We took a quick short and sweet trip down to Ogden, Utah over the weekend, and it was so gorgeous! Just as pretty as I remembered from driving through there years ago when we went to Disneyland. I always wanted to return to see more of it, and this trip was a start to fulfilling that dream.

Unfortunately my oldest just got a job a month or so ago and had to work Monday, hence why it was such a short trip! I still want to see the national parks, the spiral jetty, and the great salt lake, so another trip will have to be in order at some point. But my goodness, there is so much to see and do there!

We stayed in the Ogden/Riverdale area as we only had one full day there. Our first day we arrived at 8 pm, so it was a late one! Then we decided to stay for most of the day Sunday and drive through the night so we would have a little more time. I absolutely dislike overnight trips. I’m too nervous to sleep with anyone else driving, so I stay awake while my husband drives, then drive when he’s too tired. So everyone sleeps and I am in zombie mode by the time I get home. Thank goodness we only do a night drive like once every year or two. It’s just miserable. Only plus is that everyone sleeps, so no stops besides fuel!

Where We Stayed

The Bristol Mansion Airbnb. I’m always after the unique places you don’t get to see or stay in often! It was such an experience staying in a revamped mansion. All the details just got me. The curved woodwork, the high ceilings and chandeliers. I’d love to live in a house with that architecture! I love the feeling of openness and also comfort, which this mansion had both of. Funny thing, when we pulled up, the kids were all, “wait what? We are staying in a house with other people?! How awkward, this is the worst!” But after finally realizing what I was telling them, that we had our own little apartment in the mansion, they loved it so much. They thought it to be the best place we’ve ever stayed!

Where We Ate & Drank (coffee that is)

You have to remember I have six kids. Haha. There are plenty of restaurants that looked amaaazing, but the options are limited when traveling with the kids.

The Lucky Slice

First night, we picked up pizza at 1030 (yay for the joints open late!) and brought it back to the mansion to eat. This place was delicious! Everyone loved it and we had leftovers for the next night post adventuring! Always get extra for leftovers.

Daily Rise Coffee

Saturday morning, we headed to Wasatch coffee (recommended by our Airbnb host) but it was so crowded by the farmers market that we decided to just hit up Daily Rise. Coffee was divine. I got a nutella crepe for myself and a nutella banana and cinnamon one for the kids to share. Easier than trying to go find breakfast as well!

In N Out

A treat since we don’t have that anywhere near us! Plus super easy with the kids and everyone loves it!

Dutch Bros Coffee

Another thing we don’t have at home! I don’t usually like Dutch Bros, but it wasn’t as bad this time. Still prefer the non chain coffees, but this was good for a quick pick up!

Black Bear Diner

We ate at Black Bear Diner in St. George a few years back and it always stuck with me. Mainly because the breakfast I got was a literal bear claw pastry French toast. Like insane. I did once again get the bear claw French toast, but a blackberry filled one this time. A little twist on things! This was the only place we ate in with the kids and it went just as about expected. Tolerable, but not like super fun. Tolerable fun.

Farr Better Ice Cream

We ended the evening with ice cream from Farr Better Ice cream in Ogden. So so many flavors to choose from! Their website boats that they have over 100 flavor possibilities. I ended up with a chocolate brownie fudge ice cream, because my 8 year old accidentally ordered two different flavors. Haha. He was so excited when another worker came and asked what he wanted after he’d already ordered, he couldn’t believe his luck. The ice cream shop is really cute and retro style. Always my fav.

What we Did

Hill Aerospace Museum

When we went to Rapid City back in January, we went to the air and space museum there, but it was so windy out and the indoor area was closed and the kids were so bummed out. I found this place in my research prior to going to Utah and it was amazing. Everyone loved it! We spent a good couple hours wandering the outdoor and indoor exhibits. We even were witness to a retirement ceremony of US Air Force members. There’s so much history and being able to also see part of the history in person makes it that much more real.

George C. Eccles Dinosaur Park. No words for how cool this place was! The younger girls were at first terrified of the roaring and movement of the dinosaurs in the museum building, but later wanted to see them again. There’s acres of dinosaur sculptures and a path to walk down. It winds though trees and over a little river. The weather was sunny and perfect, making for the perfect stroll.

Sunset Hike at 29th Street Trailhead

I had originally wanted to go to the lake for sunset, but that didn’t work out. Thank goodness my brother in law had a backup plan. He took us up to this trailhead where we hiked a little ways to a clearing and watched the sunset. My favorite part by far was all the adorable little prickly pear cactus flowers. And the view. Pictures definitely do not do that view justice. It was stunning.

McLaren’s Collectibles Thrift Shop

So cool. We spent probably a whole two hours browsing here and hardly made a dent, there is so much stuff! I went home with a hot pink all star skateboard, a knitting book, and a butterfly print framed in a gorgeous bronze frame. All my kids found some kind of treasure as well! There was a blue chair (shown below!) that I wanted so bad, it was exactly what I have envisioned for my living room. Half my kids wanted guitars. Im starting to think I ought to start hauling a trailer on these travels! We have nothing like this at home, so we get a little excited.

And a few misc. pics

After I had posted about this trip on Instagram, I was getting messages about other things to do and see in Ogden. Plus all the stuff in the surrounding areas! So when, not if, we go back again, I have such a list. Can’t wait!

❤️ Bethany