Going To Omaha

K-22 · #1 08-20-2013, 02:08 AM

My better half and I will be in Omaha towards the tail end of October. We will have a few days to explore.
I would welcome suggestions, from those familiar with this neck of the woods, about some things to see and do. (We will have a car)
TIA

Best,
Gary

steveno · #2 08-20-2013, 03:29 AM

see the SAC Museum at Ashland. it is exit 426 on I-80 west of Omaha

Marshwheeling · #3 08-20-2013, 07:49 AM

Drop in on Warren Buffett. He is a fun guy to have a couple of beers with.

The Big D · #4 08-20-2013, 08:06 AM

Was in Omaha for the CWS in June. Nice town. Many bars and good restaurants in the Old Town section. Neat urban park with lake and running trails right downtown. Casinos just across the river.

May I suggest the Hilton across the street from the convention center and arena for lodging if you have not already selected a spot? One of the nicest properties in which I have stayed...ever.

And make sure you eat steak...every night, perhaps.

Bon voyage.

JJEH · #5 08-20-2013, 08:56 AM

We were in Omaha, NE for a couple of days. All I can say is that it's a nice town and it's more windy than Oklahoma.

Stop by at Cylinder & Slide if you get a chance.

max · #6 08-20-2013, 09:47 AM

If you are West of Omaha on I 80, I recommend stopping in York to dine at Chance R. We stop there every year on our way to chase pheasants in SD. There is a Cabelas and a Bass Pro in Omaha if you are in the mood. If you are a history buff this place would be good. http://www.nps.gov/lecl/planyourvisit/leclvchq2b.htm

Stevens · #7 08-20-2013, 09:47 AM

Yikes! At first glance I read going to OBAMA!!
Steve W

coldmold · #8 08-20-2013, 10:17 AM

Take in the henry doorly zoo. It a world class place.

Aden67 · #9 08-20-2013, 10:24 AM

Gary,
I lived in Omaha for a few years while in school and grew up west of Omaha in central Nebraska. Nice town and if you have not chosen a place to stay...stay near/in the Old Market section of dowtown. I put a link below that list all the places to eat, stay, shop, etc. It's a nice area and easily walkable. When I go back to see friends, I stay at the Magnolia Hotel. Cool place...it's in an old office building. I would suggest checking out Yelp for places to eat. Lots of good steak places and other good food. I would recommend Upstream Brewing...good beer and food. They have a very cool zoo and you have casinos across the river in Council Bluffs. Enjoy your visit...and the weather should be nice...but be prepared. As a kid, I did have to track through a few inches of snow on a few Halloweens to get candy!

Old Market Business District - Home

jaykellogg · #10 08-20-2013, 10:48 AM

I second the suggestion about the Henry Doorly Zoo. When we lived in Iowa we were annual members. You could actually probably spend a day there.

We liked to shop and eat in old town.

Visit the Union Pacific museum. lots of early western history there.

If you enjoy Chinese food visit the King Fong Cafe in downtown Omaha. It has been there since 1921.

7Iron · #11 08-20-2013, 02:00 PM

My home town! The zoo realy is a place you should visit. Annually rated the best in the country. The Old Market, the Dundee area are great for restaurants/bars. Memorial park is nice (rose gardens).

K-22 · #12 08-30-2013, 03:32 PM

Thanks for all the replies. You have given us some good info and ideas.

Best,
Gary

Alk8944 · #13 08-30-2013, 09:59 PM

K-22,

Some good suggestions and some erroneous information.

Cylinder & Slide is in Fremont, not Omaha. Not a lot to see and I am sure Bill really doesn't want to stand around & B.S, he has things to do.

Bass Pro Shops is in Council Bluffs near Lake Manawa.

The Doorly Zoo is rated the best zoo in the US. A High school classmate of mine is the zoo director.

The SAC Museum is quite good and has some one-of-a-kind aircraft with very interesting histories.

Go see Fort Atkinson located east of the town of Fort Calhoun, about 15 miles north of Omaha. This is a reconstruction of what was at one time (1820s) the farthest west, and largest military installation in the US. It is on the site of "The Council Bluff" where Lewis & Clark held council with one of the tribes, Ponca, Otoe, don't recall at the moment, on their up-river leg of the "Voyage of Discovery". One of the Lewis & Clark monuments is located about 75 yds. east of the south row of barracks.

There is Creighton University, endowed by the widow of Edward Creighton whose company built the transcontinental telegraph from Omaha to Salt Lake City. The Joslin Art Museum between 22nd & 24th Streets on Dodge, where many Indian artifacts and original Western paintings by Bodmer and others are housed.

Fort Omaha at 30th & Fort Streets. A genuine Indian Wars Army post once the headquarters of General Crook. Headquarters of the "Department of the Platte". Headquarters of the US Army Balloon Corps during WW I.

There is the Union Pacific Museum at 200 Pearl St. in Council Bluffs. The Durham Museum, 801 S 10th St, in the old Burlington Railway Station, and several others.

Lots of good places to eat, Johnny's Cafe at 4702 S 27th St used to be one of the very best along with the Venice Inn at 72nd & Pacific.

Tell me what your interests are and I can give you some more ideas. I may live in Utah but am from Omaha and probably know the city better than many who still live there.