My friends and I planned a trip to Park City, Utah. The sights and exercise are enough to tempt any first or repeat visitor, yet I especially appreciate the ability to spend less money once there.

I can decide to walk, bike, or ride to intended destinations. Additionally, a number of options are available to those who are handicapped and elderly. I quickly became an expert in getting around and now tell visitors what to do when I get the chance.

Transit System

The transit system, completely free of charge, takes riders to recreational areas, downtown, and Kimball Junction. Full-winter service is available but I had to spend some time to understand which buses go where and when. Buses start early, so my friends and I got to take full advantage of daylight.

Senior Mobility

My father is in a wheelchair but loves to come to Park City to remember his more athletic younger days. All buses are ADA accessible and a door-to-door service is available to those who apply. There’s also a dial-a-ride option that takes passengers to a number of emergency and recreational stops as long as I reserve an hour ahead.

Walkabout

Park City offers its own walk-ability map since so many restaurants, shops, and places of recreation are within walking distance of Park City, Utah lodging. However, as in crowded areas packed with pedestrians such as New York City, Park City officials demand pedestrians obey the law.

I got busted for jaywalking and issued a citation thereafter. Though I’m not happy about it, I understand the need to enforce the laws since automobiles, walkers, and cyclists all share the roads here.

CarShare

Park City visitors and residents take advantage of a U-Haul carshare program. Drivers rent by the hour and costs include gas, insurance, and maintenance. Users take ownership of vehicles for one hour or up to three days at a time. Car sharing is a great way to be kind to the environment while accommodating a number of friends.

Mountain Bike

Park City is filled with rock and trails, which makes it tempting to mountain bikers like me. Tons of non-motorized trails serve up hours of intense riding for cyclists. ‘Fat Biking’ is popular with visitors and Park City natives. In addition to yielding to skiers and others without brakes, bikers need to stay on the opposite and outside edge of the groomed trail and plan rides early or late when snow is firm.

Trip Planner

In addition to some cool phone apps I used in finding sought restaurants and bars, the Transit Trip Planner identified how much time it would take per each mode of transportation. Friends and I were able to make the most of daylight hours while alternating between riding, walking, and biking.

I keep coming back to Park City because the area is so inviting to newcomers who eventually become repeat visitors. I can walk, bike, ride to the best destinations like world class ski resorts and don’t have to worry about bringing my father, or a bunch of friends who don’t have their own car!

Ken Strickland is a self-confessed travelaholic who loves to blog about his adventures. Whenever he gets the time, he shares his experiences on the web. His articles appear on many travel, vacation and resort websites and blogs.