Ogden, Utah
Ogden is only the seventh largest city in Utah, but there is so much to do, it may as well be the first. I was lucky enough to spend a day in the city, and it did not disappoint. With so many options, I had a hard time deciding how to spend my time. I had a terrific day in Ogden, and I can’t wait to visit again to check out more of the attractions and eateries.
Saturday Morning Farmer’s Market
In the summer, the Historic 25th Street in Ogden turns into a fantastic farmer’s market. When I attended, local band, then VanLadyLove, now VAN HOF, performed the songs from their latest EP on a temporary stage as people walked up and down the street enjoying their music. 25th street closes to automobile traffic so that farmer’s market attendees can fully take over the street and experience all of the booths. The farmer’s market features artists of all kinds. Jewelry makers sell their rings and necklaces, digital artists sell posters of popular characters, and painters sell beautiful Utah landscapes. An aerial dancer even tumbled down ribbons suspended in the air in a gorgeous dance display. There was no shortage of food—in addition to the permanent restaurants that dot 25th street, vendors set up their canopy tents or their food trucks and pedaled everything from barbecue kebabs to frozen lemonade. And of course, the reason for it all, local farmers sold their delicious fresh fruit and vegetables to eager farmer’s market attendees. I bought a necklace with a gorgeous bead entwined in metal and sipped on frozen lemonade as I walked around smiling at the dogs that walked past with their owners.
Letting My Artistic Side Shine Through
After the farmer’s market, I stepped into one of the businesses on 25th street. The cute yellow trim on the outside of the building caught my eye. The shop turned out to be a painting studio called Liquid Canvas made for amateurs. This painting and wine place offered step-by-step painting tutorials that allowed amateur painters like me to come away with an awesome painting. I used three brushes and five colors to create a sunset scene. Even though my sky didn’t blend as well as the instructors, I still had a blast painting with and getting to know twenty or so strangers. I lucked into an open spot in the class, but you can secure your spot at liquidcanvasfun.com.
A Bite to Eat
After all my adventuring, I was pretty hungry, so I started the hunt for a great Ogden restaurant. After some deliberation, I decided to step into Rovali’s Ristorante Italiano—what a great decision that turned out to be! Rovali’s offers authentic Italian sodas, and I couldn’t help but order the raspberry crème. The frothy pink soda fizzed on my tongue like a carbonated orchestra—I couldn’t get enough! I ordered pasta and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. This cozy, family-owned restaurant would be perfect for a date night outing with a loved-one. I enjoyed my pasta and walked back out onto 25th street, sad that I couldn’t experience more of it.