I visited a Utah town known as 'Little Switzerland,' and the quaint wonderland transported me to Europe

Monica HumphriesAug 28, 2022, 15:38 IST

The author spent two days in Midway, Utah, which is known as Utah's "Little Switzerland."Monica Humphries/Insider

In May, I visited Midway, which is nicknamed Utah's "Little Switzerland."
I spotted snowcapped mountains that reminded me of the Alps and charming chateaus with European flair.

On a recent road trip to Utah, I ditched the state's red sandstone deserts for Midway, Utah, a quiet mountain town with European flair.

A view of homes in Midway, Utah.Monica Humphries/Insider

Nestled along the Wasatch Mountains, known as "Utah's Swiss Alps," Midway is splashed with European influence and nods to its Germanic heritage.

An art gallery in Midway, Utah.Monica Humphries/Insider

That's where the town gets its "Little Switzerland" nickname, according to The Herber Valley Utah website.

The author in front of the sign welcoming people to Midway, Utah.Monica Humphries/Insider

Midway is home to about 6,400 people and is located between Salt Lake City, Utah, and Provo, Utah, just south of Park City, Utah.

An arrow points to Midway, Utah, on a map.Google Maps

Before I arrived in the heart of downtown Midway, I spotted the towering Wasatch Mountain Range that greets people upon arrival.

A view of the Wasatch Mountains from Midway, Utah.Monica Humphries/Insider

In the 1850s, Swiss settlers arrived in Utah and were reminded of the Alps' lush valleys and snowy mountains, according to The Herber Valley Utah.

A view of the mountains from downtown.Monica Humphries/Insider

I was lucky enough to view the Swiss Alps a few years ago, and I saw the resemblance. Both ranges had green rolling hills that eventually turned into snowcapped mountain peaks.

A view of central Swiss Alps' valley in the springtime.Comezora/Getty Images

I was lucky enough to view the Swiss Alps a few years ago, and I saw the resemblance. Both ranges had green rolling hills that eventually turned into snowcapped mountain peaks.

They could have been something straight out of "The Sound of Music," which was filmed in the German Alps.

Julie Andrews appears in "The Sound of Music" film.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

And clearly, locals would agree. I thought the mountain scenery would provide the perfect backdrop for local performances of "The Sound of Music."

A sign advertises a "Sound of Music" event.Monica Humphries/Insider

The mountains, similar to those in Switzerland, are also what make Midway a popular ski destination in the winter.

Snowboarders at Brighton Ski Resort outside of Midway, Utah.Jeremy Christensen/Shutterstock

On the outskirt of town, the Soldier Hollow Nordic Center offers cross-country skiing in the colder months, and it's where a few of the Winter Olympic Game events were held in 2002.

Competitors begin the men's 4x10Km cross-country relay at the Winter Olympics Sunday in 2002.Andrew Medichini/AP Photo

On the outskirt of town, the Soldier Hollow Nordic Center offers cross-country skiing in the colder months, and it's where a few of the Winter Olympic Game events were held in 2002.

But since I visited in late spring, I didn't see any skiers around.

The entrance to Midway's Nordic center.Monica Humphries/Insider

After soaking in the mountain scenery, I passed a wooden sign engraved with children in traditional lederhosen attire. The sign, which read "welcome" in German, marked my entrance into the town.

A sign at the entrance of Midway, Utah.Monica Humphries/Insider

After soaking in the mountain scenery, I passed a wooden sign engraved with children in traditional lederhosen attire. The sign, which read "welcome" in German, marked my entrance into the town.

With the sign in my rearview mirror, I passed homes with varying architectural designs.

A home with delicate trim in Midway, Utah.Monica Humphries/Insider

Some were modern homes with sharp edges, cement exteriors, and unique shapes.

A modern home in Midway, Utah.Monica Humphries/Insider

Other homes had a strong Swiss influence with chalet-style exteriors, gabled roofs, and ornate overhanging eaves.

A home in downtown Midway, Utah.Monica Humphries/Insider

My first stop was the Blue Boar Inn, an Alps-themed chateau, where I'd be spending the night.

The exterior of the Blue Boar Inn.Monica Humphries/Insider

The cozy chateau at the base of the mountains was the most European part of my stay.

The entrance when guests first step into the Blue Boar Inn.Monica Humphries/Insider

The inn had a restaurant and pub, both with dark, wooden paneling, fireplaces, and a cozy atmosphere.

The pub inside the Blue Boar Inn.Monica Humphries/Insider

Inside my room, the Alps theme continued with ornate furniture, a stone fireplace, and vintage snowshoes above my bed.

My bed at the Blue Boar Inn.Monica Humphries/Insider

After some rest, I woke up the next morning itching for Swiss baked goods or a Swiss-inspired brunch like a rösti, which is a shredded potato dish.

A rösti and bratwurst sausage.Minoru Kuriyama/EyeEm/Getty Images

I ventured to the Zermatt Utah Resort and Spa, which is one of the town's most well-known resorts, and grabbed a chocolate croissant at the traditional European bakery.

A Swiss-themed resort.Monica Humphries/Insider

Still hungry, I headed to Midway's Main Street, hoping to stumble upon more restaurants and cafés selling traditional Swiss dishes.

The main street in Midway, Utah.Monica Humphries/Insider

Instead, I spotted a doughnut shop and an Americana-themed café among the main street's stores and businesses.

Side-by-side images of the donut shop and coffee shop in Midway, Utah.Monica Humphries/Insider

Even after researching Midway's restaurant scene, I still couldn't find any restaurants dedicated to Swiss food. The closest place I saw was Midway Mercantile, a New American restaurant that had cheese raclette on its menu along with salmon tacos, pizza, and burgers.

Main Street, where Midway Mercantile is located.Monica Humphries/Insider

Even after researching Midway's restaurant scene, I still couldn't find any restaurants dedicated to Swiss food. The closest place I saw was Midway Mercantile, a New American restaurant that had cheese raclette on its menu along with salmon tacos, pizza, and burgers.

However, I did spot plenty of Swiss details sprinkled across downtown. Murals of men and women in traditional Swiss attire were sprawled across a physical therapy office.

A building with a Swiss-themed mural.Monica Humphries/Insider

However, I did spot plenty of Swiss details sprinkled across downtown. Murals of men and women in traditional Swiss attire were sprawled across a physical therapy office.

A local cabinetry shop's building was decorated with stone, wood, chiseled brackets, and whimsical overhanging eaves.

A local cabinetry shop in downtown Midway, Utah.Monica Humphries/Insider

Even chain stores like the Chevron convenience store had an Alps theme.

The Chevron gas station on the main street in Midway, Utah.Monica Humphries/Insider

The town hall reminded me of a fairytale. Every hour, a wood-carved Glockenspiel popped out to announce the time.

The town hall had a European design across its exterior.Monica Humphries/Insider

Each Labor Day, 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.

Main Street in Midway, Utah.Monica Humphries/Insider

Each Labor Day, 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.

While I didn't find Midway to be a complete replica of Switzerland, I'm eager to return in the winter, where key Swiss activities like skiing are said to shine.

The author in front of the sign welcoming people to Midway, Utah.Monica Humphries/Insider

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I visited a Utah town known as 'Little Switzerland,' and the quaint wonderland transported me to Europe

On a recent road trip to Utah, I ditched the state's red sandstone deserts for Midway, Utah, a quiet mountain town with European flair.

Nestled along the Wasatch Mountains, known as "Utah's Swiss Alps," Midway is splashed with European influence and nods to its Germanic heritage.

That's where the town gets its "Little Switzerland" nickname, according to The Herber Valley Utah website.

Midway is home to about 6,400 people and is located between Salt Lake City, Utah, and Provo, Utah, just south of Park City, Utah.

Before I arrived in the heart of downtown Midway, I spotted the towering Wasatch Mountain Range that greets people upon arrival.

In the 1850s, Swiss settlers arrived in Utah and were reminded of the Alps' lush valleys and snowy mountains, according to The Herber Valley Utah.

I was lucky enough to view the Swiss Alps a few years ago, and I saw the resemblance. Both ranges had green rolling hills that eventually turned into snowcapped mountain peaks.

They could have been something straight out of "The Sound of Music," which was filmed in the German Alps.

And clearly, locals would agree. I thought the mountain scenery would provide the perfect backdrop for local performances of "The Sound of Music."

The mountains, similar to those in Switzerland, are also what make Midway a popular ski destination in the winter.

On the outskirt of town, the Soldier Hollow Nordic Center offers cross-country skiing in the colder months, and it's where a few of the Winter Olympic Game events were held in 2002.

But since I visited in late spring, I didn't see any skiers around.

After soaking in the mountain scenery, I passed a wooden sign engraved with children in traditional lederhosen attire. The sign, which read "welcome" in German, marked my entrance into the town.

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'd be spending 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, both 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 like a rösti, which is a shredded potato dish.

I ventured to the Zermatt Utah Resort and Spa, which is 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 still couldn't find any restaurants dedicated to Swiss food. The closest place I saw was Midway Mercantile, a New American restaurant that had cheese raclette on its menu along with salmon tacos, pizza, and burgers.

However, I did spot plenty of Swiss details sprinkled across downtown. Murals of men and women in traditional Swiss attire were sprawled across a physical therapy office.

A local cabinetry shop's building 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 fairytale. Every hour, a wood-carved Glockenspiel popped out to announce the time.

Each Labor Day, 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.

While I didn't find Midway to be a complete replica of Switzerland, I'm eager to return in the winter, where key Swiss activities like skiing are said to shine.