My husband and I chose Ogden, Utah, for an RV adventure to visit some friends we’ve had for years who relocated here. Since they are avid skiers, it’s a great fit, being near Snowbasin and Powder Mountain, two of the hottest ski regions in the nation. But we found Ogden to be perfect for so many other things. From stellar farmers markets to a thriving food scene and historic areas, here are five cool things to do in Ogden, Utah, that you won’t miss.
1. Eat Locally
Ramblin’ Roads was a smart choice for breakfast, serving delicious (and stuffed) omelets, Eggs Benedict, and other classic morning favorites. I appreciated fresh avocado on my tasty California omelet.
Mountain Donuts
After breakfast, or instead of it, stop by Mountain Donuts in South Ogden for an arsenal of sweet treats. These custom-made donuts are so darned good—my favorites are the Paulie (chocolate, peanut butter icing, and Reese’s Cup crumbles) and anything blueberry.
Rosa’s Cafe
Lunch from Rosa’s Cafe, a retro-looking cafe that you might otherwise miss if not for the cute sign, is a must. You’ll find authentic burritos and other Mexican cuisines; I recommend the Chile Colorado Burrito, served with homemade tortillas. I opted for the salsa verde, perfectly spicy, and my hubby chose the Roja, even spicier.
Rovali’s
For dinner, one of Ogden’s highly-rated restaurants is Rovali’s Ristorante Italiano, a family-owned and operated restaurant with pizza and pasta dishes. The Fried Zucchini did not disappoint at Rovali’s. Most entrees come with a side salad; though it looks basic, it is anything but.
The salad dressing is zesty and full of flavorful, and I loved the shredded cheese on top.
I tried the Tour of Rovali, a sampler platter with smaller portions of fettuccine Alfredo, cheese ravioli, and lasagna. What a great choice! Bacci rolls, billowy and yummy, come with your meal.
Rovali’s is closed Sundays and Mondays.
Sonora Grill
The Sonora Grill was another downtown restaurant we liked for dinner. This cantina had amazing jalapeño margaritas and Queso Fundido, served with honkin’ big warm tortilla chips. I ordered the Chile Relleno, a roasted poblano pepper stuffed with cheese and topped with an avocado cream sauce. Refried beans and rice came on the side. I rate it a perfect 10.
Sonora Grill has a nice selection of vegan and vegetarian options.
Slackwater Pizzeria
A fabulous anytime dish is Slackwater Pizzeria, a spectacular joint for creative pizzas and chef-inspired dishes. Slackwater should win an award for the extraordinary Check Your Garlic Breath appetizer. Hunks of roasted garlic cloves are served over a gorgonzola cream cheese spread with herb crostinis for dipping.
My favorite Slackwater pizza was The Hulk, with a green goddess base and topped with fresh goodies like avocado, jalapeños, grape tomatoes, jalapeños, and dusted with feta cheese. Oh my, deliciousness in each bite.
2. Explore Historic 25th Street
The one place you have to venture to in Ogden is Historic 25th Street. You’ll find several really cool and colorful murals, even on parking garages, and an incredible display of sculptures throughout town.
One of our favorite offerings was the painted fiberglass horses, only on display from June to September, to celebrate Ogden Pioneer Days. Many cities I visit have painted mascots. I know Lexington, Kentucky, also pays tribute to the horse in its art installments.
Historic 25th Street is where the early frontier people used to frolic, giving it the nickname of Salt Lake City’s “devious little sister.” Today, it is the epicenter of Ogden’s modern city life and blossoming arts and culture scene, drawing over a million visitors annually. You’ll find foodie-worthy eateries, clever coffee shops, locally-owned boutiques, and special events in the area.
Fun Fact: Ogden is nearing 90K in population.
Another noteworthy part of Historic 25th is the Union Station. In 1869, Ogden became a boom town thanks to the transcontinental railroad. The venue today, built in 1924, houses the John M. Browning Firearms Museum, the Utah Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, and the Browning-Kimball Classic Car Museum.
It’s a lovely place to walk through and spend some time, plus the museums, open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 4 PM, are exceptional.
3. Visit the Farmers Market
One of the best offerings on Historic 25th Street is when the streets are closed to pedestrians only for the Farmers Market Ogden. The market runs full speed ahead from 8 AM to 1 PM on Saturdays through early September.
You won’t glimpse Ogden’s prohibition-era speakeasies in this day and age, but instead, a treasure trove of cool kiosks selling wares, gourmet foods, and handicrafts ranging from mushrooms to baby doll clothing, specialty dog treats to a pink drink that had the longest line of any other booth.
The market was enjoyable and great for people-watching, even for those traveling like us. I found the market items to be unique from most markets I visit around the country. I especially loved seeing so many people out with their dogs—Ogden is definitely a pet-friendly community.
4. Go RVing in Ogden
We made Century Mobile Home and RV Park our home away from home while in Ogden. We even lucked into a monthly rate, which saved us money. There are 192 sites, and the property is easy to get to, right off the interstate and has an onsite store for things you might have forgotten, necessities, and souvenirs. They also had clean restrooms and a laundry facility.
Our RV spot was only steps from the swimming pool, which opened during our stay. I spent much time there, though the hot tub was out of commission. The views from the pool and our weather were beautiful. We would stay there again in the future.
5. Get Outdoors: Easily One of the Cool Things to Do in Ogden
Ogden is the gateway to Powder Mountain and Snowbasin ski resorts. Whether or not you ski, take a road trip to this stunning area riddled with fantastic photo ops and a waterfall (Ogden Canyon Waterfall) along the way.
There aren’t many pullover spots to stop and admire the scenery on Canyon Road, but when you see one, take full advantage of it. Watch for oncoming cars; they move at fast speeds on this road. Have your cameras ready—the scenery is spectacular.
Once you arrive smack dab amid Huntsville, Utah, 26 minutes away, you will feel like you’ve arrived in Switzerland. The landscape’s picturesque green valley is set against the towering peaks of the Wasatch Range and is truly breathtaking. And speaking of breathing, the air is fresh and noticeably energizing.
Huntsville is great for a short road trip, driving around to see the multi-million dollar homes and great urban parks. It has a famous ice skating rink in the winter months. There are hundreds of rental units in this area, romantic and great for a weekend getaway or nestling by the fireplace or outdoor decks to soak up the scenery. Utah is full of surprises.
Thanks to our friends Paul and Kris Ellington for luring us out to Ogden, Utah, and showing us a part of the country that is truly, like the saying, a hidden gem.
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