Honestly, if you think Ogden is just a tiny spot in the Middle West, then you haven't really sniffed the history of this place yet. Founded in 1850 as an agricultural support point village, the small Ogden Township has become a unique mix of history and modernity over the decades from pure corn chamber – all in the heart of Champaign County. I remember driving from Champaign to Ogden by train, the rat of the old BNSF locomotive was almost a soundtrack for the arrival in a place that has more to tell than to guess at first glance.
A short bike ride over the County Road 12 takes you directly to the centre where you can see the old town hall – a brick building that radiates more charm than some hip cafés in larger cities. I don't quite understand the hype about the “grain field spots”, but the surrounding fields at sunset are really great for a bit of Instagram drama. And while you're here, take a look at the small but fine shops along Main Street; The owners are so friendly that they almost give you the feeling that you are a long-term neighbor.
If you ask yourself how to move away: a short bus ride from Champaign (Route 4) will take you to the heart of Ogden, without stress. So, that was my quick tour – and yes, the Ogden Attractions are definitely worth a detour if you want a bit of authentic midwest feeling.
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The first stop I put to every visitor is that University of Illinois Arboretum. Who thought that a campus consists only of gray auditoriums is enormous – here over 100 hectares of carefully cultivated meadows, a local prairie section and a Japanese garden, which is almost too beautiful to be true. I once made a picnic there, while a student in the distance shouted loudly about the latest lecture; that was the loudest sound I've ever heard in a natural oasis. Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you don't get to the test time, then the small visitor park is filling up faster than a auditorium.
A short jump over the road leads to Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. The acoustics there are legendary – I have experienced a jazz concert where every trumpet sounded like a whisper in the ear, and that, although the audience was filled to the ceiling. The building itself is an architectural statement that you cannot overlook when you roll out of the car; the glass façade reflects the alternating Illinois weather as if they want to say: “Come in when you wear yourself.” Tickets usually get at the checkout, but on Friday afternoons there are always a few remaining places that can be secured with some luck.
A few steps further, hidden between the faculty buildings, this is Japan House. I have to admit, I was skeptical if a small teahouse in Illinois really has something to offer – until I tried a traditional matcha there on a rainy afternoon and suddenly felt like sitting in the middle of Kyoto. The staff is friendly, but not intrusive, and parking is a little labyrinth; I almost ran before I found the entrance.
If you have enough of modern campus attractions, it is worth a visit Champaign County Historical Museum in Urbana. The museum is a collection of old agricultural machinery, photographs from the founding period and an amazingly well-preserved 19-year-old railway locomotive. I remember when I was a kid there with my grandfather turning the old tractor wheel and he told me that this was the same model he was driving in the 60s in the field. Parking is usually free at the museum pavilion, but on the first Saturday a month, when the “living history” event takes place, it can become narrow.
A short walk south leads to Hessel Park. The park is not exactly a secret tip, but it has a small lake that is populated by families with swimming tires in the summer, and a skate park that is almost sacred to the local youth. I once experienced a spontaneous street music festival where a saxophonist and a guitarist improvised together – a real ear scare when you hide the usual grill sounds. The garage is small, so it's better to come early if you want to take a car.
For nature lovers who want to escape the urban hustle and bustle, this is Kline Creek Preserve A must. The path leads through dense forests, over small streams and at some places offers a view of the wide, almost endless prairie. I once saw a fox watching me from a safe distance before he disappeared in the underwood – a moment that reminded me of why I even travel. Parking is well signposted at the entrance, but on weekends it can be done because the local schools are taking their excursions.
Finally, if you want to feel the cultural heart of Champaign, you should Orpheum Theatre do not miss. The historic cinema from the 1920s has not only an impressive interior, but also a program that ranges from indie films to classic Broadway productions. I was once at a pre-premiere of an indie film, where the popcorn tasted better than the actual image – a real proof that the ambience here sometimes counts more than the film itself. Parking is usually a problem at the theatre, especially on Saturday night when the whole town comes together.
Whether you are a fan of green oasis, historical museums or cultural highlights – the surroundings of Ogden offer a colourful mix that delights every traveler. And if you want to pack it all together in a trip, don't forget that these places are the best Ogden Attractions count that you shouldn't miss.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Ogden is not some hip Rooftop bar, but the inconspicuous Ogden Community Center on Main Street – a building that has more stories to tell than most guides would ever admit. I came past a rainy Tuesday, because I was actually just looking for a dry place for my umbrella, and was promptly invited to a bingo evening where the local seniors played with an energy that I only know from teenage moshpits. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, it becomes a real problem because the weekly flea market spectacle blocks the road.
Right next to the center Ogden Public Library, a small but fine refugium for those who prefer to hang between bookshelves than between bars. I once found an old yearbook from the 1950s that traces the history of the village to detail – a real treasure for curious people. The library does not have a cafe area, but this is the best thing: you are forced to avoid the cafe in the city and instead to support the local baker around the corner that takes fresh cinnamon chicks from the oven every morning.
If you're looking for a place where you can finally feel like a child again, look at this Ogden Park on. I had a picnic with my friend there in the summer, and we enjoyed the “big” playground structure, which was actually rather built for children in preschool age. The playground is not particularly modern, but this makes it charming – and the small swimming pool, which is filled with a hose by volunteers in the summer, is a real secret tip. A short walk from the park leads you to Ogden Cemeterywhere the old tombstones betray more about local history than any museum.
Another must I look over again and again because it seems so inconspicuous is that Ogden Grain Elevator at the County Road 200 E. I don't understand the hype about huge industrial plants, but this old brick building has a certain rustic charm that reminds you of the agricultural roots of the Middle West. I once watched a sunset there while a tractor slowly passed – that was almost poetic if you don't take it too seriously.
For those who seek a little spirituality, there is the St. Mary’s Catholic Church on the edge of the village. I was there at a midnight fair because I thought it was a good place to find some rest. Instead, I was greeted by a choir from seniors who sang with an inbrunst, which is otherwise only heard in opera houses. The church itself is a beautiful example of simple but solid architecture, and the small Kirchhofsfeld behind the building is a peaceful place for reflection.
A short detour to Ogden Township Hall is worthwhile if you are interested in local politics – or just want to watch some people discussing the latest road repairs. I once participated in a public meeting where a resident passionately declared that the new road sign is “too small”. This was a real eye opener for me, how very small details shape the community life here.
And yes, if you ask yourself what you can see in Ogden at all, just look at the Ogden Attractions that I have listed here – that is enough to fill a weekend without ever having to bore you. I have the feeling that each of these places contains a little bit of myself, and that makes the whole village somehow a personal adventure you don't forget so quickly.
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