Books, Warm Brews & Alpenglow Views
A slow-travel guide to Utah's coziest bookstores, artisanal brews and inviting mountain-side retreats.
What could be more magical than a snowy, alpine backdrop for your next book club retreat? While Utah is known for its world-class ski slopes, you don’t need a lift ticket to experience the perfect mountain getaway. This 3-day itinerary takes you through some of Utah’s best independent bookstores, bustling coffee shops and scenic winter activities all along the Wasatch Mountain Range.
Downtown Charm in Salt Lake City
30 Miles
Start your winter getaway in Salt Lake City, home to some of Utah’s best independent booksellers. Spend your morning lost among the towering stacks and out-of-print treasures at Ken Sanders Rare Books. Just down the road in the historic Trolley Square, step inside the family-owned Weller Book Works serving local readers since 1929.
Before heading into the mountains, wander over to The King’s English Bookshop, a charming cottage filled with handpicked reads, tucked right beside neighborhood favorites like Tulie Bakery and Caputo’s. Once your tote bag is full, leave the city traffic behind and wind your way up Parleys Canyon to Park City for a cozy mountain evening.
Where to Stay: Park City
Alpine Views, Hot Springs & Olympic History
45 Miles
Grab a morning cup of tea and breakfast at Atticus, a cafe bookstore situated right near the slopes of Park City Mountain. Nearby, Dolly’s Bookstore is a beloved Main Street staple that also serves up caramel apples and other delicious treats.
Afterwards, make your way over to Folklore Bookshop in Midway, which offers a welcome respite from the chilly weather with a warm fireplace. Across the street, visitors can take a turn on the ice at the open-air Midway Ice Rink and stop for lunch at Harvest Midway. The Ballerina Farm Store just around the corner is filled with handbaked goods, sourdough bread and other small batch items. The newly opened Storyboard is a bookstore and community hub for readers, coffee-lovers, skateboarders, aprés skiers and anyone else who wants to linger for a while.
Chocolate lovers will enjoy a factory tour and tasting at Ritual Chocolate. (This is a great place to grab a rich cup of hot chocolate and settle in with your book.) If you're looking to add some more adventures to your book retreat, the Soldier Hollow Nordic Center near Heber City offers Nordic Snowshoeing and snow tubing on 2002 Winter Olympic tracks. Those seeking something warmer can relax in the natural geothermal hot spring, Crater at Homestead.
Where to Stay: Sundance Mountain Resort, or Zermatt Utah Resort & Spa in Midway.
Rare Treasures & Artisanal Chocolates
20 Miles
Your first stop of the morning is at Moon’s Rare Books in Provo. Located in The Shops At Riverwoods, this bookstore and museum will take you back in time with its rare first editions and antiques. Readers and plant-lovers alike will enjoy Planted in Pages with its Victorian-styled interior and plant-filled corners that feel like you just walked into a storybook.
Pioneer Book is situated right along Center Street, where visitors can take a stroll and explore uniquely curated collections as well as several other local shops like Cat’s Cradle Antiques and The Collective Underground. Finish your trip by bringing your new books over to Rugged Grounds, a coffee shop and community space where all visitors are welcome to stay and read.
Extra: Take to the ice in the evening at Peak’s Ice Arena for public skating and warm up after with a cup of artisan hot chocolate at Taste 117.
Winter Beyond the Slopes
Utah's winter offers magic beyond skiing. Enjoy a five-day itinerary featuring snowshoeing, tubing, ice skating, spas and cozy bookshops for a perfect non-ski winter vacation.
Highlights
- Salt Lake City
- Natural History Museum of Utah
- Snowbird
- The Cliff Spa
- Solitude Mountain Resort
- Homestead Crater
- Park City
- Woodward Park City
Sip, Savor and Stroll: A Hot Cocoa Crawl Adventure
Whether you're a cocoa aficionado or simply looking for a cozy treat, we’ve gathered some of our favorite hot chocolate spots in and around Salt Lake City. Try one or try them all with our suggested three-day hot cocoa crawl.
Highlights
- Salt Lake City
- Taste 117
- Hatch Family Chocolates
- Ritual Chocolate
- Normal Ice Cream
- Sundance Mountain Resort
- Temple Square
- Homestead Crater
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Woodward Is Fun For the Whole Family
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A Utah Ski Vacation (or Two) for Less
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Harnessing Passion: The Arctic Rescue Sled Dog Team
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Fresh Tracks in Kamas – Utah's Snowcountry
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A Cauldron of Continuing Olympic Fervor
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How to Photograph Snowflakes — Nature’s Fleeting Work of Art
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Top Ski Towns in Utah
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A Mom’s Take On Sharing Skiing With the Next Generation
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Salt Lake City: A Place to Play
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Winter Yurt Dining: A Cozy, Culinary Escape in the Heart of the Mountains
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Why Backcountry Snowmobiling Is an Unforgettable Way to Experience the Uinta Mountains
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Powder Pups to the Rescue
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In the Key of Ski
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Exploring the Snowmobile Trails of Northern Utah
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Insider's Guide to Park City
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AndShesDopeToo's Insider's Guide to Ogden
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A Winter Retreat
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