Ogden for the College Aged Kid

We start our weekend off by visiting a classic: Farmer’s Market Ogden. Between vintage shops, samples of lemon basil and mushroom jerky, 100 dog owners, and a variety of handmade clothes and jewelry there's something for everyone. Grabbing a coffee from the Daily Rise Truck is never a bad idea, and allows some extra energy for petting all the dogs and catching up with friends.

There’s always something going on in Ogden, and the day we went to the farmers market, there also happened to be a Tattoo Convention down in Union Station. Artists from around the Wasatch front had gathered to do a full day of tattooing offering everything from full body pieces to flash tattoos and artwork. Portfolios were displayed and intricate tattoos were in the making, but our favorite part was being able to interact with the artists by asking questions and hearing about their process.

In a place like Downtown Ogden, you could pick almost any place to eat and you'd be satisfied. I chose to take my friend to Table 25, a modern and fresh restaurant featuring a seasonal menu and outdoor seating. Watching the late farmers market festivities while enjoying my Risotto and Wine Poached Pears for dessert certainly did not disappoint.

That night we attended the OFOAM music festival, which though only a once per year occurrence, is certainly comparable with our Twilight festival and our other live music events. For us a root beer float was an essential while enjoying some John Craigie, a folk singer and storyteller originally from California, who’s voice complimented the golden light of the setting sun on the mountains perfectly.

The next morning we slept in, I’ll admit, but were soon revived after some brunch at The Greenery, located at the mouth of Ogden Canyon. Shopping, eating, walking along the river, and even spotting a dinosaur if you’re lucky can all be achieved here. When done, a drive through the canyon was a necessity to show my friend. Look to the left just after the canyon entrance to spot a waterfall gushing down the canyon walls. Slow down on the windy roads to take in the breathtaking views, gushing river, and towering canyon walls. Climbers, hikers, kayakers, and adventurers alike gather for this scenic canyon and we took it all in. After our 20-minute drive with Noah Kahan blasting through the speakers, we arrived at Pineview Dam.

Stopping for a dip or paddleboarding session is definitely the move, but as we were short on time so we continued our drive up to Snowbasin Resort to enjoy Blues, Brews, and BBQ’s. This is an annual summer event hosted by Snowbasin and happens every Sunday in June and July. We chose to wander the mountain, enjoy the evening, catch up with some old friends, and hear some great tunes filling the mountaintop resort. The finale to our night was a trip up to the top of the mountain in the Gondola. From here we watched the sun dip beneath the western horizon and peered across all of Ogden after a short walk to the ridge. Behind us dusk settled into the valley and people began to clear out of the lodge area.

Instead of taking Ogden Canyon back into town, we drove Trapper’s Loop to complete the scenic circle through the mountains and bring us back through Weber Canyon. The long shadows in the canyon with the stars beginning to peek out in the night sky made for the perfect ending to a perfect weekend.