Aarp’s city guide to park city, utah

No trip to Park City is complete without a drink at High West Distillery. The saloon is uniquely situated at the bottom of Park City Resort’s Quittin’ Time ski run and next to the Town Lift,

making it a prime spot for après-ski. And the food is just as spectacular as the whiskey cocktails. At the walk-ins-only Saloon, appetizers like smoked chicken wings are great for sharing,

and the mains, like a burger with bacon onion jam and bison tacos, are made for soaking up boozy drinks. The owners renovated the historic Nelson Cottage, two doors away, and now offer a

prix fixe dinner menu ($95) with optional whiskey pairings (from $50) Wednesday through Sunday.  During the winter months, Empire Canyon Lodge in Deer Valley offers Fireside Dining ($110).

A true culinary experience rooted in European alpine tradition, the four-course meal includes raclette cheese and roasted leg of lamb served straight from stone fireplaces. Tip: Wednesday

through Saturday, predinner horse-drawn sleigh rides can be booked by reservation. AARP TOP PICKS  TEE OFF When the snow melts, Park City becomes a haven for golfers. Fourteen courses lie

within 30 minutes of downtown, all with unbeatable scenery and challenging fairways. The par-70 Canyons public course features over 550 feet of elevation gain across its 18 holes, and

players age 65 and older pay a discounted green fee ($85). The fairways of the public par-72 Park City course are located just off Main Street, and fees are discounted for Utah residents

(nonresidents, $76 with cart and $60 walking). The Mountain and Lake courses at Wasatch Mountain State Park are an incredible value, especially considering the scenery (the golden hues of

fall should not be missed). The Lake Course is flat and wide open, while the narrow Mountain Course challenges players with loads of elevation change (Monday through Thursday, $55 with cart,

$50 for age 65 and older; Friday through Sunday, $60 with cart). WAYS TO SAVE: The free Park City Transit System stops at the Park City and Canyons golf courses. FEEL THE OLYMPIC SPIRIT

Brush up on your Olympic history with a guided tour of Utah Olympic Park. The nearly 400-acre venue was built for the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Winter Games and hosted the bobsled, skeleton,

luge and Nordic combined events. With Utah bidding to host the 2030 or 2034 Winter Games, it could soon be full of fans again. For now, you can visit crowd-free. It’s well worth booking a

one-hour guided tour ($15; $12 for age 65 and older), which includes a shuttle ride to the top of the world’s highest Nordic ski jump. WAYS TO SAVE: Admission to the Alf Engen Ski Museum and

the Eccles 2002 Winter Olympic Games Museum, both inside the Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center, is free and both venues are wheelchair accessible.  ​ART APPRECIATION Park City’s historic

Main Street is lined with art galleries. Among them are the Meyer Gallery, which showcases a broad range of styles in a historic former bank, and Park City Fine Art,

which specializes in regional-inspired paintings and sculptures. The Kimball Art Center, one of Park City’s oldest nonprofits, displays the work of both local and internationally renowned

artists in its four gallery spaces at the YARD; entry is free. The center also hosts art classes and workshops as well as complimentary art talks. WAYS TO SAVE: The Last Friday Gallery

Stroll at the end of every month is a free event where 15 galleries open their doors from 6 to 9 p.m. and offer light refreshments and often special exhibits. GET A HISTORY LESSON Learn

about the area’s rich mining history at the Park City Museum, housed partly in the historic City Hall. Highlights of the permanent exhibition include climbing into an original car from the

world’s only “skier subway” to watch a film on Park City’s transition from mining to a ski town and visiting the original territorial jail in the basement. All three floors can be accessed

by elevator, and wheelchairs are available on a first-come basis. Admission is $15; $11 for seniors.  WAYS TO SAVE: City buses are free, and the Park City Museum is just across the street

from the Public Transit Center. If you drive, parking on Swede Alley is free with a four-hour limit until 5 p.m. The museum offers free entry on select days throughout the year (check the

website events calendar).  PLAY IN THE SNOW For both novice and expert winter sports enthusiasts, Park City Mountain spans 7,300 acres, offers more than 330 trails and is the largest ski

resort in the United States. Ritzy Deer Valley Resort features immaculately groomed slopes and offers fancy touches like overnight ski storage and a valet to escort you to the base. Downhill

gets all the attention, but Park City is a mecca for Nordic ski and snowshoe enthusiasts. White Pine Nordic Center has more than 12 miles of groomed trails for snowshoeing, cross-country

skiing and fat biking (day passes are $24, $12 for seniors and free for “super” seniors 75 or older).  WAYS TO SAVE: A one-day ticket purchased at the Park City Mountain can cost more than

$200. For the best deals, purchase tickets online and in advance through the Park City or Deer Valley websites; both offer senior discounts.