Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Where to Eat in Park City Utah

There are plenty of places to eat when staying in Park City.  This is our quick hit list.  This is in no particular order.

Just down the stairs from #AbbottSkiHouse near the top of Main Street is the Wasatch Brew Pub.  Grab a couple of the growlers from the upstairs kitchen and have fresh beer in your own fridge.  If you decide to stay and eat, the food is plenty palatable bar fare, but the real reason to eat here is to sit outside in the spring, summer and fall.

 Over on Bonanza hit El Chubasco, or as we call it Chubby's.  This is Park City's top Mexican taqueria style restaurant.  I have spent enough time working in Mexico to know that this is not soup to nuts Mexico, but it is close enough.  I like the Camarones a la Diabla, carnitas, fried fish taco or burrito.  Plenty of salsa's to choose from.

The Bill White Restaurants are good for finer dining, Chimayo probably being our favorite.

The No Name Saloon may seem a bit cliche, not the best kept secret.  It is a classic location that is always busy.  Get a buffalo burger and the homemade chips.  Most houses in Park City have a stash of the No Name's matches.

Get a Schooner of beer and another of nuts next door at O'Shucks.  Their Buffalo wings are grilled ...sacrilege I know, but delicious none the less.  Believe it or not, the oysters here actually won't kill you.  This used to be a main stay for me after Saturday hockey.  My style, smells like old beer ...mmmm.

Prime Steak House  may just have the best steak in town and I just happen to know somebody who loves their bone in rib-eye. 

The only ski-in-ski-out distillery I have ever heard of High West a Micro Distillery and we have it in Park City.  The small plates are good enough, but you are there mostly to sample the hooch.  Try a sip of all of them before deciding.

If you find a reason to be in Heber get to Chick's Cafe.  Could be the best breakfast in Utah.  Split the scone ... this is the way we do scone in out here.  Mmmmmmm Scone.

The Montage at Deer Valley Hit the sports bar with the kids for bowling, games and casual dinner.  Don't worry about being disruptive, this is family friendly.  Lose the kids and go for something a little upscale upstairs.

 The Uptown Fare is just uphill on Main Street from the 3rd Street stairs that take you to the #AbbottSkiHouse.  Some adults may not be able to stand upright with the low ceilings.  Don't tell them your from out of town unless you tell them Monique sent you.  You may need to know the password to get in during Sundance.  Find me @JabbottParkCity on twitter if you need it.  Go for the soup, sandwich and-or salad.  This is the place for lunch.

I am never disappointed with Shabu.  Don't be a homer and order the shabu shabu.  Get whatever Kevin or the wait staff suggests.  Tell them my wife Monique sent you.






Monday, January 13, 2014

Park City Utah Events and Festivals

Everybody knows about the Sundance Film Festival every January, but I like a couple lesser known events.

Savor the Summit happens every summer.  This is an outdoor dining experience that spans the length of Main Street.  Our #AbbottSkiHouse is a great place to walk to this event from.  It used to be one table the whole way up the hill, but know it is a smattering of double tables and other formations.  Make your reservation early though it sells out quickly.  If you stay with us, @JabbottParkCity might be able to get you a couple seats.

Park City Arts Fest
I always like it ... can't tell you why, but I do.  Runs right down Main Street.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Things to do Around Park City Utah - Parks, Drives and More

If you find yourself looking for more to do when in Park City after the ski areas have closed (keep in mind many years you can find skiing at Snowbird into the summer), you may want to take some short side trips.

Timpanogos Cave
Not far and really cool.  This includes a hike up the side of a mountain on a twisting paved path (not for the elderly or anybody pushing a stroller).  Watch your head.  This is a good half day activity when staying at #AbbottSkiHouse in Park City.

Take a longer trip to Moab and tell us what you found.  This is an exciting location for all ages.  That link will give you a list of happenings.  Visit the parks, Moab is a great headquarters for Canyonlands and Arches National Parks.  Don't forget to check out the different types of river tours like jet boats and rafting.  There are plenty of day trips available.

Goblins Valley State Park
This is a quick hit park you can do while eating a sandwich.  You can Clark Griswald it from the parking lot, or get out and walk around. How many movies have you seen this place in?

I've done these slot canyons that are very near Goblins.  Slots are kind of cool, you can make your stop as short or long as you want to, but don't go in the slots when rain is in the forecast.  Trust me ... flash floods are crazy in these things.

Anasazi Ruins
They are hidden all over southern Utah and purposefully kept a secret.  They are not advertised so explore some blogs and befriend a park ranger, it will be worth your effort.

 Bear Lake
Half in Wyoming and half in Utah, not unreachable for a day, but I would suggest a stay over.  Bear Lake is good year round, but @JabbottParkCity likes to head to the north end of the lake and drive out onto the sand and make a day of beaching.  Swimming and sunbathing in the endless sand are great for all ages.

Mirror Lake Highway
Short drive from Park City.  This will take you up and over the Uinta Mountains.  It is a nice drive where you can take some hikes, paddle a canoe, go off-roading and do some rental car abuse, check out some little lakes, catch some fish .... you get the idea.  Grab a bite at the Smoke House on the way up.  I like the pull pork.

When in Park City, you aren't that far from the Teton's and Jackson Wyoming.  If you decide to head up there don't miss The Blue Lion.  Get the lamb... trust me.

Finally, the National Parks.  You can research all of these on your own, but I will give you my two cents.
Capital Reef is not a bad hit on the way through.  You can see some rock drawings firght off the main road near the headquarters.  Hikes are everywhere.  This may not be your first destination, but at least do a drive by, you may come back later.
San Ragael Swell is not a park, but it is about the remote place in the middle of our country.  Check a cell phone map if you don't believe me.  There are ruins, cave drawings, uranium mines, wild horses and more.  All of these attractions are hidden in plain site by a giant expanse.  This one is for the adventurous.
Arches "liked it so much, we put it on the license plate".  Take a bunch of short hikes and see some arches.  Bring a camera and cross it off in one day.
Canyon Lands  is HUGE.  Don't miss the spires.  One of the coolest parks not that many people know about.  Probably best seen from a float trip if you have the time.  Otherwise drive and hike a bunch.
Zions a little cliche but I like the Angels Landing hike.  Hang on, people fall to their death fairly often here.  Hit this on the way to Vegas?
Bryce Canyon is fast, easy and panoramic.  You don't need to hike to see this place, but I recommend you at least do it once.  All of the area around this park is great.  Camp, four wheel, hike, fish, hunt, my favorite part of the state in some ways.




Things To Do in Park City Utah Year Round

Everybody knows Utah has the greatest snow on earth and when staying in Park City there isn't anything like skiing at Park City Mountain Resort (PCMR), The Canyons, Deer Valley, Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude, Snow Basin etc., but there is even more to do besides what the worlds best ski resorts have to offer.

All Seasons Adventures
Goose will arrange just about any outdoor activity you can imagine.  Horseback riding, fly fishing, white water rafting, dog sleds, snow shoes and more.  Tell Goose that Monique and John sent you.

 The Egyptian Theatre
About a minutes walk from your front porch at the #AbbottSkiHouse is a great little local theater company.  If you can, get one of the tables that belly up to the stage (not all shows have them).  You will be able to bring your own wine and snacks.  Truth be told, they don't frisk anybody on the way in ...

Utah Olympic Park
This is the favorite attractions for many of guests.  Check out their events calendar.  In the summer you can typically find the Flying Aces once a week (it was Sundays at 1 p.m. during 2013).  You will see some absolutely sick aerials.  There are great summer programs for kids of all ages to learn new ski and snowboard freestyle techniques or tune some old ones.  You won't believe that you are actually jumping into a bubbling pool while wearing ski equipment.

Park City Farmers Market
Wednesdays, starting late spring and running into the fall.  Pick up some local produce, you can't beat our peaches, plums, tomatoes and sweet corn.  Grab lunch while you are there.  Don't forget to tell Volker Oduya sent ya.  I should mention there is another summer market on lower Main all summer, but the Wednesday market is the real thing.

Park City Ice Arena
The fastest and most accessible ice around.  There are daily open skates and plenty of drop-in hockey and stick and puck.  Minor league hockey can be found throughout the winter.

The Marc (aka The Park City Racquet Club)
Work out, play tennis (indoors and out) and in the summer time hang out at the pool.  There is even a climbing wall.  Newly remodeled, about the best you can find for a municipally run club.

Check out Some Hot Springs
Contact your host directly @JabbottParkCity when you arrive at #AbbottSkiHouse and you will get some tips for the locals favorite hot springs.  Check out the Homestead hot springs where you can even get your open water scuba certification ... really.

Utah Rodeos
Utah rodeos are authentic, plentiful and affordable family friendly fun.  In the summer, chances are there is one happening near you every weekend.  There is even an indoor rodeo grounds a short drive away in Heber where you will find huge professional rodeo events year round.

The Heber Creeper (Train)
Special events and regular rides.  This is an old-school train not a roller coaster.  The kids love it!  Check for special events.

The Park City Museum on Main Street
Don't miss this.  Spend a little time in the museum to learn something about the rich history of Park City.  This museum is the real thing.  Just stop by before or after dinner or lunch.  Your host just may be board member so make sure you tell them John and Monique sent you.

The Bees Baseball
Minor league baseball in the Salt Lake Valley.  Great family fun and a fantastic product!

Tube or Kayak Deer Creek
Good on a hot day.  This is a half day activity about 20 minutes from Park City.  Combine it with the Timpanogos Cave eh?

And as always check out one of the local events calendars like Visit Park City.  They have a pretty good listing of the music events at Deer Valley.