Omaha discounts Archives

October 7, 2015

Groupon Coupons For Omaha Restaurants

Eat local. Buy local.

It’s good to support local businesses. But if you’re a bargain hunter, sometimes the temptation to go to a chain store is pretty big, especially when they’re constantly sending coupons.

When Groupon reached out to me to share their new Groupon Coupon s site, I didn’t think it’d be a good fit for me to share with you. I thought it was for chain restaurants and chain stores.

And it is. If you are a loyal customer to places like Kohl’s, Toys R Us, or Lowes, you’re in luck. You can find coupons for them at Groupon Coupon.

But hold up. It does fit with a blog focused on Omaha.

You can also find coupons to local restaurants. Good local restaurants that you probably already support. Like tthe fab date night spot, Lot 2 Restaurant and Wine Bar.

If your favorite local spot doesn’t offer a discount on Groupon Coupon, they let you send them a request. Which is cool because there are a lot of new places that keep popping up in Omaha, but it’s usually a good deal that makes me go out on a limb to actually go there and try them out.

Hope you guys snag a deal there!

Hey, if you aren’t already a regular Groupon user, you can sign up using my referral link here. Happy shopping!

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Groupon Coupons and contains an affiliate link. I’m a regular user of Groupon, and usually share deals to the site without being compensated, but for this post, I was compensated. If you click the affiliate link to sign up and make a purchase, I also get Groupon Bucks for referring you – the way most referral links work. It just feeds my Groupon habit. Thanks!

Filed Under: Where To Eat In Omaha Tagged With: Omaha discounts

August 26, 2014

Guide To Free Or Discount Movies In Omaha

by Kim | 1 Comment

Updated: April 24, 2018

I know.

I don’t want to bring my children inside a movie theater either. It’s too nice out. It costs too much.

What if it’s a crummy day outside, and it didn’t have to cost so much?

Don’t pay full price for a movie ever again, especially if you’re bringing a child who will want to leave the theater at least three times before the credits (reasons, in no particular order, will include potty break, exercise break, hall patrolling, scream break, nap time).

Here’s a rundown of Omaha movie theaters offering discounts – and what day to get them:

Cheap Or Discounted Movies In Omaha

Film Streams at Ruth Sokolof Theater – Let’s start with this nonprofit cinema because you know they’re going to curate quality stuff you and your kid will enjoy in the Forever Young Children’s Series. Most films in the series have afternoon matinees on Saturday, Sunday, and Thursday, and kids’ tickets are always just $2.50. Some shows are quite old and from our childhood, others are fairly recent. Series info

Aksarben Cinema – See the newest blockbuster at locally-owned Aksarben Cinema and pay only $5 all day every Tuesday plus concession deals. No catches. Theater website

Marcus Theatres – See the newest movies every Tuesday for $5, plus enjoy some concession discounts. No catches either. Participating theaters in the Omaha metro are Majestic Theatre of Omaha, 14304 West Maple Road; Midtown Cinema, 3201 Farnam St.; Village Pointe Cinema, 304 N. 174th St.; and Twin Creek Cinema, 3909 Raynor Parkway, Bellevue, Neb. They also have $5 Thursdays for students and $5 matinee movies for seniors on Fridays. Theater chain’s website

The family-friendly Retro Classic series runs May 6-23, 2018 on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Tickets are $5. The Kids Film Series is in the summer. Tickets to this series were $3 2017 (no price or listing yet for 2018), and are shown on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m.

Marcus Theatres holds Flick or Treat during the month of October at participating locations. The deal: Kid-friendly “scary” movies are shown at 10 a.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with admission being $2, and concession deals. The chain also holds a kid-friendly movie series in the winter (typically February through March). Tip: You can get FREE tickets to the shows by participating agents at American Family Insurance.

Regal Cinemas – Regal Cinemas Summer Movie Express offers $1 movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer. It starts June 5, 2018. The Omaha location is Regal Cinemas Omaha Stadium 16 Movie Theater, 7440 Crown Point Ave.

Alamo Drafthouse – Alamo Drafthouse, offered Kids Camp in 2017; no dates set for 2018. You choose your ticket price, $1-$3-$5, and buy your tickets online to reserve your seats in advance. 100% of ticket sales are donated to local nonprofits. Note: Alamo Drafthouse has an age policy, so these shows are for children ages 3 and older.

Free For Members

If you’re members of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, tickets to the IMAX theater are always FREE. Here’s a list of what’s playing and when.

Free Movie Series

Public Libraries – There’s a good chance your closest library be showing a FREE movie sometime this month (though, not all screenings are for all-ages). Check the online calendar for upcoming movies at Omaha Public Libraries. Some branches even throw in some popcorn to boot. Not in Omaha? Check your local library’s schedule, I bet there’s a movie on it.

Film Streams at Ruth Sokolof Theater – This is a great deal for students: The first Monday of every month is Student Night— all showtimes FREE with a valid school ID.

Summer is prime time for FREE movies in Omaha. (see the proof)

Below is a list of some of your local options:

Music & Movies in the Bluffs

Sumpter Amphitheater

Midtown Crossing Monday Night at the Movies

Loessfest

Free Family Flicks at Aksarben Cinema (winter)

Camp Fontenelle Movie Nights go well into the fall

Unique Places To Watch a Movie

Nebraska State Parks also are interesting places you may catch a FREE movie screening in the summer (you’ll have to pay park admission and since they’ll be shown at night, you’re probably paying a tent camping or cabin fee…). These movies aren’t often advertised online, so be on the lookout the next time you’re a a park to see if there’s a flyer listing movies. I’ve seen movie screenings promoted at Platte River State Park, for instance.

Your turn: Where’s the best place to see a movie in Omaha with young children?

Filed Under: What To Do In Omaha Tagged With: free things to do in Omaha, Omaha discounts

September 2, 2013

Discount Movie Tickets

by Kim | Leave a Comment

Here’s a little tip for the movie fans out there:

You can still score deals on movies, even though summer is pretty much over. Head over to the Marcus Theatres Facebook page. Every Wednesday and Thursday Marcus Theatres selects a couple SPOTLIGHT films, current movies that you can see for $5 on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Just “like” the page and get a coupon to use for the week. Not too bad for discount movie tickets, considering how much a trip to the movie theater can cost a family these days. Marcus Theatres in Omaha include Village Pointe, 20 Grand, Midtown Crossing and Twin Creek.

Here’s the coupon from last week to give you an idea of how it works:

Sure, it’s not as sweet a deal as the free summer movies I had compiled, but it IS indoors and they ARE current movies, so quit your complaining.

You still want free, huh? Go to the Theatre Entertainment Network Facebook page, “like” it for a coupon to see “National Lampoon’s Animal House” for free Sept. 9-12 at participating theaters. In the Omaha area, that includes Village Pointe and Twin Creek.

Side note, Tuesdays at Marcus Theatres, you can get popcorn and fountain drinks for $2.50 each.

Filed Under: What To Do In Omaha Tagged With: Omaha discounts

August 12, 2013

Omaha Restaurants With Free Kids Meals

by Kim | 8 Comments

Updated on March 2, 2018

Dining out with children is not always budget-friendly (or sanity-saving, but that’s another story). Fortunately, restaurants offer plenty of deals to woo families.

There’s no need for me to do long list of all the deals, that’s been done (you can find links to extensive lists at the end of this post). My goal with this post was to highlight local* restaurants (ie. not national chains) that offered deals for those bringing children along. And then I featured two that I’d recommend.

My picks:

Upstream Brewing Co.

NOTE: This favorite free kids meal may not be valid anymore since the West Omaha location closed. It is one of my favorite kids menus, still, in Omaha, but I don’t know if they eat free anymore. Looking into it.

514 S. 11th St.

DETAILS: On Mondays from 4 p.m. to close, you can get a free kid’s meal per adult entrée purchased.

WHY: Upstream’s a place I think of going to enjoy a good beer with friends. So it’s a comfortable, relaxing place for adults. You get good beer and you don’t have to pay for your child’s food. Right on.

La Mesa Mexican Restaurant

11002 Emmet St.

DETAILS: On Thursdays, you can get one free kid’s meal per adult entree purchased.

WHY: La Mesa is colorful and fun restaurant, and all the sights fascinate kids (and adults with short attention spans). They’ve also started offering fruit as a side option with kids meals, so you make things a little healthier.

Others Local Choices:

A+ Buffet

14426 W. Center Road

Wednesday and Thursday: Kids ages 3-10 buffet is .99 with the purchase of an adult buffet. Max. of two children per family.

China Buffet Mongolian Grill

737 N. 114th St.

3605 N. 147th St.

2903 Samson Way, Bellevue

Tuesday: Kids 10 and younger eat free every Tuesday. Limit one child per paying adult.

Doc & Eddie’s BBQ

6616 S. 168th St.

Monday through Wednesday: One free kid’s meal with each adult entrée for children 12 and younger. Dine in only.

2056 N. 117th Ave.

Monday and Tuesday: One free kid’s meal with each adult entrée for children 12 and younger. Dine in only.

Fernando’s On Pacific

7555 Pacific St.

Monday: One free kid’s entree with the purchase of one adult entrée.

Fernando’s

380 N. 114th St.

Monday: One free kid’s entree with the purchase of one adult entrée.

Grand China Buffet

11226 Chicago Circle

Monday: Kids 10 and younger eat free, one child per family. Must use this coupon.

Hartland BBQ

5402 Northwest Radial Highway

Daily: One free kid’s meal per adult dinner purchase for kids 12 and younger. Dine-in only, child must be present.

Julio’s

123rd and Center streets

Monday, 5 p.m. to close: Free kid’s meals to children 12 and younger. One free kid’s meal is available with each adult meal purchased.

Spaghetti Works

8416 Park Drive, Ralston

502 S.11th St., Omaha

Monday: Kids 11 and younger eat free all day. Two free kids meals per adult meal.

Valentino’s Grand Italian Buffet

10190 Maple St.

Tuesday: Kids free buffet all day, plus clowns and free cotton candy.

* This is not a complete list. I could not confirm some of the specials at a few locally-owned restaurants that appear on other lists (like Hectors, which a friend recommended), so I just left them off. Plus it turns out some have a location outside of Nebraska, so it’s kinda a chain. Oh well.

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Filed Under: Where To Eat In Omaha Tagged With: Omaha discounts, Omaha restaurants

August 5, 2013

Discounts To Omaha Fun Centers

by Kim | 3 Comments

The Omaha area has a variety of indoor activity centers; you probably have your favorite. You’ve got your Amazing Pizza Machine, your Dave & Buster, your Chuck E. Cheese’s.

Everyone loves them (everyone = your kids; you may sit there daydreaming of some quiet time and a glass of wine). But these places aren’t cheap.

My money-saving tactic is to pretend like they don’t exist. What do my young children know? But, I know that ignorance won’t last long, so I need a plan.

Here’s where to find some discounts:

Amazing Pizza Machine

Where: 13955 S. Plaza

Join the Amazing VIP Club for discounts year round, like free game play, extra prize tickets, pricing deals and more. It’s free to join.

Additional discounts include Monday Night Active Duty Deals for military, police, fire, etc.; Terrific Tuesdays; and ½ Price Wacky Wednesdays. There are also late-night specials.

Chuck E. Cheese

Where: 225 N. 76th St.

Sign up for the Cheese Reward emails in order to get alerts on deals, a surprise on your child’s birthday among other things. You’ll find out about location-specific coupons through these emails.

Another tip: Chuck E. Cheese supports all sorts of good behaviors from reading and doing your homework to, no kidding, not picking your nose. Go here for all the calendars, print some out, keep track of it for two weeks and then redeem it (one per child per day) to get 10 free tokens; food purchase is required.

Dave and Buster

Where: 2502 S. 133rd Plaza, Suite 111

Looks like some deals vary by location, but in Omaha, here’s what you get: Mondays through Fridays, 4:30 to 7 p.m., you can get a Power of Play (60 minutes) for $10. They offer the Eat Play Win deal for $16.99. Happy Hour, yes please, is Mondays through Fridays from 4:30 to 7 p.m. and include half-price cocktails and $2.50 domestic pints. There’s also Late Night Happy Hour Sundays through Thursdays, 9 p.m. to close, with the same specials. Your best deal, though, is ½ Price Games Wednesday. Another promo only running through Aug. 18 is Play 5 Free, where you can try out five of the eight new games there; you’ll have to purchase at least a $10 Power Card or reload it, and you have to test those games out all on the same day.

The Mark

Where: 20902 Cumberland Drive, Elkhorn, Neb.

First thing’s first, go to this entertainment center’s homepage and sign up for a $10 open bowling certificate.

Before going, browse the website to see prices for different activities – they vary by day, with midweek being the least expensive. There are also food specials paired with things like bowling.

Filed Under: What To Do In Omaha Tagged With: family-friendly things to do in Omaha, Omaha discounts

March 28, 2013

3 Ways To Score Cheap Tickets to Shows

by Kim | Leave a Comment

Updated: July 9, 2018

In my former life, I was a theater and movie critic for a newspaper. I got to go to shows for free, bringing giddy nieces, tipsy friends and Mr. Wonderful to many a good show. Alas, my freeloading days are over. What’s a girl to do?

You figure out where the discounts are and you hunt them down. Challenge accepted, right?

Farley’s first Broadway tour show was “Shrek.”
I recommend not timing your kid’s first musical to coincide with the week you begin potty training.

Assuming you aren’t looking to buy a season ticket anywhere, here are some tips to help you afford your entertainment habit:

Follow them on social media

Organizations like Omaha Performing Arts (disclosure: I worked for this organization, but they are not endorsing or sponsoring this blog), Omaha Community Playhouse, Film Streams and The Rose are all active on different platforms. Find the place that offers shows that interest you and follow them on Facebook, Twitter or if they have a blog, follow that. If they offer discounts, especially last-minute ones, you can be sure they offer them to their fans first. You’ll even find giveaways on these platforms.

Giddy niece on her way to a show at The Rose.

Know the discount days

Omaha Community Playhouse offers $10 tickets on the first Wednesday night of a performance, $7 tickets for students on weekends and half-off tickets if purchased the day of the performance. Visit here to get all the details. The Rose offers discount tickets if purchased at Hy-Vee; they’re good for up to $5 off each ticket.

And, Omaha Performing Arts often offers $5 off discounts and other promos on certain shows, so be on the lookout for those. They’ll probably let you know via email.

NET Supporter

If you donate $80 or more to Nebraska Public Television, you receive the NET MemberCard that gets you tons of discounts throughout Nebraska. While many of them are 2-for-1 discounts to museums and restaurants, you will find some great deals for performances.

Metro Arts & Culture Pass

Editor’s update: This program no longer exists, unfortunately.

Check here before buying a ticket ever again (or better yet, check here). Each month, two organizations offer a discount or freebie. If you are a season subscriber or member to any of the participating organizations, you can enjoy those benefits! It’s not a physical pass, if you’re wondering.

Do you know of any discounts? Share your tips in a comment, please!

Filed Under: What To Do In Omaha Tagged With: Omaha discounts, Omaha theater