In Northern Utah, the Food Scene Is as Elevated as the Outdoors. Here’s Where to Play, Eat, and Stay.

Here are the top things to do in Heber Valley and Park City, along with recommendations on where to eat, drink, and stay.

Things to do in Northern Utah

Try your hand at fly fishing

I’m an athletic person, but I’m not an angler. Luckily, neither mattered. All I needed was a good guide for fly fishing. The crew at Fish Heads Fly Shop knew every bend and eddy in the Provo River outside of Heber City, leading us to the best places to cast for the best chance of a catch.

Wading into the cool waters, they patiently tied my line and taught me how to flick my arm to land the fly in the current and watch it drift downstream. Before long, I was casting like I almost knew what I was doing, but never without expert backup nearby.

Small group tours are ideal for beginners who need more hands-on assistance and for seasoned anglers who appreciate the serenity of their surroundings while fishing.

Fish Heads Fly Shop: 32 South Main Street, Heber City, UT 84032

Book a chocolate tour and tasting

At Ritual Chocolate, every bar starts with sustainably sourced cacao beans and ends in pure bliss. This small-batch, bean-to-bar company takes its craft seriously. On a guided tasting tour, you’ll travel the world one bite at a time, plus you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look into how the chocolate is made.

Nibbling on chocolate from Madagascar, Ecuador, Peru, and Belize, I started to notice the nuances: a hint of fruit here, a touch of floral flavor there. Flavors are enhanced by premium, organically grown, and sustainably sourced cacao. It’s like wine tasting for dessert lovers.

Even if you don’t have time for the whole tour, the cafe in Heber City is a worthy stop. Order a decadent hot drinking chocolate and grab a few bars for the road.

Ritual Chocolate & Mocha Cafe: 2175 W 3000 S, Suite 100, Heber City, UT 84032

Make your own custom gin

At Alpine Gin Distilling in Park City, you don’t just taste award-winning gin; you become part of the alchemy. Master Botanical Distiller Sara Sergent led us on a sensory journey, passing around bottles of botanicals for us to sniff and savor. As she shared the stories behind the ingredients, I marked which scents resonated with me, like orris root, chamomile, cardamom, and orange peel.

Soon, I was scooping and sprinkling ingredients into a bowl while Sergent gently guided me through creative chaos into a balanced botanical gin blend. Then, she took my bowl of aromas into a room to distill. A few hours later, my custom bottle — Three F’s (fruity, floral, and fabulous) — was ready.

Alpine Distilling Social Aid & Pleasure Club: 364 Main Street, Park City, UT 84060

Swim in a hot springs crater

I’ve soaked in plenty of hot springs but never inside of a limestone crater — until now. The hourglass-shaped hot springs at Utah Crater at the Homestead Resort maintain an average temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. I strapped on a life vest and floated in the steamy, clear blue water while divers disappeared beneath me, exploring the 65-foot depths below. As tempting as a dive sounded, I was perfectly content drifting in the healing geothermal waters on the surface, watching the sunlight stream through the opening above and reflect off the cavern walls.

Custom-built decks allow for easy access in and out of the hot springs, which are in the Homestead Resort in Midway. Reservations are available on the hour, and small changing rooms and lockers are located on site.

Utah Crater: 700 North Homestead Drive, Midway, UT 84049

Sip sophisticated cider

Dendric Estate is shaking up Utah’s drink scene with a branch-to-bottle approach to its sparkling cider, growing its own apple varieties on a 20-acre estate just outside Park City. The estate prioritizes sustainable stewardship, utilizing filtered wastewater to irrigate the land and employing organic farming methods to enhance soil health.

The husband-and-wife team leverages their extensive experience in brewing and distilling for their new label. Their debut release, Dry Cut, in 2025, proves it. I swirled and sipped the light-colored cider from a wine glass. As I took a sip, I was met with a dry, crisp, and complex sparkle that felt more refreshing than Champagne and more sophisticated, yet less sweet, than a typical cider.

Estate tours are coming soon, but you don’t have to wait to get a taste. Snag a bottle at the on-site shop or at select spots in Park City.

Dendric Estate: 2617 UT-32, Kamas, UT 84036

Where to eat and drink in Northern Utah

Harvest Midway

I stared at the menu at Harvest Midway like a multiple-choice test I hadn’t studied for. Every plate leaving the kitchen was vibrant and stacked high with fresh, local ingredients. A steamy bowl of chicken laksa noodle soup was calling my name, as was the savory toast with a goat cheese and ricotta spread, topped with mushrooms, spinach, avocado, and a poached egg.

In the end, the Vietnamese bahn mi salad won me over, but I couldn’t resist adding a side of fresh-baked sourdough bread. The arugula-based bowl was laden with chicken, avocado, Asian slaw, and toasted peanuts, and dressed with a light chili-lime dressing. I washed it down with a cold-pressed juice of the day, a healthy blend of apple, orange, and ginger.

Harvest Midway: 195 W Main Street, Midway, UT, 84049

The Lakehouse at Deer Creek

We arrived at The Lakehouse on the shores of Deer Creek Island Resort as the sun started to dip behind Mount Timpanogos. A large, sprawling deck for outdoor dining offered incredible views, but as temperatures dropped with the end of the day, we headed inside to the cozy dining room.

All the appetizers are delicious, but for a decadent starter that beats any traditional table bread, order the duckfat frybread scones. They’re crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and served with sweet apple and honey butter.

I shared two delicious main dishes, but the winner was the cashew-crusted halibut in a decadent beurre blanc chive sauce, served with couscous and grilled nectarine. The filet mignon au poivre, drizzled with a peppercorn sauce, was a classic: a perfectly cooked steak accompanied by velvety mashed potatoes.

The Lakehouse at Deer Creek: 5317 W S Hwy 189, Heber City, UT 84032

Milk House

Milk House is the ideal spot to begin your morning in Midway. Inside this charming cafe at the Homestead Resort, you’ll find handcrafted local flavors, quick breakfast options, house-made pastries, and fresh-roasted coffee and lattes.

Milk House: 700 North Homestead Drive, Midway, UT 84049

The Olive Press Cafe

Stepping into the Olive Press Cafe — which is tucked inside The Dainty Pear store in Midway — feels like walking into a farmhouse dream. A mix of country charm and modern vibes, the interior is eclectic and homey, featuring floral wallpaper, distressed wood, a two-sided fireplace, and a farm-to-table-inspired casual menu.

Rows of house-baked pastries and sandwiches line the counter case, making decision time a difficult one. I followed my heart to the pear, brie, and prosciutto sandwich on a sourdough baguette, accompanied by a crisp side salad. I believe in balance, which is why I grabbed a chocolate chip cookie to go, only to find out later it was gluten-free. Not that it mattered. It was so good, I wouldn’t have ever guessed (or cared).

The Olive Press Cafe: 152 W 100 N, Midway, UT 84049

Riverhorse on Main

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High ceilings adorned with glass lighting and aspen trees serving as natural room dividers set the scene for an upscale yet imaginative dining experience at the Riverhorse on Main, located in Park City’s historic downtown. The seasonal menu takes familiar comfort foods and adds a refined twist.

For the main event, the trio of wild game delivered a taste of the mountains: a tender buffalo medallion with port reduction, a venison chop paired with foie gras butter, and elk tenderloin accompanied by a huckleberry sauce. But I couldn’t resist trying the pan-seared wild salmon, mostly because it checked all my favorite boxes: topped with black truffle butter and served with a side of lobster lasagna.

Riverhorse on Main: 540 Main Street, Park City, UT 84060

KITA

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Sushi and steak are my dream duo. At KITA, a modern-chic Japanese-inspired steakhouse in Pendry Park City, that fantasy becomes deliciously real.

Start with sushi, including fresh nigiri and creative rolls. Move on to shared plates before the show-stopping wood-fired steaks. Perfectly seared and full of flavor, they’re even better with a few of KITA’s signature sauces, such as yuzu kosho chimichurri or turmeric horseradish cream (yuzu kosho is a paste made from yuzu zest and chilies). If you prefer to stick with seafood, the miso Chilan sea bass is a lighter option that’s full of flavor with a ponzu-based sauce.

Don’t skip the sides, they’re scene stealers on their own. The charred carrots and stir-fried rice are delicious, but the Japanese cheesy corn, served in a warm skillet, is divine.

KITA at The Pendry Park City: 2417 W High Mountain Road, Park City, UT 84060

Where to stay in Northern Utah

Homestead Resort

Set on 190 acres in the Wasatch Valley, the historic Homestead Resort strikes the perfect balance between modern luxury and farmhouse charm. Seventeen cozy cottages are scattered throughout the property, each offering a mix of well-appointed and comfortable rooms and suites. My spacious, ground-level room featured a pull-out couch and a private outdoor fire pit. Larger crews can be accommodated in the three-bedroom suites or in one of the Autograph Collection Residences.

Tree-lined paths wind through the property, connecting the rooms to the pools, farm-to-table inspired restaurants, fitness center, and golf course. Prefer to save your steps? Complimentary golf carts will shuttle you between places. The pool area is a destination in itself, with multiple pools for families and loungers, unless you prefer to chill out on the sidelines in a poolside cabana. Or, take a swim in the healing waters in the Crater, located near the pools.

In addition to the current facilities, Homestead Resort is expanding its footprint with new residences, event and meeting space, a fully redesigned 18-hole golf course, and an enhanced activity center and golf clubhouse over the next two years.

Homestead Resort: 700 North Homestead Drive, Midway, UT 84049

Pendry Park City

Pendry Park City, located at the base of Canyons Village, is a modern alpine ski-in, ski-out lodge. The resort stretches across three buildings connected by skyway bridges and a central courtyard. Rooms and suites can be linked together or rented separately, providing ample flexibility for space.

I stepped inside my suite, hung my jacket, and tucked my boots in the entry nook, immediately feeling the cozy-meets-luxury vibe. Floor-to-ceiling windows flooded the space with light, highlighting thoughtful details such as a plush pull-out sofa and a fully stocked kitchen with an in-room espresso machine. In the bathroom, an oversized rain shower vied for my attention with a freestanding soaking tub. The rooftop pool won out first. Drink in hand from the pool bar, I watched the sun set behind the mountains while overlooking the ski resort.

I was already planning my return here this winter, especially since a new 10-person, high-speed gondola is debuting this winter and is only steps from the property.

Pendry Park City: 2417 West High Mountain Road, Park City, UT 84098

Getting to and around Northern Utah

Heber Valley and Park City are located just west of Salt Lake City and are less than an hour’s drive from the airport. The best way to explore the area is to rent a car. If you plan to stay in Park City, the Pendry Hotel offers complimentary shuttles to town.