For the first time Alex and I sent all three of our children to a week long overnight summer camp, and while they were having the best week of their lives Alex and I took a relaxing vacation to Utah. This is the perfect mix of an adventurous and relaxing vacation, scroll down to read more!
First off there were a few places we had in mind for our trip including Lake Tahoe, Maine, Utah and Colorado. Nantucket/Cape Cod would also be a perfect couples trip, but we did this last year with family (read the travel guide here). I enjoy the mountains more than the beach, and we wanted to escape the Texas heat. I also like to try new things and be adventurous vs. laying on a beach all day. We wanted a non-stop flight from Austin, and ultimately chose Utah because Salt Lake is a quick flight and not crazy expensive. We landed on Park City as our final destination as it's only 30 minutes from Salt Lake, and has everything we were looking for. Beautiful mountains and rivers, cool weather, great food, loads of outdoor activity options and a picturesque downtown. Our car rental was also very affordable for a 5 day trip. We arrived on Monday morning, and flew out Friday afternoon, but you could easily make this a 3 or 4 day trip and still have a blast!
We took this trip the second week of June and Park City felt like a ghost town which I didn't mind. Just know the lifts weren't open yet, and don't start until mid-June.
There are dozens of beautiful resorts in the Park City area, and ultimately we chose the Waldorf Astoria located in Canyons Village (a 5 min car ride to downtown Park City). Highlights of the hotel: Beautiful interior, fireplaces in the rooms, workout classes, spa, relaxing pool and adults-only hot tub, food & drink service at the pool, s'mores at night. For the price I'm not sure I would stay here again because it did seem a bit outdated including very small bathrooms. However, if I was going in the winter to ski I would 100% stay here because it's directly next to the lift. They had an entire room right by the entrance to put your ski gear at the end of every day. A dream for families with young kids!
I'm the type of person that likes to have at least one activity planned for each vacation day, so here's a breakdown of what we did in 4 days.
We golfed at the course directly next to our hotel called Canyons Golf Course. While it had beautiful views of the mountains, I wouldn't recommend. For the price we payed (around $350 for clubs/cart rental), the amenities didn't match up. The club house was a trailer, there were barely any restrooms, I didn't get a full set of clubs, and there were no cart girls...I wanted a marg on the course!
Our next adventure was a river rafting trip. Our trip was supposed to be 3 hours but the water was flowing hard so it only took 2 hours. We booked with Utah Outdoor Adventures, and our total was around $150. It was a short 30 minute drive and the views were beautiful on the way. Once we arrived we had a quick intro and then jump right in! We rafted the Weber river which was stunning and we learned a lot about the history of the area and Utah along the way. I highly recommend this activity, and would 100% do it again with my kids next time.
McPolin Farm Nature Trail - Every day we drove past the McPolin Farm which took my breath away the first time I saw the picturesque white barn with an American flag hanging in front. There is a parking lot directly across the street with an underground passage to the barn/trail. This was a super easy trail but not fully shaded.
FOOD
There are dozens of delicious food options in Park City and the surrounding area. Here are my favorites we visited!
Five5eeds - The BEST breakfast I think I've ever had! Make a reservation as I've heard it gets packed...we just happened to be the first people at the door at 8am. They offer breakfast and lunch until 3pm.
Tree Room - Our favorite meal of the trip was dining at the Tree Room located inside Sundance Resort. The restaurant is a cabin that was constructed around a large tree that still stands in the dining area. You are surrounded by Robert Redford's personal collection of art and the most stunning rustic ambiance. The bread and butter alone are worth a visit, but the Tagliatelle pasta and Pepper Steak were delicious! Make a reservation and have a drink at one of the coolest bars directly next door, The Owl Bar.
Grappa - Nestled at the top of Historic Main Street in Park City, Grappa is a beautiful Italian restaurant with a great patio for dining and views of downtown. We enjoyed their Caesar salad and Bolognese Bianca.
Twisted Fern - Recommended by a friend who visits Park City often, Twisted Fern did not disappoint! I had the Pork Ragu and Alex had their burger with fries. The ragu was 10/10 and Alex wasn't happy about me devouring most of his fries which were some of the best I've ever had! Also to note, I have never liked a house made ketchup, but their's was absolutely delicious! It had a sweetness to it which paired perfectly with the savory fries. Open only for dinner with a great kids menu.
The Copper Onion - If you fly into Salt Lake City airport definitely add The Copper Onion to your dining list. We ate lunch here before we headed home and it was a top meal of our trip! I had the Wagyu Beef Stroganoff and Alex had the Cuban Sandwich, both were superb. I wish I had enough room in my stomach to try their infamous Copper Onion Burger (grass fed beef, house bun, caramelized onion, duck fat aioli).
No Name Saloon - Your senses are flooded when you walk in to this local bar (established in 1959) with its eclectic decor collected over the years. The bar food is not to rave about, but the dive bar vibes, kind local staff, and rooftop patio with views of downtown are worth a visit!
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