The CC's Insider Guide to Park City, Utah
Kelley Behrle, a TCC Tastemaker in Utah, is a true mountain girl at heart. She lives in Park City year round with her husband while working remotely for a tech star-up in the real estate space.
She loves to stay active but also frequently indulges in the local dining scene and has been to nearly every hot spot in the Park City area. She has fallen in love with Utah and her ultimate goal is to make you fall in love too!
PLANNING A TRIP TO UTAH?
The Citrine Compass is a boutique travel planning network that helps busy, sophisticated world explorers create curated and authentic travel experiences. The CC is comprised of a hand-selected collection of local tastemakers around the globe that have amazing taste and a passion for their region.
Kelley is part of our team of Tastemakers and would love to help you plan a tailored trip to Utah. Check out our Services and Booking pages to learn more!
What are your favorite hotels in Park City?
Montage Deer Valley* is a luxury resort with a ton of amazing amenities and activities offered year round. The hotel is nestled in between a gorgeous mountain range with a secluded feel but is only a 10-minute drive to Main Street in Park City. The hotel offers complimentary roundtrip shuttle transportation to and from Main Street which allows for easy trips downtown for shop, eat and explore town. It is also quite possible that the Montage has the best spa in all of Utah.
Sundance Mountain Resort* is located about 45 minutes outside of Park City but is a wonderful getaway with an endless amount of things to do - you can ski, hike, horseback ride, attend a summer concert, have a spa service, snowshoe, fly fish, and more! The resort has so much to offer, you honestly don’t have to leave the grounds. It is one of my all-time favorite place! Pro tip: If you stay there during the winter season, you get a complimentary ski pass with your hotel reservation.
Best coffee in town?
Silver King Coffee (off Main Street) and Atticus Coffee (located on Main Street)
Top brunch spots?
My favorites are Harvest, The Bridge Cafe and The Eating Establishment.
Where do you go for an amazing lunch?
Located at the base of Armstrong Trail, Silver Star Cafe is the best spot for lunch in the summer. They often have live music on their patio with a fantastic menu. Start your morning with a hike and end it with an outdoor lunch at Silver Star.
Favorite restaurants for dinner?
High West Saloon. If I only had one night in Park City, this is where I would go for dinner - it is an iconic Park City restaurant! They however do not take reservations so the best course of action is to put in your name an hour or so early and pop into No Name Saloon for a drink while you wait for your table.
Shabu is another favorite. This is not your traditional shabu shabu but a fun Asian fusion restaurant on Main Street. Their food, service and atmosphere is top notch, I would suggest it as a great spot for a group of friends as it is fun and lively!. My insider tip is to order the hot rock, you won’t regret it!
Favorite wine bar?
This may be the only true wine bar in town but if you are a wine lover, you will want to make sure to go to Old Town Cellars on Main Street.
What are some of the best day trips?
I highly recommend a day trip to Sundance Resort if you aren’t staying there. All of the activities I mentioned before are available to day trippers and they also have three amazing restaurants on property offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. They even have a hidden gem of a restaurant at the very top of the mountain that has the most breathtaking views.
Favorite beach, park, outdoor space?
The Deer Valley pond is a great spot in the summertime. They have a grassy beach area where you can set up chairs and umbrellas alongside a swimming pond. You can also rent floaties and paddle boards and have lunch at their café, which is steps away from the pond.
What is a local’s only spot The CC travelers should know about?
Grub Steak is an old school western steakhouse located off the main drag. It is a locals only spot that has been around for over 40 years. It is a great option if you are looking for a good steak and a restaurant with a rustic western feel. They have live music every Friday and Saturday evening.
Best views of the city?
Gardmans Pass has some of the best views in Park City/Deer Valley. It is typically closed in the winter time but has incredible panoramic views in the summer and fall. My favorite time to go is in early fall before the first storm of the season. The fall colors are at their peak and all you see is a sea of colorful foliage.
Any suggestions on where to listen to live music?
During the summer Deer Valley Resort puts on the Deer Valley Concert Series, which offers weekly live music shows where everyone sets out lawn chairs and picnic blankets on the grass lawn at the base of Deer Valley mountain. They usually have a great lineup of artists, some of the recent headliners being Kenny Loggins and The Beach Boys (yes, the real Beach Boys).
The Spur is also a great place for live music year round. They usually have an acoustic guitarist upstairs for a more relaxing vibe and their more lively bands play downstairs in their back bar every night of the week. The back bar is the best place in town to dance!
Cool events that only happen once a year (or seasonally)?
There are cool events that happen during every season in Park City, that is what makes Park City so special. Every season brings something new to experience and enjoy. My favorite event is Savor the Summit which takes place in the beginning of summer and is the largest dinner party in the state. Local restaurants set up outdoor dining tables down Main Street, turning it into one long dinner table. This is any foodie's dream event!
Essentials on your packing list?
This all depends on the time of year but regardless of the season always pack a cowboy hat and cowboy boots. And if you don’t already have any, don’t worry as there are many shops on Main Street where you can buy a hat or boots.
Best aprés ski in Park City?
Although the Park City après ski experience is a bit more rustic than the French Alps après ski, it is definitely becoming a cool scene. The St Regis in Deer Valley recently opened an après ski party tent called The Vintage Room that during ski season has a live DJ Friday through Sunday, a raw bar and bottomless champagne. If you are looking for a lively (yet bougie) aprés ski experience, this is the place for you. Alternatively, the Pig Pen Saloon at the base of Park City Mountain is a great option after skiing for a more low key, locals feel.
*Montage Resort Deer Valley and Sundance Mountain Resort are both part of The Citrine Compass’s partner portfolio and we are able to get members of our community VIP perks such as complimentary breakfast for two each morning, hotel credit, early check-in, late check-out and room upgrades, subject to availability. Reach out to us here to access our insider connections!
