Downtown Ogden - Ogden, UT

Ogden has two prominent timelines of history: one surrounding the railroad and one regarding the Mormon pioneers. Ogden, originally called Fort Buenaventura, fell under the ownership of the Mormon pioneers in 1847, and the LDS culture still largely dominates in the Ogden area.

To celebrate the history of the railroad in Ogden, the city erected the Union Station Museum, a museum that provides an inside look at the work that goes on at the railroad and how it all happens. This museum delights kids and adults of all ages.

Ogden’s central business district has a growing arts scene, primarily boosted by the presence of several art galleries along 25th Street.

Just north of 25th Street, which has become a restaurant hub over the years, lies Slackwater, an unassuming pizza pub with some of the best Buffalo wings you have ever tasted. Slackwater’s serves up a variety of creative pizzas, including the California sunrise (avocado, chicken and sun-dried tomatoes) and the chicken tikka pizza. Any pizza can be turned into a massive calzone at your request.

Right along 25th, Bangkok Garden stands up against its competition in the Asian fusion cuisine market by making mildly spicy staple dishes with a flavor twist. Make sure you try the extra sweet peanut sauce or the pho, which comes out with fresh, pungent basil. The sweet rice with mango makes for the perfect way to end the night.

In the mood for Mexican cuisine? The Sonora Grill, which has earned its way into the hearts of locals over the years, has finally perfected its menu. Its signature dishes, including the chile relleno and the chile verde, come out in an elegant presentation after being cooked to perfection. Make sure you order the spicy guacamole.

Ogden’s central business district booms with music, culture and an enthusiasm for life. Want to see a movie? Movie Grille provides dinner and a show to make the perfect, and affordable, date night. Or, if you want to take some old friends out to a lounge bar, Kamikazes has a great live music selection as well as drinks and Mediterranean cuisine.

Ogden locals still enjoy the old-fashioned option of traveling by train; the station for the commuter train FrontRunner sits just a few blocks west of 25th Street. The train regularly travels to Salt Lake City and back, though it does not run on Sundays. This station also provides stops for 15 or more buses that can take you anywhere you want to go around Ogden.

Biking in and around Ogden’s central business district has gotten easier, though few bike lanes exist on the busy streets. Biking enthusiasts will, however, enjoy the long, winding stretch that makes up the Ogden River Parkway, creating the perfect opportunity to ride along the Ogden River and take in the scenery.

With 25th Street only minutes from the I-15 on-ramps, heading to neighboring cities from Ogden’s central business district presents no problem. If you’re not a freeway person, Washington Boulevard makes intra-city travel simple. Public parking can become difficult to find around 25th Street during evenings and weekends.

Though you might not see many cabs along Ogden’s roads, you can always use a phone to schedule a ride with a cab company, a convenient option since the buses and trains don’t run late into the night. Although Uber serves Salt Lake City, it does not serve Ogden.

Ogden remains an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. With the giant Rocky Mountains in the background, you can head over to one of Ogden’s many parks and recreational trails and enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of nature. On the outskirts of Ogden’s central business district sits the Ogden Nature Center, a 152-acre nature preserve on 12th Street. Though the center does charge a small fee for use, it regularly provides crafts, educational classes and summer classes for adults on a number of topics. The walking trails put you up close and personal with the wildlife of Ogden.

Alternatively, you could head to the Ogden River Parkway. With more than 10 miles of paved paths, this free recreational area makes for the perfect spot to rollerblade, bike, stroll or jog. A number of playgrounds and open fields line the parkway and provide a safe place for children and dogs to play.

The majority of Ogden's events take place in 25th Street’s park, including the Christmas Village the city sets up in the winter and the Ogden Arts Festival, which features local artists and musicians, providing residents with a fresh look at Ogden’s art culture.The park also houses a small playground for children.

Given all Ogden’s central business district has to provide residents, it might surprise you that living in the area costs 10 percent less than the national average and 12 percent less than the average for Salt Lake City. The average rental rate settles around $669, making the area very affordable.

To give more of an idea about the cost, a two-hour ticket on the bus costs $2.50, and a cold beer at a local pub runs $4-5 depending on where you decide to go. Even gas prices sit lower than the national average in Ogden by almost 7 percent.

Though Newgate Mall sits only a few miles south of Ogden's central business district and houses chain stores such as Sears and specialty home goods stores such as Quilted Bear. Ogden's prime location for local boutiques, antique stores, and one-of-a-kind shops resides along Historic 25th Street.

For groceries, most residents either go to Walmart or the local Kroger store, Smith's, on a regular basis. However, everyone turns up for the Saturday farmer's market in the 25th Street park during the summer and fall.