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PARK CITY — Thinking about attending the Sundance Film Festival this year but not sure where to start?
Every year, Park City brings together thousands of people from all over the world, including A-list celebrities, film aficionados, and, of course, Utah locals who are here in the crowded craziness — whether we like the crowds or not.
Although the festival is known to be quite a scene, the Sundance Film Festival is also about creating inspiration and promoting smaller independent films rather than the box office films most people would see in theaters.
If you are looking to enjoy the festival, I would first recommend checking out what tickets you can still purchase. Click here for more information about tickets.
Although the festival is underway, you have a chance to still watch last-minute screenings through the Sundance eWaitlist.
However, if you’re looking to enjoy the festival and the scene without attending a film screening, here are a few tips, from a local's perspective:
Hit the slopes
According to Dan Villaire, athlete manager at Armada, the best time to hit the slopes is during the Sundance Film Festival.
Although one would assume the mountains would be packed during the busiest time of year in Park City, Dan attests that the mountains are fairly empty since most of the Sundance visitors aren’t in town to ski.
Walk up and down Main Street
Walking up and down Main Street doesn’t cost money (other than finding parking) and it’s free entertainment at its finest.
You’ll be sure to see thousands of people dressed in their finest eccentric attire and you’ll probably spot a few A-list celebrities. There are also tons of amazing restaurants and bars to check out.
Check out the restaurants and bars that are open to the public
During Sundance, many bars and restaurants get completely bought out for private parties and events. However, there are still some great places that are open to the public for everyone to enjoy.
Here are a few spots to check out:
- The Cabin (825 S. Main Street): This local bar sits at the bottom of the hill on Main Street, right underneath the town lift. It's a favorite for locals and brings in some of the best local and national talent performing live music each night of the festival. Check out their music lineup for the festival and book your tickets here.
- O’Shucks (427 Main Street): This will be an affordable place to hang out during the festival because they don’t offer entertainment.
- No Name Saloon (447 Main Street): this is one of the trendier establishments on Main Street and will be sure to get packed. They have a great food menu as well as a heated rooftop patio to enjoy the winter nights without freezing.
Keep your eyes open for ways to save on food
If you’re a foodie and looking to try out a plethora of great Park City restaurants, I would recommend buying a pack of MounTins. The MounTins pack includes 10 drink coasters, which are all worth $10 off your tab at 10 different restaurants around Park City.
The pack of 10 costs $20, so essentially you’re saving yourself $80. Some of the restaurants include a few of my favorite eateries, including Five5eeds, Harvest, Mustang, and more.
For more information about MounTins, visit the company's website.
Don’t forget about Sundance in Salt Lake City
Everybody wants to be up in the hub of Park City for the Sundance experience, but don’t forget that many films are shown down in Salt Lake City as well.
Not only will it be easier to get tickets down in Salt Lake, but you can also escape the Sundance craze for a bit, as well as experience the amazing restaurants and culture in the city.
Consider these last-minute pro tips
- Reservations: Don’t expect to get into a restaurant without a reservation. Make sure to book your reservations as soon as possible, because restaurants will run out of space.
- Parking: You can park for free at Richardson Flat (off of the Kearns Boulevard exit from U.S. Highway 40) and at Ecker Hill (2500 Kilby Road, off of the Jeremy Ranch exit from I-80). From there, a free Sundance shuttle bus will take you up to Main Street.
- Network: Take the time to network as much as possible. There are people from all over the world who come to Park City for this special event, so take the opportunity to connect with as many people as you can.
Brooke Nally is native to Utah but likes to see other parts of the world as often as she can. You can contact her via email: brookelynnally@gmail.com.
