Make the most of summer in Park City

Photo: Arts Council of Park City and Summit County.

PARK CITY, Utah — Summer is more than a gap between ski seasons. It’s a chance to slow down, explore and create the kind of memories that stick. Whether you’re visiting for a week or you’ve called this mountain town home for years, Park City Chamber of Commerce | Visitors Bureau members are making it easier than ever to fill sunny days with adventure, art and a little bit of magic. Here’s a look at some of the best family-friendly experiences the area has to offer this summer.

Get rolling with Black Tie Delivery Bike Rentals

For families looking to get out and explore, Black Tie Delivery Ski and Bike Rentals offers one of the most flexible and family-forward bike rental setups in town. Located directly across the street from the Union Pacific Rail Trail, the shop puts riders steps away from Park City’s main trail system the moment they roll out the door.

“We really aim to help people coming to Park City with things to do, whether it’s a quick little joy ride around town or to go out and hit some trails,” said Haley Roberts of Black Tie.

The shop carries a wide range of options for all ages and skill levels, including kids bikes, electric bikes, hardtail mountain bikes and premium full-suspension bikes for more serious riders. For parents who want to bring little ones along without putting tiny legs to the test, cargo e-bikes let adults do the pedaling while kids enjoy the ride.

For families staying a few days or longer, multi-day rentals make it easy to keep wheels on hand throughout the trip, so everyone can bike into town for dinner or explore at their own pace rather than loading into the car for every outing.

One of the shop’s newest offerings is a seasonal rental program for Woom bikes, a progression-based children’s bike brand designed to grow with young riders from about age 2 to 14. Rather than buying a new bike every year as kids grow, families can rent a Woom for the summer and simply return it at the end of the season.

For those who would rather leave the route-planning to someone else, Black Tie also offers guided e-bike tours in two- and four-hour options, with a local expert showing riders around and pointing out scenery and stops along the way. Bike delivery to trailheads is available for a flat $15 fee, covering both drop-off and pickup, as well as delivery to homes, condos, or hotels.

Dive into summer at PC MARC’s new pools

The Park City Municipal Athletic and Recreation Center (PC MARC) has given families plenty of new reasons to get in the water this summer, with a lineup of pool events designed to delight kids from toddlers to teens.

“We made sure to have a lot of fun, family-friendly programming for the new pools throughout the summer,” said Jessica Moran of PC MARC.

For the youngest swimmers, Mystic Mermaids pool parties offer an enchanting afternoon in the activity pool, complete with mermaid visitors entertaining up to 20 children at a time. The events are geared toward ages 3 to 9, with sessions in June, July and August.

Older kids ages 10 to 14 can look forward to the DJ Drop the Beat Pool Parties, scheduled for July 17 and Aug. 14. Think poolside energy, dancing, swimming and treats, with enough room for a crowd.

When the sun dips lower in the sky, families can head to the center’s new outdoor turf space for movie nights under the stars. “The Little Mermaid” screens June 26, and “Zootopia 2” follows July 31. Swimmers can enjoy the pool beforehand, then gather on the upper turf once the film begins at sunset.

The final event on PC MARC’s summer calendar is the sixth annual Cardboard Boat Race on Aug. 29. Families of all ages are invited to register, build their best watercraft using provided starter materials and a rule book, and race in the lap pool.

“Everyone in the family can participate,” Moran said. “It’s a super fun event.”

Find art in unexpected places with the Arts Council of Park City and Summit County

For families who want to blend creativity with the outdoors, the Arts Council of Park City and Summit County has a full summer of events bringing art out of the gallery and into the community.

The Summit Arts Market on Saturday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Red Barn in Oakley is free and open to all. Expect handmade goods ranging from soaps and baked goods to ceramics, photography and jewelry, plus live music all day through a partnership with Mountain Town Music.

“The Summit Arts Market is a free, family-friendly event that celebrates both arts and culture and the natural beauty of this area,” said Jocelyn Scudder, executive director of the Arts Council. “It makes for the perfect summer outing for the entire family.”

On Aug. 22, Art on the Trails transforms the McLeod Creek Trail between Copper Moose Farm Stand and Temple Har Shalom into an open-air performance venue. Guided groups depart every 20 minutes from 2 to 6 p.m. along the shaded, flat, 1.5-mile gravel path, encountering pop-up performances in opera, dance and acrobatics along the way. Tickets are on sale at pcscarts.org/art-on-the-trails.

Art enthusiasts can also catch the Summit County Fair Fine Arts Show, Aug. 6-8 at the Summit County Fairgrounds, where more than 3,000 visitors are expected to view work from local artists across a wide range of mediums.

And for a one-of-a-kind souvenir, Create PC, the Arts Council’s Park City gallery, is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m., with rotating work from local artists and jewelers arriving regularly.

“It’s ever evolving all the time,” said Claire Wiley of the Arts Council. “People are bringing stuff in, they sell things, so they bring more in.”

Wander Old Town with Silver Skis

Not every summer adventure needs to move fast. Silver Skis owner Lo Bannerman Dennis started her guiding business out of a desire to help people experience Park City at a slower pace, one that’s welcoming to strollers, wheelchairs and anyone who wants to soak in the town without a race to the finish line.

“I realized there’s so much here to share that’s not on the mountain,” Bannerman Dennis said. “So many people visit, and they just think of Park City because of our mountain sports, and many don’t look outside of that.”

Her flagship offering, the Old Town Wander, begins at the Old Town Transit Center and winds through some of the city’s most storied streets, touching on history, art, culture and local lore. The tours are accessible, designed so families with young children can stop, explore and take it all in without feeling rushed.

For groups looking for something a bit more rugged, a private Modern Mining Wander takes participants up to Silver Star to explore historic mining structures, with options to include a hike and a picnic.

Bannerman Dennis is also developing a family-focused wander aimed at young kids, drawing inspiration from the monthly family hikes she leads with her own children.

“When you involve young kids, you get a lot of, ‘Oh, look at this flower,’ or ‘Here’s a worm,'” she said. “We called it a family wander, because it’s less about the hike and more about the experience.”

The Old Town Wander can be booked directly through her website, while private tours are available by arrangement.