Omaha - Highlights

geomorph · #1 Posted **Aug 16, 2009, 9:04 PM**

Omaha highlights photographed in June 2009:

Durham Museum:
On the edge of downtown, the former Omaha Union Station has been beautifully restored and houses a museum dedicated to the city's history.

Union Pacific and First National Bank towers:
These are two of the most attractive highrises in the small downtown area, the First National Bank is the tallest in Nebraska at 634 feet and features an atrium lobby.

Pioneer Courage Park:
This park features a series of bronze sculptures which depict the city's history as a route for early pioneers, set in a stylized natural landscape. A second set of sculptures depicts a herd of bison running along a sidewalk that links the park to a plaza in front of the First National Bank. That plaza contains a third set of sculptures of a flock of geese in flight, some of which are cast in a polished metal and hanging in the atrium lobby of the bank...a great progression through a part of downtown.

A few new buildings near Pioneer Courage Park:

Gene Leahy Mall and Heartland of America Park:
This connected series of parks starts in downtown with the mall, a several-blocks long one-block wide space featuring a water course whose character changes block to block and is bridged by several cross streets. It finally tumbles down a series of cascades to the park, which features a lake ringed with walking paths and shelters, and a large fountain. This park is located along the Missouri River.

Qwest Center:
This large sports arena is on the edge of downtown near the Missouri River.

Missouri Riverfront:
A pleasant walking trail runs along this small urban riverfront, with a plaza featuring a sculpted monument to local union labor, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge crossing the river to Council Bluffs Iowa, several new residential complexes, a playground and fountain, and the National Park headquarters for the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

vid · #2 Posted **Aug 16, 2009, 9:08 PM**

Some of us like the urban decay photos. But Omaha Union Station is cool, too.

skyline · #3 Posted **Aug 17, 2009, 1:22 AM**

Very impressive!

ShadowMaster · #4 Posted **Aug 17, 2009, 1:35 AM**

Nice. I always was curious about Omaha, good job with the pictures. If only we get to see a little more of this city here on SSP.

geomorph · #5 Posted **Aug 17, 2009, 2:34 AM**

Thank you for the compliments, I enjoyed my day there wandering!

TonyAnderson · #6 Posted **Aug 17, 2009, 3:20 AM**

Possibly the most underrated city in America?

Okstate · #7 Posted **Aug 17, 2009, 4:15 AM**

They certainly like being imaginative with their public spaces. More cities should be like this.

stepper77 · #8 Posted **Aug 17, 2009, 8:34 PM**

Great job! Omaha looks quite attractive. Thanks!

Echoes · #9 Posted **Aug 17, 2009, 10:24 PM**

When I was younger my dad and I were passing through Omaha on a road trip. At the time I was convinced that the First National Bank Tower, being the tallest in the city, MUST be Warren Buffett's tower and his office MUST be on the top floor. I figured a guy that rich must have a tower to himself.

Omaha is looking good!

everskim · #10 Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 3:35 AM**

Very clean and attractive! But where are all the people to enjoy it?

KevinFromTexas · #11 Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 7:28 AM**

Nice. That's a hefty amount of public space.

Leo the Dog · #12 Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 4:45 PM**

I had no idea Omaha had stuff like this. Interesting water features.

geomorph · #13 Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 6:52 PM**

everskim, there were not very many people walking around these spaces, I'm not sure this is a very lively downtown. Admittedly, I tend to compose pictures without people in the foreground!