I have lived in Utah for over 10 years, but this was my first year dipping my toes in at Sundance. It all happened on kind of a whim, I saw that the local ticket sales were going up and so I hopped on and waited in the digital line to buy tickets.

How to buy tickets:

If you are a local be sure to look at when tickets will be available to purchase, you get early access!

Individual tickets:  If you are only seeing a couple movies or can’t commit to all the times then I suggest buying this option. The prices range from $20-$25

Purchase passes: these allow you to see movies at certain theaters or within a specific time frame. If you are planning to see a lot of movies this is a good option for you. For locals, this costs $500 and can scale up to $2,500 for nonlocals

Purchase ticket packages: They have 10 ticket packages that you can buy for $250 for locals and $500 for non-locals.

There are tons of things to do and see at Sundance besides movies, which by the way almost always have a Q&A after with the director or actors from the film. You can go to panels, presentations, concerts, private parties, the list goes on and on. Like I said, I just dipped my toes in this year at Sundance and went to see two films, enjoyed a nice dinner, and did some celebrity spotting.

The two movies I saw were Revenge and What They Had. My number one takeaway after just purchasing tickets to two random movies was go in prepared! Revenge ended up being one of the goriest movies I have ever seen, literally cannot unsee what I saw at that theater. I spent the entire movie holding my breath and clenching every muscle. All I have to say is the actors, directors, and producers for this movie did their job so well. I highly recommend doing a little research ahead of time to avoid cringing in your seat. What They Had was one of the most moving movies I have seen in a long time. Everyone in the theater was in tears. This movie is going to the main screen soon so you must see it!

Where to eat

If you are in Park City, whether it’s for Sundance or not you must go to Freshies Lobster which won the 2018 World’s Best Lobster Roll Competition. No joke, this lobster roll is life changing. BONUS: this place is a little off the beaten path and was not busy.

High West: If you are looking for good whiskey and amazing food then you must visit High West. They will have a long wait so try to get a reservation ahead of time.

No Name Saloon: this place is known for their burgers and decor. Sometimes the bar is rented out at night for parties during Sundance, but this place is great for lunch!

We all wake up the next morning and need some good food and fast. Luckily, The Eating Establishment is right in the center of Main Street and serves up an amazing brunch. I recommend the avocado toast and a mimosa.

Shopping Suggestions

There are some top-notch boutiques that you can’t miss while in Park City. I love browsing through all the different places on Main Street because you will always find something unique.

C |two: My favorite pair of pajamas were bought here and I swear you will want all the things. This store is all things beauty and luxury.

Atticus Coffee & Tea House: I love this little bookstore, they have cute books and amazing coffee. Which is all I ever really need.

Flight Boutique: Forgot to bring something to wear for the day? Well here is the place you want to shop for reasonable prices and quality clothing. Every time I go in here I find something new that I just have to have.

Lodging

While I didn’t stay up in Park City since I live so close if you are looking at staying up there during Sundance be sure to book way in advance. Here are a few places at different price points that I recommend.

Marriott Summit Watch: I have stayed here a few times in the summer and the location is unbeatable. You can sometimes find a good deal.

Waldorf Astoria: I stayed here with family for Thanksgiving and it was absolutely amazing. If you travel with your dog, like I do, then this is the ideal location for you. They are beyond dog-friendly (Stanley got a bandanna and they offered to bring up dog bowls for him). This hotel is a little pricey, but if you get the chance you should definitely stay here!

The Montage: If you plan to ski at Deer Valley, then staying at The Montage is a great option. The dining and spa options here are kind of amazing.

Quick Parking Tip

If your film is on Main Street I highly recommend parking down low by Redstone and taking the $12 Lyft up. There are also public transportation options, but trust me when I say there are absolutely no public parking options.

After dipping my toes in this year, I am already looking forward to my 2019 Sundance experience. Will you be putting Sundance on your bucket list?