Many call Park City home for various reasons, but all residents know one thing to be true: there is an abundance of family activities to try in the area. And now that everything is opening, it’s time for your family to get out there and explore all that Park City has to offer.
While there are countless activities in Park City to participate in, we’ll focus more on family-oriented activities available in the area. We know finding engaging entertainment for your young ones can be a daunting task. Keeping this in mind, we have found some of the best family-friendly activities in Park City!
Take a Stroll or Bike Ride
One of the easiest ways to explore Park City with kids is also the simplest: take a stroll outside. The summer and fall seasons are worth the trip to wander the ski resorts and see the beautiful landscape around them. If you want, you can make the trek easier by taking a scenic lift ride to the top of Park City Mountain or Deer Valley Resort to start your hike.
For an option closer to home, walk on the Rail Trail. This easy path follows where the Union Pacific Railway once ran and features paved and unpaved portions through Park City. A good start location for this trail is White Pine Touring. You can park for free and rent bikes, and the path even leads to a playground.
Deer Valley’s biking school offers training for your young ones for those looking to get around quicker. Kids and adults can learn to ride on Deer Valley’s famed biking terrain at the school, mastering basics like stance, braking, cornering, and even taking a ride on the chairlift. If you wish, you can take your own bike ride while the kids are in class.
Ziplining!
Think ziplining is too scary for your kids? Take them to Park City Mountain Resort’s kid-friendly option, the Flying Eagle. Riders sit side-by-side on this two-person zipline that lets kids experience the thrill of a zipline without making it too intense.
Kids must be 42″ tall to ride, but there’s no weight minimum. An option for those looking for more thrill is the high-flying ZipRider. Riders soar 2,300 feet–reaching speeds of up to 50 mph—on this seated zipline above the alpine coaster with views of the towering Wasatch Mountains. Another option is the zipline rides available at Utah Olympic Park.
Whether your kids are thrill-seekers or enjoy staying on the ground, there’s plenty to do at the Utah Olympic Park, the site of ski jumping and bobsledding events at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
Those looking for a bit of a thrill will love tubing on the Nordic ski jump landing ramps, free-falling off a 65-foot drop tower, or barreling down the bobsled track. It is less intense but an equally fun activity to watch the Flying Ace All-Stars practice as they soar and spin up to 60 feet in the air before splashing down in the pool.
Paddleboard
The best place for kids to paddle in Park City is Deer Valley Resort’s Pebble Beach—located just two minutes from Historic Main Street. No motorized boats are allowed, making its waveless waters a perfect place for newbies to learn. Rent paddleboards from Park City SUP’s waterside shop and practice your technique.
If your kids are really looking to master the sport, send them to a SUP day camp where they’ll perfect their stroke, race, and play games on the boards at Pebble Beach.
Park City and the Sundance Institute
Another fun all-day activity is to visit Park City’s famous Main Street. The Park City Main Street Historic District has 47 buildings on 13 acres along Park City’s Main Street. It is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
On Main Street Historic District, you can see pieces of ole’ Americana by noting the architecture of this charming “old west” mining town from the mid-1800s. We believe it represents one of the best examples of a silver mining town in Utah. There is even a small park dedicated to these miners who established the town.
After a fire in 1898, Main Street was rebuilt in various architectural styles that you see today. This is one of the “must see” places in Park City simply because there are many choices for a relaxing evening. This historic district now houses more than 50 restaurants, many tour companies, ski, bike rental places, and 100 boutique shops.
Another fun, family-friendly activity is to see a film at the Sundance Institute. The Sundance Institute is a non-profit organization all about discovering new independent artists. While the leading film festival is in January, they have other events throughout the year. With many family-friendly options available, it’s an excellent excuse to kick back while the kids stay entertained.
Other Fun Things
Wander through wetlands with your little ones at Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter, a 1,200-acre nature preserve and eco-center with free admission. Take a walk on the Wetland Discovery Trail to learn about the area’s history and ecosystem, then climb a four-story tower for views of the preserve.
Those looking to have some alone time should consider sending the young ones to a summer camp. Deer Valley’s Summer Adventure Day Camp welcomes babies up through 12-year-olds for one, three, and five-day sessions and is based out of the resort’s Snow Park Lodge.
Each age group has its own play area with activities ranging from arts and crafts projects to indoor rock climbing. Outside, kids walk Deer Valley’s famous hiking trails, ride bikes, and join in on scavenger hunts. Camp is in session from mid-June to mid-August each year.
Through all of these great activities, you should have no shortage of entertainment for the whole family this year. If you are considering moving to the Park City area, check out our guide for buyers.