Ogden, Utah attracts history buffs and active visitors

Travelers in the Old West during the mid to late 1880s knew the truth in the saying, “You can’t get anywhere without going through Ogden.” Ogden’s Union Station transformed this small town into the Crossroads of the West, a position it held for more than 60 years following the convergence of the Union Pacific Railroad and Central Pacific Railroad.

Ogden is an intriguing, yet relatively undiscovered, destination that offers beautiful scenery and plenty of things to attract all kinds of visitors including history buffs, hikers, shoppers, or just curious
travelers.

Union Station: Still busy with freight trains, the 1924 red brick building has become a community center and art gallery. It houses five museums–each telling a different aspect of Ogden’s early days.
Ogden River Parkway: This 3.1 mile paved path provides a scenic trail for walkers, joggers, and bicyclists plus park areas nearby for game and picnics.
Golden Spike National Historic Site: In addition to informative displays and actual steam engines rolling along the tracks, visitors enjoy a reenactment of the most historic event of the area—driving the Golden Spike for the Transcontinental Railroad. Volunteers act the parts of railroad officials, politicians, train engineers, and more—and include audience participation.
Snow Basin ski resort: Obviously a big attraction in winter, the resort also offers breathtaking views of the Ogden Valley and hiking trails during the summer.
Kayaking on Great Salt Lake: Kayaking on the fourth largest terminal lake in the world offers panoramic views, pretty sunsets at dusk, and an interesting look at water birds and wildlife in this unusual environment.
Golf: At the municipal Mt. Ogden Course enjoy beautiful views of Mt. Ogden and the city as you play from the base of the mountain.
Fort Buenaventura: This reconstruction of the first permanent Anglo settlement in the Great
Basin includes Ogden Nature Center, which serves as a 152-acre wildlife sanctuary and education center.

Spectacular view from Mt. Ogden golf course
Smith and Edwards: Shop for literally everything at this huge five-acre store that really defines the word “superstore.”
Hill Aerospace Museum: On the grounds of Hill Air Force Base, 80 aircraft, missiles, and aerospace vehicles dating from 1911 to the F-16 are displayed.
George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park: Visit a working paleontology lab, see authentic dinosaur bones, view—and hear—replicas of more than 100 life-size dinosaurs.