This week we look at some socially distanced dining experiences in Park City, bulbs to plant in your garden for Spring and a continuation of more things to do and celebrate at home as Halloween will be quieter this year without our Main Street celebration.
If you are in Park City, Travel Awaits' Wendy Lee shares 8 Fantastic And Unique Dining Experiences In Park City. Due to changing advisories, please check local travel guidelines before visiting. Here are eight fantastic and unique dining experiences to consider on your next trip to Park City, listed in no particular order.
1. Go For A Sleigh Ride up the snowy slopes of the Park City Mountain Resort to the rustic Snowed Inn Lodge. This adventure is well suited for a multigenerational gathering, since children of all ages can be accommodated. Reservations are required. If you’re visiting during the holidays, be sure to make reservations far in advance. Though the sleigh ride is short, it can be very cold, so dress accordingly.
2. Have Dinner In A Yurt -Instead of taking a sleigh ride to a lodge, you can opt to take one to a yurt. This time, the sleigh is pulled uphill for 1,800 feet along a snowy trail that concludes at The Viking Yurt. Joy and Geir Vik came up with the idea for the experience and opened the yurt in 1999. Inside this unique structure, you’ll see a baby grand piano. Throughout the evening, guests enjoy music performed by a concert pianist. It is a wonderful option for couples seeking a romantic evening out. Reservations are required. If you can’t make it for dinner, but do want to see the yurt, try coming for lunch instead.
3. Enjoy Fireside Dining - Fireside Dining, they aren’t just for ambience, the dining room features large windows that provide lovely views of the surrounding mountains. The meal begins with warm raclette cheese served with cured meats and freshly baked baguettes. Then you’ll choose from several entrees, like veal and mushroom stew, roast leg of lamb, and beef short ribs. The perfect winter dessert of fondue concludes the dining experience. Beer, wine, and cocktails are available for purchase. Come hungry, since this is an all-you-can-eat meal.
4. Sample Seafood On The Slopes -You may not expect excellent seafood high up in the mountains, but that’s exactly what you’ll get at Rime Seafood and Raw Bar. Located in a refurbished cabin at the top of the Jordanelle ski run, Rime is the first-ever slopeside raw bar. And since it’s also a ski-in, ski-out establishment, you can enjoy a meal of fresh seafood at any time during your day of skiing. If you don’t ski, or just want to visit the restaurant, you can purchase a foot passenger lift ticket.
5. Dine Outdoors Amidst Mountain Scenery - Glitretind Restaurant in the Stein Eriksen Lodge offers award-winning summertime al fresco dining. Take a seat on their wooden terrace and admire the surrounding forested mountain slopes. Summer days bring hundreds of mountain bikers to this area, but at night, it’s a quiet oasis. The lodge is named for the famed Nordic skier Stein Eriksen, who lived for many years in Park City.
6. Have A Drink Fireside - head to the St. Regis Bar in Deer Valley for great views and memorable cocktails. During the winter, you can ski up to this bar, but at other times of year, you’ll need to take the funicular from the parking lot. If the weather permits, head outside, grab a seat by the fireplace, and appreciate the views of the surrounding mountains. While the drinks are the main attraction, the food is also excellent. Try the steak frites, the desert mountain cheeseburger, or the black truffle pizza. The bar is restricted to guests 21 and over.
7. Savor A Locally Sourced, Wood-Fired Dinner - Firewood. Every dish is cooked over a wood fire. Located in a historic building on Park City’s Main Street, Firewood features decor that’s almost stark, with reclaimed bricks and timers. Guests can watch their food being prepared through the large bank of windows dividing the seating area and kitchen. Be sure to make reservations in advance.
8. Combine Mines And Wines - Park City has a long history of silver mining dating back to 1868, and from those days come great stories. The Fox School of Wine weaves those tales into a unique 3-hour wine-tasting experience. Perfectly paired snacks are provided along the way. Much of this tour takes place outdoors, so dress appropriately. Guests must be at least 21 years of age.
There may be snow on the ground in Park City, but there is still a little time to think about your Spring garden. Here are 8 Bulbs to Plant Now for the Prettiest Flower Garden in Spring. October is the best month to plant your flower bulbs, which need to over-winter in order to bloom in spring. Daffodils and tulips might be the most familiar picks, but they’re not the only bulbs worth planting for spring.
Daffodils - these are an old-school trademark of spring—and for good reason. When they start to pop out of the ground, it’s a sign that winter is over and warmer months are on the way.
Lily of the Valley - appear at the beginning of spring. The plant produces sweet, white bell-shaped flowers that look like they’re made of porcelain. It is a perennial and has been known to survive the harshest of winters, so you’ll only have to plant this one once.
Tulips -add variety amongst all the bright colors of spring. If you choose to plant and love this tulip, be prepared for a wild amount of depth and dimension to appear in your garden beds.
Crocus - The spring crocus is one of the first blooms to emerge from the cold ground at the end of winter. The typical snow crocus has thin leaves and only reaches 4 inches tall. These plants produce the most adorable blooms that make them perfect for the smaller, empty spots in your garden.
Grape Hyacinth - is in the lily family, which you can tell by the long, thin foliage. It is a small plant that makes a great addition to the small corners and borders of gardens.
Anemones - not only do they bloom at the onset of spring, but they continue to produce flowers until the early summer. Anemones can generate a huge amount of blooms per bulb—sometimes up to 20.
Ranunculus - the other favorite spring flower, have crepe-paper thin petals that overlap in dozens of layers. Note: If you live in zones 7 or colder, you’ll need to plant your ranunculus in early spring instead.
Allium - The last place on this list goes to a plant the looks like it’s straight out of a Dr. Suess book. Allium, also known as ornamental onion, are part of the same vegetable family as shallots, onions and garlic. However, this ornamental variety of onion doesn’t belong in the veggie plot—instead, give it a well-deserved spot in your perennial garden.
Last week we shared Apartment Therapy's 100 Things to Look Forward to This Fall and Winter, this week we share the continuation of More things to do and celebrate.
Send a book, get a book: Set up a book exchange with friends where you mail a book, read it, then send it along to the next person on the list. You can also do this same system with other items, like puzzles or board games.
Establish a TBR fall/winter list: Create a “to be read” list of reads, then make it a mission to knock out all the books by the end of winter (deadline of March 21, set). Get a friend to do it with you (with their own list of books) so you can hold each other accountable.
Guess that scent: Put your nose to the test with this fun guessing game. Grab the candles you already own, put them in brown paper bags, mix them up so you’re not sure which is which, and try to sniff out the scents.
Virtual potluck, “Chopped” style: Write common pantry staples on individual strips of paper, throw them in a bowl, and pick three at random. Then, communicate the ingredients to a group of friends, and let everyone get cooking/baking with the three ingredients, plus up to three additional items of their choosing.
Short story club: Start doing a virtual short story club with a group of friends or family. Someone different picks a short story (that’s available for free online), and every week you pick a night to discuss. It’s a low-lift way to keep reading and stay in touch with friends.
Treat yourself with learning: Browse MasterClass, Coursera, Airbnb Online Experiences, etc. and treat yourself to one class that’s something you’ve always wanted to learn more about or have a passion for.
Dream virtual destination: Pick a destination that you’ve always wanted to travel to (perhaps it was on your 2020/2021 list) and create an at-home itinerary that’s inspired by it!
Future trip planning: While international travel isn’t really a thing right now, there’s nothing preventing you from planning that dream trip. Pick the destination and do some fun research—browse rentals, search for the best restaurants/activities, what you would do for transportation, etc.
Coloring pages-turned-wall art: Create your own piece of wall art while getting to expressively color.
Switcharoo Day: Set a date with a family member/friend to gather up five home items each of you no longer want (board games, planters, books, blanket, etc.), then trade them for the five items they want to give you.
Thematic TV/movie night: Do a pop culture binge-watch night where you set the scene and make drinks/snacks based off of what you’re watching.
Pen pal partnership: Establish a pen pal to keep in touch with throughout the fall and winter months. Use your favorite stationery, shower your envelopes with stickers, create a fun theme for every month’s letter, ask a fun question at the end of each note to leave you in suspense—make it fun and personal.
At-home spa time: Recreate a spa-like experience at home.
Let is snow (angel): If you happen to live in a place where there’s snow, don’t just let it sit there on the ground (although it is pretty to watch). Grab your waterproof pants and jacket, head outside, and get down (literally) with making some snow angels.
Old-fashioned snowball fight: Again, if you live where it snows, round up your housemates and any neighboring friends and family for a playful snowball battle. Not only is this activity free and comes with easy setup (thanks, Mother Nature), but it also abides by social distancing rules.
Epic fort-building: Revisit one of the best childhood activities and build yourself the best fort with everything around you. Grab a kitchen chair, drape your favorite massive fleece blanket over it, throw every single pillow imaginable underneath, and continue on the mission to achieve the ultimate coziness.
Leaf decorating: Put all the vibrant, unique leaves that fall to the ground to good use within your home. Go outside, take a long walk around your neighborhood, and gather the leaves that catch your attention along the way. Then, find a glass vase or bowl and arrange them inside, or hang them all on a string or wire and drape your walls with them.
Cozy happy hour: Pick a day in the middle of winter and schedule a virtual happy hour with friends and/or family where everyone comes with their favorite hot beverage of choice, from mulled wine to hot cocoa and chamomile tea.
DIY sanctuary space: Work on creating a peaceful area at home where you can practice wellness, if you haven’t already established one. This can be a room, table, even a corner—just a place where you turn off all devices and can sit with yourself and reflect.
Virtual walk/run: To keep you moving, sign yourself up for a virtual walk or run in the fall or winter months. Not only is it great motivation to practice wellness, but you can also do it for a great cause.
Have a Happy and Safe Halloween! Ramon & Judy
I love to go skiing! Add a little bit of booze and some warm heating and we're in business.