The hills are alive in Midway, a town 18 miles from Park City that exudes Old World charm. In the 1850s, the town was nicknamed “Little Switzerland” by Swiss settlers because the Heber Valley reminded them of their native country’s mighty peaks and valleys.
Today, vibrant and fast-growing Midway is the perfect place for a day or a lifetime of adventures. Discover all the fun this mountain paradise offers, from its restaurants and outdoor activities to spectacular spas and hotels.
Downtown and Dining
Walk amid Swiss-style architecture in the quaint downtown that is home to cozy boutique shops, breweries, bakeries and more. The European-style Town Square hosts major events throughout the year like Swiss Days and Midway Farmers Market, plus an ice-skating rink that opens from Thanksgiving weekend to mid-March.
Dine in style at Midway’s delectable venues, ranging from a charming European chateau and artisan American brasserie to modern Mexican, delicious barbecue and elevated burgers and fries. Discover the Blue Boar Inn & Restaurant’s Best of State brunch and gourmet pub eats at its Truffle Hollow.
“The Blue Boar Inn was created 25 years ago to resemble an Old-World European hunting lodge and to give our guests a mountain feel while offering a world-class dining experience,” says Executive Chef and General Manager Chris Sheehan. “In the winter, cozy up by the fireplace and watch snow fall outside.”
Find casual, organic cuisine at Lola’s Street Kitchen and enjoy smokehouse-style barbecue and wood-fired fare at Homestead Resort’s 1886 Grill Smokehouse located next to the beautiful golf course. Or discover the town’s big-city-style eats at Midway Mercantile, which opened in 2018 and brought a new level of glamour with its diverse menu featuring everything from steaks and seafood to burgers and pizza.
“We had a vision for an upscale mountain town restaurant when we opened, and our idea is to provide fine dining to a range of customers — folks coming in from golf, skiing, hiking or biking to folks looking for an elegant dinner date,” says Co-owner and Executive Chef John Platt. “Our 145-year-old historic building lends both a sense of class and welcome that feels authentic and inspiring while adding some urban swank and sophistication both in decor and food.”
Leave it to this local to sum up what’s so special about Midway. “I love that town contains folks who have lived their whole lives in Midway right alongside many newcomers from urban and interesting places around the country and globe,” he says.
Wellness Central
When temperatures drop, visit Utah Crater, the geothermal hot spring hidden within beehive-shaped limestone rock at Homestead Resort. Swim and soak in this geothermal pool that maintains a year-round temperature of 90 to 96º F or go scuba diving here, which is the continental United States’ only warm-water scuba destination. The crater is open to the public daily, but reservations are required.
Wellness also will take center stage at Midway’s Ameyalli, a new resort being built on a historic hot springs property. Chuck Heath, the developer behind Ameyalli, says, “The centerpiece and foundation of this new well-being community will be the property’s historic hot springs, with select springs designated for free public use.”
The first vacation homes have been built and a new hotel will offer luxurious lodging while the Wellbeing Center will operate in collaboration with The Chopra Foundation, which is known for offering holistic longevity experiences. An underground geothermal lake will feed the Wellbeing Center’s subterranean mineral pool while an on-property garden is planned to support farm-to-table dining experiences. Construction on both the hotel and Wellbeing Center is expected to start in early January.
“Ameyalli’s stunning outdoor pool will overlook the historic natural geothermal hot pots’ dome, which will be restored to a pristine state and protected as a historic landmark,” says Heath. “Designed into the pool area will be a geothermal contrast bathing water circuit, outdoor sauna, sunken lounges and a raw-edge water sanctum that merges seamlessly with the scenic landscape.”
Charming Lodging and Venues
Stay amid majestic mountains at Zermatt Utah Resort & Spa, where Swiss architecture and spacious suites make for an unforgettable getaway. While there, sample from-scratch breakfast treats at The Bakery, indulge in a celebration-worthy dinner at Z’s Restaurant or book a relaxing treatment at the spa. Don’t miss soaking or swimming in the resort’s heated indoor pool and waterfall hot tub, where the unique sky mosaic ceiling changes color, adding a warm ambience to the space.
Driving along River Road through Midway, it’s hard to miss River Bottoms Ranch, an iconic white barn surrounded by a horse-filled pasture. This all-season event venue showcases the region’s natural beauty and is available to rent for weddings and events. Or simply attend Christmas at the Ranch in November.
The annual party features live music, holiday treats, pictures with Santa, horse-drawn wagon rides, and a photographer to take Christmas card photos. All proceeds are donated to the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute.
“This event is our favorite way to kick off the holiday season and give back to our community,” says Hailey Bonny, in-house event planner. “It’s becoming a holiday family tradition for so many, and we hope to grow it each year.”
Year-round Outdoor Adventures
Play like an Olympian at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, a 2002 Winter Olympics venue and outdoor adventure destination. During summer and fall, rent an e-bike or bring a mountain bike to explore the area’s winding dirt and paved trails. In winter, this world-class center is a hub for Utah’s Nordic ski scene, offering groomed trails for all skill levels and providing opportunities to learn classic and skate skiing and biathlon. In addition to daily Nordic skiing, there are lighted lanes two nights a week until 7 p.m.
“We open to the public on December 14, and when we open our new building, it’s in a new location at the venue right in the middle of easier Nordic terrain,” says Luke Bodensteiner, chief of sport development and general manager. “It will also have a new cafe that’s open daily.”
See fairy tales come to life every winter at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center when the awe-inspiring Ice Castles open. Expect hand-built towers of ice, maze-like tunnels, icy slides and landscapes straight out of the movie “Frozen.” Don’t miss this icy wonderland that typically opens in early January and lasts as long as freezing temperatures hold.
Come for Midway’s one-stoplight, small-town vibe, and stay for epic adventures in this charming, Swiss-inspired town.
