Things to do!

So, what should you do in Omaha while not having a kickass time at the wedding? Well, what do you want to do? Because Omaha can probably hook you up. Here's a small collection of tourist type and be-a-local type places to see and things to do to get you started.

The Zoo

The Henry Doorly Zoo, recently voted the #1 zoo in the US, just gets its own category. I don't even like zoos and even I think that you will have a sad if you never walk through the shark tunnel at the aquarium. If you do like zoos, it has a rainforest, desert dome, aquarium, and insect and butterfly pavillion, as well as the standard zoo fare. Admission ranges from $13.50 for adults to Free for kids under 2. Located south of downtown at 3701 S. 10th Street.

Museums & Galleries

The Durham Museum specialises in history and culture. There are permanent exhibitions of regional history as well as an ever-changing line up of traveling exhibits in history, culture, science and more. Located in the Old Market at 801 S. 10th St. Admission: $8 for adults, $5 kids, under 2 free.

The Joslyn Art Museum features a collection of art from antiquity to the present. The art deco building is a work of art in its own right. Located 2200 Dodge Street. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for kids. Free for kids under 5. Also, every Saturday morning from 10-noon general admission is free.

The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts. This gallery features exciting exhibitiions by contemporary artists and offers artist-in-residence programs. Check the website for interesting art talks, open studios, and other exhibitions to see what the center has to offer while you're here. The regular hours are Tues-Sat 11m-5pm. Admission is free. Located at 12th and Leavenworth streets in the Old Market.

Omaha Children's Museum. I haven't been here in a long time, obviously, but as a 6-year-old I gave it a thumbs up. 500 South 20th Street. Admission $9. Kids under 2 are free.

Hot Shops Art Center. The original tenants specialised in blacksmithing, sculpture and ceramics; HotShops is now also home to photographers, painters, and artists from all disciplines. The center is primarily a collection of artist studios, but there is also gallery space and studio open houses are held every few months. 1301 Nicholas Street. Admission Free. Check the web for current exhibitions.

Nature

Fontenelle Forest 1111 North Bellevue Road. (I recommend checking the website for directions if you're not familiar with Bellevue.) Admission: $7 for adults, $5 for kids. Under 2 free. 18 miles of hiking trails through conserved forest, prairie and marshland.

Lauritzen Botanical Gardens. 100 Bancroft St. (follow 10th street south out of the old market then take a left on Bancroft.) Admission: Adults $7, Kids $3, under 6 free. If you like gardens and flowers, it's a don't miss.

Old Market

Ted & Wally's Ice Cream. Handmade ice cream in interesting and above-all tasty flavours. Flavours change daily, and the line on weekends can get long if it's a "good day for ice cream" (though what day isn't, really?) There are even vegan flavours on a pretty regular basis. Located on the corner of 11th and Jackson

The Old Market area is designed to walk around and explore. There are tons of shops, galleries and restaurants, also a giant candy store (you'll know you've found it when you spot the candy paramedic ambulance, seriously.)

If you're looking for a place to grab a few drinks, I'd recommend Mr Toad's (10th and Howard) for a old school pub feel; Nomad Lounge (10th and Jones in the main floor of the Old Market Lofts) for a hip martini. (They regularly have a DJ spinning live chill tunes too.)and Urban Wine Company (also 10th and Jones)if you're a wine enthusiast.

Jackson Booksellers, has a lot of cool used books, word of warning though, they sell a lot of rare and pricey books too, and some people think the clerks have attitude. Homer's Records is an institution.

When it's time to eat; Zio's Pizza is a good place to grab a slice. If you're looking for something a little fancier, I'd recommend the Boiler Room, M's Pub or Vivace. I've also always liked La Buvette, avoid the cheese board though.

NoDo

North Downtown is dominated by the new TD Ameritrade Ballpark and the Quest/Centurylink/whatever it is this year Center. The area features a lot of sports bars and grills. This might be a more family friendly dining option than the Old Market.

I have to admit that I'm not super familiar with all the offerings down here, as I really only venture down here to go to The Hot Shops, for concerts at The Slowdown or to see films at Film Streams. I definitely recommend checking out Film Streams. They show current independent/"arthouse" films as well as a curated repertory series, and other special cinema events.

Dundee

Dundee is primarily a residential neighbourhood, but the main drag has lots to offer the person looking for something to do. The Dundee Theatre (48th & Dodge) is a single screen cinema which shows primarily independent films and screens cult classics (from multiple decades, including the current one.)at Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Dundee Gallery (4916 Underwood Ave.)sells art and features local and regional artists. It also has exhibitions of single artists.

Scout Dry Goods (51st and Underwood) offers a hip and curated collection of second-hand clothes.

If you're looking for food and drink: The Dundee Dell (5007 Underwood) has pretty good fish and chips and what is purportedly the best selection of scotches in the nation.

If you're looking for some upwardly mobile pizza, I'd recommend Pitch Pizzaria (5021 Underwood Ave.)

Dario's Brasserie (4920 Underwood) is my favourite Dundee restaurant. (note: if curried carrot soup is the soup de jour, do not hesitate, order it. I mean get the bowl, not the cup.)
Mark's Bistro (right next door at 4916 Underwood)is also an excellent choice for a sit down dinner.

If you're looking for something a little more everyday (and economical) I heartily recommend Amsterdam Falafel & Kabob. (620 N 50th St, that's just south of 50th and Underwood.) The name says it all. Well, almost all, they have awesome curry fries too.

If you want to say you went to an indie rockstar's bar, Conor Oberst's bar, Pageturners, is now open at 50th and Dodge. I haven't been yet, I'll probably update this guide when I've gotten over being sad that it is no longer my favourite used bookstore and check it out.

Benson

Now we get to my home neighbourhood. Well, I live a little outside Benson, but I've been around it on and off since I was a kid. I've seen it slowly die and now am watching its rebirth as home of a lot of really cool stuff.

It's probably not the best choice if you're looking for family fare, though a gut-busting brunch at Leo's Diner or pizza at the Pizza Shoppe would be okay places to feed the family.

Don't let the slight aura of sketchiness put you off if you're looking for hip places to spend time. If you're looking for a good place to get a few pints, Krug Park (6205 Maple St) has an amazing beer menu. And, I do mean menu. There's a 6 page menu of just beers and cocktails. I believe they have over 100 varieties on tap. You can also order food from Lot 2 next door.

If you're looking for a more raucous place to drink, there's the Beercade across the street, (6102 Maple) where you can play 25 cent arcade games and 50 cent pinball while drinking your beers.

Another fine drinking establishment is Jake's Cigars & Spirits. (6206 Maple.)

If it's food you're after. Benson also has numerous choices. The Pizza Shoppe Collective (6056 Maple)serves up pizza and often comedy or other performing arts.

España (6064 Maple) is a fantastic Tapas restaurant.

Lot 2 (6207 Maple) offers contemporary fare.

Papa Chris' Chicago Originals (7024 Maple) is an option for the burger lovers and those not concerned with the state of their arteries. (They offer a burger with donuts for a bun. Just saying. I've also never eaten here, but it exists.)

If you're looking for music The Waiting Room and The Barley St Tavern (both at 62nd and Maple)are places to check out. The Waiting Room hosts full fledged concerts with national and local headliners, while the Barley's stage is home to smaller, more intimate gigs, usually by great local acts.

Shopping

Finally, if you're looking to do some shopping in Omaha beyond anything mentioned above, Omaha has the following shopping centers:

Westroads Mall. (102nd and Dodge) Westroads is your typical mall, with your typical mall fare. Rave Digital Cinemas is located here. Outside the mall on the grounds are chain restaurants like Joe's Crab Shack, PF Chang's and The Cheesecake Factory.

Oakview Mall (144th and Center) Another typical mall located in southwest O. AMC Oakview 24 theatres is located just behind the mall in it's own lot.

Village Point (168th and Dodge) This is an outdoor concept mall. The stores are fairly upscale brands like Coach and Sephora. The Apple store is also located here.

Regency Court (105th/102nd just south of Dodge) Traditional mall of upscale stores. Anthropologie and Williams & Sonoma are notable stores among the furriers and jewelry stores.

One Pacific Place (105th and Pacific) Outdoor mall. Notable stores are Trader Joe's, Sur la Table, Nothing Bundt Cakes (really tasty bundt cakes in cupcake size), in*gred*ient restaurant.

Midtown Crossing (33rd and Farnum) Not really shopping, but there are some new restaurants here and a movie theatre where you eat dinner while watching your movie. (I have never been to this because it's not an idea that appeals to me, but it exists, in case you are interested.)

Anyway, that's a small list of things to do. I did leave out some things like theatre, but I'd be happy to point you in the direction of that or anythng else if you send me an email. Also, here's the link to the Omaha Visitor's Bureau, who are probably better equipped to give family entertainment type ideas than I am.