Thursday, June 3, 2021
Don’t Miss These Metro Omaha Gems During Olympic Trials
If you’re heading to Omaha over the next few weeks for U.S. Olympic Trials – Swimming, then you’ve probably done your homework – where to stay, where to eat, maybe even researched a few fun things to do while you’re in town.
You know we have the best zoo in the United States. You know we have great museums, restaurants, parks – the usual things people visiting like to see and do.
But as someone who lives and works in and around the city, I’m here to tell you about some Omaha area gems you may not necessarily read about in tourism brochures or on travel websites.
These are some unique, exciting experiences that I recommend you try while you’re visiting our fair city. Even if you don’t have time to do them all, I hope you’ll at least try a few.
While Omaha’s mask mandate has been lifted, bring your masks with you just in case these businesses still require protection.
Here we go! Be sure to bring some comfortable shoes.
Visit a Living Museum
The Hot Shops Art Center is the first art center of its kind in the Omaha area – a living museum. Over 70 artists invite you to wander and explore this 92,000-square-foot art center. Four "hot shops" feature working artists in glass blowing, pottery, bronze casting and blacksmithing. Visit the 50 individual studios and two art galleries, view the artwork and see how it is created. Artwork includes watercolors, oils, acrylics, fiber art, photography, pastels, jewelry, printmaking, stained glass, fused glass, metal and wood sculpture, furniture restoration, lampworking, ceramics, mixed media and more.
Visit www.hotshopsartcenter.com for more information about times, dates, prices, etc.
Enjoy Some One-of-a-Kind Ice Cream
Ted and Wally’s is not your average ice cream parlor. The layout and the theme of the store are unique – featuring antique furniture, vintage signage and an outdoorsy-feel that make it more of an event than just a pit stop. During its 30-plus-year existence, Ted and Wally’s has created over 1600 different flavors of ice cream – something for everyone! In addition to the fundamental flavors like chocolate, vanilla or mint chocolate chip, with the help of some innovative minds, experimental flavors such as vegan cinnamon, jalapeno cream cheese or Japanese red bean have made special appearances on their menu.
Visit www.tedandwallys.com for more information.
Find Your Way Into A Speakeasy (just for the adults)
Throwback to the days of Prohibition and hidden behind a secret door of what appears to be a small downtown liquor store lies a true gem in Omaha! The Wicked Rabbit provides a great, intimate ambiance and delicious craft cocktails. Although drinks are more expensive than other downtown bars and restaurants, it’s worth the experience of feeling like you've taken a trip back to 1930s Omaha. Perfect for a small group or couples. To get in, make sure to ask for the $1000 bottle of wine at “The Looking Glass” across from the Orpheum Theater.
Visit www.facebook.com/thewickedrabbit/ for more information.
Visit Omaha’s Latino Museum
El Museo Latino opened its doors in 1993 as the first Latino Art & History Museum and Cultural Center in the Midwest. In 1997, the museum moved to its present brick and red tile roof building. El Museo Latino is one of only 17 Latino museums in the United States and is a center for Latino studies in the Midwest. The museum features exhibits about Latino and Hispanic art and history.
Visit www.elmuseolatino.org/ for location, hours/days of operations, prices, etc.
Walk Among Pioneer History
Installed in 2005, the First National Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness & Pioneer Park contains lifelike, expressive sculptures – a magnificent display that includes oxen, horses and mules with their hitches. Individual characters range in height from three-to-seven and-a-half feet. Visitors are meant to interact with this sculpture. The audience is encouraged to walk along with the larger-than-life pioneers and to envision what it must have been like to set off on a journey unlike any other. This sculpture park is the largest installation of bronze and stainless steel work of art in the United States and one of the two or three largest in the world.
Visit www.firstnationalcampus.com/fnc/html/en/sculpture_park/spirit.html for location. No charge.
Visit Two States at the Same Time
The stunning Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (located just east of CHI Health Center) features a 3,000-foot long walkway that stretches across the Missouri River, giving pedestrians a spectacular view of Omaha’s skyline and, in the middle, connects Nebraska and Iowa. On the Nebraska side, people can enjoy the 3-acre Omaha Plaza with an interactive water jet fountain, River Critters Environmental Play Area and access to the National Park Service Visitors Center. On the Iowa site, Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park offers a beautiful outdoor experience. The bridge is connected to more than 150 miles of nature trails. In 2015, the bridge joined Twitter as @BobTBridge, an effort by the Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Visit www.omaha.net/places/bob-kerrey-pedestrian-bridge for more information. No charge.
Stroll Through the Beauty of Nature
Discover a hidden sanctuary in the heart of the city at Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha’s Botanical Center. Relax while cultivating your mind in this living plant museum, conveniently located in the beautiful riverfront hills. Construction began in 1995 on the rose garden and other early gardens soon followed, including a shade hosta garden, herb garden, children's garden and spring flowering walk.
Visit www.lauritzengardens.org/ for hours of operation, days, prices, etc.
Enjoy Genuine Soul Food
Opened in 2007, Big Mama’s Kitchen & Catering is a family-owned and -operated business specializing in soul food and traditional American cuisine. A city icon for the taste buds, Big Mama’s offers a unique variety of delicious homemade appetizers, entrées, cakes and desserts, but is best known for its famous oven-fried chicken and delectable sweet potato pie ice cream. The appeal of Big Mama’s isn’t limited to Omaha. It’s been featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and was selected for Travel Channel’s “101 Tastiest Places to Chow Down” list.
Visit www.bigmamaskitchen.com for location, hours, menu, etc.
Experience Omaha’s Jazz History
Love’s Jazz and Art Center, named for Preston Love, who was born and raised during a North Omaha jazz boom in the 1930s, is the centerpiece of a revitalization effort in North Omaha that began in 2005. Love Jazz and Art Center’s mission is to preserve, promote and present African-American art and jazz, offering comprehensive African-American art exhibits and live jazz performances dedicated to cultural and historical preservation of African-American contributions.
Visit www.facebook.com/lovesjazzandartcenter for more hours/days of operation, prices, etc.
Visit a Hauntedly Unique Jail Shaped Like a Cage
East of Omaha and across the Missouri River in Council Bluffs is the famous Squirrel Cage Jail. Built in 1881, the jail was an ingenious idea of unprecedented efficiency – an entire jail, full of prisoners, controlled by just one jailer. Instead of going to the cells, the jailer could bring the cells and prisoners to him, simply by turning a crank. And the level of security was unprecedented. Until the rotating cage of a pie shaped cell was aligned perfectly with the one opening in the outside bars, there was no way out. The jail was in use until 1969 when it was deemed inhumane and closed. The Council Bluffs Park Board took control of the building in 1971, and the Historical Society of Pottawattamie County acquired it in 1979. It is now a museum that is said to house many of the spirits of those who once inhabited it.
Visit www.thehistoricalsociety.org/museums/squirrel-cage-jail.html for hours of operation, prices, etc.
Trek Through Mormon History
The Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters is a visitors’ center with exhibits about Winter Quarters, a major settlement for Latter-day Saint pioneers after they left Illinois on their trek west. The exhibits describe the Latter-day Saints’ westward migration to the Salt Lake Valley in Utah by wagon, handcart, sailing ship and train. Next to the trail center are the Mormon Pioneer Cemetery and the Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple. The Mormon Pioneer Cemetery, which was a burial site for some of the pioneers who died at Winter Quarters, includes a monument called Tragedy of Winter Quarters, sculpted by Avard Fairbanks.
Visit www.history.churchofjesuschrist.org/subsection/nebraska/omaha/mormon-trails-center-at-winter-quarters?lang=eng for more hours of operation, prices, etc.
You know we have the best zoo in the United States. You know we have great museums, restaurants, parks – the usual things people visiting like to see and do.
But as someone who lives and works in and around the city, I’m here to tell you about some Omaha area gems you may not necessarily read about in tourism brochures or on travel websites.
These are some unique, exciting experiences that I recommend you try while you’re visiting our fair city. Even if you don’t have time to do them all, I hope you’ll at least try a few.
While Omaha’s mask mandate has been lifted, bring your masks with you just in case these businesses still require protection.
Here we go! Be sure to bring some comfortable shoes.
Visit a Living Museum
The Hot Shops Art Center is the first art center of its kind in the Omaha area – a living museum. Over 70 artists invite you to wander and explore this 92,000-square-foot art center. Four "hot shops" feature working artists in glass blowing, pottery, bronze casting and blacksmithing. Visit the 50 individual studios and two art galleries, view the artwork and see how it is created. Artwork includes watercolors, oils, acrylics, fiber art, photography, pastels, jewelry, printmaking, stained glass, fused glass, metal and wood sculpture, furniture restoration, lampworking, ceramics, mixed media and more.
Visit www.hotshopsartcenter.com for more information about times, dates, prices, etc.
Enjoy Some One-of-a-Kind Ice Cream
Ted and Wally’s is not your average ice cream parlor. The layout and the theme of the store are unique – featuring antique furniture, vintage signage and an outdoorsy-feel that make it more of an event than just a pit stop. During its 30-plus-year existence, Ted and Wally’s has created over 1600 different flavors of ice cream – something for everyone! In addition to the fundamental flavors like chocolate, vanilla or mint chocolate chip, with the help of some innovative minds, experimental flavors such as vegan cinnamon, jalapeno cream cheese or Japanese red bean have made special appearances on their menu.
Visit www.tedandwallys.com for more information.
Find Your Way Into A Speakeasy (just for the adults)
Throwback to the days of Prohibition and hidden behind a secret door of what appears to be a small downtown liquor store lies a true gem in Omaha! The Wicked Rabbit provides a great, intimate ambiance and delicious craft cocktails. Although drinks are more expensive than other downtown bars and restaurants, it’s worth the experience of feeling like you've taken a trip back to 1930s Omaha. Perfect for a small group or couples. To get in, make sure to ask for the $1000 bottle of wine at “The Looking Glass” across from the Orpheum Theater.
Visit www.facebook.com/thewickedrabbit/ for more information.
Visit Omaha’s Latino Museum
El Museo Latino opened its doors in 1993 as the first Latino Art & History Museum and Cultural Center in the Midwest. In 1997, the museum moved to its present brick and red tile roof building. El Museo Latino is one of only 17 Latino museums in the United States and is a center for Latino studies in the Midwest. The museum features exhibits about Latino and Hispanic art and history.
Visit www.elmuseolatino.org/ for location, hours/days of operations, prices, etc.
Walk Among Pioneer History
Installed in 2005, the First National Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness & Pioneer Park contains lifelike, expressive sculptures – a magnificent display that includes oxen, horses and mules with their hitches. Individual characters range in height from three-to-seven and-a-half feet. Visitors are meant to interact with this sculpture. The audience is encouraged to walk along with the larger-than-life pioneers and to envision what it must have been like to set off on a journey unlike any other. This sculpture park is the largest installation of bronze and stainless steel work of art in the United States and one of the two or three largest in the world.
Visit www.firstnationalcampus.com/fnc/html/en/sculpture_park/spirit.html for location. No charge.
Visit Two States at the Same Time
The stunning Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (located just east of CHI Health Center) features a 3,000-foot long walkway that stretches across the Missouri River, giving pedestrians a spectacular view of Omaha’s skyline and, in the middle, connects Nebraska and Iowa. On the Nebraska side, people can enjoy the 3-acre Omaha Plaza with an interactive water jet fountain, River Critters Environmental Play Area and access to the National Park Service Visitors Center. On the Iowa site, Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park offers a beautiful outdoor experience. The bridge is connected to more than 150 miles of nature trails. In 2015, the bridge joined Twitter as @BobTBridge, an effort by the Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Visit www.omaha.net/places/bob-kerrey-pedestrian-bridge for more information. No charge.
Stroll Through the Beauty of Nature
Discover a hidden sanctuary in the heart of the city at Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha’s Botanical Center. Relax while cultivating your mind in this living plant museum, conveniently located in the beautiful riverfront hills. Construction began in 1995 on the rose garden and other early gardens soon followed, including a shade hosta garden, herb garden, children's garden and spring flowering walk.
Visit www.lauritzengardens.org/ for hours of operation, days, prices, etc.
Enjoy Genuine Soul Food
Opened in 2007, Big Mama’s Kitchen & Catering is a family-owned and -operated business specializing in soul food and traditional American cuisine. A city icon for the taste buds, Big Mama’s offers a unique variety of delicious homemade appetizers, entrées, cakes and desserts, but is best known for its famous oven-fried chicken and delectable sweet potato pie ice cream. The appeal of Big Mama’s isn’t limited to Omaha. It’s been featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and was selected for Travel Channel’s “101 Tastiest Places to Chow Down” list.
Visit www.bigmamaskitchen.com for location, hours, menu, etc.
Experience Omaha’s Jazz History
Love’s Jazz and Art Center, named for Preston Love, who was born and raised during a North Omaha jazz boom in the 1930s, is the centerpiece of a revitalization effort in North Omaha that began in 2005. Love Jazz and Art Center’s mission is to preserve, promote and present African-American art and jazz, offering comprehensive African-American art exhibits and live jazz performances dedicated to cultural and historical preservation of African-American contributions.
Visit www.facebook.com/lovesjazzandartcenter for more hours/days of operation, prices, etc.
Visit a Hauntedly Unique Jail Shaped Like a Cage
East of Omaha and across the Missouri River in Council Bluffs is the famous Squirrel Cage Jail. Built in 1881, the jail was an ingenious idea of unprecedented efficiency – an entire jail, full of prisoners, controlled by just one jailer. Instead of going to the cells, the jailer could bring the cells and prisoners to him, simply by turning a crank. And the level of security was unprecedented. Until the rotating cage of a pie shaped cell was aligned perfectly with the one opening in the outside bars, there was no way out. The jail was in use until 1969 when it was deemed inhumane and closed. The Council Bluffs Park Board took control of the building in 1971, and the Historical Society of Pottawattamie County acquired it in 1979. It is now a museum that is said to house many of the spirits of those who once inhabited it.
Visit www.thehistoricalsociety.org/museums/squirrel-cage-jail.html for hours of operation, prices, etc.
Trek Through Mormon History
The Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters is a visitors’ center with exhibits about Winter Quarters, a major settlement for Latter-day Saint pioneers after they left Illinois on their trek west. The exhibits describe the Latter-day Saints’ westward migration to the Salt Lake Valley in Utah by wagon, handcart, sailing ship and train. Next to the trail center are the Mormon Pioneer Cemetery and the Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple. The Mormon Pioneer Cemetery, which was a burial site for some of the pioneers who died at Winter Quarters, includes a monument called Tragedy of Winter Quarters, sculpted by Avard Fairbanks.
Visit www.history.churchofjesuschrist.org/subsection/nebraska/omaha/mormon-trails-center-at-winter-quarters?lang=eng for more hours of operation, prices, etc.