[PHX31]

I'm hoping there are Omaha people that peruse this subsection...

My girlfriend is from central Nebraska, and we are going to her cousin's wedding on May 24th somewhere like 15 miles northeast of Omaha (in Iowa, northeast of Council Bluffs). She has family in Lincoln, and some in small town central Nebraska, but I'm thinking (hoping) to stay in Omaha, as that is where we'll fly into from Phoenix, and it's pretty close to the wedding.

Here are my standard questions from an outsider, hopefully someone can help me out, as I've never spent 2 seconds in Omaha (sans two years ago when we flew in to Omaha at night and instantly drove to Lincoln then west to the farm country.):

1. We both like cool downtown areas, I know downtown Omaha is nice, what hotel could we stay at that is relatively cheap, yet pretty cool? Maybe some smaller older hotel in a close-in neighborhood, rather than downtown itself? Or maybe things are cheap downtown (what is the price range?)?

2. Where should we go to hang out and do things during the day and night? We might have a day or two to kill... I'd like to spend some time in some area of downtown, or in a cool neighborhood close to downtown that would have bars and restaurants. Some warehouse area would be cool - I think there is one in Omaha that is big, but again, I really don't know jack. We like checking out old buildings, maybe a museum or park, and at night we like the types of bars that are chill and play good music (no dance clubs or western/country/hoedown clubs). Maybe a local brewery, or a bar that serves craft-type good beer? (mostly remember, i won't have a car).

3. Are there shuttles, or any cabs to or from the airport to downtown. I'd assume every airport has cabs, but when I was in Omaha last, it seemed like it was a tiny airport with the only people there being the people from my plane.

4. Are there areas of town to avoid? Either because they are boring, or they close up at 5pm, or they are even maybe "dangerous"? I don't want to walk around by myself and my girlfriend lost and clueless in a seedy part of town. I think most of Omaha is pretty nice, but you never know. Not that I'd really care or would really be scared in a city I've been to and know, but I want to have a good time.

5. What is the weather like in late May typically? Is it cool/cold, or is it getting hot and humid? I'd love to see a potentially severe/tornadic thunderstorm... does that happen often in late May? What might be my chances if I'm there for 4 days?

Thanks a lot!

(ps. if there is another part of this form I should post this in, or someone specifically to PM, let me know).

[PHX31]

I know there used to be Omaha people on this forum, where did they go?

Another Omaha-only forum?

A different thread in a different subforum?

[MNdude]

I can take a crack at it. I've been to Omaha twice and will be back there this summer.

1&2. Omaha's downtown is hopping because of one awesome place called Old Market (http://www.oldmarket.com/) tons of great restaurants, bars, and shops. As far a downtown hotels go they have some pretty pricey ones like Hilton and Embassy; we've always stayed a little bit out of downtown, we were still close to all the action.
3. When we were in town we drove but there were taxis around downtown especially around the old market area of downtown. A lot of hotels have shuttles.
4. Not quite sure about this, my friend who lives in Omaha said you should avoid the northern part of the city. By and large its a pretty safe city. The city also sprawls out to the west which might seem to go of forever. If your looking for more specific areas to avoid I would talk to a local.
5. Weather around May should be pretty nice
def
Also they have one of the top zoos in the country, definitely the must see attraction in town. (http://www.omahazoo.com/)


If you are looking for more local answers I would hop over to the eomaha forums, you'll find more specific answers to your questions there.

http://eomahaforums.com/phpBB/index.php

[PHX31]

Cool, thanks for all of the info!

[Linkin55]

If for some awful reason you have to stay in Lincoln (sarcasm) I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Checkout the Haymarket downtown, there are tons of local bars, restaruants, and shops in this district. Then after you're primed for the night go to any of the million bars on downtown "O" street.

[Choleric]

1. Downtown Omaha is pretty active lately, mainly the Old Market district which is good 6-8 block chunk of unique and original bars, restaraunts and shops/boutiques.

Hotel wise you can stay in the brand new Hampton Inn or Homewood Suites in the up and coming North Downtown(NoDo) area for a decent rate and walking distance of the Old Market and downtown. Also as MNdude mentioned there is the Embassy, Mariot, Double Tree, Hilton, and Hilton Garden Inn all downtown.

2. Old Market is definately a must for a place to hang out. If you are looking to kill a day the Zoo is perfect, probably the best in the country and would take easily more than a day to fully explore. Also there is a nice little historic Neighborhood called Dundee a little to the west of downtown that has great restaraunts and a few cool relaxed bars(Dundee Dell, 49er, The Underwood), could be a great evening spent there.

Museums; There is the Durham Western Heritage Museum in the old UP station, right next to the Old Market. There is also the Joselyn Art Museum just a block or two west of the main downtown. Of course there is also the Strategic Air and Space Command Museum outside of the city between Omaha and Lincoln which makes for a great afternoon.

3. There are plenty of cabs at the airport as well as around the downtown area. Also almost all downtown area hotels will have a free shuttle that will run you from the airport and back, sometimes even to different downtown locations.

4. There are certain areas of North and South Omaha that would best be avoided after nightfall, most likely you wouldn't be there anyway. Also the are directly west of downtown is not the greatest but there is a great college joint called Cali Taco, located there with unique and delicious tacos and great drink specials. West Omaha(114th St and beyond) is quite generic and boring sprawl, though Village Pointe can be nice, its a newer village style outdoor mall.

5. Late May will either be nice or hot and humid, you most likely experience a thunderstorm or two in the afternoon while you are there.


Hope that helps

[PHX31]

/\ thanks for all the info!

[alexjon]

Hang around UNO, there's little things here and there. Also, try Dundee.

Avoid South Omaha and parts of North Omaha, as stated. I'd also kinda shy away from the seedy area around 108th and Q/L.

[ShawJ]

Hey PHX31, let us know how your trip to Omaha went. I'm always interested to hear an outsiders opinion.

[Choleric]

How did it go?

[pegcityboy]

My wife and I were just in Omaha on business in the middle of May and we were pleasantly surprised. Old Market area is a must with cool bars and restaurants, also Henry Doorly Zoo was really nice. The harrahs casino in Council Bluffs was decent but nothing else in Council Bluffs is worth a look . People were friendly and very down to earth. Also Ricks Boathouse Cafe was a good spot to hangout and people watch on the riverfront , food was alright and they had a live concert on the riverfront on the weekends .

[alexjon]

Hey! I like Council Bluffs :(

[Capt AWACS]

I agree I was in Lincoln and Omaha last Thursday and Friday on business, and will be there again this coming Monday.
Folks were very friendly and Omaha was building some nice "improvements"
I'd been before but it had been a few years.

I was in Des Moines Wednesday and Indianapolis today and both pleasantly surprised me as well. Kudos to the mid-west folks.

Ciao,
AWACS