First visit to Omaha

I%26#39;ll be in Omaha Aug. 6 - 10, while my husband attends a conference there. Since he%26#39;ll be tied up in meetings most of the time, I%26#39;ll be exploring the city on my own. Any suggestions of places to go? I won%26#39;t have transportation and will have to rely upon public transportation or taxis. I%26#39;ve done a little exploring of the Forum and tourist websites and I%26#39;ll probably try to visit your art museum, history museum, and botannical gardens, but avoid the zoo, since I won%26#39;t have any kids to enjoy it with. Shopping will have to be limited because I won%26#39;t have room to take things home in our luggage carrier (we%26#39;re traveling by motorcycle). We%26#39;re staying at the Doubletree in downtown. Any special events going on in Omaha at that time? I saw that there%26#39;s something called Art in Bloom at the botannical gardens - anything else I should try to take in? I appreciate your advice!

First visit to Omaha

Firstly, I wanted to let you know that Doubletree has been recently updated, you should be happy with your hotel!!!

I don%26#39;t know about any specific events, but there is a huge farmer%26#39;s market on 11th %26amp; Jackson on Saturday from 8-12:30 that is fun to walk around at. The Joslyn is always impressive. You and your hubby will be just a few blocks away from great restaurants down in the Old Market. You could always go visit the casinos just across the river, they have a shuttle that will pick you up at the hotel as well as take you back. There is also a Bass Pro Shop right near the casinos as well, specifically the Horseshoe. Enjoy your trip!

First visit to Omaha

Haven%26#39;t found too many things during the dat that won%26#39;t have you spending a small fortune on transportation.

You may give the zoo a second thought as it has several indoor exhibits and an Imax theater.

In the evening on the 10th Gwen Stacy is at Club Roxbury and the following night Dolly Parton is at the Qwest Center.

Many unique shops in Old Market, I always do alot of window shopping. If you found something you had to have, maybe the store would UPS to your home.

There are salons/spas to pamper yourself with pedicure or massage: www.oldmarket.com

Zoo would be great without kids...new Butterfly Pavilion, Jungle, Desert Dome, Aguarium all indoors.

FYI - since you are biking in, Nebraska is a mandatory helmet state.

You mentioned a few good choices there for things to see - remember if you shop you can always ship your purchases back home !!!!

Thanks everyone for all the advice! Lots of good ideas for me to consider. THe spa idea sounds great, as well as shopping in Old Market. Jewelry doesn%26#39;t take up much room, right? We have shipped items before on our motorcycle tours, so that%26#39;s a good reminder.

Any recommendations for restaurants that are walking distance from the Doubletree?

FYI, we always wear helmets even in states where it%26#39;s not required - just too afraid of the consequences of not doing it, I guess.

Thanks again!

I%26#39;ll put in another plug for the zoo. Definitely don%26#39;t think you need to be with kids to enjoy it. The jungle and desert are two things you don%26#39;t come across at normal zoos.

As far as restaurants close to the DoubleTree. I hear great things about Sullivan%26#39;s (block away) semi pricey, but hey it is an upscale steakhouse sorty of place. Jazz is another half block and has great, reasonable Cajun food.

Considering the Old Market is only a few more blocks away with a lot more options, the walk would definitely be worth it. Upstream%26#39;s our Upscale Brewpub, darn good. Vivace%26#39;s is pretty good Italian. Sphaghetti works is decent cheaper Italian.

Did a quick look at special events and I came up empty too. I%26#39;ll keep looking and let you know if anything comes up.

As far as restaurants walking distance from Doubletree, I *highly* recommend Upstream, which is around 11th and Jackson. Delicious food, beers and root beer brewed on-site, great atmosphere. There%26#39;s also a whole bunch of restaurants in the Old Market. Indian Oven is great!