Photo Credit: Marc Leonard

TripOut Gay Travel:
Park City

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Gay Friendly Rating: Gay Friendly Rating Tolerant and friendly; but be mindful about PDAs.
Simultaneously swank and scruffy, Park City meshes high country sports with New West glam. You'll be bringing the queerness.

Park City Fast Facts:

  • Gayborhood There's not too mucy official gay life in Park City, but plenty of LGBT folks live in this well-heeled, liberal resort town. You'll feel at home.
  • Utah has uniquely conservative liquor laws (http://parkcityinfo.com/dining/liquor/). Mixed drinks poured in bars will be light on the alcohol; only one small shot per drink is permitted. So if you want more bang for your buck, order wine or beer. But the beer may also contain less alcohol (3.2% or so), so ask. Also, beer sold at grocery or convenience stores can only contain up to 3.2% alcohol; you have to go to the state-run liquor store (in Park City, it's at 1901 Sidewinder Drive, Prospector Square, Park City (tel. 435-649-7254). The store is open Mon-Sat, 10am-8pm.) for stronger stuff. Also, you must buy wine or liquor at the State Liquor Store. Cheers!
  • If you want to have your rental stocked with goods by the time you arrive, the local Park City shopping/concierge service, Errands N Such (http://www.errandsnsuch.com; tel. 435-729-0086) can hook you up. They can also help with other local services, floral delivery, luggage shipping, picking up your Sundance tickets, etc.
  • If you're heading to Park City during the Sundance Film Festival (and you're just attending the festival events, mainly) you won't need a car. Driving around the small downtown area when it's packed with media folks can be overly crowded and maddening. Also, the airport at Salt Lake City offers many shuttle options/van services to take you to Park City (for $30-$45) which may be much less hassle, and they'll take you to your door. The official shuttle of the Sundance Film Festival is Express Shuttle Service (http://www.xpressshuttleutah.com); they've got a counter right across from the baggage claim at the airport. Getting around Park City is easy during the film festival, by using the pretty handy and timely free bus/shuttle service (http://festival.sundance.org/2007/festival/getaround.aspx).
  • Park City is up high, with altitude varying from 6,800 to 10,000 feet. Which can make you weary. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated, and expect to allow the first day or two to get acclimated (yes, you may be short-winded at first; it's normal). Alcohol will affect you more strongly here, too. Which may be handy since the drinks are week (see Liquor Laws, above).
  • If you're coming in the winter, you'll want good boots for sloshing around the snow in. Your regular sneakers may not cut it, when it comes to warmth, traction and wetness. Also, whether it's summer or winter, wear sunscreen. The sun's closer and can burn you more easily.
  • The Park City Chamber of Commerce (http://www.parkcityinfo.com) has a pretty great and extensive website. It's full of info about where to stay, where to eat, what to do and where to get around. Use it!

Park City: Sundance and Beyond

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About 120 years ago, Park City, Utah was known for its bustling silver-mining trade, as well as the raucous Old West antics that thrived in this rowdy mountain town, which was a loose-moraled black-sheep in the otherwise conservative, docile Utah... Read More Park City: Sundance and...
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Park City Top 5

Don't leave town before checking out...
TripOut Top Five
  1. High Country Rafting
  2. Park City Mountain Resort
  3. Sundance Film Fest Queer Lounge
  4. Stein Erickson Lodge
  5. Bandits Grill & Bar

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More Park City: Related Websites

  • http://www.parkcityinfo.com The Park City website is a great place for info on any and all activities in town, in wintertime or summertime.