Experience Omaha – Top Picks to Explore

Our local team is headed for the College World Series for the first time in six years and I am positive so many Aggies will be heading that way to cheer them on.  Today I thought I’d take the opportunity to share a few of my favorite places to eat and explore in Omaha.

We have been lucky enough to travel to Omaha twice to watch the Horned Frogs play.  If you are a baseball fan, there is no better experience than watching these college athletes leave it all on the field. The fans are amazing and everyone is just so happy to be there feeling the love of the game.  So by all means, if you are going to visit Omaha go during the College World Series!

Where to Stay

Obviously hotels are charging a premium during this time and we opted to stay a little further away from the action at the beginning of the tournament.  On our last visit we started out in Aksarben Village (Nebraska spelled backwards) and there were plenty amenities.  As the games begin and teams are eliminated, it is easy to move towards downtown and the stadium as teams vacate properties.   We moved to the Double Tree after a few days and loved being downtown.  Plus you save some dinero on parking this way as the stadium is within walking distance.

Where to Eat

Like anywhere you visit, there are plenty of chains to choose from but we love finding some of the local restaurants or less recognizable chains at least.  We started off one morning with breakfast at The Diner and you just might get lucky as we did and run into a high profile player.

The Upstream Brewery is a great option regardless of the time of day and stays open late enough you can catch a bite even after a late game.  The menu has a great variety and then, of course, there is beer!

Of course after you finish eating real food you want to walk on over to Ted & Wally’s for some homemade ice cream.  More than likely there will be a line out the door but I promise it will go fast and it is totally worth the wait!

If you have more time and are looking for an amazing burger, you definitely want to take the drive to Stella’s Bar and Grill .  It was definitely a little iffy on the drive but once we were there it was obvious we made a great choice!  Seriously, if you are a burger person this place is a MUST.

Other quick restaurants downtown with easy menus and yummy food are Zios Pizza and Spaghetti Works!

What to Explore

If there is one place you definitely need to visit it is the Henry Doorly Zoo and the original Rosenblatt Stadium site.  We have been to many zoos, including San Diego, and my kids still say this was their favorite.  You definitely should  go early,  if possible, as it is hilly and there is plenty of walking. The exhibits do such an amazing job of making you feel up close and personal with the animals.

I’m so glad we took the time to visit Lauritzen Gardens on our last visit as it is really amazing and more than just a garden.  The train exhibit was by far our very favorite and we stood and watched a really long time.

Upon leaving the gardens you have the opportunity to ride the tram up to Kenefick Park  and if you have kids they will be enamored by the size of these locomotives.  It was interesting to learn about what the railroad meant to Nebraska.

We took a walk one evening downtown and explored the First National Spirit of Nebraska Wilderness & Pioneer Trail and my kids loved it as well as playing in the fountains across from the Double Tree.  During the day you can rent bikes at Riverfront park but be warned it is much hillier than it looks!  There is also a fun little park with a great slide at Gene Leahy Pedestrian Mall.

My personal favorite, which I might add my family felt was over rated, was crossing the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge.  At the top you are literally standing on two states at once and I just love goofy stuff like that!

I can’t say enough about our time in Omaha.  We actually visited four times in three summers and during the CWS the hometown folks are just so happy to have the fans showing up.  Who knows if we will ever make it back; we can dream for sure but we will never forget the memories we made!

To see more pictures and the full recap of our Omaha fun you can read Part 1 and Part 2!

Wishing the Aggies and the Horned Frogs the best of luck!  Looks like they may meet again on the field after all.

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