Beneath the glitz of Park City’s skiing and film scenes, underground culture abounds—including a cowboy speakeasy, hidden Banksy murals, and subterranean scuba diving.
Field Report: Park City
Elevation: 6,936 feet
Population: 8,300
Town Etymology: Originally called Parley’s Park City after Parley P. Pratt, an early Mormon leader, the name was later shortened to Park City as the town developed its own identity.
Fun Fact: Back in 1963, what was then called Treasure Mountain (now Park City Mountain Resort) transported skiers on the Skiers’ Subway through old mining tunnels. Ski trips included a mysterious two-and-a-half-mile trip underground that was pitch black, cold, and wet, followed by a ride in a mining elevator that lifted riders a staggering 1,750 feet to the ski lifts.
Park City, Utah, was founded as a silver mining town in the late 1860s. Mormon pioneers first settled the area, but it was the discovery of rich silver deposits in the surrounding mountains that transformed it into a booming mining hub. By the 1880s, it was one of the most significant silver mining towns in the West, drawing prospectors, immigrants, and fortune-seekers. Though mining declined in the mid-20th century, the town reinvented itself as a ski destination. Its rugged roots remain visible in the preserved buildings and tunnels beneath this modern-day resort town.
Park City today pulses with diverse energy in a lively mix of outdoor enthusiasts, art lovers, ski bums, and film industry insiders, drawn by its proximity to Salt Lake City just thirty-two miles away. As a cultural and recreational extension of the Wasatch Front, it blends world-class skiing, arts festivals, and a dynamic small-town charm that captivates year-round.
Arts + Culture
Kimball Art Center
Park City’s vibrant art scene begins at the Kimball Art Center, a cornerstone of the town’s cultural life since 1976. Housed in a sleek, modern space just off Kearns Boulevard, Kimball offers rotating contemporary art exhibitions, community programs, and artist residencies that make it a dynamic all-season gathering place. Its annual Kimball Arts Festival, one of the top-ranked events of its kind, transforms the streets into a bustling, open-air gallery of fine art, music, and culinary delights each August.
Julie Nester Gallery
Just up the road, Julie Nester Gallery brings a polished yet adventurous sensibility to Park City’s creative landscape. Specializing in contemporary painting, photography, and mixed-media art, the gallery features emerging and mid-career artists with a refined eye for color, texture, and conceptual depth. Its large, industrial-style space lets the art breathe, and is perfect for soaking in bold abstract compositions or intimate figurative work.
Trove Gallery
Nearby, Trove Gallery offers a more whimsical, eclectic experience, showcasing imaginative sculptures and vibrant paintings that speak to the local spirit. Known for its curated yet playful vibe, Trove is a favorite among collectors and casual visitors alike looking for one-of-a-kind pieces that capture the magic of mountain living.
More to explore:
As the sun sets, Park City’s artistic pulse doesn’t slow, it shifts to the stage and screen. The Egyptian Theatre, an iconic venue dating to 1926, brings vintage charm and cinematic history to the heart of Main Street. With its ornate Egyptian Revival architecture and storied past, the theater has hosted everything from vaudeville shows to indie film premieres. It remains a key venue during the Sundance Film Festival, drawing global talent and audiences each January, turning Park City into a cinematic mecca for two thrilling weeks. (The 2026 festival will take place in Park City. Starting in 2027, the Sundance Film Festival will take place in Boulder, Colorado.)
Adding a dash of urban mystery to this alpine town are the three extant Banksy artworks tucked discreetly around Main Street. The first, Camera Man and Flower, is just around the corner from the Egyptian Theatre. Originally unveiled during Banksy’s 2010 Sundance appearance for his documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop, the piece has become a cult favorite. Discovering it often leads visitors on a spontaneous treasure hunt, where the thrill of spotting a real Banksy merges with the snowy charm of Park City. The other two works, Dirty Rat and Praying Boy, are hidden in plain sight, adding a subversive wink to the town’s polished art offerings.
Stay/Rest
Washington School House Hotel
Housed in an 1889 limestone schoolhouse named for George Washington, this boutique gem offers just twelve luxurious rooms, a heated hillside pool, ski valet, gourmet breakfasts, and aprés-ski snacks just steps from Main Street’s shops and slopes.
The Lodge at Blue Sky
Set on a 3,500-acre ranch near Park City, this five-star Auberge resort features creekside cabins, suites with sweeping mountain views, a farm-to-table restaurant, spa, ski shuttles, equestrian adventures, and on-site High West Distillery tastings.
Sustenance
Park City’s Main Street offers the town’s most flavorful refreshments, all within a walkable, historic stretch. The Kemo Sabe Cowboy Boutique and Speakeasy is a top destination for handcrafted cowboy hats and Western attire, with a cozy speakeasy tucked behind the boutique, offering craft cocktails in an intimate, vintage setting.
The convivial clubhouse-style venue Palomino features artful cocktails and seafood-forward small plates, especially oysters. Upstairs is the renowned Riverhorse on Main, housed in a beautifully restored historic Masonic Hall. Honored with a Forbes four-star rating, Riverhorse presents American cuisine with Southwest flair, live music, and an award-winning wine list.
Grappa is an elegant, rustic eatery showcasing Northern Italian cuisine consisting of house-made pastas, risottos, and artisanal flatbreads, with a warm, inviting ambiance perfect for date nights or group dinners.
Atticus Coffee and Teahouse is a cozy café on Main Street offering crafted espresso, loose-leaf teas, fresh-baked goods, and a welcoming atmosphere that is perfect for relaxed mornings or study sessions.
Outdoors
Skiing
Park City boasts three iconic ski mountains: Park City Mountain, Canyons Village, and the glamorous Deer Valley Resort, where fresh powder meets high-profile sightings. It was at Deer Valley that Gwyneth Paltrow was famously accused of crashing into another skier, which resulted in a bizarre and theatrical courtroom saga, which she won with unrelenting poise and a flash of celebrity cool in 2023.
Utah Crater
Just thirty minutes from Park City lies the Homestead Caldera, a natural geothermal wonder tucked in the town of Midway. Also known as the Utah Crater, this 10,000-year-old limestone dome hides a mineral-rich warm spring over sixty-five feet deep, making it the only warm-water scuba diving destination in the continental U.S. Accessible through a tunnel carved into its side, the caldera is a hidden cathedral of heat and light, offering surreal underwater views and a sense of ancient earth magic.
Unexplained Phenomena
That same spirit of wonder touched the skies in May 2024, when a rare geomagnetic storm brought the aurora borealis dancing over Park City. Green and violet ribbons shimmered above the mountains, enchanting viewers with a celestial spectacle normally reserved for the Arctic. For one unforgettable night, the heavens opened, and Utah glowed with Northern light.
