Years ago, when I was a college student in Idaho, I recall spending the night at a friend’s home in Ogden, Utah. I was intrigued with the lovely town nestled against the Wasatch Mountains, just north of booming Salt Lake City. I thought then, this town deserves some exploring and a longer stay, so when the opportunity presented itself to learn more about Ogden, I jumped at the chance and now it’s on my list of places to personally explore in the future.
Ogden is rich in history and in the past boasted a fun reputation of being a bit more bawdy than its bigger sister, Salt Lake City. I learned that known gangster, Al Capone, once said Ogden was “a bit too rowdy for my taste”.
Ogden was the nearest city of size to the Golden Spike location at Promontory Summit, Utah, where the First Transcontinental Railroad was joined in 1869. It used to be said that “You can’t get anywhere without coming to Ogden.” It also used to be known as Junction City because travelers going east or west had to go to Ogden to board their train.
Ogden truly is a Junction City for the over 1 million visitors who come to discover all that Ogden has to offer. Not only can you find abundant city life, but you’ve got outdoor recreation of every type. Historic 25th street is “the place” for shoppers, foodies, history buffs, and art collectors. Also nearby are a number of museums to grab your attention: Hill Aerospace Museum, Union Station (home to four separate museums and 2 art galleries), and Treehouse Children’s Museum, to name a few.
Are you a history buff or enjoy walking tours? You can find great examples of historic architecture, either on Historic 25th Street, or by exploring Historic Jefferson Avenue. Jefferson is host to beautiful Victorian homes, craftsman style bungalows and the original trolley line that’s still visible today. Or do you crave the outdoors? If you take a short drive up any one of the avenues leading to the Wasatch Mountains, you’ll find a number of hiking trails to suit any skill level. City or Mountains, the choice is yours.
Outdoor fun can be enjoyed anytime of year in Ogden. For the more sedate, check out Dinosaur Park, Ogden Nature Center, Ogden Botanical Gardens and Fort Buenaventura (the original settlement name for Ogden). Fun Fact: Utah’s first settlers were the trappers at Fort Buenaventura. They arrived a year before the Mormon settlers. For the more adventurous, explore the Ogden River Parkway, just moments away from Historic 25th Street, where you can try your hand at Blue Ribbon Fishing, visit the 3 Kayak Parks, or spend time on the serene paved bike trail.
But Wait – then comes winter when the magic really happens and the snow starts to fall as Ogden boasts it’s the Best Place for your winter activities. Just 30 minutes from downtown Ogden are 3 World Class Ski Resorts: Powder Mountain, Snowbasin Resort and Nordic Valley. Every outdoor winter sport imaginable is available to the snow lover.
Ogden is truly a junction for a vibrant city life and abundant outdoor recreation with easy access – only 35 min, from Salt Lake International Airport.
Are you ready to go? Will it be Summer, Winter, or Fall (when you can enjoy lovely fall color drives in the canyons) I know I can’t wait.
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Sponsored by Visit Ogden
I went once when I was a kid! My grandfather and father were both railroad men, so we made a trip to the golden spike. It was a pretty little place to visit!
Ogden looks so beautiful. My family loves to take cold weather vacations, and I know we would love this.
I love discovering and learning about new cities! Going to show this article to the hubby and see what he thinks!
After watching some shows based in Utah I have been so intrigued to visit. i love the wide open landscape, and bright sunshine.
I have never made it to Utah but it’s on my bucket list. It looks like so much fun, I had no idea there was so many things to do there.
This sounds like a wonderful place to visit. Looks very beautiful from the photos too. I think Winter time is a great time to visit many states because of the beauty.
The #1 reason to visit is that view!!!!! We’ve never been anywhere like this and would love to see if for ourselves!
This sounds like such a fun place. I would love to go on a walking tour.
It looks like a wonderful place. I would love to visit there someday. I want to visit all the places I can before I die. Thanks for letting me know about Ogden.
This looks like a fun place to escape to with the family. I will have to see if I can plan a trip to Utah soon.
My kids have been asking when they can go for a Ski trip. This looks like so much fun now I am getting excited to plan something.
Wow! This looks like a great place to spend the holidays! Love your pics! Thanks for sharing!
We spent a lot of time in Utah while we were traveling about but more in the southern part of the state. We didn’t get to visit Ogden. It sounds like a great place to visit though
Utah is on our list for 2017! Your photos are stunning and I’m getting so excited for our trip!
Such gorgeous pictures! Love it so much! I’ve added it to my list!
What a gorgeous place to visit. I love how scenic it looks in the winter. The skiing would be fabulous.
this looks like a wonderful place to plan a winter vacation with the kids- so much beautiful scenery and a great place to get our SKI on!
Great timing. We are planning a two week camping and road trip out west this summer, looking for great places to go.
This looks like an amazing place to take a family vacation! Maybe one day I’ll load up the family and head out there.
That is so cool, Patty!
I have never been to Ogden. It looks beautiful.
Who can deny that sparkling snow, right Tammilee?!
That sounds like a fun place to visit for vacation. I would love to go someday.
I have driven through Ogden Utah but I have not stopped there. It looks like there is plenty to do there for a family vacation. I would definitely be putting this on my bucket list to go with my family.
I have always wanted to visit one of these snoyw villages!
I totally would love to visit this state. Look at that beautiful scenery and the town looks like something from a magazine! Love it!
What a gorgeous place. I was born and raised in Arizona, but spent very little time in Utah.
I have never been to Utah before. It looks like a great place for a family ski trip.
I have been looking for a good ski vacation location. Ogden looks like the perfect place.
My kids love to ski. We should be in Utah later this winter. I will have to see if we can plan to go to Ogden.
Looks like a great place to visit! There is so much to do.
Ogden looks like a great place to visit. Would love to spend time there and do some exploring of our own.
I hear Utah has the best places to go skiing and snowboarding! My hubby and oldest daughter would love to go!
Those are some really great reasons to visit there. And now I really wanna go! Looks like an amazing place.
Utah is so on my list for 2017! Your photos look amazing, I cannot wait to get my kids on skies!
What a great place to visit. I love would love to explore the museums and learn about the history of Ogden.
I would love to visit just for the view alone. I could take a bazillion pictures here.
wowsers. i would so love to visit. it looks beautiful. those night lights are amazing.
Your pictures are gorgeous! I’ve added Utah to my must visit list!
Ogden looks like such a charming and fun town. I’ve been skiing all over Utah but have never been there, but will definitely check it out the next time I’m the beautiful state of Utah.
Sounds heavenly.
I drive past Ogden several times a year – now I know what to look for and where to go. Great article!
Thanks, Suzanne!
I love the mountain views Ogden Utah boasts. I would not mind exploring it someday with my family.
I’ve never thought of traveling to Utah before. Ogden sounds like a great destination.
The view looks so beautiful. This would be a great getaway spot. I am hoping to get to Utah this year.
Starting in the summer, my husband and I will be travelling full-time in our Airstream. Now I know of a place to stop! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I think a getaway to Ogden sounds super nice. It would be a lot of fun to explore but getting back into skiing would be great too.
Traveling in an Airstream sounds like so much fun, Alexandrea!
I would love to take the kiddos thereto learn to ski!
Next trip to Utah warrants a trip to Ogden.
The photos are absolutely gorgeous and Ogden seems like such a charming place. I love historic architecture and would so enjoy seeing the varieties described in your article. Bucket list addition for sure.
I love fishing, and a trolley ride sounds wonderful!
learning the history and seeing mountains would be awesome!
never seen that much snow!
I would love to go to Ogden!
I only know of Ogden, UT for the IRS mailing address. Former accountant in a precious life.
I love the cute little town and the beautiful scenery.
Wow! These reasons make me want to pack my bags and fly to Utah tomorrow!! Adding this to our list!
Ogden looks like a great place to go any time of the year. I think the kids would love some kayaking, biking and just outdoor adventures in the fall. Would love to go. Thank you for sharing all this info.
I’ve never been to Ogden, but it seems like an awesome place to take my kids too!
Looks like a great place to visit! I’m not a snow gal but I’d love to see it during warmer seasons.
It’s Jan. 17th nd it’s supposed to get up to 80 degrees today here in Florida so I think it would be fun to see some Utah Snow!
What a gorgeous place. I have rarely been outside of Canada but am hoping to travel more in the future. I enjoy discovering the history of the places I visit.
wow i had know idea that utah was so beautiful. it looks amazing. i def would love to visit
I cannot wait to travel west. We are planning in a few years
The downtown shopping perked my ears up.
I haven’t been to Utah in years. The mountain scenery is what is most appealing to me.
I had an Aunt that lived in Ogden some 20 years ago that worked in a dress shop.
i would visit here one day.
Thanks for suggestion
I have never been to Utah but after reading this it sounds like estate rich in history. What I like most about it is that there are activities for every age. It would almost be impossible not to engage in something.
It does seem like it would be a charming place to visit with all of the snow around. We didn’t get hardly any snow this year in Indiana which was strange.
I would love the chance to see Utah one day! It looks like such a beautiful place.
The view of the mountains from Ogden in the winter, and I know a great Pizza place there.
The beautiful scenery in general. Utah is gorgeous.
The hiking trails sound good to me
The Rocky Mountains, I love the mountains. I also enjoy historic districts. I admit I also like the snow as we get very little where I live.
I’m all about the mountain hiking and window shopping in town. I love Ogden!
I think the children’s museums and the art museums would be fabulous. When we were kids, my dad would always make us go to museums and we hated it. but now, having kids, I want to do the same!
Ogden looks like it’s the most breathtakingly beautiful place ever. My family and I are planning a vacation later this year and it’s my turn to pick the destination. I do believe you may have convinced me.
It all sounds great! I am open o visiting anywhere new. The children’s museum is always a plus for the kids.
Sounds like a great place to visit.The views on some of the pictures are breath taking. I would love to visit there.
I never considered Utah as a destination – I’m not much of a snow bunny. My husband wants to get the kids excited about snow sports though, so who knows!
Looks so nice.
Looks like a fun place to visit!
looks pretty!
Im ready to pack my bags! You’ve definitely piqued my interest!
Ogden looks beautiful and I would love the walking tour.
Ogden looks like a fun, interesting, and educational place to visit.
I love the historic look of the town area. Very rustic. I’ve never really thought about visiting Utah but I am going to look into it more.
I’ve been through Ogden before, and it’s a nice place. Wouldn’t mind stopping through there again on a another time when we drive back east.
Wow, looks beautiful, I definitely want to vacation there!
I have never been to Utah. Ogden looks beautiful. Maybe a side visit, when we vacation in Yellowstone is in order.
What a really beautiful place to visit or live. Looks like a nice clean city that has a lot of fun activities for the family! I would love to take a vacation to Ogden Utah.
WOW i had never heard of this place! Thanks for the info!
It looks absolutely gorgeous there! I know our whole family would love it!
Looks like a great place. my aunt & uncle lived near there but never had a chance to visit. such beautiful scenery!
Looks like a beautiful place.
It looks like a pretty place to visit when it snows.
I am not a fan of snow but those photos are gorgeous!
I don’t like winter sports but Ogden looks stunning any time of year. I’d love to visit someday!
this sounds like a great place t6o visit
Ogden is so pretty. I love the mountains in the background.
I would visit. I would visit another location on the map.
I’d love to go snow skiing in Ogden.
We are Floridians, and my kids are begging to leave the sand and water to see snow. This is sucha beautiful place. I am definitely adding it to our list.
I have never been to Ogden. It looks like a beautiful city with so much to do there. We will have to visit someday!
Ogden has so much to see and do. And I love the pictures.
When I was a kid I started reading books written by Richard Paul Evans. His books were set in that area. Since then I’ve always wanted to visit at Christmas time.
I lived in Bountiul, Utah for about 3 years when I first married my second husband. I thought Utah was beautiful and the people are friendly. Quite the contrast from all the trees and wooded areas we have here in my home state of Arkansas. I would not have left Utah had it not been for my grandchildren back here in Arkansas. I miss Utah!
Wow~Those pictures are beautiful! And I never knew that there was that much to do!
Look beautiful
Wow that looks like such fun. Thanks for sharing.
I have never been but Ogden sounds like a great place to visit during the warmer months.
Wow what a beautiful place never been to Utah
Utah looks amazing!
I have never been to Utah. This looks like a wonderful place to vacation.
I have never visited Utah but it looks so pretty! I love the snow. 🙂
So beautiful! Thanks for sharing your JOY!
It looks beautiful! I’d love to do one of the walking tours.
This looks like a location to add to my bucket list. I need to visit here!
Beautiful country! I’d love to visit it some day!
Utah has always been one of my dreams to live in! This place looks beautiful and I would love to go there!
I haven’t been to Ogden for over 40 years but what a beautiful place to visit.
I have never visited Utah before but everyone says its pretty and your pictures look great of Ogden love to visit there.
How beautiful. I love the mountains.