For a week in the spring of 2022, I drove across Utah. I explored red rocks in the state’s Arches National Park and spotted skyscrapers in Salt Lake City.
I drove through deserts, salt flats, and ghost towns.
Then, I ended up in Switzerland.
Well, technically, it was the town of Midway, which has aptly earned the nickname Utah’s “Little Switzerland.”
Nestled along the Wasatch Mountains, known as “Utah’s Swiss Alps,” is a town splashed with European influence and Germanic heritage.Hence its nickname “Little Switzerland.” Altogether, Midway is home to about 6,100 people and located south of Park City.The tourism site for Heber Valley, where Midway is located, said Swiss settlers arrived in Utah in the 1850s, and, upon seeing the mountains, were reminded of the Alps’ lush valleys and snowy caps.I was lucky enough to view the Swiss Alps a few years ago and saw the resemblance. Both ranges had green rolling hills that eventually turned into snowcapped mountain peaks.The mountains, similar to those in Switzerland, are also what make Midway a popular ski destination in the winter.On the outskirts of town, the Soldier Hollow Nordic Center offers cross-country skiing in the colder months. It was also where a few of the Winter Olympics events were held in 2002.A sign marks the entrance to downtown Midway. It displays children in traditional lederhosen attire along with “welcome” in German.With the sign in my rearview mirror, I passed homes with varying architectural designs.Some were modern homes with sharp edges, cement exteriors, and unique shapes.Other homes had a strong Swiss influence with chalet-style exteriors, gabled roofs, and ornate overhanging eaves.My first stop was the Blue Boar Inn, an Alps-themed chateau, where I spent the night.The cozy chateau at the base of the mountains was the most European part of my stay.The inn had a restaurant and pub with dark, wooden paneling, fireplaces, and a cozy atmosphere.Inside my room, the Alps theme continued with ornate furniture, a stone fireplace, and vintage snowshoes above my bed.After some rest, I woke up the next morning itching for Swiss baked goods or a Swiss-inspired brunch, such as a rösti, a shredded potato dish.I ventured to the Zermatt Utah Resort and Spa, one of the town’s most well-known resorts, and grabbed a chocolate croissant at the traditional European bakery.Still hungry, I headed to Midway’s Main Street, hoping to stumble upon more restaurants and cafés selling traditional Swiss dishes.Instead, I spotted a doughnut shop and an Americana-themed café among the main street’s stores and businesses.Even after researching Midway’s restaurant scene, I didn’t find many restaurants dedicated solely to Swiss food. Midway Mercantile, a New American restaurant, had cheese raclette on its menu, along with fish tacos, pizza, and burgers.I did spot plenty of Swiss details sprinkled throughout downtown. For example, murals of men and women in traditional Swiss attire were sprawled across a physical therapy office.And a local cabinetry shop was decorated with stone, wood, chiseled brackets, and whimsical overhanging eaves.Even chain stores like the Chevron convenience store had an Alps theme.The town hall reminded me of a fairy tale. Every hour, a wood-carved Glockenspiel popped out to announce the time.As I learned more about the town, I discovered that each Labor Day, its main street fills with people celebrating the town’s annual Swiss Days Festival.A Swiss-themed parade marches down the street, and locals and visitors alike enjoy a market, food vendors, races, and performances.I made a note to make it back one day — either for the festival or skiing — and wrapped up my stay in Midway. While I didn’t find Midway an exact replica of Switzerland, I did find a little European oasis worthy of a stop.
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