One of the surest signs that spring has finally arrived along the Wasatch Front in Utah is the annual birdhouse competition at the Ogden Nature Center (closed Sun; $3, $1.25 ages 2-11; 966 W. 12th St.; 801/621-7595). Even kids love the ingenious, whimsical creations, which are displayed along the 152-acre preserve's Bird House Trail (and used by feathered nesters) through August.
Families can make a day of it at two other Ogden attractions. Hill Aerospace Museum (free; 7961 Wardleigh Rd., Hill Air Force Base; 801/777-6868) displays a collection of more than 70 modern and vintage aircraft, including a B-52 bomber and an SR-71C "Blackbird" spy plane. At Eccles Dinosaur Park ($5, $3 ages 3-12; 1544 E. Park Blvd.; 801/393-3466), the robotic Cretaceous Encounter exhibit pits a roaring T. rex against a shuffling triceratops.
Hot lunch
Between stops, grab a wild-mushroom pizza or capellini primavera at Roosters ($$; lunch and dinner daily; 253 25th St.; 801/627-6171).
