If you grew up in Northern Utah, you know that Ogden is north of Salt Lake City, nestled in the Wasatch Mountains. Ogden is such a fun city. There are many surrounding smaller cities, making Ogden a fun place for couples, families, and friends to have a bit of the big city excitement without going all the way to Salt Lake City.
Ogden has some awesome places. I spent a lot of time finding fun things to do in Ogden when I lived there, and Daylen and I both explored it a lot before moving to Cache Valley. We even travel from Logan to Ogden to do some of our favorite activities. Ogden is famous for it's Pioneer Days celebration, beautiful river walk, and fun downtown restaurants and shops. It is also home to Weber State University. Ogden is constantly changing, so I'll try to keep this blog post up to date. If you've been to any of these places, comment below!
1. Ogden Raptors Baseball Game - Our favorite local baseball team! There are no games like Raptors games. They are so up close and personal, and it's really fun to watch. The field is smaller, and the players even sign baseballs afterwards! There are tons of snacks and deal days too. Try the garlic parmesan fries! There are often nights where you can get cheap seats for free or discounted, or special promotions going on. They even do fireworks a few times per year! Make sure to check their website for details and schedule. Go Raptors!
2. Smith and Edwards Shopping - Yes, it's just a store. But it's the coolest store ever! We have driven down from Cache Valley just for this store many times. They have everything! Camping, outdoors, candy galore, yard, so many kitchen gadgets, clothing, toys, and a super cool military surplus section. They also have an outdoor section that most people miss! While you're there, stop by 'Real Deals' nearby.
Fun idea: go on a scavenger hunt in Smith and Edwards! Find the following: something purple, a candy you loved as a child, a military surplus item you've never seen before, a kitchen gadget that has more than 5 uses, and the most unique boots in the store.
3. Ride Scooters Downtown - Every bigger city has scooters now, and Ogden is no exception. These are so much fun. They are electric scooters, and they're easier to ride than you'd think! We ride around 25th street, the Ogden Amphitheater, and Union Station. You pay by the minute and it's all on an app on your phone!
Fun idea: scooter over to Union Station to look at the trains outdoors. See how many trains you can see!
4. Pioneer Days Rodeo - Ogden is famous for it's Pioneer Days Rodeo in late July. Every year at Pioneer Days, Ogden puts on a big rodeo and celebration downtown. It is so fun! There are fireworks, booths, events, and more. Make sure to check out the bull riding!
5. Snowbasin Resort - Snowbasin is more than a ski resort. I love skiing there, but in the summer they also have lots of fun activities! There is hiking, mountain biking, summer concerts, and more. My favorite trails are Old Snowbasin Road and Green Pond Trail.
Fun idea: bring a picnic with you and have a mini photo shoot in the mountains! For your picnic, head to Maverik and make a soda with at least two flavor pumps. My recommendation: Mtn. Dew Goji Citrus Strawberry with two pumps of creamer.
6. Seaquest Aquarium - Seaquest is an interactive aquarium in Layton. You can hold birds, pet stingray, and more. There are all kinds of different species to feed and interact with!
7. Salomon Center - The Salomon Center (or The Junction) in Ogden has tons of activities! iFly, indoor skydiving, iRock, indoor rock climbing, FlowRider, indoor surfing, Fat Cats, an arcade with bowling, mini golf, and bumber cars, and the Megaplex Movie Theater! There's so much to do, and lots of yummy restaurants. Try Sonora Grill or Costa Vida!
8. 25th Street - Historic 25th Street is the best. Great restaurants, Union Station Museum, Color Me Mine, and more. There are car shows in the summer that are super fun! The first Friday of every month is the Art Walk, where the galleries stay open later with free food! Eat at Rooster's or Lucky Slice Pizza while you're there. There's always so much to do.
Fun idea: spend exactly $25 at small businesses on 25th street! To make it even more fun, try to split that between at least three stores, with one being a thrift store.
9. Zeppe's Italian Ice - I could go on and on about how much I love Zeppe's. Their original location in Harrisville was opened when I was younger living in North Ogden, and we went all the time. Now they have locations in lots of other cities too! I get the gelata in either purple haze or cherry, depending on their daily flavors. The gelata has frozen custard on the bottom, flavored ice in the middle, and frozen custard again on top. Try it!
10. Color Me Mine - Color Me Mine is so fun! I've been there with my mom for Mother's Day a few times, and with Daylen a bunch. It's a classic paint your own pottery store, in the heart of 25th street. It's a blast!
Fun idea: pick out something for your date to paint for you. Give them no instructions other than the piece of pottery and one main color.
11. Rainbow Gardens - Right at the mouth of Ogden Canyon there is a little place called Rainbow Gardens. It has a bunch of cute little shops with a variety of fun things. There is also a restaurant there we love called The Greenery. Daylen and I used to ride our bicycles down the Ogden River Parkway trail and end at Rainbow Gardens! The dinosaur museum is also close, which is so fun.
Fun idea: find the most unique gift item you can. Who ever can find the most unique gift wins a Mormon Muffin from The Greenery!
12. Wheeler Creek Trail - My favorite hiking trail in Ogden! Drive up Ogden Canyon until you almost get to Pineview and the trail is on the right. It's so pretty, not too strenuous but not too easy, and really fun to do right before sunset. The mountain views are gorgeous!
13. Take a Drive to Pineview Reservoir and have a Picnic - This is such a fun drive! Head up Ogden Canyon and either stop at Wheeler Creek Trail, or keep going to the lake, and set up your picnic. If you'd rather, there is an awesome little restaurant in the canyon called The Oaks, or at the mouth of the canyon called The Greenery (at Rainbow Gardens). Both have great breakfasts and lunches! The lake is so pretty, and there are lots of mountain views. Some of the beaches are paid for day use, but there are some great free ones too.
Fun idea: rent paddleboards and spend the day paddling the lake! Find a beach that isn't crowded to paddle to.
Best Local Eats:
Slackwater Pub + Pizzeria - the best gourmet pizza, great burgers and sandwiches. Great spinach and artichoke dip. (pictured)
Roosters - amazing burgers, salads, sandwiches, and more. Great calamari.
Ogden River Brewing - burgers and more, craft beer. (pictured)
No Frills Diner - the best breakfast in Ogden, located on 25th street.
Lucky Slice - great thin crust pizza.
The Sonora Grill - upscale Mexican food.
Timbermine - upscale Steakhouse with the coolest atmosphere.
The Pie Pizzeria - famously amazing pizza.
Farr Better Ice Cream - the best ice cream.
Zeppe's - amazing custard and italian ice. (pictured)
This blog post will be updated over time! If you have any I should add, please comment them below or message me on Instagram. Thanks for reading! Let me know which ones you've tried in the comments.
Note: Jake's Over the Top closed down. Too bad. Great Shakes.