Salt Lake City
February 2023
In February, we set off on a quick four-day trip to Salt Lake City and its surrounding towns, ready for fun and adventure! Right after landing, we got a car and headed to Park City's Utah Olympic Park. We watched talented young athletes compete in a thrilling slalom race. Then, we checked into the Homestead Resort in Midway, where the rooms were fantastic—imagine sleek, modern spaces that felt like a dreamy retreat. To end the day, we visited the Ice Castles, glowing with colorful lights. What a day!
After a cozy night's sleep, we woke up to frosty icicles framing our windows. A light breakfast kicked off our day before diving into the Homestead Resort’s star attraction—an otherworldly cave dome housing a toasty hot spring with temps hitting a balmy 95 degrees. Picture this: a light hole at the top, a spring plunging 50 feet deep, and even folks scuba diving at the bottom!
Post-soak bliss, we zoomed off to Park City, strolling along Main Street, which was bursting with vibrant art shops and galleries showcasing incredible pieces. Our lunch stop at The Eating Establishment was a flavor-packed delight, though the wait was a tad lengthy—totally worth it for the fantastic atmosphere and top-notch service.
But the adventure didn’t stop there! We cranked up the fun meter and headed to Woodward Park City for some tubing action down the sun-kissed hills. The weather was just right—crisp but sunny, and the cherry on top? Catching the sunset while tubing. Trust me, this place is a blast!
The next day started with an early rise, just before the sun peeked over the horizon. Our destination? The crown jewel of our trip—the Fifth Water Hot Springs Trail. A scenic drive from Midway to the trailhead gave us breathtaking mountain vistas, taking about an hour and a half. But once we arrived, uncertainty hit! At a chilly 15 degrees and just a couple of parked cars, we questioned our attire for what felt like a hike in the heart of December.
It took the arrival of another intrepid soul, hoodied and trucker-hatted, to convince us that if they could brave it, so could we, decked out as if we were trekking in the Rockies during winter! This trail turned out to be our favorite hike yet. Amidst rolling hills, over bridges, alongside rivers, and through fresh snow, we trudged until we reached the hot springs. To our delight, not a soul was in sight, so we wasted no time plunging into those warm, inviting waters! Accomplishment mingled with relaxation in that serene spot.
The fear of leaving the cozy springs behind kept us soaking longer than planned, but the crisp, dry air surprisingly dried us off quickly. Pro tip: Bring towels! Tracing our snowy steps back to the car, we made our way toward Salt Lake City, making a pit stop at a Chipotle near Provo.
Once back in Salt Lake City, we craved some R&R after the epic hike. After checking into the swanky Evo hotel downtown, we opted for some Thai takeout from a nearby spot before calling it a night.
On our last morning before leaving for the airport at noon, we left our hotel and found a small, simple diner close by. The place didn't seem like much, but the food was really, really good. While waiting for a table, we met someone who joined us for breakfast, and we had a great chat. Later, we headed to the airport, but not before stopping at Eva's Bakery for some yummy pastries to say goodbye to Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City and its nearby spots are incredible for a quick trip or a longer vacation. Every place we visited left us thrilled, and we're already itching to return for more adventures!