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50 States Series: Nebraska 🌽
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items Starting off strong with the place I know best - where I was born: Omaha, Nebraska (and beyond). Despite popular opinion, Nebraska can be pretty multi-faceted. For this place, we are channeling our midwest, driving through corn fields in the summer w... And the choice of song to match perfectly: Casey Musgraves Oh, What a World. Here are some top recommendations for places to stay, to eat/drink, and to have fun.
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Where to Stay 🛌
What to Eat/Drink 🍜
What do Do 🧘♀️
Where to Shop 🛍️
Where to Stay 🛌
What I would recommend to anyone if they were visiting my hometown.
One thing I really love about Omaha is the preservation of their historical buildings. The Cottonwood Hotel did an excellent job of transforming this old building into something new and cool and modern. It's right in the heart of Blackstone - a bumpi...
Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel: Blackstone Hotel Omaha Downtown
Another historic spot. Except this one is in the heart of downtown Omaha. They have a really pretty courtyard that is great for events / weddings. If you plan on seeing a show at the Orpheum, it literally is in walking distance.
Magnolia Hotel Omaha
Like the name states - this art deco building is super historical. They also have a cool speakeasy someeewhere in the confines of the building. Downtown Omaha. Walkable to coffee shops / food places.
Hotel Deco
A little more on the pricier side - but if you want somewhere that feels elevated. This is your girl. The city views are pretty in the rooms + it has a spacious lobby and gym space. The dining areas are woahhh pretty.
The Farnam, Autograph Collection | Official Site
If you are a Moxy stan, Omaha does have one in its' downtown that is super central to everything. Lots of food options, drink options.
Moxy Omaha Downtown
What to Eat/Drink 🍜
From Coffee Shops, Bars, to Dinner spots.
This. This. This. This. This. THIS. If I could recommend ANY place in Omaha for food. THIS. I do not say this lightly as I have eaten in so many places. I have NEVER found a place I've craved so intensely as Mula. There Chips & Queso could bring ...
Mula | Mexican Food
If it's not Mula, it's Masa Luna. If you like tacos with plenty of vegan/vegetarian options - she's your girl. This place is another place I would crave. And the vibes are so cute inside.
Masa Luna | Mexican Food
Yall want that Midwest Saloon vibe with real good bbq and FIRE corn fritters ? This place is in downtown Elkhorn and has such a vibe to it. In an old saloon probably from the 1800's, this place makes you feel like you need a pair of cowgirl boots and...
Boyd and Charlie's | BBQ
Honestly, this spot is always such a vibe. They have a few locations and their Ramen is fire. The location in Benson has a speakeasy in the basement that plays Anime which is cool. Good for late night bites and hangs.
Ika Ramen & Izakaya | Ramen
So like, unfortunately for me, Mediterranean food does cruel things to my senssyy tummy and I can't eat a lot of it. But this place was really good and is such a vibe inside. They have good wine as well if you are into that.
Clio | Mediterranean
I think this is in my top 5 restaurants in Omaha. This place has sommmee really good zaaa (za as in pizza). The amount of moving parties where my friends or family members have grabbed a bottle of wine and the Crab Ragoon pizza from Vis Major to cele...
Vis Major | Brewing + Pizza
Salween Thai HATES to see me and my coworkers pull up. For a hot minute this was the go-to constantly. Fire place and Omaha favorite for a lot of people.
Salween Thai | Thai
If you are looking for breakfast in an iconic, authentic 1950's diner? This is your place. They'll make you feel right at home.
Harold's Koffee House | Diner
This is another local favorite. After soccer practices I used to go here ALL the time. They had a fire that took out their kitchen and caused them to close for a while. They re-opened (t-god) and are still servinnn the classics. The owners are so nic...
Three Happiness Express | Chinese
You know I'm abouta put you ON. It wasn't until I moved out of Nebraska that I really started craving Runzas. Like I didn't know what I had until it was gone. Now anytime I cross the border into the state, I am GOING to get these little german pocket...
Runza | Fast Food
Woman-owned business specializing in small-batch herbal tea. Literally love.
Artemis Tea & Botanical
I love this place so much. It's honestly one of my top coffee shops. If you want some place that has pretty plants and a lot of natural sunlight, go here. Coffee is good.
Myrtle & Cypress | Coffee
Smaller space, but so cute. Usually my go-to to-go coffee lol. They have cute re-usable glasses that if you return, you get money off your next order. Their coffee beans are so good as well. They are right next to Sweet Magnolias Bakery, so you can s...
Amateur | Coffee
Omaha doesn't bleep around with coffee - Like one of the baristas at this shop won some kind of world title for pulling shots? Or like something? The black coffee is great. Everything about it - great. Excellent standards. Excellent beans.
Archetype | Coffee
Okay love this place - if you are more out west looking for a local spot, Moon Hollow is it. The amount of times I'd go here. Love the owner - she's so sweet. They sell cute crystals and fun drinks. They also have a little coffee bus.
Moon Hollow | Coffee
Cute little bodega + coffee shop. Their coffee is really good and I love picking up lil snackies from this place.
Godega Market | Omaha Coffee Shop & Convenience Market
My friends have done pop-ups at this place. The owner is super chill and they make great bread. They have plenty of seating and good coffee as well. And a nice back patio. It's a little out of Omaha, in Ashland, but worth the trip.
Fariner | Bakery
Cute Bakery with loads of yummy treats. They have Vegan + Gluten Free options as well.
Sweet Magnolias | Bakery
This place was ranked best ice cream shop in America by Food Network - where would I be if I didn't recommend it. Honestly, it makes sense. They have iconic flavors, my fav being the Blackstone Butterbrickle (I think it's called that).
Coneflower Creamery | Icecream
This icecream place is perfect for the nights you are out rompin around the Old Market. In an old brick building, feeeels historic inside. Super cute, yum ice cream.
Ted and Wally's | Icecream
Either Im spitting straight facts with this, or am completely making this up - but I'm pretty sure the person who started the Old Market also created La Buvette. Their inspo was Parisian Lifestyle after living in Paris… which is why the entire Old Ma...
La Buvette | Wine & Grocery
Living in Denver, I've come accustomed to luvn' a good ole brewery with a large patio. When coming back to Omaha, I felt a genuinely lack for one. This has filled that hole in so many ways. After work, I'll come down here with friends and chill by th...
Big Grove | Brewery
In a diner mood where you have to pick up a vintage telephone and call to put your order in at the bar? This is your place. Feels like you've stepped into the 1950's. Yum milkshakes and greasy food. Open late.
Fizzy's | Fountain & Liquors
For a minute I was coming here a lot after classes in college with my friends. Their Tachos are SO good. Basically tator tot nachos. They also have a vegan version.
Nite Owl | Bar
Any of yall know the band Bright Eyes? Connor Oberst actually started this bar. So that's cool. Another hipster joint that I've frequented and brought my laptop to after design classes. Good old fashions cant lie.
Pageturners | Lounge
Named after the old Krug Amusement Park (I can only assume) where, fun fact, they had the country's deadliest roller coaster incident in the 1930's. While not an amusement park, it's still an amusing place. The owner is great and chill to talk with. ...
Krug Park | Bar
If you know, you know. If you love a good dive bar, and a place to chat with the owner, this is the place.
Josephine's Cozy Corner | Lounge
What do Do 🧘♀️
Some of my top fav spots around town!
It feels a little cliche to be like “oh you should go to the Old Market!” Especially as a local - but like… you should. If you appreciate history and old building restorations, there are loads of cool restaurants and shops to walk to. As forementione...
The Old Market | Omaha's Arts & Entertainment District
Part of the National Register of Historic Places, the Joslyn Castle was built in the 1900's by the Joslyns, a prominent family in Omaha. This place does events and tours constantly. You can also just walk around the gardens which are beautiful during...
Joslyn Castle | Museum
Another placed named after the Joslyns - Art Deco inspired building. Free Admission. Go see some Art!!
Joslyn Art | Museum
Something about history really appeals to me when Im traveling (probably why I minored in it) - this is one of my favorite museums in town. Nevermind it being stunning to walk around in, you also get to learn all about the Union Pacific Railroad (whi...
The Durham | Museum
Do you want kinda wild experience that teaches you all about light? Are you feeling science-y? This museum is fun, interactive, and great for learnin' !
Kiewit Luminarium | Science Museum
I cannot even begin to express: there is no other place that does pumpkin patches like Nebraska. I swear, you'd think we'd invited them. I think it helps that the corn stalks are authentic. Valas Pumpkin Patch is every 90's kid's core memory. This is...
Vala's Pumpkin Patch
Another Omaha cliche - I almost didn't put this one on here. BUT for people who don't know, the Omaha Zoo is the #1 Zoo in the United States (competing back and forth each year with the San Diego Zoo). Any list you look at for “Top Zoos” whether it b...
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Wanna escape the concrete and get into some trees? One thing I love about Nebraska is the amount of trees we have. I always come back to the midwest for the trees. Truly. This is a relaxing getaway to walk around and be one with nature.
Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Who doesn't love some good ole midwest baseball w/ an impending summer storm always rolling in causing a rain delay ? If you are here during June, the CWS games are always fun to go to. If baseball isn't your thing, the downtown does a fan zone which...
College World Series
Iconic Old Market stop - the owners are chill. They also have the piano that Lady Gaga played for the You and I Music Video which is cool. Literally an eclectic experience full of candy and vintage antiques.
Hollywood Candy
Want a cool theater experience where you can watch high concept films? This is your place. Lola's is right attached to it for good food and drinks before or after.
Dundee Theater | Film Streams
Another cute neighborhood that's super walkable with cute shops, restaurants, and bars. This has a older vibe to it.
Dundee Neighborhood
The Riverfront is pretty large - but if you want to go on a walk, this area into Gene Leahy Mall is great. They have a rollerblading rink that they convert to an ice skating rink during the winters.
Omaha Riverfront Trails
Historic Neighborhood. Cool bars and restaurants. All super walkable. This defs has the younger vibe to it.
Blackstone District
Where to Shop 🛍️
A girls gotta shop. And this is where she's gotta go.
No because really, everytime I'm back in Omaha, I make it a point to come back to this store. The owner is so nice and everything in here is so cute.
Dusk Goods & Gifts: Colorful Home Goods & Unique Gifts
Love the owner - everytime I'm in she is so chill and welcoming. I've bought so many things from this store. Plants, Pots, Clothes, Cards - you name it.
The Green House | Plants
Personally, even though it is marketed for “men”, I still shop here. They have cool things. Clothes, Accessories, notebooks, etc.
Fontenelle Supply Co. - Menswear & Custom Leather Goods
As someone who's mother is 100% Swedish, let me tell you, the culture means the world to me. This little shop is so wholesome and has a special place in my heart. Right on main street in the Elkhorn neighborhood - I'm obsessed.
Little Scandinavia
Looking for a place to buy Omaha specific souvenirs? This is your place. Omaha artists + everything is so cute.
Made in Omaha - Locally Made Gifts & Goods
If you have the space in your luggage for a little succulent with a knitted hat, this is your place. I have such an emotional attachment to my plants and this place fuels the obsession to personify them.
Nodest Home Plants
No because I literally love this place so much. I am such a sucker for paper products and journals and such. + our state senator Megan Hunt owns this shop. cool gal doin cool things !
Five Nine | Stationary
If you are feeling vintage bookstores with books that are genuinely from the 1700's, this is your place. Super cool. Could get lost in here.
Jackson Street Booksellers | Bookstore
If you are bopping around the Old Market and want to go to a cute vintage thrift store - this place has been around fooorrevverrr and has some cool, reasonable finds.
Flying Worm Vintage