Omaha Top 25?

Visitors and Residents can ask Questions about Omaha here

Moderators: Coyote, nebugeater, Brad, Omaha Cowboy, BRoss

User avatar
Brad
City Council
Posts: 1033312
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact:

Omaha Top 25?

Post by Brad »

I am looking for a list of the Top 25 Thing you think of when you think Omaha!

I don't expect everyone to list 25, but 3 or 4 is cool.  If you have free time, list all 25.

What is Omaha?  What should outsiders see???
the1wags
County Board
Posts: 3850
Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2004 7:43 pm
Location: Denver
Contact:

Post by the1wags »

Great idea! Off the top of my head in no certain order.

1. Zoo
2. Old Market
3. Joslyn Art Museum
4. Durham Museum
5. Lauritzen Gardens/Kenefick Park
6. College World Series
7. Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge
8. Heartland of America Park
9. Gene Leahy Mall
10.Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts
11. Pioneer Courage Park (wagon train)
12. A CU game at the Qwest Center
13. Hot Shops Arts Center

That's all I have off the top of my head, a baker's dozen. If you live here and haven't done all of those, get after it. :)
the1wags
County Board
Posts: 3850
Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2004 7:43 pm
Location: Denver
Contact:

Post by the1wags »

Nobody else has put anything on this? Slackers.
bbinks
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1343
Joined: Thu Sep 14, 2006 4:10 pm

Post by bbinks »

Henry Doorly Zoo
Durham Museum
Strategic Air Command Museum (is that too far out of Omaha?)
Joslyn Art Museum
Heartland of America
Old Market
User avatar
thenewguy
County Board
Posts: 3729
Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:50 pm
Location: Council Bluffs

Post by thenewguy »

The things i think of, from now and back to when i was a kid:

1.  A Christmas Carol, Omaha Community Playhouse
2.  Nutcracker, Orpheum Theater
3.  Creighton vs. Southern Illinois games, Qwest Center
4.  40' tall Christmas tree, Durham Museum
5.  Spaghetti Works in the Old Market
6.  Ice rink @ HOAP
7.  The dome @ MoO (i don't know why, but i've always thought of it as one of Omaha's coolest landmarks)
8.  Holiday lights @ GLM
9.  Oh Tannenbaum, Old Market (i love Christmas)
10.  Gerald Ford birthplace monument
11.  St. Mary Magdalene church (always thought it was cool because of midnight mass)
12.  Josyln Art Museum/Central High School
13.  The Rose Theater
14.  Woodmen Tower (i know that first national is taller, but woodmen was the icon for such a long time)
15.  The entire riverfront (can't just say the bridge, there is so much more happening now, too!)
16.  The slides at GLM
17.  Offutt AFB/Air Show
18.  Henry Doorly Zoo
19.  CWS/Rosenblatt (very excited about it moving downtown!)
20.  13th street between downtown and the zoo, mainly surrounding Bohemian Cafe
21.  Joe Tess' Place
22.  Dixie Quicks (good food---owner is a heck of a nice guy)
23.  LANCER Hockey
24.  UNO campus/Veterans Memorial Park
25.  Dundee area (some of the most beautiful and classy homes you may ever see)
Go Cubs Go
User avatar
Brad
City Council
Posts: 1033312
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact:

Post by Brad »

I am having a hard time coming up with 25.

1.  Zoo (Largest Glazed Geodesic Dome, Largest Indoor Rain Forest, Largest Underwater Aquarium Tube Walkway, largest Nocturnal exhibit, as well as all the other amazing attractions, Hubbard Gorilla Valley, Orangutan Forest, High Tech Cat Complex, Bear Canon, etc...).

2.  Downtown (Old Market, GLM, Heartland of America Park, Buffalo Sculptures).

3.  Museums (Joslyn, Durham, Union Pacific).

4.Lauritzen Gardens/Kenefick Park.  (Kenefick is a must for railfans from around the world, and the Gardens are absolutely beautiful).

5.  Qwest Center Omaha/TD Ameritrade Stadium (UNO Hockey, Creighton Basketball, Concerts and the CWS).

6.  Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge (Largest Pedestrian Bridge Connecting 2 states).

I am thinking of more...
nebport5
Planning Board
Posts: 2011
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2004 3:13 pm
Location: 5280

Post by nebport5 »

What about some of the restaurant institutions?

La Casa
Lo Sole Mio
Gorats (or other obligatory steak house)

Why does there have to be 25?

I think one has to be careful with this list to distinguish between 25 things people in Omaha do and what would be of Interest to visitors. This could make 25 even harder.
User avatar
thenewguy
County Board
Posts: 3729
Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:50 pm
Location: Council Bluffs

Post by thenewguy »

don't we already have threads that specifically discuss the best Omaha restaurants?  What's the need for being redundant?

best pizza...
http://eomahaforums.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6600

good Asian...
http://eomahaforums.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=9088

best oudoor dining...
http://eomahaforums.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=9050

favorite steak and why...
http://eomahaforums.com/phpBB/viewtopic ... sc&start=0

greek food...
http://eomahaforums.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=8675

good hotdogs...
http://eomahaforums.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6909

best local food under $100...
http://eomahaforums.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=7413

best Italian...
http://eomahaforums.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6587


I mean, maybe we could have a sticky for them, but i think it's ok that we have a thread for stuff that doesn't pertain to food here.  Also, i realize that i did put food places in my list, but i don't think we need one for just food here.  Secondly, what locals do and what visitors would look for when coming to Omaha don't have to be different.  In fact, any time i go somewhere new, i like seeing something that isn't touristy or as well known.  That makes the trip more of an experience for me.  Example: slides at HoAP: no one is going to come here looking for them.  But tons of people here have seen them and been on them, so it has some status and charm that is worth seeing for anyone visiting the old market.
Go Cubs Go
User avatar
Brad
City Council
Posts: 1033312
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact:

Post by Brad »

yeah, I wasn't thinking food when I started this.
Guest

Post by Guest »

Maybe I'm missing the point of this thread but I interpreted it as what you'd direct visitors to in Omaha.


Brad wrote:
the Top 25 Thing you think of when you think Omaha
Well for me one of the first things I think of is food.  It's also one of the first things I mention when someone asks me about Omaha.  Think of other cities in the same context.  You are in Philadelphia and you want to know where to get a good cheese steak.  I can't imagine telling an outsider about New Orleans and not mentioning food. If I take your sentence literally I think of a list that would include; steaks, stockyards, insurance companies, Boys Town, etc.  I don't think that's what you are looking for no?

Perhaps it would help to know what you are trying to accomplish with such a list.


newguy wrote
Secondly, what locals do and what visitors would look for when coming to Omaha don't have to be different.
I'm not saying it has to be and I agree with your point on the slides, but I suspect most visitors may not share your enthusiasm for the Mutual dome or random churches.
In fact, any time i go somewhere new, i like seeing something that isn't touristy or as well known.  That makes the trip more of an experience for me.
That can't include food? Don't you eat when you go somewhere new?  When I'm somewhere new I'm always looking for a good local place instead of the franchise gutter, (i.e. MacDonald's, Chili's, etc.)

Of course there are other food threads, but doesn't it make sense to include food in a Welcome to Omaha forum?  Sure it makes sense to have it under the dining/entertainment section, but there's cross over in these topics.  By the way, your links to the other threads I think underscores such a usefulness to outsiders in this forum.
User avatar
Brad
City Council
Posts: 1033312
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact:

Post by Brad »

I didn't mean food wasn't allowed on the list, it just wasn't quite what I was looking for.  I guess my list that I started above would include "Great LOCAL Omaha Restaurants" all lumped in to one, but to each their own.
Guest

Post by Guest »

Rattling off the top of my head... lumping some things together... some very specific things... some around the metro... no particular order (although sort of starting out that way I guess)...

1. Zoo
2. Old Market
3. Durham Museum
4. Joslyn
5. Lauritzen Gardens
6. Riverfront, pedestrian bridge
7. Downtown parks
8. College World Series
9. Strategic Air and Space Museum, Wildlife Safari
10. Railroad sights, Rock Island, Union Pacific Museum, Kenefick
11. Hot Shops
12. Bemis Center
13. Boys Town
14. Fontenelle Forest/Neale Woods
15. Council Bluffs: Dodge house, squirrel cage, bluffs neighborhoods
16. Offutt Air show
17. Holland Center/Orphenum/Rose
18. South 24th Street district
19. Italian steakhouses
20. Dam site lake parks, trail system
21. Fort Atkinson State Historical Park, living history weekends
22. El Museo Latino
23. Children's Museum
24. Downtown art/sculptures
25. Cathedral Art Festival
26. Freedom Park
27. Surfside Club
28. Aksarben Aquarium, first Saturdays bird banding! try it some time!
29. Funplex
30. Music/entertainment in the parks/on the green/riverfront
User avatar
Stargazer
County Board
Posts: 4106
Joined: Sat Dec 09, 2006 11:06 am
Location: Bennington

Post by Stargazer »

sorry... that was me... and that was supposed to be the Cathedral Flower Festival.
Shoot for the Moon... if you miss, you'll land among the stars.
User avatar
Brad
City Council
Posts: 1033312
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact:

Post by Brad »

Great list Jeff!

I still want a forum meet at the surf side club!
User avatar
Stargazer
County Board
Posts: 4106
Joined: Sat Dec 09, 2006 11:06 am
Location: Bennington

Post by Stargazer »

Bird banding at Aksarben Aquarium this Saturday... 9am.  If you ever wanted some really close up shots of birds... here's your chance... oh, and you'll be doing the releasing of them after they've been checked/banded.  A REALLY cool activity if you've got kids... and it's free!

http://www.hustonfamily.com/gallery2/ma ... mId=102259


Those living history weekends at Fort Atkinson are really cool too... and also free.  Look for them next year... don't bother to go to the park for the park itself... not worth the trip.

http://www.fortatkinsononline.org/

http://www.hustonfamily.com/gallery2/ma ... mId=104283
Shoot for the Moon... if you miss, you'll land among the stars.
Guest

Post by Guest »

i feel old and crusty

1-liver dumpling soup at the Bohemian Cafe
2-two piece rib dinner at Joe Tess with extra jacket fries
3-The Antiquarium
4-the stockyards and Johnny's Cafe
5-midnight showings of Rocky Horror at Westroads
6-scary elevator at Brandeis
7-just walking in to UP headquarters to see my dad
8-peony park beach
9-Star Wars at the Indian Hills
10-strawberry shakes at the 11-Worth at 3 Am
11-the Delmar
12-bowling at the Center Mall
13-too many late nights at the Y-Not
14-St. Patricks day parking lot fights outside Clancy's
15-The Satellite Inn
16-The Poop Deck
17-The Mai Tai Lounge
18-The Red Spot tavern
19-Homer's world-wide chain of seven
20-Otis XII and Diver Dan Doomey
User avatar
nativeomahan
County Board
Posts: 5316
Joined: Fri Nov 12, 2004 2:46 pm
Location: Omaha and Puerto Vallarta

Post by nativeomahan »

Thank you for the trip down memory lane!
HuskerDave
Library Board
Posts: 348
Joined: Fri May 27, 2011 12:24 pm
Location: West-central Omaha

Post by HuskerDave »

thenewguy wrote:The things i think of, from now and back to when i was a kid:

1.  A Christmas Carol, Omaha Community Playhouse
2.  Nutcracker, Orpheum Theater
3.  Creighton vs. Southern Illinois games, Qwest Center
4.  40' tall Christmas tree, Durham Museum
5.  Spaghetti Works in the Old Market
6.  Ice rink @ HOAP
7.  The dome @ MoO (i don't know why, but i've always thought of it as one of Omaha's coolest landmarks)
8.  Holiday lights @ GLM
9.  Oh Tannenbaum, Old Market (i love Christmas)
10.  Gerald Ford birthplace monument
11.  St. Mary Magdalene church (always thought it was cool because of midnight mass)
12.  Josyln Art Museum/Central High School
13.  The Rose Theater
14.  Woodmen Tower (i know that first national is taller, but woodmen was the icon for such a long time)
15.  The entire riverfront (can't just say the bridge, there is so much more happening now, too!)
16.  The slides at GLM
17.  Offutt AFB/Air Show
18.  Henry Doorly Zoo
19.  CWS/Rosenblatt (very excited about it moving downtown!)
20.  13th street between downtown and the zoo, mainly surrounding Bohemian Cafe
21.  Joe Tess' Place
22.  Dixie Quicks (good food---owner is a heck of a nice guy)
23.  LANCER Hockey
24.  UNO campus/Veterans Memorial Park
25.  Dundee area (some of the most beautiful and classy homes you may ever see)
That's a pretty great list.  You put some thought into that, for sure.
HuskerDave
Library Board
Posts: 348
Joined: Fri May 27, 2011 12:24 pm
Location: West-central Omaha

Post by HuskerDave »

any Mavs Hockey match at the Qwest
any College World Series baseball game
Henry Doorly Zoo
A nighttime riverboat cruise
Creighton basketball
a rock concert at the Anchor Inn (during the summer, on the outdoor stage)
The SAC museum near Ashland
dinner at Venice Inn and/or Lo Solo Mio
country line dancing at Bushwackers in Ralston
[/list]
User avatar
Greg S
City Council
Posts: 7441
Joined: Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:46 am

Post by Greg S »

Zoo
CWS
An Omaha Steakhouse (Johnny's, Anthony's or Venice Inn)
Heartland Park
Boystown
Werner Park
Morrison Stadium
Nebraska Furniture Mart
Borsheim's
Surfside Club
Happy Hollow/Dundee/Fair Acres
A Christmas Carol
Manheim Steamroller at the Orpheum
Railroad Days
Summer Arts Festival

Greg
User avatar
Kim_A2O
New to the Neighborhood
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2014 3:47 pm
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact:

Re: Omaha Top 25?

Post by Kim_A2O »

There are some great ideas here! For me the top things are:

1. The numbered streets! Moving here from a small town in NW Pennsylvania it was comforting to know I really couldn't get lost
2. The people! One day, shortly after we moved here for good in 2004 we were in a McDonald's and the manager stopped by to make sure everything was ok. My husband and I just looked at each other - shocked!
3. Aksarben - for some reason that has always tickled me that it's Nebraska spelled backwards.
4. Those big slides downtown - they are SO much fun

I know I have more, I'll have to think about it
User avatar
S33
County Board
Posts: 4441
Joined: Wed May 07, 2008 12:15 pm

Re: Omaha Top 25?

Post by S33 »

Kim_A2O wrote: 2.  The people!  One day, shortly after we moved here for good in 2004 we were in a McDonald's and the manager stopped by to make sure everything was ok.  My husband and I just looked at each other - shocked!
That's funny, anytime I go to McDonald's I have to drive through 3 times to get everything I ordered.
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. - Winston Churchill
User avatar
Kim_A2O
New to the Neighborhood
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2014 3:47 pm
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact:

Re: Omaha Top 25?

Post by Kim_A2O »

LOL Now I will say that since we've been here a while the fast food workers don't seem as friendly so maybe we just hit it on a good day. But generally.....the people here are nice. I haven't lived on the west coast but have lived in Ohio, Pennsylvania and North Carolina and I really prefer Nebraska to all of them. I love it here.
User avatar
jessep28
Planning Board
Posts: 2755
Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2008 4:10 pm
Location: Omaha Metro Area

Re: Omaha Top 25?

Post by jessep28 »

S33 wrote:
Kim_A2O wrote: 2.  The people!  One day, shortly after we moved here for good in 2004 we were in a McDonald's and the manager stopped by to make sure everything was ok.  My husband and I just looked at each other - shocked!
That's funny, anytime I go to McDonald's I have to drive through 3 times to get everything I ordered.
Management probably thought that they were a secret shopper.
Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum
User avatar
mcarch
Library Board
Posts: 362
Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 1:44 pm
Location: Elkhorn

Re: Omaha Top 25?

Post by mcarch »

1. Old Market (its stores and food) - a lot of people who come in for business get taken to interesting places by people who live here. Someone took a group of people from First Data to Spaghetti Works... now come on!
2. Zoo
3. Downtown (Pedestrian Bridge, GLM, Heartland Park).
4. Westroads & Village Pointe (for those that want to shop)
5. Joslyn
NovakOmaha
Planning Board
Posts: 2738
Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2004 3:00 pm
Location: Metro Detroit Michigan

Re: Omaha Top 25?

Post by NovakOmaha »

It's interesting to think about it after moving away. Things I think are unique to Omaha or on the don't miss list:

1) The Zoo
2) Boys Town
3) The Old Market
4) SAC Museum
5) Durham Museum
6) Fontenelle Forest
7) Lo Sole Mio
8) BG Tasty Foods
9) M's Pub
10) College World Series
11) Nebraska Furniture Mart, but having seen their stores in KC & Dallas not as much
12) The Rose
13) Joslyn
14) Orpheum
15) Ted & Wally's
16) Runza, but only because they are unique.
17) La Casa
18) Fairacres neighborhood
choke
Human Relations
Posts: 696
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2015 8:46 am
Location: North Omaha

Re: Omaha Top 25?

Post by choke »

Ted and Wally's is a must. Also, if you were born and raised in Omaha not sure how Bronco's doesn't get a mention (especially if you've had too much to drink the night before).
User avatar
jessep28
Planning Board
Posts: 2755
Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2008 4:10 pm
Location: Omaha Metro Area

Re: Omaha Top 25?

Post by jessep28 »

I've lived in Omaha for 25 years and have never eaten at a Broncos.
Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum
User avatar
RNcyanide
Planning Board
Posts: 2780
Joined: Thu Mar 28, 2013 10:37 am
Location: Boston

Re: Omaha Top 25?

Post by RNcyanide »

jessep28 wrote:I've lived in Omaha for 25 years and have never eaten at a Broncos.
Me too and me neither.
When fortune smiles on something as violent and ugly as revenge, it seems proof like no other that not only does God exist, you're doing his will.

The Bride
choke
Human Relations
Posts: 696
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2015 8:46 am
Location: North Omaha

Re: Omaha Top 25?

Post by choke »

RNcyanide wrote:
jessep28 wrote:I've lived in Omaha for 25 years and have never eaten at a Broncos.
Me too and me neither.

Since 1965 for a reason.

http://www.visitomaha.com/listings/broncos/63558/
User avatar
GetUrban
Planning Board
Posts: 2634
Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2008 3:07 pm
Location: Omaha

Re: Omaha Top 25?

Post by GetUrban »

Last time I went to Broncos was around 1979, i think. The fries were great, burgers so-so. Now I have to go back.
He said "They are some big, ugly red brick buildings"
...and then they were gone.
User avatar
Coyote
City Council
Posts: 32940
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 11:18 am
Location: Aksarben Village
Contact:

Re: Omaha Top 25?

Post by Coyote »

I drove passed the 114th St. Broncos around 1:30 this afternoon, and it's parking lot was packed.
bigredmed
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1897
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2011 12:45 pm
Location: Omaha Metro Area

Re: Omaha Top 25?

Post by bigredmed »

Good fried chicken, great fries, so-so burgers.
Last edited by bigredmed on Sun Dec 27, 2015 4:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
daveoma
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1211
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2014 7:18 pm

Re: Omaha Top 25?

Post by daveoma »

I haven't been to Broncos in a long time but I remember they had a sauce that was DELICIOUS.
User avatar
Greg S
City Council
Posts: 7441
Joined: Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:46 am

Re: Omaha Top 25?

Post by Greg S »

Love their hickory burger and the big bronco.
Dark Eyes
Home Owners Association
Posts: 90
Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 2:33 pm
Location: Omaha, NE

Re: Omaha Top 25?

Post by Dark Eyes »

What comes to mind when I think of Omaha?

1. Potholes. Year-round.
2. Property Taxes
3. School District Turf Wars
3. Every kind of extreme weather, except hurricanes
4. Named streets that start & stop dozens of times between the river and Elkhorn
5. Perpetual annexations
6. Ernie Chambers
7. Streets named after letters of the alphabet. Who the heck wants to live on Y Street?
8. Underperforming garbage collection contractors
User avatar
guy4omaha
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1200
Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2004 4:06 pm
Location: The Big O

Re: Omaha Top 25?

Post by guy4omaha »

Dark Eyes wrote:What comes to mind when I think of Omaha?

1. Potholes. Year-round.
2. Property Taxes
3. School District Turf Wars
3. Every kind of extreme weather, except hurricanes
4. Named streets that start & stop dozens of times between the river and Elkhorn
5. Perpetual annexations
6. Ernie Chambers
7. Streets named after letters of the alphabet. Who the heck wants to live on Y Street?
8. Underperforming garbage collection contractors
Y Not?
My son got a 27 on his ACT. No this score is not as high as what Jeff's son achieved. But one has to remember the paternal gene-pool my son has to overcome. On a PGPAB [Paternal Gene-Pool Adjusted Basis], my son's score is a 37 and Jeff's son's PGPAB ACT score is 19.
ElisaNorris
New to the Neighborhood
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2016 6:05 am

Re: Omaha Top 25?

Post by ElisaNorris »

The museums and cultural centers are worth looking in Ohama. I have been once in ohama and it was total adventure with all my buddies.
User avatar
nebugeater
City Council
Posts: 108879
Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2004 6:07 pm
Location: Gretna NE

Re: Omaha Top 25?

Post by nebugeater »

b_bella65 wrote: Fri Apr 05, 2019 2:29 am Omaha, the seat of the Douglas County and the largest city of the Nebraska County, is situated in United States of America’s Midwestern region on the river Missouri. Being the country’s forty-fourth largest city and the sixtieth most populated metropolitan area, the city of Omaha has much potential as a tourist spot.

Although the city has often been overlooked by visitors and tourists, the much interesting aspects of the city are yet to be explored by many of them. The importance of the city as a tourist’s attraction can only be felt by paying an exclusive visit to this city and trying some of the most fun things to do in Omaha Nebraska.

List of 15 Best Things to do in Omaha Nebraska
1. Omaha Craft Brewery Tour
2. Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
3. Durham Museum
4. Heartland of America Park
5. Joslyn Art Museum Omaha
6. Gene Leahy Mall
7. Joslyn Castle
8. Mini Golf Omaha
9. El Museo Latino
10. Freedom Park
11. Lauritzen Gardens
12. The OPPD Arboretum
13. Old Market Omaha
14. Omaha Culinary Tours
15. Lewis and Clark Landing


Throughout its history, the city of Omaha, Nebraska has been witnessing many developments and transcended into big city from a small town. A deep research on the things to do in Omaha Nebraska highlight by Tripoyer some outstanding features of the city that make the must to visit tourist spot.
Image
I know all lists are subjective but how does mini golf make this list?
For the record  NEBUGEATER does not equal BUGEATER    !!!!!!!
Post Reply