Suggestions for family trip to Omaha

We%26#39;ll be going to Omaha in a few weeks for a mini family vacation. We%26#39;ve already thought about some things we%26#39;d like to do, but would like suggestions for other fun things and places to eat.

Our first day we%26#39;ll be going to the SAC museum on our way into Omaha, then stopping somewhere to eat lunch (maybe the Old Market? would like suggestions) on the way to Iowa where we%26#39;ll check out the Bass Pro shop. After that we plan on checking into our hotel, going to Westroads mall and probablly eating around the mall before going back to the hotel for the night (would also like suggestions for the mall area restaurants). We also thought about skipping the mall and doing something else, but not sure what to do.

The next day we%26#39;ll be at the Henry Dorley Zoo all day before heading home.

It will be me, dh, and ds (4 yrs old) on our visit to Omaha. We%26#39;d appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

Suggestions for family trip to Omaha

If you are in the Old Market you might want to check out the Omaha Childrens Museum http://www.ocm.org/

500 S 20th St

Omaha, NE 68102

(402) 342-6164

For junior.

If you want a different place to eat lunch near Bass Pro Shops you might want to try Quaker Steak and Lube.

http://www.quakersteakandlube.com/

If you are into fishing there is a Cabela%26#39;s off I-80 at the Harrison St exit ( 442 ).

If you are at Westroads Mall there are some good places to eat surrounding it - Granite City Brewery, PF Changs, Cheesecake Factory and Macaroni Grill to name a few.

If you are into drooling over fancy Jewelry head a few blocks south of Westroads to the Regency Fashion Court and the Famous Borsheim%26#39;s Jewelry store - WOW. http://shop.borsheims.com/Borsheims/

Suggestions for family trip to Omaha

Since you plan on visiting the wonderful SAC museum you might want to eat at Mahoney State Park. It is right near the SAC museum and the same exit. You eat in the Lodge and it overlooks the Platte River. Hummingbirds can be seen eating at their feeders why you are eating. Also, there are paved trails for hiking. If you want, you can rent rooms at the lodge or cabins with kitchens in the park. Some of the activities available at the park include a play area, swim park, horseback riding, paddleboats,and mini-golf.

Brass Pro has a good sea-food restaurant.

Personally, I would stay away from the malls. There is ntohting special there IMO. Instead, you might check out Joslyn Art Museum and Joslyn Castle (two different venues); the first of course is a very impressive art museum and the latter is the 1913 residence of the museum%26#39;s namesake. Another worthwhile museum is the Durham Western Heritage Museum. Lorentzen Garden would be nice too (just north of the zoo). If you%26#39;d like to get back to nature, Fontennelle Forest would be a good choice too. It is located in Bellevue.

You could take a walk around the Gene Leahy Mall (sp?) downtown. This is a nice outdoor park area in the heart of downtown. Also walk around the newly developed riverfront area, I think they call it lewis and clark landing. Check out the upstream brewery for a pretty good/reasonably priced restaurant downtown.

I don%26#39;t know that I would keep Westroads on the list. Definitely check out Old Market, Gene Leahy Mall, and Riverfront areas. Several Museums in those areas, as referenced in prior notes.

Also, there tend to be a lot of outdoor fairs, some music, food, kids, art, all depending on when you are in.

Restaurants in the Old Market Area worth checking out would be Stokes, Nicola%26#39;s, Vincenzo%26#39;s. All reasonably priced, and good for kids.

Near the mall there is a PF Changs and also Whole Foods - food court there can be quite good, and very reasonably priced wine to go w/ your meal. Jam%26#39;s around 78th St also very good for families.

You can eat outside on the patio at the Old Market Spaghetti Works. It has a family atmosphere and the food is very good but not pricey. And you can listen to street musicians while you eat.

An excellent place to eat with a great casual ambience is McFoster%26#39;s at 38th and Farnam. And live music sometimes too.