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Where to Stay in Park City, Utah: 7 Best Areas & Neighborhoods

Park City, Utah, USA downtown in autumn at dusk.
Published on: February 18, 2023
Last updated: August 19, 2024

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Kyle Kroeger

Written by Kyle Kroeger

Kyle Kroeger is the Founder and Owner of ViaTravelers.com. He is a full-time traveler and entrepreneur.

Famous for the Sundance Film Festival and the 2002 Winter Olympics, Park City, Utah, lures travelers throughout the year for winter skiing, summer hiking, and outdoor activities all year.

Park City is east of the Great Salt Lake and Salt Lake City and is home to the Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain Resort, two of the country’s largest ski resorts.

However, you don’t need to love rolling down a snowy hill on a pair of wooden planks to enjoy Park City. You’ll find several golf courses, a beautifully historic Main Street District to explore, and some of the nicest people in the world in Park City.

Park City was founded in the 1860s when prospectors found silver and began mining. The town that grew up around the mining industry existed for decades in this quiet pocket of Utah.

Incredibly, the community almost became a ghost town after silver mining fell by the wayside. Still, residents eventually reinvented Park City as a fun western-themed ski town, which also earned the honor of hosting the Winter Olympics.

Want to know more about this fun and enthusiastic Western United States destination? Let’s explore some of the best places to stay in Park City.

Top Accommodation Options

Many of the hotels and vacation homes in Park City are geared toward helping skiers get to the slopes. Still, you’ll also find that some of the best hotels in Park City offer gorgeous accommodations for luxury vacations and cozy retreats for getting away from it all.

You’ll find hot tubs, spacious rooms, and ski valley service at several hotels.

Best Areas to Stay

Park City welcomes all sorts of visitors, from those seeking a quiet mountain vacation to families interested in introducing their kids to skiing for the first time.

Luxury vacationers and budget travelers alike will find beautiful and welcoming places to stay in all the picturesque neighborhoods of Park City, which provide easy access to the slopes.

  • For first-timers/tourists – Main Street District
  • For budget travelers – Prospector
  • For luxury travelers – Canyons Village
  • For families – Thaynes Canyon
  • For shopping – Kimball Junction
  • For weddings – Deer Valley

Where to Stay in Park City

1. Main Street District

Downtown Park City aerial view
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

When you visit Park City for the first time, you’ll want to consider the Main Street District or Downtown Park City as your destination. The Main Street District is highly walkable, so you can easily explore the city’s restaurants, tourist shops, and culture.

If you’re not too confident driving on snowy streets during the winter, don’t worry; the city offers its visitors a fleet of electric buses that run throughout the region.

The Main Street District is filled to the brim with fun activities, food, and sightseeing opportunities, and you may find it difficult to do everything that interests you in just one trip to the city.

The Park City Main Street Historic District is an excellent place to start your journey, and you’ll find everything from the fun Atticus Coffee Books & Tea House for your morning coffee to the delicious Bangkok Thai on Main for dinner.

If you’re interested in dressing the part in Park City, consider stopping by the Burns Cowboy Shop or a ski rental shop for mountain gear. Historic Main Street is an excellent place to read up on the area’s history with a visit to the Park City Museum. You’ll also find several art studios and galleries worth your time, like the Summit Gallery and Prospect Gallery.

Here are a few downtown area activities to consider:

  • Escape Room Park City
  • High West Distillery
  • Park City Museum
  • Burns Cowboy Shop
  • High West Saloon

Accommodations in the Main Street District

Park City Main Street District offers a wide variety of accommodations to suit many tastes, so you can choose the neighborhood for your Park City vacation whether you’re looking for a hotel with convenient ski access like Marriot’s Mountainside or a cozy condo like The Caledonian.

See Related: Top Areas To Stay In Moab

2. Prospector

Bicycles at Park City Bike & Demo store front
Park City Bike & Demo / Facebook

Despite being one of the premier ski resort destinations in the United States, Park City offers quite a few affordable places to stay. The Prospector neighborhood, northeast of Downtown Park City, is an excellent area for budget travelers. Here, you’ll find spots to eat and stay and some parks to enjoy.

If you’re a fan of outdoor activities but not quite ready to take to the slopes, you’ll find some excellent alternatives near Prospector Park. If you want to rent a bicycle or mountain biking, visit Park City Bike & Demo.

Contact the Park City Fly Fishing Company to learn fly fishing. Get a quick workout in at the Silver Mountain Sports Club. After visiting Prospector Park or riding through the neighborhood, you’ll probably work up an appetite and want some comfort food from Fuego Bistro and Pizzeria.

If you’re in the mood for seafood, try Freshies Lobster Park City, and if you’d like something a bit more substantial, consider Grub Steak on Sidewinder Drive.

Nosh offers some of the best Mediterranean food in Park City, while Bonnie & Clydes Sandwich Co. is a perfect spot for lunch. Here are a few activities to consider when you stay in Prospector:

  • Park City Bike & Demo
  • New Prospector Park
  • Park City Fly Fishing Company
  • Silver Mountain Sports Club
  • Pretty Bird Hot Chicken

Accommodations in Prospector

The affordable, comfortable, and welcoming places to stay near Prospector Park run the gamut from the comfortable and friendly Park City Hostel to the laid-back and fun Park Plaza Resort Park City.

All the hotels and vacation homes in the Prospector area are conveniently located, so you can easily reach the Main Street District or the ski resorts or hang out at your hotel.

3. Canyons Village

RockResorts Spa interior
RockResorts Spa / Facebook

Canyons Village is a prime location for skiing in Park City, and you’ll find some of the most beautiful hotels near these slopes. If you’re looking for a chic neighborhood that caters to luxury skiing vacations, the best area to stay in Park City is near Canyons Village. You’ll find this luxurious area just northwest of the Main Street District.

Exploring your luxury hotel’s full-service spa and on-site dining options in the Canyons Village will occupy some of your time. Still, you’ll also want to visit some of the delicious eateries in the area. Try Lookout Cabin for various eats with an excellent view of Red Pine Lodge for some warm comfort food between trips up and down Park City Mountain.

If you decide to visit Park City in the spring or summer, you may want to visit the Canyons Golf Course, which features some beautiful vistas to match the beautiful fairway. If your interests are a little more rustic than golf, you might consider heading to the Alpine Lake Trail, which you can reach using the Red Pine Gondola. It only takes about 30 minutes to reach the beautiful lake at the trail’s end.

Here are a few activities to explore when you stay in Canyons Village:

  • Park City Mountain
  • Canyons Golf
  • Holly’s Trailhead
  • Red Tail Grill
  • RockResorts Spa

Accommodations in Canyons Village

Not only can you luxuriate in beautiful hotels like the Waldorf Astoria Park City with all the amenities you might expect of a luxury hotel, but you’ll also find hotels with ski-out access. If you visit Park City outside of the busy ski season, you might find some attractive deals on hotel stays at hotels like the Grand Summit Hotel.

See Related: Best Restaurants in St. George

4. Park Meadows

Park Meadows Country Club landscape and skyline
Park Meadows Country Club / Facebook

The neighborhood surrounding the Park Meadows Country Club is ideal for travelers seeking a quiet and safe area to stay in Park City. Overall, Utah has a reputation as a safe state, but it’s still important to remain vigilant while vacationing, especially if you’re traveling with expensive ski equipment or backpacking gear.

One of the primary venues in the Park Meadows area is the country club, and you’ll find a restaurant and a golf course that are favorites with locals and travelers from nearby towns. The country club hosts golf tournaments; playing on the course means standing before some incredible views.

If you’re keen on hiking rather than golfing, you may want to explore Quinn’s Junction trail, which is beautiful whether there’s snow on the ground or a beautiful green summer day.

Another fun nearby option is the Park City Ice Arena, which you may consider if you’ve ever wanted to learn how to ice skate. The event space is also popular for birthday parties.

If you fall on the ice or skin a knee, don’t worry. One of the reasons the Park Meadows area is a safe area of Park City is its proximity to Park City Hospital, which is to the east of the neighborhood, right off Route 189. Skinned knees, be damned!

Consider the following activities for your stay in Park Meadows:

  • Park Meadows Country Club
  • Round Valley Way Trailhead
  • Park City Ice Arena
  • Utah Outdoor Adventures Tour
  • Park City Dog Park

Accommodations in Park Meadows

Rather than hotel rooms, you’ll probably stay in a home or condo when you choose Park Meadows for your Park City Vacation. The neighborhood has some beautiful vacation homes and is less commercial than other places.

5. Thaynes Canyon

White Pine Touring Nordic Center sign
mini / TripAdvisor

Thaynes Canyon is a small neighborhood on the west side of Park City, and you may want to consider this area if you’re traveling with family. The best vacation home in Park City for families is in Thaynes Canyon, and you’ll also find some fun outdoor areas ideal for showing children an adventurous time.

Growing children need to eat, and there’s no shortage of dining options in Thaynes Canyon. Some of the highly-rated eateries nearby include Luna’s Kitchen, on the other side of Park Avenue, and FiveSeeds, an excellent spot to eat brunch or, as some children call it, second breakfast.

If you’re renting a vacation home in the area, the nearby Fresh Market Park City is the perfect place to buy ingredients for your home-cooked meals. You’ll want to spend a few minutes at the Making Tracks U.S. Olympics Memorial before heading to one of the local trails for an active afternoon.

You could also head to the Mcleod Creek Trailhead for an easy walk with kids or the Quarry Mountain Trailhead for a trail with beautiful views.

If you forgot your hiking shoes and want to relax in a green space, Rotary Park is a nice place to visit. It’s especially good if you’re traveling with a big family and need the space for some afternoon play.

Here are some of the top things to do in Thayne’s Canyon:

  • Making Tracks U.S. Olympics Memorial
  • White Pine Touring Nordic Center
  • Quarry Mountain Trailhead
  • Dawn’s Trail
  • Luna’s Kitchen

Accommodations in Thaynes Canyon

The hotels and places to stay in Thaynes Canyon aren’t too expensive for families on a budget, but you’ll find a nice variety of hotels and vacation homes to suit every budget and interest. You won’t find ferociously expensive luxury hotels in Thaynes Canyon, but you will find beautifully cozy places like the Park City Peaks Hotel.

See Related: Top Tourist Attractions in Salt Lake City

6. Kimball Junction

Swaner Nature Preserve & Eco Center covered in snow
Swaner Nature Preserve & Eco Center / Facebook

If you travel to the northern reaches of the Park City area, you’ll reach Kimball Junction, where Interstate 80 and Route 224 meet. If you have shopping on your mind more than skiing, Kimball Junction has some excellent hotels that are closer to shops than they are to Park City’s famous slopes.

If you’ve come to Park City to shop, visiting Outlets Park City should be first on your list. You’ll find loads of deals on clothing, accessories, and everything you might need for your Park City vacation, whether hiking boots, skis, or a trendy purse. One of the best hotels in the Kimball area, the Best Western Landmark Inn, is within a stone’s throw of the outlet mall.

When you’re not slapping your credit card down on the counter, you’ll also find some outdoor outdoor adventures around Kimball Junction. Just south of your Park City hotel, you’ll find Utah Olympic Park, which is worth visiting if you love the Olympics. If you bring your dog to your Park City vacation, you’ll also find the Run-a-Muk Dog Park in the area.

If you’re hanging out in Kimball Junction, consider the following:

Accommodations in Kimball Junction

Not only will you find comfortable Park City hotels (like the appropriately named Hotel Park City) in Kimball Junction, but you’ll also see some opportunities for Park City resort stays at places like the awesome Newpark Resort.

Even though the hotels within Kimball Junction are on the north side of the city, a few miles away, don’t worry about being too far from the action. Being only about five miles from the city center and Downtown Park City, it’s still very easy to get to the rest of town with just a few minutes spent in a car.

7. Deer Valley

Beautiful Deer Valley Ski Resort in Park City, Utah
bleung / Adobe Stock

Most of Park City is incredibly picturesque, so it might not seem immediately obvious where you should get married should your nuptials bring you to town. However, if you’re still in the planning stages and haven’t chosen a venue, nearby Deer Valley is the perfect area to consider.

Deer Valley will gift you spectacular sights for your wedding venue and unforgettable experiences with your significant other.

Try riding the Jordanelle Express Gondola, which is an excellent way to see the valley from the air and a quick option for getting to Deer Valley Resort. You’ll also find quite a few trails worth exploring when you spend time in Deer Valley.

If you come to Park City for skiing, but the snow isn’t great, consider an afternoon spent on the Solamere Loop Trail, which is pretty easy and offers excellent mountain ambiance. The Snowtop Trail is another beautiful place to explore, but watch out in the spring when the route can get slippery.

You’ll find Deer Valley Ski Resort and the beautiful hotels and vacation homes surrounding it just to the southeast of Downtown Park City. Deer Valley is a wonderful area to consider if you want to combine a destination wedding with serious outdoor opportunities.

The cream of Deer Valley includes:

  • Deer Valley Resort
  • Solamere Loop Trail
  • Park City Ghost Tours
  • Jordanelle Express Gondola
  • Brasserie 7452

Accommodations in Deer Valley

Deer Valley offers an excellent variety of hotels and vacation homes, so you’ll have your pick of resorts, middle-of-the-road hotels, and vacation homes. Luxury hotels such as the St. Regis offer a divine blend of world-class amenities, lavish hotel room suites, and excellent views of the mountains. This is the perfect place if you’re looking for a ski-in, ski-out type of adventure.

If you want to ski but have already explored Park City Mountain, the biggest ski resort in the country, try Deer Valley Resort, which has landed on more than one publication’s “best of” list for skiing.

FAQs

Why is Park City so popular?

Park City and Park City Mountain are popular destinations for many reasons, but with a tagline like “The Greatest Snow on Earth,” the city does have a reputation for its ski slopes. The city is home to the largest lift-served ski resort in the United States, Park City Mountain Resort.

Where is the closest skiing to Park City?

Deer Valley and Park City Mountain are two of the most popular ski resorts in Park City. Each of these large resorts is within a few minutes of Downtown Park City. If you stay in Park City for more than a few days, you might consider visiting both since they’re so easy to reach from anywhere you might stay in Park City.

When is the best month to visit Park City?

Park City is a popular destination for ski trips, which means it’s a perfect place to vacation in the winter. December to March is the best time to catch the snow and the slopes in Park City. If you’d rather explore fields of green and sunny hiking trails, try the middle of the summer when Park City is a beautiful mountain garden.

Is Park City expensive to visit?

Park City is certainly home to some beautiful and luxurious hotels, but there are ample opportunities to find deals on some of the best hotels in Park City. If you travel to Park City outside of the ski season, you’ll find many deals available, allowing you to explore the city at a fairly reasonable daily rate.

How far apart are Salt Lake City and Park City?

It should take you about 40 minutes to travel from Salt Lake City to Park City. Park City has some convenient public transport and shuttle service, so you might not need to use your rental car too much once you arrive in town.

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