Last Updated on August 16, 2026 by Themigonikitchen

Winter Magic in Park City: A 4-Night Family Guide with a 5-Year-Old & a Newborn

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Traveling with a 5-year-old is an adventure. Traveling with a 5-year-old and a 10-week-old newborn? That takes strategy, a little extra coffee, and the right destination.

Taking advantage of maternity leave before heading back to work—and right after our little guy got his two-month vaccines—we packed up the family for a 4-night winter getaway to Park City, Utah in February 2025. Here is how we made a snowy family vacation smooth, relaxing, and memorable for everyone!

Getting There: Flights & Transit from Salt Lake City

When traveling with an infant and a preschooler, logistics are everything.

• The Flight: A quick, direct flight from Dallas to Salt Lake City (SLC) made the air travel portion a breeze.

• Car Rental & Gear: We picked up a rental car right at SLC Airport and brought our own car seat and booster to save on hassle.

• The Drive: Park City is only a 35 to 45-minute drive from the SLC airport. The drive was super easy, incredibly scenic, and short enough that neither kid had time to meltdown! 

Where to Stay: Family-Friendly Park City Condos

Finding the right setup for a family of four (including a baby who needs a crib) can be tricky, but this Park City VRBO Condo checked every single box:

• The Layout: The condo had a King suite bedroom and a cozy little nook with bunk beds. Our 5-year-old, Mila, was thrilled to claim the bottom bunk, while our travel crib fit comfortably in the main room with us.

• Mini Kitchen Access: Having a mini kitchen was an absolute life-saver. It made refrigerating breast milk, heating bottles, and making quick morning coffee/easy breakfasts effortless.

• Real, Wood-Burning Fireplace: For cozy vibes are the kids went to sleep

• The Indoor Heated Pool & Hot Tub: This was the MVP amenity. While the baby napped inside, one parent could tag-team pool time with Mila to keep her entertained and burning energy.

• On-Site Laundry: Stains are guaranteed when traveling with a newborn and a preschooler, making in-unit or on-site laundry essential.

Things to Do in Park City with Kids (Non-Skiing Activities)

While our daughter was still a bit hesitant to try snow tubing (which is huge in Park City!), we found plenty of low-stress, highly fun ways to enjoy the winter wonderland:

1. Unstructured Snow Play

Easily the most fun part of the trip was just allowing our daughter to run and play in the snow! No structured plans, no tours, just snowball fights, snowman building, drawing her name in the snow, etc.

Staying on a ground-floor patio allowed us to supervise while staying warm with hot coffee.

2. Heber Valley Railroad (Deer Creek Express)

This was easily a highlight of the entire trip! The scenic train ride takes you through breathtaking winter landscapes. We booked the Deer Creek Express, which was about 90 minutes total. Children under 2 years old are free

• Highlights: Spotting wild bald eagles along the route and enjoying live onboard music.

• Seasonal Rides: They offer themed trips throughout the year, including a Christmas Polar Express and autumn events, which book out far in advance.

• Parenting Tip: Strollers are not permitted on board, but using a baby carrier worked seamlessly for contact naps during the ride.

• Optional Tour Combo: You can also book combined excursions featuring the train ride, a visit to the Midway Natural Crater, and a cheese tasting at Midway Artisan Cheese Factory.

3. Exploring Deer Valley Ski Village

Strolling through the ski village offers window-shopping, scenic mountain views, and easy exploration. It’s definitely a higher end more luxury driven area.

• Where to Grab Drinks & Souvenirs: Stop by Atticus Coffee and Teahouse for hot drinks and pop into the Park City Souvenir Company.

• Luxury Lodging Nearby: For luxury stays in Deer Valley, the St. Regis Deer Valley and Grand Hyatt Deer Valley are two premier choices.

3. Park City Museum

The Park City Museum is free for kids under 17 and a great way to learn a little bit about the history of Park City. It’s a small, stroller-friendly museum that’s a great way to pass some time indoors if the kids are tired of all the snowy fun!

4. Hogle Zoo (Salt Lake City Stopover)

On our way back to the airport, we stopped by Utah’s Hogle Zoo. It completely blew us away! The polar bear exhibit was a massive hit for Mila and made for a perfect final stop before heading home. 

Another must visit exhibit was the grizzly bear!

Where We Ate: Kid-Approved Park City Dining

Park City has an incredible food scene, and we found some amazing options that catered to both foodie parents and a 5-year-old’s appetite:

Grocery Tip: We also got some basic items (think mac n cheese, stuff for sandwiches, for nights we wanted non-kid friendly takeout) and breakfast staples at the Fresh Market Park City.

Quick Tips for Winter Travel with Infants & Preschoolers

1. Leverage Maternity Leave: If you have the energy and clearance from your pediatrician, traveling during maternity leave is a wonderful way to soak up final bonding moments.

2. Prioritize Proximity: Choosing a mountain town close to a major airport (like Park City to SLC) cuts down on transit stress tremendously.

3. Pack the Right Gear: The key to cold weather exploring with littles is making sure they are clothed and geared up appropriately. Proper thermal layers, waterproof boots, and outerwear keep young kids comfortable outdoors for longer periods. Check out our cold weather must-haves when taking a winter trip.

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4. Pace Yourself: You don’t need to ski to enjoy a winter trip! Heated pools, scenic drives, and unstructured outdoor play create a well-balanced trip.

Looking for More Winter Travel Adventures?

If you like Park City, you will love Vail — similar vibes and lots to do, even if you are not an avid skier.