Star in Your Own Very Romantic Weekend at Park City

Charming, rustic, sexy, folksy, romantic Park City is Utah’s hottest town. Couples and families discover all those qualities and more rolled into an easy to access, laid back package. Park City is a fun small town with a sophisticated vibe that will remind new parents of their B.K. (Before Kids) days. And it doesn’t have to be Valentine’s Day for empty nesters to enjoy rekindling their affection.

Romantic Park City Weekends for All Seasons

Hot weekend getaways abound year round. January brings the annual Sundance Film Festival. This cultural event put the former silver mining town on the international jetsetters map. Friends in Hong Kong come every year for 10 days of movies, celeb sightings and great skiing. They’re only a few of the 7,000 visitors who descend on Park City during this period.

February, March and even April are packed with glorious bluebird days and fine powder skiing and riding. May is probably muddy. June through September are glorious for outdoor sports like kayaking, hiking and mountain biking. The mountain resorts surrounding the village have daytime children’s summer camps for school-age kids. 

A bit of autumn rain is often followed by first snows in October. Thanksgiving to New Year’s become prime “early season” weeks for skiing and riding. Locals begin cozying up in front of their fireplaces. You can too. Winter is the big season here. Childcare for ages 8 weeks and up at the major mountain resorts enables romanance to flare.

Winter Weekend Romance with Baby in Tow

Most romantics will enjoy the best of the city by avoiding Sundance and coming during the snow season. That’s the ideal time to try world-class skiing at the local Park City Mountain or Deer Valley.

Snowboarders can skip Deer Valley, the 5-star mountain that limits capacity to only 6,000 skiers per day. Nonetheless, the likes of Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift have graced the terrain parks at Park City Mountain. Join celebrities in goggles and beanies to mix with the locals and everyday visitors.

Both mountain resorts have ski schools for children ages 3 and up. Park City is our pick with kids because of its strong family focus. Park City Mountain also has night skiing, a mountain coaster, and a very cool tubing park in town.

Romantic Park City Summer Weekends with Big Kids

In summer, do day hikes at the major resorts by hopping the bus and just walking, walking, walking. For an intimate ride, get a lift ticket and be transported to the summit. Walking down with kids is the easiest way to get them out into the hills. Admire the mountain bikers who tow their rides uphill on specially adapted chairlifts. Their performances are a treat to watch.

Speaking of adaptive, the National Ability Center has really active programs. They introduce kids of all abilities and all ages, regardless of physical or mental needs, to a variety of sports. Don’t be surprised by passing rock climbers, bicyclists and horseback riders with disabilities.

Park City leads the summer activity list for school-age kids. We love their amazing alpine slide and summer day camp. They also have a miners-themed toddler play area to keep parents and kids busy and happy.

At any time of year, stroll the walkable Park City Main Street with its historic mining-era buildings. Teens and fashionistas enjoy the designer clothing, outdoor wear, art galleries and the work of local artisans. The last Friday of the month is for gallery open houses but any day or night is right for dining around firepits or window shopping.

Romantic Park City Dining for Foodies

There are many, many excellent restaurants in Park City around Main Street and in the outlying areas. (Also plenty more in Salt Lake City which is only a 30-minute drive.) Most are open for lunch and dinner, but check out their websites to be sure as schedules change according to season. Of course, during the season, there’s nothing more romantic that on-mountain dining together, as a couple or a family. Knowing you made it down the same slope together is an affirmation of love.

At night, things heat up. The High West Distillery, tucked into a historic warehouse building a block off Main Street, feels like it’s been a Park City fixture for a century. Specializing in homemade whiskeys and imaginative spirits produced on site, High West is also famed for its excellent cuisine. Sample stuffed jalapenos in a beer batter, grilled mini vegetables or roast elk in a bourbon sauce. Try the local trout in season and other delicacies, some flavored with spirits and many not, that invite people to return. Kids are welcome with their own menu. Wait for your table in the next door saloon. If you’ve booked in advance, enjoy the free and fun distillery factory tour.

Grappa belongs to local restauranteur Bill White, and has been a favorite since 1992. Go for the Osso Buco and classic Eggplant Parmigiana. The popular street level restaurant is known for its excellent northern Italian cuisine. Book ahead; the upstairs private party room is always packed with visiting celebrities.

The Aussie-owned Harvest is perfect for the morning after. Grab a flat white, an acai bowl or gluten-free bowl. Their banh mi are especially satisfying after a half-day on the slopes.

Romantic Family-Friendly Park City Hideaway

Lespri is the vacation rental company where we found a hot red, six-room boutique hotel on our last visit. We loved its stylish decadence, great location in Prospector Square, and huge, comfy rooms with kitchens; pictured in our video.

Today, Lespri has grown into a property management agency with several cool accommodation choices in town, or closer to the slopes.

While in town, pamper yourselves at the popular day spa, Spa at Hotel Park City. Locals say the excellent massage therapists who work at the large resorts’ famous spas work on friends and family here. With much lower rates than up the hill, it’s a great place to treat loved ones to a healing muscle rub at the end of a long day of skiing.

Planning your Romantic Park City Getaway

Salt Lake City is served by several airlines, including low cost carriers like JetBlue and Southwest. From the efficient Salt Lake City International Airport (and flights land from around the world bringing in skiers and snowboarders), it’s a quick drive or shuttle van to your Park City base.

We love skipping the car rental, it’s much less stress, especially if you’re not used to driving mountain roads in snow or rain. The free PC Transit service cruises by all the mountain resorts, local condos and throughout the commercial center so we can put our feet up and relax. Preschoolers love the transportation adventure too.

For more information about Park City Utah — and we warn you that many new residents say “We came for the winters but stayed for the summers” — check out the Park City Chamber of Commerce site.