A Weekend in Omaha, Nebraska

A Weekend in Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha, Nebraska is as Midwest of a town as you can get, tucked nicely between all the cornfields and along the Missouri River. Omaha is truly a fun destination to discover, and not one to be skipped over. Catch a NCAA baseball game at Charles Schwab field, rent a bike for a day to explore the Old Market area or take a quick trip over the bridge to Council Bluffs, Iowa. Dive in and explore all that Omaha can offer. Over 35 recommendations are included in this guide: 🏨 Where to Stay 🏙️ Things to do in Downtown 🍽️ Where to Eat & Drink in Omaha 🛣️ Alternative trip options
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Welcome to Omaha!

How to Get There

If you are flying into Omaha, you will arrive at Eppley Airfield just north of downtown. It is a smaller, regional airport making it easier to navigate. It takes about 12-15 minutes to drive into downtown Omaha depending on where you are staying. If you’re driving, there is tons of easy parking around the city and it’s relatively safe to explore by car in Omaha.

Eppley Airfield
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A smaller regional airport servicing the Omaha region. They offer a decent number of flights daily
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Where to Stay

There are a wide array of options for places to stay in Omaha. Depending on what you plan to do, we recommend staying closer to downtown if you don't have a rental car. The city is very walkable and bus transportation is available as well. 

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Omaha Downtown
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A pretty standard Double Tree hotel experience with a pool, gym and coffee shop inside for the mornings. They have a free shuttle to and from the airport as well. Breakfast is available for a fee and coin operated laundry is located inside as well. Staff was helpful to handle any concerns that may arise during your stay.
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Residence Inn by Marriott Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area
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A great spot for longer stays. Some rooms have kitchens in them as well. Great location for easy walking acccess to downtown
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Hampton Inn & Suites Omaha-Downtown
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Located close by the Baseball field, it is a great spot to stay if you are planning to be on this side of town.
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Things to Do - Day 1 

Looking for a cup of coffee not from Starbucks, this local coffee shop has a mixture of drink offerings and small pastries. Stop by before starting your adventure around Omaha.

Omaha: Urban Abbey
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A small coffee shop and bookstore that is inclusive to all. Has great pastry items and drinks to sit and enjoy. They have the best seating space in the windows. I had a lovely visit here!
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The famous and well known Zoo and Aquarium are a must see destination while in Omaha. They offer special events and is great for families. 

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
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One of the most well known zoos that has so much to see and do all in one. Perfect for families, dates and people of all ages to enjoy.
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Grab dinner at Jams Old Market in downtown Omaha. Featuring American grill food, there is something for everyone here. 

Jams Old Market
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They have delicious steamed veggies and french fries.
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Finish your day by relaxing at the Green Room. Located close by a bus stop or within walking distance of most hotels downtown, this hip cocktail bar is worth checking out. They do not serve any food, but you can order food in from other local restaurants. 

The Green Room
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Local cocktail and bar spot with a pool table. Some outdoor seating is available and they will often host live music for guests to enjoy. Bar tenders are knowledgable and have great recommendations. They DO NOT serve food here, but allow you to order food from elsewhere and bring in.
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Things to Do - Day 2

Enjoy a relaxing morning wandering around the Old Market section of downtown Omaha to explore local stores, enjoy great eats and check out some of the special oddities located in town. 

Omaha: Sozo Coffeehouse
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Kick start your day with a fresh baked muffin or a nice cup of coffee from Sozo. This place is unique with pool tables, study rooms to rent and a foosball table. A great spot to meet with friends.
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For a great lunch spot, check out the Untamed Kitchen. Well known for their vegan bowl options, this place has a variety of choices to pick from and is on the healthier side too.

Untamed Kitchen
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Vegan food option located in downtown Omaha. Great for friends with food sensitivities.
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Explore The Old Market Area - Downtown Omaha

About 3 blocks of fun located on the Southside of downtown Omaha. Full of restaurants, local stores, coffee shops and much more! Check out our favorite stops in town listed below. Lots of easy parking in this area for those with a car.

RAYGUN
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Unique store with fun shirts, stickers, paper goods, and much more. Mainly focused on Midwest items and equality for all. Connected to a records store.
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Made in Omaha
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Cute local home goods store featuring products made in omaha as the name suggests. Lots of nice art and fun tshirts to check out.
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Passageway Gallery
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Worth it to stop by this little ally way home to an art gallery, a few shops and a restaurant. Please be mindful of their rules for photos in this space as it is private property.
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Hollywood Candy
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Not JUST a candy store but a whole experience focused on nostalgia, fun and lots to look at. The whole experience can be a bit overwhelming with stuff everywhere and endless rows of items. Take your time exploring the store to not miss something.
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Flying Worm Vintage
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Vintage clothing store with items for all. Be sure to check out their daily deals.
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Ted & Wally's Ultra-Premium Ice Cream
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Homemade ice cream, and when they say homemade they make it just inside the doors. A unique way to see the behind the scenes of the ice cream scene. They feature tons of unusual flavors specific to their brand only. Worth a visit!
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Sit back and relax at the Gene Leahy Park space located along the RiverFront. Recently redone to include a top notch playground, large grass space to throw a ball around, lots of seating options and a hammock section.

Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront
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The river no longer runs fully through this area but can still be seen from the slide section. Highly recommend checking out this space. Perfect for families and individuals of all ages. A great way to enjoy good weather.
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For a night out, check out Laka Lono Rum Club for a tiki bar vibe or Moe & Curly's Pub for karaoke! Both are great places for a group of friends for a night out on the town.

Laka Lono Rum Club
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One of the better tiki bars we've been to recently, this is a chill and fun place to enjoy. Does get pretty busy on weekends.
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Moe & Curly’s Pub
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Looking for a place to drink and sing your heart out to karaoke, look no further. This place is great to have a fun night singing and dancing with friends. Not a fancy vibe.
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Special Events - Live Entertainment, Concerts, Sports Games and More!

Orpheum Theater
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Come enjoy many traveling broadway productions like Lion King or traveling comedy shows for a fun night out.
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Charles Schwab Field Omaha
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Most widely known for hosting the NCAA College World Series Championships, it is a fun spot to catch a game
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CHI Health Center
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Home to college basketball, volleyball and host to other special events like Disney on Ice, there is always something fun to see here.
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Baxter Arena
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Baxter area is the perfect place to catch a college hockey game or special concert performance.
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Alternative Trip Options

There is so much to see and do in Omaha that one weekend just isn't enough. Check out these alternative trip options to make your visit as enjoyable as possible. 

Joslyn Castle & Gardens
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Historical and beautiful castle and grounds.
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Coneflower Creamery - Blackstone District
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Located nearby the Joslyn Castle & Gardens, it is the perfect spot to stop at for a treat. Really great options available.
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Modern Love
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Great vegan spot just outside of downtown.
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Wilson & Washburn
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Popular on weekends and is more of a speakeasy vibe, this cocktail bar is a nice change of pace from the dive bar scene. Dress up and enjoy an evening here.
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Council Bluffs, Iowa
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Located just over the river, a quick trip to Council Bluffs, Iowa provides a bit of fun for a day.
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Taj Taste
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Really great Halal food that we ordered multiple times while visitng Omaha. Would highly recommend ordering this for your late night eats.
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Nouvelle Eve
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Women's clothing and fashion boutique. Check it out for fun new trends and also see their clearance items as they rotate in new products.
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Nodest Home Plants
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Super cute plant store to explore and hopefully find your newest green friend.
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Wicked Rabbit
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A great spot to grab a drink for a night out in downtown
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Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar
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Focused on Southern based food, this is a delicious stop to enjoy.
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Omaha: Astute Coffee Downtown
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Great coffee with a great organization it supports. Learn more about Astute coffee and their impact on the community by visiting their website.
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Blue Sushi Sake Grill
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Great vibes and had really good lunch deals on sushi. Would also recommend the soup. Kind staff members made our visit very peaceful and welcoming.
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For Families and Children

Skate City
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The perfect place to enjoy on a rainy day or to beat the winter weather. Staff was very welcoming and we had a blast at the adult skate on Tuesday night.
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Kiewit Luminarium
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Fun for children or adults or the whole family together, this is a unique museum like experience to enjoy while in town. Perfect for an adult date night on Thursdays, or for rainy days.
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Omaha Children's Museum
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For families looking for kid friendly activities this is a top recommendation. Perfect for hands on learning and burning off energy
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Lauritzen Gardens
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Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront
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Located along the riverside, this park space is perfect for a spring or summer day with good weather. In the winter, they also have a skating ribbon to enjoy!
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Be sure to let us know on Instagram @weekendpostcards all about your favorite experiences in Omaha.

Ready to discover your next trip? Check out a few of our recommendations below:

Welcome to the Windy City, located along the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan. Chicago is a hustling and bustling city full of over 70 unique & charming neighborhoods, amazing food and iconic landmarks. Chicago has so much to offer, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Fun fact: Chicago is NOT the capital of Illinois, even though it is the most well known city in Illinois (We see you Springfield). This guide includes everything from popular tourist destinations to local stops by neighborhood and tons of restaurants to try. While this is not an all inclusive list of what to do in Chicago, but its a pretty good way to start with over 150 options and tons of personal favorites! Get ready to plan your weekend of fun in Chicago depending on what neighborhood you're located in. Get ready to put on your walking shoes, as you are sure to get plenty of steps in walking around the city. Immerse yourself in the melting pot of cultures. If you're searching for a specific day-to-day itinerary for Chicago, set up a call and I will help craft the perfect trip based on your needs. Even if you only have a day (which only would begin to scratch the surface) it is absolutely worth it to make a trip to downtown Chicago.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi travelers! I am here to help you enjoy your weekend trips to the fullest to cities near, far, or even in your backyard. Currently:📍Louisiana, U.S.A. Just Posted: Lakeland, FL & Explore Berlin, Germany with a Local Upcoming Trips: European Summer in Zablajk, Montenegro ---------- Michigander at heart but currently traveling the world one week at a time for work. When not on the road and living out of my suitcase, I am down to spend the day exploring the local city scene or out hiking in nature. I am an adventurous spirit and try to maximize my free time exploring the hidden corners of whatever city I am in. I've been traveling all over the U.S. and Europe for nine years and crave authentic experiences at local hot spots (and sometimes the touristy faves). As a young and avid traveler (16 Countries, 45 U.S. States, 24 U.S. National Parks & numerous cities) my goal is to help you reach your travel goals - no matter the destination. On Thatch, I create super detailed guides and itineraries to destinations that I've personally visited. These destinations have a little bit of everything that I love about travel (adventure, city life, great eats, beach days and more). I can also create custom guides and itineraries to wherever you may be dreaming of traveling to. Top bucket list items: Ride in a hot air balloon, visit all 50 U.S. states, and someday be on the Amazing Race with my sister. — Check out my free and paid thatch travel guides on my profile, or for a customized itinerary for any of the locations featured, shoot me a message so we can connect. Let's explore!
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