Get a little creative and explore Ogden, Utah with a loved one this summer. There’s much more to do than you might think in this little mountain town. We’ve compiled a list of the best date night ideas to fit any budget. Explore the beauty of the Wasatch Range through tons of hiking trails or go retro with a night of arcade games.
* Date ideas are ordered from least to most expensive!
Take a Hike!
There’s nothing more romantic than getting all sweaty together in the mountains. With the Wasatch Mountains practically in your back yard, this is a super-convenient, fun, and free idea. Check out Ogden Valley trails for epic views and wildlife viewing. We highly recommend trying out Icebox Canyon or Powder Mountain’s Brim Trail for some of the most beautiful scenery that Utah has to offer. As a bonus, Ogden Valley trails are also great for mountain biking!
Pack a Picnic
Instead of the usual dinner and a movie, pack up a nice lunch and head for the hills to enjoy a meal with your partner in a new setting. Pineview Reservoir’s beaches are the perfect places to spread out a blanket and chow down on some fruit and sandwiches. Or, head to Huntsville Park and play tennis or pickleball after your meal.
Art from the Heart
Head over to your local arts and crafts store and pick up some paint and canvases. You don’t have to be great at art to have an amazing time getting creative! Pour paintings are a simple solution to being paint-shy, simply add 2 or more colors into a ziplock bag, cut the corner off, and let it flow onto the canvas! Make sure to do this in an area that you don’t mind getting messy.
Drive into the Sunset
Get out and admire the gorgeous scenery that Utah has to offer by taking the Ogden River Scenic Byway that begins at the base of Ogden Canyon near Rainbow Gardens. The drive will begin with a striking waterfall and continue through a unique Z-fold canyon. At the top sits Pineview Reservoir with glistening green waters and tons of recreational opportunities. Continue through Huntsville town where the splendor of the Monte Cristo Mountain Range will leave you in awe.
Get in Touch with Nature
Cuddle around an open fire in one of Ogden Valley’s beautiful campgrounds. With no cell phones and no city distractions, it’s a great opportunity to bond over deep conversations and looking at the stars. North Fork Park is a great place to star gaze and has recently been named a dark sky park, meaning there’s very little light pollution to interrupt your views. There’s nothing more romantic than uninterrupted quality time!
Explore the Outdoors
The Ogden Nature Center on 12th street is the perfect place to explore nature that’s not outside of the city. With 152 acres of displays, walkways, and wildlife, it’s an excellent place to enjoy a picnic or take a walk. Admission is $5 for those 13 and older. Check out their website for information on special events like concerts, fun runs, bird walks, and nature journaling. Volunteering here is always welcome and makes for a great date also!
Spend $25 on 25th
The history of 25th street dates back to 1869 when the Union Station officially opened. While it was an important part of the railroad, eventually it became overrun with thieves, gamblers, and gangsters. In 1954 the area was cleaned up and today it is a bustling street with many cafes, restaurants, antique stores, art galleries, and more. For this scenario, both partners take $25 and spend it on the other person. Whether it’s a meal at Rovali’s Italian Food or a knick-knack from the thrift shop, it’s sure to leave a mark on the heart.
Marvelous Museums in Ogden
Ogden’s rich history has made it possible for a variety of museums to come to life. Eccles Dinosaur Park is a collection of life-size prehistoric creatures native to Utah as well as other fun exhibits. The Eccles Community Art Center offers local art, yoga, dance classes, craft courses, and more! Don’t forget about the art walk on 25th Street on the first Friday of each month where local artists and vendors showcase their work. Get out of the house and support the community.
Ogden Events
Ogden has tons of opportunities when it comes to events. The Twilight Concert Series has international artists come to our little community every week and put on a show in the summer. Peery’s Egyptian Theater has a variety of performances going on including ballet and plays. Check out our events page for more happenings in the area and grab your tickets!
Awaken your Inner Child
When’s the last time you showed off your air hockey or ski-ball skills? Bring your date and immerse yourself in some classic fun. Fat Cats in Ogden offers a full arcade complete with laser tag, bumper cars, and bowling. Toad’s Fun Zone offers amenities such as an arcade, mini golf, laser tag, a driving range, go karts, and a batting cage. Fun idea: whoever has the least amount of tickets has to make dinner!
Paddle Boarding
Rent a couple of paddle boards from Ogden Valley Sports and enjoy the cool waters of Pineview or Causey Reservoirs. Causey is great for paddle boarding because there’s no motorboats allowed on the water, so it’s typically calm and serene. Pineview is best on the weekdays or early mornings before many boaters are out on the water. Try out paddle board yoga for an extra spin on this adventure.
Unique Cinematic Experience
Go to the local drive in, Motor-Vu, and experience the latest releases on four giant digital projection movie screens. Since 1947, Coleman’s Motor-Vu Drive in has been providing people with hours of entertainment. The theatre also has a snack bar so you can still enjoy fresh popcorn with your movies. Plus, you get to see two movies for the price of one, what a deal!
Amuse Your Amore
Lagoon Amusement Park is home to the Cannibal roller coaster, which happens to have the steepest drop in North America and holds the world record for the tallest beyond-vertical drop on a roller coaster. Get a thrill out of the wild rides and then relax in the cool waters of Lagoon-A-Beach. Pioneer Village is a unique feature that provides a blast to the old west past. In the fall, the park gets all dressed up for the Halloween season and has multiple haunted houses (a great excuse to hold hands).
Skydive
Need I say more? This once in a lifetime opportunity allows first-time jumpers to experience the beauty of Ogden from 12,000 feet above! The endeavor costs just over $200 for an instruction briefing, 20 minute plane ride, 60 second free-fall (with instructor), 7 minute parachute ride, and a first-jump certificate. You can also upgrade your package to include video and photography work. If jumping out of an airplane isn’t really your thing, don’t worry. iFLY Utah provides the opportunity to skydive in a completely controlled environment, indoors!
Rent for Rec
Borrow some high-quality recreational vehicles! Rent a boat, jet skis, four wheelers, snowmobiles, UTVs, or many other toys. In addition there are wakeboard, waterski, and boat rentals. Locations are available at Pineview, East Canyon, Willard Bay, Starvation, Monte Cristo, and Eden. Reservations can be made here.
Go Golfing
There are 8 unique courses in Ogden City alone, each with rolling greens and well-groomed fairways. With a variety of courses offering different amenities, it’s easy to find the perfect course for you and your love to relax and drive some golf balls. We recommend checking out Wolf Creek Resort because of the impeccable location in the Ogden Valley.
Prime-Time Climbs
The Front Climbing Gym in Ogden offers a wide variety of climbing and yoga activities. Day passes are $20 each and equipment rentals are extra. Classes are available for both beginner and advanced climbers as well as $99 month-to-month memberships for couples. If you’d prefer to take your rock climbing adventure outdoors then Weber State University offers guided climbing for groups. American Mountain Guides are trained and certified to take you into the beautiful Wasatch Range. A half day (1-5 hours) costs $100 for the first person and is only $75 for each additional guest; a full day (6-9 hours) is $125 for the first person and $100 for additional group members.
Romantic Getaway
Sometimes one night just isn’t enough to satisfy. Therefore, we suggest coming to vacation with Mountain Luxury Lodging. Our mountain vacation rentals are perfect for romantic getaways. We offer lodging in Huntsville and Eden, Utah with everything from 1 bedroom condos to luxury homes. Don’t forget to take advantage of our free weekend Snowbasin shuttle or in-room massage add-ons. There’s no such thing as a bad day in the mountains, let us be your guide.