Whether you’re visiting or lived here for 20 years, there’s a good chance you don’t know about a few of our hidden gems. I’m sharing some of my Omaha neighborhood favorites so that you can get out there and explore the city. Kids will definitely like the places on the list that are bold.
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Downtown
Includes: Old Market, NoDo
Eat: Plank Seafood Provisions, Blatt Beer & Table (they even have a changing table in the bathroom), Wilson & Washburn, Ted & Wally’s
Drink: Upstream Brewing Co., La Buvette
Shop: City Limits, Jackson Street Booksellers, Hollywood Candy
Do: See a show at Bluebarn Theatre or The Rose Theater, walk across The Bob, see the train garden and children’s garden at Lauritzen Gardens
Play: Omaha Children’s Museum
Benson
Where: West of downtown
Eat: Ted & Wally’s
Do: See a concert at The Waiting Room
Drink: Krug Park, Benson Brewery, Infusion Brewery
Caffeinate: Hardy Coffee Co. (now going by Hardy’s Coffee, but it will always be Aromas in my mind)
Play: Benson Park; for grown ups, go to the Beercade and play some old school arcade games.
Central Omaha
Includes: Midtown Crossing, Blackstone, Aksarben Village
Eat: Mula Mexican Kitchen & Tequileria, Modern Love
Drink: Crescent Moon, try a frose (a frozen rose drink) at Herbe Sainte
Caffeinate: ROAST
Do: Attend a free movie screen or outdoor concert in the summer like Jazz on the Green at Midtown Crossing
Play: Stinson Park, play games at Speilbound (with or without kids, it’s a fun place)
Dundee
Where: West of downtown
Eat: Dundee Dell, eCreamery
Do: See a show at Omaha Community Playhouse
Play: Memorial Park (this place is great for sledding, but also don’t skip the rose garden in warmer weather)
South Omaha
Where: South of downtown
Eat: Guaca Maya Mexican Restaurant, Jacobo Grocery, Bakery & Tortilleria (you’re going to want to get the fresh chips and salsa from their deli)
Do: Stroll Historic South 24 Street, visit El Museo Latino
Play: Kroc Center Omaha Family Recreation Pool
Northwest Omaha
Eat: Flagship Commons
Do: Heron Haven
West Omaha
Eat: Shucks Fish House and Oyster Bar
Do: Ride the ferris wheel inside Scheels, visit Boys Town
Shop: Fat Brain Toys
Play: Lake Zorinski, Amazing Pizza Machine, Dave & Buster’s, Urban Air Adventure Park
Your turn: What are your favorites around the city? Please leave a comment and let me know!