Ogden is a name with which not many are familiar, but those who are love visiting this gem. A small city found in Northern Utah, it is a skiing lover’s paradise, enjoying proximity to slopes on sites like Mt. Ogden, De Moisy, and Nordic Valley, to name a few. And when the winter frost thaws, these sites turn into destinations for thrilling outdoor activities like hiking and mountain biking.
So, despite Ogden’s relative obscurity in the shadow of the bigger Salt Lake City, it’s by no means a dull destination. Just like the rest of Utah, this city is blessed with stunning scenery; it’s surrounded by mesmerizing mountain peaks that are visible from Downtown Ogden.
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Plus, as if this isn’t enough, the Great Salt Lake is about just 15 miles west of the city. With so much to keep a visitor busy, finding the perfect way to experience this destination might be a bit daunting. This travel guide to Ogden is meant to help anyone who is planning a trip figure out the best things to do, where to eat, where to stay, and how to make the most out of their trip.
When To Visit Ogden
Cars on Washington Boulevard in Ogden, Utah.
For Winter Sport Lovers
Those who love winter sports may visit Ogden in February and March. According to Weather Spark, it snows most in December and January, although the snowy days extend to early March.
December and January get very chilly with temperatures dropping to the 30s range (-1 degrees Celsius) and oftentimes even dipping to the 20s (-5 degrees Celsius). There’s also an average of about 4 inches of snow during this time.
By February to mid-March, the temperatures start to rise slightly and the average amount of snowfall reduces. Therefore, visitors will enjoy some good days outdoors.
For Warm Weather
Those who are averse to chilly weather may visit Ogden from June to August. The highest temperatures are experienced at the peak of summer, in July and August, when temperatures are likely to reach the 90s (30 degrees Celsius).
This is Ogden’s peak tourism season, so hotel rates are higher and the attractions are crowded. However, tourists get to enjoy warm weather with little chance of rainy days.
For Lower Rates and Fewer Crowds
Most of the crowds start arriving in June at the onset of summer, so those who visit in May will enjoy decent weather and lower rates. The average temperature in May is 62 degrees Fahrenheit (17 degrees Celsius). However, the chances of rainfall are higher in May, so visitors should prepare for some wet days.
September and early October are also good times to visit for lower rates. At this time, the summer vacationers have left, but the weather is still pleasant.
September experiences average temperatures of 73 degrees Fahrenheit (23 degrees Celsius) and October has an average of 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius).
Getting Around Ogden: Best Ways To Travel
The free Ogden trolley.
Ogden is served by the Salt Lake City International Airport, which is about 40 miles away. This is about a 40-minute drive to Ogden. Visitors can get around Ogden using a few means:
By Car
This is the best way to explore Ogden since it grants visitors to travel at their convenience. Those flying in via the Salt Lake City International Airport can rent a car right at the airport. Hertz, Enterprise, and Budget are some of the car rental companies available.
By Train
The UTA Frontrunner train runs from Salt Lake City to Ogden about twice an hour from 5 am to 11 pm, Mondays to Saturdays. The journey lasts about an hour, with fares costing $5.50 for a one-way ticket.
Ogden City Trolley
At Ogden, riders enjoy a free trolley service that traverses Downtown Ogden, with stops around the city. This trolley operates from 8 am to 10 pm from Mondays to Saturdays.
By Bus
The Utah Transport Authority also runs a bus service that serves Ogden as well as other cities. Within Ogden, the bus starts operating at around 5:30 am to 8 pm from the Ogden Station. Fares are $2.50 for a single ride, but a day pass costs $5.
By Bike
Ogden is a bike-friendly city, with bike lanes and trails available throughout the downtown area as well as in the parks. Bike rental companies like The Bike Shoppe are found within the city, offering electric bikes as well as mountain bikes.
Where To Eat: Top Restaurants In Ogden
Breakfast: Kaffe Mercantile
Coffee Shop at Beacon Hill Neighborhood, Boston, MA
Kaffe Mercantile has two locations in Ogden, both of which are popular for their breakfast menu. This restaurant’s mouthwatering breakfast offerings include Italian Quiché, chicken salad sandwiches, and delightful turnovers: strawberry, blueberry, apple, peach, or raspberry.
The drinks are meant to give tourists the much-needed morning boost. The options are Chai latte, cappuccino, and Americano among others.
- Address: 1221 26th St, Ogden, UT 84401, United States
- Hours: Mon – Fri: 6 am – 7 pm; Sat & Sun: 7 am – 6 pm
Lunch: Even Stevens Sandwiches
Turkey sandwich like the one served at McGregor Cafe
Sandwiches are Even Stevens’ main attraction, with famous varieties like chicken pesto, Turkey Day, Reuben, and BBQ pork, at the top of a long list of menu options. Still, Even Stevens offers more than just sandwiches; there are breakfast burritos, salads, and a variety of drinks.
A kids’ menu is also available, so families shouldn’t hesitate to make this their lunch spot of choice in Ogden.
- Address: 2214 Washington Blvd, Ogden, UT 84401, United States
- Hours: Mon – Fri: 10 am – 7 pm; Sat: 9 am – 7 pm (closed on Sun)
Ogden Pizzeria
Settebello Pizzeria, Salt Lake City – best pizza nepolitan in central salt lake city. Best Italian
Another great lunch spot in Ogden is Ogden Pizzeria. This location serves, as the name suggests, various pizza options. These include Chicken Alfredo, Margherita, Buffalo Chicken, and the polarizing Hawaiian pizza.
- Address: 936 S Washington Blvd, Ogden, UT 84404, United States
- Hours: Mon – Thu: 11 am – 9 pm; Fri & Sat: 11 am – 10 pm (closed on Sun)
Dinner & Drinks: Rovali’s Ristorante Italiano
A photo of pasta Bolognese for dinner
This Italian restaurant stays true to the Italians’ penchant for good food. Their menu isn’t just filled with fancy names like Fettuccine Alfredo or Turkey Provolone, it also has beloved classics like pizzas and sandwiches. Plus, the restaurant’s dishes are reasonably priced.
Diners who want to stick around for drinks can spend the night enjoying the variety of beers at Rovali’s Ristorante’s bar. And since it would be hard to call it a night without cocktails, these are sold here as well, from Rovali’s vodka cranberry to Rovali’s Cosmopolitan, and so much more.
- Address: 174 25th St, Ogden, UT 84401, United States
- Hours: Tue – Thu: 3 pm – 8:30 pm; Fri & Sat: 3 pm – 9 pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
Top Things To Do In Ogden
Go Skiing
The snowpine lodge has endless skiing excursions during the winter months.
Ogden has a reputation for being a gateway to several skiing trails in Northern Utah. Peaks like Allen Peak, De Moisy, and Strawberry Peak are just 20 miles from Downtown Ogden, while the Nordic Valley is 15 miles away. There are many popular ski resorts across the country, and some of the best are near Ogden.
Explore Ogden’s George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park
A dinosaur sculpture in Ogden’s George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park.
There have been dinosaur discoveries in Utah for over a century and Ogden’s George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park pays homage to this Utah heritage. The park is home to hundreds of life-like dinosaur sculptures that do more than just stand there; they’re animated by robotics!
The dinosaur park fascinates kids, but adults are also intrigued by the stories of these massive creatures.
- Address: 1544 Park Blvd, Ogden, UT 84401, United States
- Hours: Mon – Sat: 10 am – 5 pm; Sun: 12 pm – 5 pm
- Fees: Adults (18+): $7.00; Seniors (62+): $6.00; Children (2-12): $5.00; Infants (Children aged 1 and under): Free
Visit Ogden Bay Waterfowl Management Area
Lovers of birdwatching are drawn to the Ogden Bay Waterfowl Management Area, which is a whopping 20,000-acre wetland near the Great Salt Lake. A half-hour drive from Ogden’s downtown area brings visitors to this haven for birdlife. The area boasts herons, ducks, sandpipers, grebes, geese, and gulls.
- Address: 4786 S 7500 W, Hooper, UT 84315
- Hours: 6 am – 10 pm (daily)
Go Hiking At Ogden Nature Center
Entrance to the Ogden Nature Center.
Ogden Nature Center is conveniently located within the city, offering visitors a place to enjoy outdoor activities without having to travel too far. There are nature trails that traverse the park, with some trails running along Mill Creek.
Ogden Nature Center also boasts six ponds, some of which have Mosquito Fish, Green Sunfish and Western Painted Turtles. Pelicans are also attracted to these water bodies.
Visitors can also check out different birds of prey like the Red-tailed Hawk, Great Horned Owl, Bald Eagle, and other birds.
- Address: 966 W 12th St, Ogden, UT 84404, United States
- Hours: Mon – Fri: 9 am – 5 pm; Sat: 9 am – 4 pm (closed on Sun)
- Fees: Adults 12 and older: $5.00; Seniors 65+: $4.00; Children 2-11: $3.00; Children under 2: Free
Catch A Show At Peery’s Egyptian Theater
This theater’s appeal is in its design, which resembles an Egyptian show house. Opened in 1924, Peery’s Egyptian Theater is as much a landmark as it is an entertainment spot. To date, this theater hosts movie screenings and live concerts throughout the year in its 800-seater auditorium.
Where To Stay In Ogden: Neighborhoods & Accommodation
A view of Downtown Ogden, Utah.
Ogden is a small city that’s only 27 square miles (71 square kilometers) in area. The different neighborhoods are small and the distance between them is small. Still, there are several accommodation options in Ogden. Here are a few options;
Best Western Plus High Country Inn
- Address: 1335 West 12th Street, Ogden, UT 84404, United States
- Price: From $98
- Amenities: Heated pool, hot tub, fitness center, outdoor fireplace, picnic area, business center, flat-screen TV
Tru By Hilton Ogden, Ut
- Address: 2405 Lincoln Ave, Ogden, UT 84401, United States
- Price: From $127
- Amenities: Fitness center, business center, heated pool, outdoor fireplace, WiFi, games room
Spacious Mountain Side Retreat
- Address: Ogden, Utah
- Price: From $229
- Amenities: 3 bedrooms, walkout basement, full kitchen, WiFi, smart TV
Private Guest Room Rental
- Address: Ogden, Utah
- Price: From $81
- Amenities: Weighted blanket, TV, private bathroom, e-bikes, spa room, hot tub, home gym
Charming Cabin with a Jacuzzi
- Address: Ogden, Utah
- Price: From $340
- Amenities: Hot tub, fireplace, spa, lounge, TV, WiFi, heating, kitchen
Top Ski Resorts Near Ogden
Ski lift in Snowbasin, Utah.
Snowbasin Resort
- Distance from Ogden: 20 miles
- Time from Ogden: 30 minutes
- Facilities: Events venue, dining facilities, skiing lessons, ski lifts
Powder Ridge Village Resort
- Distance from Ogden: 20 miles
- Time from Ogden: 35 minutes
- Facilities: Downhill skiing, laundry facilities, game room, tennis court, accommodation
Nordic Valley Ski Resort
- Distance from Ogden: 16 miles
- Time from Ogden: 30 minutes
- Facilities: Ski lifts, equipment rentals, ski school
Ogden Nordic Ski Resort
- Distance from Ogden: 20 miles
- Time from Ogden: 30 minutes
- Facilities: Ski school, yurts, bike trails, covered picnic area
Tips To Know When Visiting Ogden, Utah
An aerial view of North Ogden, Utah.
- Other than the free trolley service in Ogden, there are buses that serve the routes leading to Snowbasin and Powder Mountain Resorts. Visitors without cars won’t have trouble traveling around the city.
- Public transport isn’t available on Sundays, to visitors should bear this in mind when planning their itineraries.
- There’s a lot of history in Ogden and visitors should spend some time touring the historic sites in the city, like the Egyptian Museum, Smyth Mansion, St. Joseph Church, and the Eccles Building.
Spending The Perfect Day In Ogden, Utah
The perfect Ogden day starts with a filling breakfast at one of the breakfast joints in the city like Kaffe Mercantile. This is followed by a trip to the Ogden Nature Center for a hike on the trails that weave through the 152-acre establishment.
After the hike, get some takeaway pizza at Ogden Pizzeria and bring it to the Ogden Botanical Gardens for a picnic lunch. Afterward, visit Ogden’s George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park and spend the afternoon learning about these fascinating creatures.
Then, stroll through Historic 25th Street and check out some of the landmarks before having dinner at a downtown restaurant. After a meal, catch a show at Peery Egyptian Theater before ending the day with drinks at a local bar.
FAQ
Q: What is Ogden Utah famous for?
Ogden is famous for being close to several ski resorts thanks to its proximity to sights like the Wasatch Mountains.
Q: How often does it snow in Ogden?
It mainly snows in Ogden from November to February, with the highest snowfall witnessed in the months of December and January.
Q: Is Ogden, Utah worth visiting?
Yes, Ogden’s proximity to several natural sights like the Wasatch Mountains or the Great Salt Lake makes it a haven for nature lovers and awash with outdoor activities to keep a visitor busy.
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