Free and Low Cost Summer Activities for Families Near Ogden, Utah

If you live in or around the Ogden Utah area or if you are planning a visit, there are some great low-cost activities that can be enjoyed during the summer time. I will list a few of my favorites here. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Free Activities

Free Lunch For Minors

Ogden City School Lunch Program offers free lunch for children under the age of 18. All you have to do is show up and your kids can have lunch for free. The lunches are offered at various locations around the city. Parents can eat lunch as well but it is not free for adults. The cost for adults is just a couple of dollars. Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 11:30 until Noon. To find a list of locations visit Ogden City School District’s web site.
Monday Night At the Movies

On Monday nights throughout the summer, families and individuals can catch a movie for free at the Ogden Amphitheater. All of the movies shown are either a “G” or “PG” rating so you can bring the kids without worrying about inappropriate material. The movies start at 6 P.M. I suggest getting there a little early to find a good seat.

Other Free Activities at the Ogden Amphitheater:

On Tuesdays at noon, you can head down to the Ogden Amphitheater and listen to some live music. Bring your lunch and eat while you enjoy the show. If you forget your lunch, you can always buy your lunch from the sidewalk vendors (my husband loves the tacos) or one of the locally owned downtown restaurants.

Wednesday evenings also have live entertainment. The show starts at 7P.M. Local performers are typically featured. I have never been unhappy with a performance.

The Ogden Amphitheater is located downtown on Historic 25^th Street, just below Washington Boulevard. It is a beautiful complex in an outdoor setting. To view a full schedule of events visit this link.

Hiking

The Ogden foothills have many hiking trails. Some of the trails are more difficult than others. If you love the outdoors, Ogden is the place to find it. A few of the more popular trails are the Beus Canyon Trail beginning at the top of 46^th Street, and the Waterfall Canyon Trail beginning on 29^th Street. Beus Canyon trail is a little easier climb than Waterfall Canyon but Beus Canyon gets a little more difficult a little further up. When you are hiking, remember to clean up after yourselves and your pets. For trail maps, click here.

Hill Aerospace Museum

The Aerospace Museum is not in Ogden but it is only a few minutes away located at Hill Air Force Base. There are many different types of aircraft on display. You can view a piece of military history right here in Utah. Entrance is free but donations are appreciated. To get to the museum, take I-15 to exit 338 and turn East. This attraction is open year round from 9 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. every day (except major holidays).

Low Cost Activities

Eccles Dinosaur Park

This is a favorite with the kids. If your children, or you, love dinosaurs, this is the place to be. There are educational activities where you can learn about dinosaurs along with sculptures of dinosaurs. I have yet to meet a child who did not love this place. It is not free but for the amount of fun, it is a bargain. Admission for children is $4 and for adults it is $6. The park is open from 10 A.M. until 6 P.M. every day except Sunday (the park opens at noon on Sunday.) My favorite thing about the Eccles Dinosaur Park is that the kids have so much fun that they do not even notice that they are learning. Dinosaur Park is located at 1544 E Park Boulevard. If you take the 12^th Street exit from I-15, you can follow the signs to easily follow the signs. Eccles Dinosaur Park is open year round but summer is a great time to visit.

Tree house Children’s Museum

This is another favorite with the kids. Again, it is not free, but it is a bargain. Admission is $5 for children and $3 for adults. There are interactive exhibits for children where they can learn by doing. As with the Eccles Dinosaur Park, the children have so much fun that they do not even know that they are learning something. Your kids can visit the Oval Office or travel back in time to medieval times or any number of places. The Tree House Children’s Museum is on 22nd Street just below Washington Boulevard. This attraction is open all year but why not visit while the kids are out of school to keep them from getting bored and keep their minds working.

Some of these activities are popular favorites like the Eccles Dinosaur Park and the Tree house Children’s Museum. Many of the activities such as the activities at the Ogden Amphitheater are not as well known. This summer, get out and discover what Ogden has to offer.

For more information

Eccles Dinosaur Park

Free Summer Lunch

Hill Aerospace Museum

Ogden Amphitheater

Ogden Trails

Treehouse Children’s Museum