Never visited Utah before. Staying at the Miner's Club Resort in Park City. Would like a relaxed vacation...no bikes, hiking, etc...renting an suv and just want to take some day trips out of Park City to view the SCENERY, eat at nice restaurants and also "hole-in-the-wall" places that the typical tourist may not find....bars AND restaurants.
ANY SUGGESTIONS WILL BE SINCERELY APPRECIATED!!!

Hi eb,

I live in Park City and hmmm, where do I begin?!

First town will be busy Labor Day. No problem, they are well equipped to handle busy. Since you are at The Canyons, Wednesdays the Farmer's Market is in the main parking lot. Fun for a short visit amd very tasty. Be sure to sample/buy some Volker's Bakery breads. Yum!!!

You will need to take the free shuttle into town, or park yourself. If driving and parking, you can park in Swede Alley in the parking structure, although it's frequently full on holiday weekends.

Definitely visit the Utah Olympic Park and see the Saturday show. Fascinating facility, ski museum and great aerialist show at noon. Go early to get tickets.

A drive over Guardsman's Pass to Big Cottonwood and brunch or lunch at the Silver Fork is a real local's thing. Also, driving the Alpine Loop from Redford's Sundance down to American Fork Canyon is gorgeous!

Definitely drive up to the Uintas and take a picnic and your camera! Head east from Park City, toward Kamas and the Mirror Lake Highway. Some nice shorter hikes, or just a level stroll around Mirror Lake might be enough.

Head up to Snowbird and enjoy the views from the tram. There is a great restaurant across the road from Alta called the Shallow Shaft. Make res in advance, as they aren't open evey night in summer.

One restaurant I really like that's off Main Street is the Hapa Grill in Redstone Center in Kimball Jct. just off I-80. Lunch and dinner. Thai/Hawaiian/Asian, very good!

Also check out the excellent visitor's website: www.parkcityinto.com

Outdoor concerts at Deer Valley (big names over Labor Day), The Canyons on Saturday nights.

Dayle, Thanks so much for such helpful information. Will definitely try to check out everything you mentioned!!!!
Could I bother you with one more item....what to pack!
It's very hot here in Texas so we are looking forward to some cooler weather (95 here right now, but very humid - feels much hotter!)
Thinking semi-long or long sleeves and jeans for daytime? Light jacket and shawl. One pair of dress slacks for me, dockers for hubby for nighttime wear. Does it really get cold in the mountains or will a light jacket be enough? Anything very dressy?
Know I'm packing camera and binoculars - any other suggestions?
Thanks again for your suggested sights - getting advice like this really makes the total difference in a great vacation!!!! eb

eb,

It's a VERY casual place. Even at the nicest restaurants, jeans and a nice shirt/sweater is sufficient. If you want to dress up more, fine.

For packing just bring a variety of all things! Seriously, at Labor Day we have had snow, or mid-80's. In the 80's during the day and 50's or 40's at night is most normal.

I would bring both short and long sleeved shirts, a light jacket, a fleece or heavier, warmer jacket and a rain layer, just in case. If you might go to one of the outdoor concerts, definitely bring a warm blanket and a warm jacket. It gets to feeling very cold once the sun goes behind the mountains, especially after sitting in the sun at the start of the concert.

A hat, sunscreen and sunglasses are absolute necessities.

Other restaurants I love:

Grappa (at the top of Main Street) - wonderful, expensive and worth it. If the weather is nice, request a seat on the deck outside, advance res necessary. Open for dinner only, check the local paper, The Park Record for 2fer coupons.

Zoom, on Main Street
350 Main
The Eating Establishment - open all day, very reasonable and very good food
Glitritend - at Stein's, Sunday brunch is great, make res
The Tree Room - at Sundance, res needed
Shabu, great sushi & sashimi, tempura
Adolph's

Off Main Street in Prospecter Square area:

Windy Ridge Cafe (same owner as Grappa), nice outdoor for lunch
Blind Dog Saloon

Have fun! I'd suggest we get together, but I'll be gone to Sun Valley, another very fun mountain town!

Dayle, You have MADE our trip! You've answered ALL my questions!
Thank you so much. Hope you have a great time in Sun Valley!!!!!!
Thanks again, eb

Dayle, you have helped me with my trip about the same time. I am attending my high school reunion. Many of us will arrive on a Wednesday. How late does the Farmer's Market run? Is there one on Saturday as well? Who are the big names in concert at Deer Valley?
I hope you have fun in Sun Valley, one of my favorite places. Are you still planning to visit NC in October? We'll be ready for you!

eb, you are so welcome. You might also enjoy a historical walking tour of the town. Check in with our recently remodeled and expanded museum on Main Street to arrange.

mcmfong,

I've been thinking about you and I feel bad I didn't realize Labor Day was so late this year - and that was when your trip was! What exactly are your dates? I'll be leaving town Friday morning and returning Monday afternoon on the holiday weekend.

The Farmer's Market goes until 6pm at the Canyons parking lot. They have recently started another Friday night one at The Yard on Kearns Blvd. About a block down from The Yarrow Hotel in an old lumber yard. I haven't been to this one and don't know how big it is.

On Sundays the lower part of Main Street is closed for "Park Silly" another kind of Farmer's Market, etc. Lots of food, music, performance artists, dogs, art, etc., etc.

One other thing of interest is the monthly Friday night Gallery Stroll. Check in at the Kimball Arts Center for info on this. They are the last Friday of the month if you are here.

eb,

You might really want to at least bring some footwear suitable for easy biking/walking. There are some fun and pretty paved bike rides all around the area that are basically flat. You can rent bikes at several of the sports shops. You can also take the lifts half way up both Park City Mtn Resort and Deer Valley and do some easy walks among the aspens from there.....there is a flat walk around Silver Lake at the top of Big Cottonwood canyon too.

We arrive the 2nd and leave on the 7th. I have the Silly market on the calendar for the group and we will check out the Farmer's Market. We have to stop at the Iceberg for our milkshakes and we should be in PC by mid afternoon. We are all quite excited about the event and thank you so much for all your great advice which helped so with the planning. Between you, ncounty and Enzian, I think we have a terrific reunion ahead.
Enjoy Sun Valley and let me know if your trip to NC is still on.

cmcfong,

I'm sure your group is going to have a wonderful time!

Yes, as of now NC trip is still happening. As long as I'm still employed in October, I'll be going!

Let me know how I can help you plan your visit! I owe you big time and I do know Winston Salem (and the Old Salem/Bethabara historical areas)

Dayle, just one more question.....do folks wear capri pants or shorts and sandals right now? (wondering about the weather...)
Looking at the weather, it looks like it's pretty warm during the day....
Thanks again for your help!!!!

Hi again eb,

Oh yes. Shorts and sandals are the norm anytime the sun is warm enough - spring to fall! Today was quite warm, definitely tee shirts and sandals weather. A cold front is supposed to come in Sunday with some rain and cool things off by about 20 degrees. It was in the mid 80's today - in Park City.

Some of the renegade leaves have just barely started to turn. Normal for this time of year. Peak isn't until end Sept/first week of Oct.

Have fun!

I Eb;

I live about 90 minutes from Park City, so my husband and I love to visit several times during the summer months. Some of our favorite places are:

Riverhorse; probably one of the best seafood meals I have had in Utah, ambience very nice, upstairs and they have a balcony if it's warm enough, request reservation outside overlooking mainstreet.

Great breakfast at the Eating Establishment.

Another fun thing to do is to take the Gondola at the canyons and go for a hike and eat lunch at the restaurant on the top of the mountain!

Have fun.

Thanks both of you for such great advice. We are in Park City now and planning to go out today and get our bearings....Dayle, first plan to go to the market like you suggested!
Love this area!

Hey eb, post your daily fun! I am anxious to hear what you are doing and what you enjoy most.

eb,

I didn't realize you were here NOW! Sorry about the ugly skies! There's a big wildfire down by Cedar City and the wind is blowing south to north....Hope you have a great time!

So much for the "cold" front. It was pretty warm again today.

cmcfong,

I would love to get together with you for a glass of wine when you get in. E mail me at [email protected] if you think you might have time. If not, belive me, I know how these group trips go!

Thanks all THREE of you!!!!

We are still talking about what a good time we had yesterday (and today) - mid-morning breakfast and snacks on the deck watching the chipmunks, huge furry squirrels, and birds; the Historic Park City area and "Park Silly" on Sunday w/the nachos and drinks at Doolans' Sports Bar and Grill, and then our trip up to Big Cottonwood and stop at Silver Fork Restaurant/Bar w/neat seating outside, and then our return thru Guardsman's Pass! All sooo relaxing, fun, and beautiful!!!!!

And EVERYONE has been so forthcoming in being helpful and friendly!

Leaving this afternoon to go to Sundance via the outline the Manager at Silver Fork drew on our map!

Will let you know more as it develops!!!

Dayle, sent you an email. Did you receive it???