Family Friendly Fun in Park City
Posted by Heather Peterson on Monday, July 23rd, 2018 at 2:27pm.
Park City is the unofficial capital of family friendliness for both residents and visitors. There are activities and events to cater to every interest and age. And summer is the best time to experience it all, but these days there is so much going on that it can be hard to choose what to partake in! There are many cultural offerings, activities to learn more about local history and nature, and endless recreation like fishing, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and hiking. Here is a round-up of some of our favorites that you may not have thought of, but promise to make you fall head over heels with Park City all over again.
UTAH OLYMPIC PARK
The 2002 Olympic venue for bobsled, skeleton, luge and ski jumping, the Utah Olympic Park has transformed into a soft adventure mecca and USOC training site and also houses the fascinating and interactive Alf Engen Ski Museum.
New this year is the Park’s seven tower Zip Line Tour. Thrill-seekers are given the chance to fly up to 161 feet above the canyon floor at nearly 40 mph, crisscrossing their way along the most scenic portion of Utah Olympic Park. Participants must weigh 50-250 lbs., and children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $60.
The Flying Ace All Stars Freestyle Show is an experience truly unique to Park City. On Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. thru September 2, you can catch Olympic athletes and National Team skiers and snowboarders perform acrobatics that have them soaring 60 feet in the air and landing in the Spence Eccles Olympic Freestyle Pool. An exhilarating spectacle for all ages, the half-hour, choreographed show is a rare treat! Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for kids 12 and under. Admission is free with purchase of a Gold Pass.
SWANER PRESERVE & ECOCENTER
Located by Kimball Junction, the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter is a 1,200-acre nature Preserve and a 10,000 square-foot LEED Platinum building with interactive exhibits about the surrounding environment. The non-profit offers wildlife viewing opportunities, summer camps, and environmental education programs for every age.
Learn more about the Preserve and its wide variety of inhabitants with a Saturday morning guided Nature Walk. The walk will reveal the wonders of wetlands and native plant and animal species. Hikers may get the incredible experience of witnessing elk, Sandhill cranes, and other amazing birds. The fee is $10.
A great indoor activity for any age is the Ecocenter’s climbing wall. Every Saturday and Sunday from 1-3 p.m., visitors can climb through the EcoSystem from the bedrock all the way to the uplands. Harnesses are supplied, and the fee is $5 and free for members.
Swaner’s Craft Sundays invite kids to create a nature-themed craft from 11:00 a.m. to 1: 00 p.m. And it’s free to participate!
GUIDED HISTORIC MAIN STREET WALKING TOUR
Offered by the Park City Museum, this is a fascinating opportunity to explore Park City’s Historic Main Street and learn about its architecture while hearing stories of the city's unique history—from the days as a booming mine town to an emerging ski town. Tours are Monday through Friday thru August 31. They depart from the Park City Museum (528 Main Street) at 2:00 p.m. Be sure to call 435-649-7457 ext. 102.
HEBER VALLEY RAILROAD'S RAFT 'N' RAILS
The historic Heber Valley Railroad has teamed up with High Country Adventure to create an unforgettable adventure in scenic Provo Canyon. The half-day excursion starts with a train ride through the farmlands of Midway and rolls past Soldier Hollow, home of the 2002 Winter Olympic cross-country skiing events. The train wanders around Deer Creek Reservoir and then descends down breathtaking Provo Canyon to the river's edge. Disembark at the Provo River put-in where you are outfitted with life jackets. The guided rafting trip is six miles long with several class I and II rapid sections, suitable for all ages and experience levels. The raft excursion ends at Vivian Park from where a shuttle will return you to your car at the train depot. This excursion includes a gourmet box lunch and is offered Tuesdays-Saturdays thru September 8, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Prices are $95 for ages 13+ and $79 for ages 3-12.