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OGDEN — If you are planning to stay in Utah over Memorial Day weekend, there are several fun options in Ogden. From rope swinging to a day with the dinosaurs, Ogden has much to offer. The following are only a few suggestions:
Dinosaur Park
Eccles Dinosaur Park gives visitors a chance to see what the towering creatures might have looked like out in the wild. But it also features some up-close looks at different casts and bones and life-size renditions of prehistoric creatures.
"We have 110 different sculptures outside the park, but we also have a museum inside," said Casey Allen, the park director.
Part of the museum is a real working laboratory, complete with open windows so children can interrupt fossil workers. Fossil preparator Dean Loftus says it is interesting work he gets to share with others.
The Dinosaur Park is a really fun place for families to come and learn about paleontology and geology, while having fun exploring.
–Casey Allen
"As you start taking these various layers of dirt off, you're the very first person to see that," Loftus said.
Many of the fossil excavations are brought to the museum through a partnership with the University of Utah. Along with some real bones, the museum offers a look at several reconstructed dinosaur skeletons.
"The Dinosaur Park is a really fun place for families to come and learn about paleontology and geology, while having fun exploring," Allen said.
Union Station
At the center of downtown is a significant piece of Ogden history: Union Station. From antique cars to the Browning Firearm Museum, the Union Station provides a great look at the history of some of Ogden's most prominent features.
"Ogden's history is right here in this building," said Roberta Beverly, executive director of the Union Station.
Back in 1869, the first train passed through the Union Station, becoming the major hub for destinations around the United States.
"After the Transcontinental Railroad was finished, Ogden became the terminus, much like we have now for airports, they had for trains," Beverly said. "Ogden was junction city, and that's why we have this big, big station."
The original station burned down in 1923, with current- standing station built in its place a year later.
"It was built for $400,000, if you can imagine in that day, and they did it in a year," Beverly said.
Visitors to the Union Station can see some of the big restored engines outside and some smaller pieces inside. There's even an antique car museum.
But many contend the Browning Firearm Museum is the biggest attraction. Often the museum gets more attention from visitors to the state of Utah instead of locals.
"(It's) a good representation of all of the guns that were invented by John Browning during his life here in Ogden," said museum guide Darwin Brimhall.
Much of the early guns are housed at the museum. They even have the famous 19-11 model, which is now Utah's official state gun. Brimhall said there were only six of the 19-11 model's built.
(It's) a good representation of all of the guns that were invented by John Browning during his life here in Ogden.
–Darwin Brimhall
Fort BuenaventuraJust outside of Ogden Fort Buenaventura is like taking a step back in time to days when the area was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans and trappers and mountain men. The area was settled before the Mormon pioneers arrived by trappers, and it really celebrates the historic treasures of Northern Utah.
Just 12 months ago, most of Fort Buenaventura was underwater. Flood waters ripped up trails and ruined a pond, but things have gone back to normal thanks to 300 volunteers who put their time into restoring the park. The pond is being fixed and deepened, which means more fish. Picnic areas have been cleaned up, and trails restored, and officials hope that the improvements will attract more people to the site.
I Fly Utah
An indoor sky diving training center, I Fly Utah offers the experience of a free fall, without jumping out of an airplane. "Almost identical to the free fall of an actual sky dive," said I Fly Utah manager Shaun Heaton. "That's what it simulates, that's what it's designed for."
The simulation lasts three minutes, and kids as young as 3-year-old can join in.
Under the same roof is ‘Flowrider,' indoor surfing and Rooster's Brewing Company and Restaurant, which offers root beer for those who want to keep the fun dry. The restaurant is packed nearly every night.
We have a fun, kind of quirky vibe," said Rooster's manager Tashina Taylor. Our owners have really put a lot of energy into bettering the community and I think it kind of comes out and shows here in the restaurant."
Contributing: Nadine Wimmer
