square, and Deer Valley. High Valley Transit will run loops through Kimball Junction and Canyons Village. They will also offer a commuter shuttle to outlying communities. In addition to those focused, circular routes, both will run a bus all the way from Deer Valley to Kimball Junction. Remember, all those buses are free!
The lynchpins of those longer routes are the four area transit centers-located at Old Town, Park City Mountain, Canyons Village, and Kimball Junction. Jump onto either route, and you’ll be able to cruise the entire length of Highway 224, Park Ave, and Deer Valley Dr. If you hop off one bus at the transit center, you can jump onto the other line to connect to your desired destination.
On-Demand Rides vs. Micro Rides
It just isn’t possible to get a bus onto every street in Park City and the Snyderville Basin. Park City Transit just calls it On-Demand. High Valley Transit calls it Micro. Whatever they call it, what it means is that you can ask for a driver to pick you up. Within fifteen minutes, a driver shows up in a van to whisk you away to your destination.
Micro rides are booked through the High Valley Transit app. On any day of the week, log into the High Valley Transit app-which requires confirming your phone number and allowing the app access to your location data-and choose your pickup and dropoff locations. It is as easy as dropping a pair of pins on an interactive map. Confirm the number of passengers you’re booking for. The app will tell you when and where to meet the driver. You can go anywhere in the service area, from Summit Park to Snyderville and beyond. That is a lot of space. Wait times are short, and you’ll never have to walk far to meet the van.
Download the app for Android »
A Rider Scheduling a Micro Ride // image credit: High Valley Transit
On-Demand service can be scheduled by phone by calling 435-640-7819. Service is available to and from a selection of stops within Park City itself. That includes destinations like the Old Town transit center, the National Ability Center, Ice Arena, and the hospital. It isn’t quite as flexible as Micro, but it covers all those edge cases where you can’t just hop on one of the many buses making the rounds of the downtown area.
Routes and Schedules
Now that you’ve got a handle on the what, the where, and the how much (which is always $0), let’s talk about the when.
All of these buses and vans run every day. Some of them run very late. Micro is only offline for about four hours per day. Routes typically run almost until midnight (though there are exceptions). The transit system is there for you pretty much all the time. And buses frequently run within those hours. Most are on either a 15 or 30-minute interval, and extra buses are available during the winter for even faster rides.
It would be impossible for us to keep up with every scheduling or route change between Park City Transit and High Valley Transit. For specific information about your Park City transportation needs, make sure to consult them directly.
Park City Transit has an interactive bus tracker and route map. For High Valley Transit, make sure to download their app (linked above) for the latest info.
Learn More
Click here to visit Park City Transit’s website and click here for High Valley Transit. for Park City Transit or for High Valley Transit.
Now, Where to Stay?
Now that you know how to move around town, you’re better equipped than ever to pick the perfect lodging for your next stay. Pick a condo, townhome, or vacation home that is right on the bus route or within the on-demand service area of either transit district. All Seasons Resort Lodging has the lodging you need with easy access to Park City’s amazing free public transportation system.
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Discover the best annual Santa Fe summer events for a season of markets, festivals, and fiestas.
Santa Fe summer events explore a rich heritage of Southwest culture. From acclaimed markets to hallowed local traditions, there is something fun to discover almost every weekend during a summer stay in The City Different. These are our picks for “must see” Santa Fe summer events. You won’t want to miss a single one.
3. International Folk Art Market
8. Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta
1. Rodeo de Santa Fe
Just as the summer starts in earnest, it’s time for the annual Rodeo de Santa Fe. The American West has a powerful association with the hard-riding, quick-roping cowboy tradition. And it’s all on display right here. The spirit of the Old West fills the rodeo grounds outside Santa Fe with bronco-busting, bull-riding, dirt-flinging excitement. Throw in plenty of carnival rides and a smorgasbord of food stalls, and you have the recipe for a rip-roaring rodeo of epic proportions.
Date: June 23-26, 2021
Location: Santa Fe Rodeo Grounds
Price: $17
Phone: (505) 471-4300
Website: https://rodeodesantafe.org/
2. 4th of July
Santa Fe loves America’s birthday. The most important meal of the day gets special treatment on Independence Day with Pancakes in the Plaza. You’ll find more than just flapjacks in the square on July 4. Classic cars, local art, and live music are on display for spectators to enjoy. And that’s just the start of the day.
Later, stop by the fireworks show. The festivities actually start several hours before the show, with live bands, food trucks, bounce houses, and all sorts of patriotic displays. Once the sun goes down, stay on for the main event. The fireworks show is the best in the state, with rich colors blooming over the desert landscape in a darkened sky.
Date: July 4, 2021
Location: Santa Fe Plaza
Price: $10
Phone: (505) 470-0534
Website: https://www.pancakesontheplaza.com
3. International Folk Art Market
There’s a funny story behind the first of Santa Fe’s famous summer art markets. It was originally slated to be a one-off event back in 2004. It was such a smashing success that it has become part of the fabric of Santa Fe’s summer event schedule.
The market is a rich and colorful celebration of traditional arts from around the world. Honoring more than just the multicultural heritage of Santa Fe itself, this is a global event representing hand-made wares and arts from more than 100 nations. There is no better place to discover a new passion, connect with global traditions, and explore the works of master artisans.
More than just a market, each year’s schedule also includes a parade of artists, live folk music and dancing, lectures, and other outreach efforts. For two weeks of the year, Santa Fe becomes the crossroads of the world-a place where everyone can enjoy a community of skilled craftspeople from around the globe.
Date: July 7-18, 2021
Location: Milner Plaza at Museum Hill and 620 Cerrillos Rd
Price: $20 for admission, $85 for early-bird market, $250 for opening night party
Phone: (505) 992-7600
Website: https://www.folkartalliance.org/
4. Traditional Spanish Market
There’s a funny story behind the first of Santa Fe’s famous summer art markets. It was originally slated to be a one-off event back in 2004. It was such a smashing success that it has become part of the fabric of Santa Fe’s summer event schedule.
The market is a rich and colorful celebration of traditional arts from around the world. Honoring more than just the multicultural heritage of Santa Fe itself, this is a global event representing hand-made wares and arts from more than 100 nations. There is no better place to discover a new passion, connect with global traditions, and explore the works of master artisans.
More than just a market, each year’s schedule also includes a parade of artists, live folk music and dancing, lectures, and other outreach efforts. For two weeks of the year, Santa Fe becomes the crossroads of the world-a place where everyone can enjoy a community of skilled craftspeople from around the globe.
Date: July 7-18, 2021
Location: Milner Plaza at Museum Hill and 620 Cerrillos Rd
Price: $20 for admission, $85 for early-bird market, $250 for opening night party
Phone: (505) 992-7600
Website: https://www.folkartalliance.org/
5. Indian Market
There’s a funny story behind the first of Santa Fe’s famous summer art markets. It was originally slated to be a one-off event back in 2004. It was such a smashing success that it has become part of the fabric of Santa Fe’s summer event schedule.
The market is a rich and colorful celebration of traditional arts from around the world. Honoring more than just the multicultural heritage of Santa Fe itself, this is a global event representing hand-made wares and arts from more than 100 nations. There is no better place to discover a new passion, connect with global traditions, and explore the works of master artisans.
More than just a market, each year’s schedule also includes a parade of artists, live folk music and dancing, lectures, and other outreach efforts. For two weeks of the year, Santa Fe becomes the crossroads of the world-a place where everyone can enjoy a community of skilled craftspeople from around the globe.
Date: July 7-18, 2021
Location: Milner Plaza at Museum Hill and 620 Cerrillos Rd
Price: $20 for admission, $85 for early-bird market, $250 for opening night party
Phone: (505) 992-7600
Website: https://www.folkartalliance.org/
6. The Burning of Zozobra
The annual burning of Old Man Gloom is one of Santa Fe’s most unusual traditions. Before fall approaches, a 50-foot marionette effigy erupts in flames, filled with tens of thousands of “glooms” submitted by the community. For almost 100 years, this massive inferno has consumed our problems and filled the night with grand spectacle.
What started as a 1924 event at an artists gathering has become a season-defining oddity that raises funds for the local Kiwanis Club and children’s charities. It has developed over the decades to become an almost ritual event involving a fire dance, a raucous celebration, and the burning of the effigy itself. Come fill Zozobra with your own gloom-divorce papers, pink slips, bad reviews, or whatever you please-or just dance and shout as Old Man Gloom goes up in flames. This is a unique event you won’t find anywhere else, and one that everyone should experience at least once.
Date: September 3, 2021
Location: Fort Marcy Park
Price: $10
Phone: (855) 969-6272
Website: https://burnzozobra.com/
7. Fiesta de Santa Fe
The Fiesta is one of Santa Fe’s oldest celebrations. For more than 300 years, the City of Santa Fe takes to the plaza to celebrate its unique culture and achievements. The Fiesta Council signed a proclamation in 1712 declaring an annual celebration of the reconquest of New Mexico in 1692. Since then, this September festival has been a time of special significance for the denizens of The City Different, in one shape or another.
In fact, the Fiesta has had its share of ups and downs over the years, with the meaning of the celebration shifting over time to become a general celebration of Southwest heritage rather than a glorification of Spanish conquest. Two of the events already mentioned here, The Spanish Market and Zozobra, both spun off from the Fiesta over one disagreement or another.
In modern times, the event includes parades, an art market, delicious food, music and dancing, pageantry, and religious observance. It is one of the biggest parties of the year in Santa Fe, taking place each year on the weekend after Labor Day. Stop by and get the true Santa Fe experience during this centuries-long celebration.
Date: September 10-12, 2021
Location: Santa Fe Plaza
Price: Free
Phone: (505) 470-6325
Website: https://www.santafefiesta.org/
8. Wine and Chile Fiesta
For five days each September, you are invited to enjoy the unique food and wine culture of New Mexico in this celebration of culinary excellence. More than 75 local restaurants and wineries partner to bring you the best in the Southwest. Events include dinners and luncheons, tastings, seminars, demonstrations, and cooking lessons. If you want to see what dining is all about in Santa Fe, this is the best place to start.
Date: September 10-12, 2021
Location: Santa Fe Plaza
Price: Free
Phone: (505) 470-6325
Website: https://www.santafefiesta.org/
Santa Fe Lodging For Every Event
You may have noticed that almost all of Santa Fe’s biggest events take place on or near Santa Fe Plaza. Fort Marcy Hotel Suites is located within walking distance of the plaza, just five blocks away. Nine acres of landscaped grounds and dozens of traditional adobe condos will serve as your home away from home whether you are here for a quiet summer getaway or a major Santa Fe summer event. Book today and you’ll be ready for every market, fiesta, or festival the City Different has to offer.
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Try these 5 rainy day activities in Park City when the clouds threaten to literally rain on your parade.
Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate with your vacation plans. That’s okay!
While Park City has a reputation as an outdoor playground, that doesn’t mean adventure is cancelled when the skies turn gray. Whether it’s raining cats and dogs or just sprinkling, try these five rainy day activities in Park City for guaranteed indoor fun.
Let’s get to it.
1. Action Sports at Woodward Park City. 2. Catch a Show at the Egyptian Theatre. 3. Take a Factory Tour at Ritual Chocolate or High West Distillery. 4. Make it a Mindful Day. 5. Take a Gallery Stroll (With an Umbrella)
1. Action Sports Hub at Woodward Park City
Image Credit // Woodward Park City
Image Credit // Woodward Park City
If you don’t want to miss out on active fun while it rains and pours outside, the Action Sports Hub at Woodward Park City is as close as you can come to the great outdoors while indoors.
They have facilities for skateboards, BMX, inline skating, trampolining, parkour, and more. It’s the perfect place to catch big air, whether it’s off a ramp or into a foam pit.
And they have tons of air to spare, spanning 66,000 square feet-every single one of them carefully designed to thrill even the most dedicated adrenaline junkie.
The indoor park is open all 365 days of the year. Stop by their website to book a 90-minute session of high-flying indoor fun.
If you’re interested in staying close to the action, All Seasons Resort Lodging offers a variety of vacation homes and condos in the Kimball Junction area, just a couple of minutes from Woodward Park City.
2. Catch a Show at the Egyptian Theatre
Image Credit // Egyptian Theatre via Flickr
Image Credit // Egyptian Theatre via Flickr
If you don’t want to miss out on active fun while it rains and pours outside, the Action Sports Hub at Woodward Park City is as close as you can come to the great outdoors while indoors.
They have facilities for skateboards, BMX, inline skating, trampolining, parkour, and more. It’s the perfect place to catch big air, whether it’s off a ramp or into a foam pit.
And they have tons of air to spare, spanning 66,000 square feet-every single one of them carefully designed to thrill even the most dedicated adrenaline junkie.
The indoor park is open all 365 days of the year. Stop by their website to book a 90-minute session of high-flying indoor fun.
3. Take a Factory Tour at Ritual Chocolate or High West Distillery
There’s more to Park City than skiing and mountain biking. We’re a community full of industrious creators and innovators, too.
The Park City area is home to more than a few factories and workshops. Two of the most delicious production centers in town offer factory tours.
Ritual Chocolate
Ritual Chocolate will let you into their Heber operation to see where the magic happens. Watch beans become bars and taste the fruits of their aromatic labors afterward.
Their 7-step process combines old word and modern techniques to create some of the smoothest most flavorful chocolate you’ve ever had.
Image Credit // Ritual Chocolate
Image Credit // @drinkhighwest
High West Distillery
If your party consists of adults over 21, you can head over and take a look inside High West Distillery.
Get up close and personal with the copper stills in the first legal whisky operation to open in the state of Utah after the end of prohibition.
The complimentary tour will take you through the whole process, from mash to cask, ending with an optional tasting flight (but let’s be honest-would you be here if you didn’t want a taste?).
4. Make it a Mindful Day
When the weather turns inclement, it’s a great time to turn inward and care for yourself. Take the time to pamper yourself while you wait for the skies to clear.
While you could just stay in bed and listen to the white noise of the droplets against your window, you might want to head for the spa, instead. Park City is home to a plethora of full-service spas offering luxurious self-care of every sort. Hot stones, wraps, massages, mud baths, and more esoteric treatments will whisk you away to a world of relaxation.
A trip to the spa isn’t the only way to practice mindfulness. Yoga is a perfect way to unwind and focus both body and mind. Park City has plenty of studios to choose from, spanning classes from vinyasa to hot yoga.
If that all sounds like too much work, practice your preferred style of meditation right in the comfort of your own home-away-from-home after a warm bubble bath. Sometimes you just need to take a day off. You’re worth it.
5. Take a Gallery Stroll (With an Umbrella)
This one cheats just a little bit. You will need an umbrella to stay dry between galleries.
Main Street is home to several dozen galleries covering every conceivable medium. It is easy to spend the entire day admiring beautiful paintings, sculptures, photographs, and other artistic treasures.
Sure, you might have to step out into the elements for a few moments as you move from gallery to gallery, but you’ll spend the bulk of your time thoughtfully considering one piece after another. You might even fall in love and end up bringing a new piece home as a souvenir.
If it happens to rain on the last Friday of the month, make sure to join the Last Friday Gallery Stroll. You’ll be able to group up with kindred spirits and gain the benefit of some extra local expertise on a guided tour of Park City’s exciting gallery scene.
BOOK A PARK CITY VACATION RENTAL TODAY
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There is more to a Park City winter than skiing. Downhill skiing and snowboarding are a lot of fun, but variety is the spice of life. We like to keep our winters spicy by exploring the many outdoor winter activities in Park City. Try some of these non-skiing outdoor Park City activities when you want a change of pace.
Tubing
Instead of gliding down the mountainside on skis or a snowboard, try rocketing down the slope in a huge, inflatable tube instead. This simple shift in equipment makes for an entirely new experience, especially if you start spinning around as you fly over the snow. This is a great one for the kids, especially. They will beg you for just one more ride, and another, and another.
For the longest tubing lanes in Utah, make your way over to Woodward Park City. The very smallest (age 1-3) can’t ride, but Woodward does have a toddler-friendly snow park right next to the tubing lanes.
Cross-Country Skiing
Rather than changing the tools, let’s change the venue. Take the skis off the slopes and find your way into the beauty of nature for some cross-country skiing. Explore some of the beautiful parks and trails in the Park City area. For starters, we suggest the Willow Creek Open Area, which features a lovely directional loop, alternating daily. But there are plenty of other options for both beginners and veterans. The Mountain Trails Foundation helps, complete with a daily grooming report. Find some terrain you want to explore, check the condition, and strap in.
A variation of cross-country skiing exists, called skate skiing. This faster, more athletic form of cross-country is growing in popularity, and is fairly self-descriptive. Imagine you are skiing, but on skates. The skis are shorter, the gait is more like that of a skater, and it can only be done on smooth, manicured tracks or thick ice crusts. It will probably take a fair bit more out of you than a bout of traditional cross-country, but is sleek and exciting in a way that the traditional technique is not.
Alpine Coaster
This favorite amusement, located at Park City Mountain, continues to please, year round. Twist, turn, and loop through nearly a mile of track as your little car shoots down the track. Make sure you are bundled up for a winter ride, as the chilly temperature and the high speed will leave exposed extremities tingly and red. The view is just as spectacular in the winter as it is in the summer, even if the palette around you is a little more monochrome. This is another popular attraction for younger visitors, though very small children will have to wait until they gain some inches before embarking on a wild downhill voyage, as the minimum height to ride, even with adult, is 42 inches.
Ice Skating
Skate until your feet fall off at Park City’s only outdoor skating rink. A charge for admission-and another for skate rentals, if you didn’t bring your own-gets you endless skating time. No limits-just you, your blades, and the ice. There are even skate walkers available for little skaters. The rink itself is located at the Mountain Village, right off the slopes at Park City Mountain. Weather permitting, the rink is open all afternoon and evening. Guests at The Lodge at the Mountain Village can just walk outside to reach the rink.
Sleigh Rides
Image credit: Park City Nursery
Maybe you’d like to just relax in the great outdoors for a while. A sleigh ride might be just the thing. You’ll be pulled across hills and through woods as you meander across the countryside behind a pair of beautiful draft horses. You’ll have plenty of time to just take in your surroundings and snuggle under a warm blanket. There are a few choices for your authentic horse-powered cruise, including options that depart right from Park City Mountain and include a hot, filling dinner.
Snow Shoeing
Image credit: Park City Nursery
If you enjoy hiking during the warmer months, then snow shoeing might be just your speed. Snow shoes are the perfect tool to get yourself out on those beautiful mountain trails without ending up stuck in a hole. The scenery around Park City is gorgeous at any time of the year, but there is a special majesty to the snow. Explore the trails and find the perfect hike, whether that is a sedate stroll along level terrain or a challenging climb into the hills. Once again, the Mountain Trails Foundation website and grooming reports will be your best friends here.
Relaxing by the Fire
Most of the activities discussed so far are pretty chilly. Having fun in the snow has a tendency to leave one cold. After you’re done with all your tromping around and sliding about, top off your day with a relaxing fire. Sure, a lot of our accommodations have fireplaces of their own, whether gas or wood-burning, but there is something special about the campfire appeal of an outdoor blaze. You can spend hours around the fire, warm and cozy under a blanket. Bring some marshmallows to roast, tell your best stories, play a game of werewolf/mafia, or just spend some time watching the flames dance and the shadows flicker. Sundial Lodge and Bear Hollow Village have fire pits of their own, while The Caledonian is right across the street from a Main Street ring.
Looking for a place to stay during your visit? Explore our collection of Park City vacation rentals.
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Stay Smart: For information about how we’re helping our guests take smart vacations amid COVID-19 read visit our Smart Stays page.
What is ice castles?
If you were dubious of Park City’s winter wonderland status, a visit to ice castles will leave you awestruck and convinced! What are ice castles? Exactly what you are picturing- a towering maze of snow and ice illuminated with LED colored lights. The castles are a family-friendly attraction that features a myriad of frozen sculptures, fountains, slides, and thrones for everyone to enjoy. It’s truly a sight to see when visiting Park City in the winter months!
Each season, the ice castles are “homegrown” in Midway, just a 20-minute drive from downtown park city. The castle begins with an imported “starter” icicle. Just add water (through a specially designed sprinkler system), and below freezing temps and voila – ice castles are born!
How to dress for ice castles
You will be surrounded by ice and snow, and while your heart may be warm with excitement, your extremities will be cold unless you prepare accordingly! We suggest wearing something similar to what you would wear on the ski slopes. Snow pants and waterproof outerwear are essential to comfortably enjoy ice slides and other hands-on activities. The ground is solid ice, so warm snow boots with good tread are a must! Don’t forget waterproof gloves and a warm beanie to complete the look.
When to visit
The success of the award-winning frozen attraction is entirely dependant on the weather! Luckily, the temperatures begin to drop in the fall months, allowing the professional ice sculptors ample time to construct the castles. However, there is no set timeframe for the attraction. The castles are usually open for guests around December and close before the end of the ski season. If you want a guaranteed window, plan to go between late December – early February.
There is so much to see while exploring this magnificent winter phenomenon! Be sure to allow for 1-2 hours to experience Ice Castles thoroughly. It’s easy to get lost in the maze of ice, so keep your young children close, but rest easy knowing there are only one entrance and exit to the maze. The ice slides are in the middle of the maze and tend to attract long lines; make a beeline there early to avoid waiting in the cold!
How much does Ice Castles Cost?
Tickets for the icy spectacle are affordable and can be purchased in advance online. Price varies between weekdays and weekends and is usually more expensive at the ticket window. We highly suggest buying online ahead of time as it’s common for the attraction to sell out!
What COVID Precautions are Ice Castles Taking?
Like many Park City places, masks, and social distancing for guests and staff are enforced while visiting Ice Castles. You can read more about the steps to keep guests safe on the website.
If you’re looking for a place to stay so you can check out Ice Castles, book Park City lodging direct through us today!
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Odd Park City facts are tucked into every abandoned mine cart and old ski lodge in town. But few are more noisy than the nightly 10:00 p.m. siren.
Theories behind the reliable nocturnal alarm abound. Is it a Cold War-era air raid siren? Did it signal the end of the mining day? While everyone can hear it, few know the true story behind the siren. But we know, and so can you.
If you’ve ever been lounging in your balcony hot tub at The Caledonian, moonbathing in your bubbly paradise, only to be suddenly interrupted by the keening of a distant alarm around 10:00 p.m., you’ve heard The Downtown Siren. Don’t worry, though! The siren doesn’t signal Soviet air raids, impending invasions, mine collapses, or anything like that. No, the truth behind The Downtown Siren is decidedly mundane.
The Origin Of The “Ten O’Clock Whistle”
The story behind the siren starts in 1901. The Main Street Bell Tower housed-big surprise-a brand new bell weighing nearly a ton. The bell was intended to alert Parkites to emergencies, particularly fires (because, after all, the entirety of Main Street did burn down just three years earlier). To make sure it worked, the fire department started the daily 10:00 p.m. test. As you might imagine, 1,500 pounds of bell make quite a racket.
Downtown Park City was not-so-gently rung to sleep each night courtesy of the fire department. Needless to say, it wasn’t particularly popular. It did become the de-facto curfew notice for local kids, and was quickly called the “ten o’clock whistle” by frustrated Parkites.
The More Things Change The More They Stay The Same
Fortunately, the bell didn’t last long. By April 1902, the bell was replaced with a compressed-air whistle. No one was happy about it. The whistle was way worse than the bell. It also had a big problem. The compressor froze in cold weather. That’s not very helpful for an emergency system in a mountain town that experiences a long and freezing winter.
Instead, the system was replaced again in 1905 by an electrically powered system operated by the phone company. Unfortunately, that system wasn’t perfect either. The phone company didn’t communicate perfectly with the fire department. On at least one occasion, a building burned to the ground without the alarm making a peep.
That wasn’t the last system, either. In 1916, the whistle got another update. That update didn’t work at all. The city fathers had to immediately order new parts and appointed a night watchman in the meantime. It finally reached functional status in 1917, and has continued to sound faithfully at 10:00 p.m. each and every night.
New Systems, Old Habits
Of course, Park City doesn’t rely on a mere whistle to communicate emergencies anymore. In our modern age, complex real-time advisory systems and satellite communications provide public safety updates. The nightly alert is the last vestige of an outdated public service.
Despite the relatively mundane explanation, The Downtown Siren remains a bizarre artifact of Park City history. There is still some mystery behind the alarm. Why does it still go off each night? Why hasn’t the system been decommissioned entirely? Maybe it’s just the weight of tradition and the inertia of habit. Maybe it’s kept around as an analog backup in case more sophisticated systems fail.
In any case, The Downtown Siren is just one more piece of Park City’s unique culture and history. It has been alerting the residents of downtown Park City of disasters since 1901. Mostly, it has been keeping everyone up at night for more than 100 years.
If you want to experience The Downtown Siren, All Seasons Resort Lodging offers an array of downtown Park City lodging for all tastes and budgets. Just as the siren sounds year-round, our selection of condos and townhomes is perfect for adventure any time of the year. When you book with All Seasons Resort Lodging, you’ll always get the Lowest Rate, Guaranteed.
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Everyone loves a good mystery. Mysteries don’t get much more mysterious than this Park City mystery. What is the story behind this dangling wreckage? The tale involves a significant fortune, possible foul play, or even stranger turns. Strap in, and read about the wreck of the PC Blue.
The truck itself is mostly a rusted-out hulk. Very little remains of the beautiful blue paint job that earned the vehicle the friendly moniker “PC Blue.” These days, it occupies a pit in the mountains just outside Park City. Turned upside down and dangling, rusting in the sun far from traveled roads.
Sixty years ago, It was a common sight around Park City, driven by one Lachlan Arnold, an Australian transplant to Utah. Arnold hauled for Wells Fargo, carrying cash and ore for the bank in the 50s early 60s. On a fateful February morning in 1962, during just such a journey, PC Blue made its last delivery (or rather, didn’t) for Park City’s Wells Fargo route.
Loaded with 13,000 pounds of silver from one of Park City’s last remaining mines and an additional $650,000 in cash, Arnold set off into an intense white-out on the road that is now Highway 224 toward Salt Lake City.
As the weather worsened, Arnold saw a lone figure standing in the road. That would be strange enough, considering the fact that his position was miles from town, in a blizzard. But the story gets weirder from here on out.
Out of common decency, Arnold picked up the strange man, violating Wells Fargo’s security policy against riders. He did note the figure’s similar Australian-style hat, just one more strange detail surrounding this unusual passenger. They continued toward Salt Lake in the mountain blizzard.
As the weather worsened, the stranger, calling himself “Sandy,” offered a helpful shortcut. One suggestion was followed by another, and another, until Arnold no longer knew where he was. Suddenly, a pit loomed in front of PC Blue. The truck tumbled in. Arnold’s awareness became hazy.
One of the only things Arnold remembered before stumbling back into town was the sight of Sandy. He was wandering out of view with an armload of money-bags. Arnold couldn’t even remember where the series of shortcuts and turn-offs led or how he returned to town under such unusual circumstances. PC Blue was presumed lost in the storm. Arnold somehow survived the return trip without provisions, without appropriate gear or protection. The wreck occurred miles and hours away in sub-zero temperatures.
Image / Imgur
Following the incident, Arnold disappeared for some time, despite being under suspicion from several law-enforcement agencies. His sudden and unexplained absence was never accounted for. Mysteriously, he did return some time later to aid in the investigation. He was never charged with the theft of PC Blue’s contents.
PC Blue itself wasn’t seen again until later that same year, when a group of hikers came across the wreckage, picked clean of its precious cargo. The supposed “Sandy” was never heard from again. He was also never seen by another soul either before or after the crash. A decade later, remains of another vehicle were discovered in the vicinity. It was registered to an owner in Arnold’s (and Sandy’s) hometown of Sydney and reported stolen.
While Lachlan Arnold faded from public consciousness, he remained in the area until his dying day. His grave now adorns an embankment called “Lachlan Hill,” a short distance from his signature vehicle’s resting place. The grave is carefully kept, apparently cared for by someone familiar with the man and his tale.
The cash and ore, which would have been a significant fortune in its own right once refined and minted, was never located. Was Lachlan Arnold set up by parties unknown, led astray, and left for dead in a man-made pit trap far from help? Was he complicit in the heist, carefully drawing ill-gotten loot from his hidden stash for the rest of a life lived right under the nose of the authorities? How did he survive for hours in a blizzard, injured and far from civilization? How did a second vehicle, imported and stolen, come to rest near PC Blue a decade later? What happened to the fortune in bills and silver? Did the incident ever actually take place, or is it an urban legend carried off by a talented storyteller to explain a pair of mysterious junkers?
No one knows.
This genuine unsolved Park City mystery leads to far more questions than answers. If you would like to see the pitted wreckage of PC Blue or the final resting place of Lachlan Arnold for yourself, follow the trail of the geocaching sleuth (or possibly yarn-spinner) that inspired this blog post, Seawind. They have laid out a unique, detailed set of caches recounting their discovery of the PC Blue story, which can be found by clicking here.
Who knows? Maybe you’ll find the missing treasure, lost nearly 60 years ago in the wilderness beyond Park City. Reserve Park City lodging for your next vacation and come investigate for yourself!
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Have months of quarantine and social distancing cultivated your inner chef? You’re not alone! A survey recently conducted by International PR Firm, Hunter, finds 54% of respondents are cooking at home more than before the pandemic. The study also anticipates respondents will continue at-home cooking when the pandemic comes to an end.
Take your new-found talents with you on your summer vacation to Park City by exploring local markets (with a mask!) and even trying an in-person or virtual Cooking Class!
Earlier this month, we hopped on the phone with local Chef Linda Elbert of Mindful Cuisine to discuss her approach to wellness, cooking in quarantine, and embracing her place in the culinary world. Be sure to stick around for the quick Q&A at the end of the interview!
Cooking Classes at Mindful Cuisine
Mindful Cuisine is a place where people from all cooking levels can explore their inner chef while learning about clean, sustainably sourced food in an interactive setting. The classes are one-part cooking, one-part eating as the school emphasizes the magic of the dining experience by inviting participants to feast on their culinary creations.
Linda and I discussed the typical class at Mindful Cuisine. She shared that many of her students are visitors who “are looking for something to do that’s different and interactive instead of going out to eat.” Students can choose a public class with a pre-fixe menu created by Chef Linda or request a private class where students can design a bespoke menu from à la carte options.
Each class begins with Chef Linda preparing the ingredients so her students can get right to business. “I start with an appetizer while cooking and getting comfortable in the kitchen, and we end up creating a four-course meal. Everybody is around an island and participates in the cooking.”
Currently, in-person classes can be arranged only for families/same households limited to 6 persons due to ongoing efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19. Chef Linda is cooking up virtual classes that will serve the same experience to participants cooking along at home. “I was hesitant at first because I did not want to lose the interactivity with people, but as it turns out, it’s a pleasant experience.”
In addition to virtual classes, Mindful Cuisine will begin offering made-to-order baked goods and pastries – delectable snacks for a picnic or a hike along any of Park City’s amazing trails.
About Chef Linda
A native of California and a psychologist by profession, Linda’s unconventional path to becoming a chef, is rooted in her family’s cooking history.
In her own words, cooking was “a family adventure” that began in her Grandfathers bakery in Chicago. Both parents were “hobby cooks” and entertainers who instilled the love of food in their daughter at an early age.
When asked to describe her earliest food memories, Linda remembers “…dad teaching me to chop an onion when I was about 7. I was pretty sure I was going to chop my finger off!
With my mom, we made Christmas cookies, and I can remember decorating cookies from the time I was very small. Every year we would try new recipes.”
Q&A with Chef Linda
Q: Tips for visitors cooking on vacation?
I would encourage people to explore alternatives to grocery stores such as the Park City Farmers Market or Copper Moose Farms. Source local, think seasonally, embrace what’s local, and enjoy it!
Q: Describe the cooking/dining experience in a Mindful Cuisine class in five words.
Hands-on. Community Building. Fun. Interactive. Delicious.
Q: What 3 ingredients do you have in your kitchen at all times?
I always have fresh herbs, Meyer lemons, and a variety of homemade stocks in my freezer.
Q: What is your favorite quarantine meal to cook?
I’ve loved to cook at home during this time and have recently cooked more fish than I ever have: salmon, sea bass, shrimp with sauces.
Mindful Cuisine brings the Park City dining experience to your home-or vacation rental-with their in-person and online cooking classes.
Whether you are on a vacation and looking to break in your Park City vacation rental kitchen or at home and itching to bring Mountain Cuisine to your table, Chef Linda has the right recipe for you.
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Disclaimer: Some of this information such as hours and days of operation may change due to COVID-19 health orders. We will update this information regularly. All information is accurate as of September 10, 2021.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Santa Fe offers some very exciting options for getting started with your morning. With a rich culinary tradition dating back hundreds of years, The City Different offers more breakfast options than your standard tourist destination.
Here are our picks for the best breakfast in Santa Fe, whether you want a smothered breakfast burrito or a not-so-short stack of hearty flapjacks.
Cafe Pasqual’s
- Hours:
- Sun – Thu 8:00 am – 3:00 pm and 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
- Fri & Sat 8:00 am – 3:00 pm and 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
- Address: 121 Don Gaspar Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501
- Contact: 505-983-9340 | pasquals.com
As one of the worst-kept secrets of Santa Fe’s breakfast scene, you’re going to want to arrive at Cafe Pasqual’s early. The crowds form almost immediately once the doors open. You don’t have to be a local to know Pasqual’s-their reputation for breakfast excellence has spread far and wide thanks to heaps of word-of-mouth praise.
The star of the show here may be a breakfast burrito as big as your head, but you will also want to sample Southwest tastes like squash-blossom quesadillas and griddled polenta with chorizo. Going back to that breakfast burrito, feel free to try the red or green chile sauce or the tomatillo sauce-they’re all amazing.
Image / Cafe Pasqual’s
Clafoutis
- Hours:
- Mon – Sat 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Address: 333 W Cordova Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87501
- Contact: 505-988-1809 | clafoutis.biz
Just because you’re staying in Santa Fe doesn’t mean your breakfast has to be wrapped in a tortilla.
Clafoutis offers sweet treats and beautifully browned breads to go with your morning coffee. The crumb pockets, quiches, and donuts lining the shelves bring some French flair to The City Different. For something with a bit more of a savory taste, the paired sandwich flavors of croque madame and croque monsieur are sure to delight (and are available all day).
Image / Clafoutis
Tune Up Cafe
- Hours:
- Mon – Fri 7:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Sat – Sun 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Address: 1115 Hickox St, Santa Fe, NM 87505
- Contact: 505-983-7060 | tuneupsantafe.com
This cute cafe offers the usual selection of south-of-the-border breakfast plates, with some unique additions courtesy of the owner’s Salvadorenean heritage. You could opt for a plate of huevos rancheros, or you could try something more interesting with the huevos El Salvadorenos. Grab some traditional buttermilk pancakes, but make things interesting with the addition of fried bananas or a pupusa.
If you come back frequently, you’re sure to find new options from time to time, thanks to a seasonally rotating selection of extras.
Image / The Food Network
Modern General
- Hours: Daily 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Address: 637 Cerrillos Rd #3798, Santa Fe, NM 87505
- Contact: 505-930-5462 | moderngeneralfeedandseed.com
Part juicery, part bakery, this trendy breakfast spot is the home of the Modcake. Served for breakfast or brunch, these unique flapjacks are variably composed of corn, whole wheat, dashi, teff, flax, and more. Combined with a wide array of toppings and mix-ins, and your sweet or savory Modcakes will sit hearty and heavy in your belly.
But Modern General is more than just Modcakes. They also serve up the meanest kolaches in the Southwest, cookies, sourdough loaves, hand pies, and more. Make sure to order something off the juicery menu to accompany your meal.
Start the day with some juice, a smoothie, or a hot cup of joe.
Image / Modern General
Saveur Bistro
- Hours: Mon – Fri 7:45 am – 2:30 pm
- Address: 204 Montezuma Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501
- Contact: 505-989-4200
Sometimes quantity has a quality all its own. And the best place to get a lot of delicious breakfast vittles is Saveur. This traditional American buffet charges by weight for your meal. You won’t feel like you need to pack down the plates to get your money’s worth. Get exactly as much as you need and pay exactly as much as you should. Load up a plate with eggs, salmon, veggies, pastries, and more. Whatever your breakfast craving, you can satisfy it here.
Image / Trip Advisor
Sweetwater Harvest Kitchen
- Hours:
- Tue – Fri 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- Sat 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- Sun 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Mon 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Address: 1512 Pacheco St B, Santa Fe, NM 87505
- Contact: 505-795-7383 | sweetwatersf.com
Beautifully decorated and focusing on wholesome cuisine, Sweetwater offers a selection of thoughtful breakfast dishes. They even cater to specialized tastes, including vegetarian, vegan, paleo, and gluten-free options. You can order everything from spelt pancakes to traditional huevos rancheros, and have a great meal made with sustainable practices. They mill their flour on-site, compost their scraps, and have a farm-to-table supply chain. You can even pair your meals with a selection of craft beers and wines.
Image / Sweetwater Harvest Kitchen
The Plaza Cafe
- Hours:
- Fri – Sun 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Mon – Thu 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Address: 54 Lincoln Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501
- Contact: 505-982-1664 | plazacafesantafe.com
If you believe that practice makes perfect, then The Plaza Cafe is as perfect a breakfast as you can find in Santa Fe. Serving up the first meal of the day for more than 100 years, the cafe blends tastes from Mexico, Greece, and homegrown American classics. With all the charm and dedication of a ’50s diner, this century-long staple cooks up some of the best AM dishes in town.
The omelets, in particular, are a hearty favorite. We suggest the chile relleno omelet for a signature taste. The menu has a bit of everything, though, including a great hash of papas fritas.
Pro Tip: This storied diner is only half a mile away from our own Fort Marcy Hotel Suites. You can get in a morning walk and one of the best breakfasts in town at the same time.
Image / The Plaza Cafe
The Plaza Cafe
- Hours: Daily 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Address: 1820 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505
- Contact: 505-986-0022 | pantrysantafe.com
In business since just after the Second World War, the Pantry has accumulated an extensive menu and a large following among Santa Fe’s locals. No matter the hour, you can choose from their dozens and dozens of American standards, Mexican delights, and more eclectic selections. Have a hearty plate of eggs and bacon, scarf down some french toast, or try something more interesting-like the Buenos Dias or a meaty corned beef hash. There’s a menu item for almost every year the Pantry has been in business, so it will take a while to work through everything they have to offer.
Image / Pantry Restaurant
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