Omaha Guidebook, Omaha, NE (2025)

10/30/2025

No one should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.

Yesterday the mayor announced a city-led food drive to help as federal food assistance halts. Donations can be given through nonperishable food items dropped off at these locations (swipe left for the list) or through monetary amounts donated directly to the food bank. Every bit helps. 💚

10/16/2025

Here’s your guide to seeing an Opera Omaha performance.

Location: Orpheum Theater in downtown Omaha

It’s not too late to grab tickets for the next opera on October 24th and 26th! The Barber of Seville is an all ages show — see more details at on Opera Omaha's website.

Thanks to Opera Omaha for sponsoring this post!

🚙 Parking
You have a few different options for parking, listed below. There is construction going on downtown right now so get there early and allow yourself plenty of time for parking!
• OPPD Energy Plaza garage (reserve ahead of time via ParkMobile app) — use the Skylink in the garage to enter the theater
• Metered street parking
• 15th & Howard parking lot ($10, cash and card accepted)

🚌 Metro Bus
Routes 11, 36: Stop 1780 16th & Howard NW
Routes 15, 18, 30: Stop 2560 17th & Harney SW

👕 Typical Attire
There is no dress code to attend the opera! I saw people wearing a variety of clothes, anywhere from casual to formal: dresses, suits, slacks, button downs, nicer jeans, sweaters, etc. As always though, wear what you like and what you feel comfortable in.

📣 Accessibility
Opera Omaha and the Orpheum have many accommodations to make the opera accessible to all. Some are listed below. Visit operaomaha.org for more details.
• Elevators
• Accessible seating locations
• Accessible parking
• Arrangement for ASL-interpretation
• Hearing devices for checkout

10/07/2025

Shoutout to my fellow anxious pals. This one’s for you.

These are a few of my favorite, less stimulating hangout spots around Omaha. PLUS I’ve made guides to most of them, so if you scroll back on my page (or search my website), you can get a rundown of exactly what to expect when you visit them in person!

What else would you add to this list?

Anna’s Place Omaha
Alice Omaha
Rally Coffee Co.
Omaha Public Library
Joslyn Art Museum

10/01/2025

BUDGET DATE IDEA: 3 for $30 at Smash Park La Vista

Now through the end of October, Smash Park has a 3 for $30 bundle going on! It’s a $75 value(!) and it makes for a fun, budget friendly date night (or friend date, family hangout . . . you get the picture).

For $30, you get:

🎳 1 hour of any activity (choose from axe throwing, indoor/outdoor pickleball, duckpin bowling, darts, outdoor shuffleboard, or private karaoke)

🍹 $20 food/beverage voucher

🕹️ $15 arcade card

Book your 3 for $30 bundle through the Smash Park app! This deal only lasts till the end of October.

Want to learn more about Smash Park before you visit? Hop over to stories to see my full guide.

Thanks a bunch to Smash Park for hosting our visit!

09/26/2025

Here’s your guide to Standing Bear Lake.

Location: northwest O

It’s about time I posted about this one! Standing Bear has been requested for a while and I totally get why. The view is nice, it’s a well maintained area, and the shade coverage is great for a walk. My dog Ash loves coming here. The loop around the lake is about 3 miles long.

✅ Hiking
✅ Biking
✅ Fishing
✅ Boating (no wake)
❌ Swimming
❌ Camping
✅ Picnic area(s)
✅ Public restroom(s)
✅ Leashed pets
✅ Paved trail

🚙 Parking
There are multiple parking areas around the lake where you can park for free. Most of them are paved.

🚌 Metro Bus
The bus doesn’t currently travel to this area.

📣 Accessibility
Standing Bear Lake is accessibility friendly! The trails are paved, and the floating trail across the lake is accessible. Along that floating trail is an accessible canoe and kayak launch. As for parking, there are 2 designated accessible spaces in the paved parking lot off of Park Road (southwest end of the trail). Most of the trail is fairly flat, though AllTrails says the steepest sections are near 0.8, 1.5, and 2.6 miles when going clockwise.

09/16/2025

Here’s your guide to Big Grove Brewery.

Location: 4601 Catalyst Ct, Omaha, NE 68106

This taproom, restaurant, and patio is now open as of TODAY. Big Grove is originally out of Iowa. But no fear — they’re brewing beer onsite, so you’re still drinking local!

Also, right next door to Big Grove Brewery in the Catalyst Building is Big Grove Coffee Co. So there is truly something for everyone here.

FOR MY GLUTEN FREE FRIENDS: Big Grove Brewery’s menu is marked with GF options. However I was informed there is no dedicated GF fryer, so any fried items would not be celiac safe.

Thanks a bunch to Big Grove for having us at your soft opening!

🚙 Parking There is metered street parking directly in front and behind the building. Or park along S 48th behind the building for slightly cheaper meter rates.

A parking garage is currently under construction next door to the Catalyst building, so more parking options should be available in the future.

There’s also a small parking lot right off of Saddlecreek Road in front of the building. It looked to be unmarked, so that might be free parking (for now).

🚌 Metro Bus Route 11: 48th & Leavenworth (7 min walk)
Routes 3, 15: 42nd & Leavenworth (17 min walk)
Route 120: 44th & Dodge (12 min walk)

👕 Typical Attire I saw people wearing casual clothes — jeans, dresses, tshirts, blouses, etc. As always though, wear what you like and what you feel comfortable in!

📣 Accessibility
There are no steps to get in or around Big Grove Brewery. If using a wheelchair, you’ll want to request a low table with chairs — as opposed to a high-top table or booth.

09/12/2025

Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch is open again for the fall season!

This pumpkin patch is just north of town and is the perfect autumn stop for families and people of all ages. A general admission ticket gives you access to over 35 attractions, including the daisy train, hayrack ride, pig racers, corn mazes, peddle karts, slides, tornado alley, petting zoo, jump pillows, and more.

🌼 WILDFLOWER FESTIVAL

The flower fields at Skinny Bones are open every day, but on select days during the month of September, there are even more festival activities to enjoy! Festival entry is included with general admission tickets (wildflower picking available for an extra cost).

Festival activities on September 13, 20, 27, 28:

• Live music
• Face painting
• Hair tinsel station
• New photo ops
• Princess meet & greets
• Limited-time food & drink

For more on Skinny Bones, see our stories today for our full guide to the pumpkin patch.

Thanks a bunch to Skinny Bones for sponsoring this post!

09/10/2025

Here’s your guide to parking in The Capitol District.

One thing to keep in mind is there are multiple big event venues right next to this area, so when events are happening, parking is of course going to be busier. If you want to avoid that traffic, I’d recommend checking event schedules for CHI Health Center, Steelhouse Omaha, the Holland Center, and Charles Schwab Field and plan your visit around that.

Thanks a bunch to The Capitol District for sponsoring this post!

🚙 Street Parking
There’s metered street parking throughout this area. I usually check 11th or 12th Streets first for available spots. (Plus see my tip in the video to find some lesser known spots with rates that are a bit cheaper!)

When big events are happening in the area, the meter rates are higher. But remember the meters are free on Sundays (except during major events) and city holidays!

🏢 Parking Garage
Route to Marriott/Capitol District Parking Garage. The entrance is on 12th Street and there’s a skywalk on level 4 from the garage directly into the Capitol District courtyard.

🔑 Valet Parking
The Marriott Downtown has valet parking at its entrance.

🚌 Metro Bus
And last, there are multiple bus stops right along the main strip

Routes 93, 94, 97, 106, 120: Capitol Ave & 12th NE
Route 106: 10th & Capitol Ave NE
Routes 11, 93, 94, 97, 120, ORBT: Dodge & 12th NE (a block south)

09/10/2025

Here’s your guide for things to do in The Capitol District .

This district in downtown Omaha is home to a variety of restaurants and bars, plus it’s within walking distance to multiple performance venues! It’s a great spot for a night out or to catch a bite to eat before catching a show down the street. Don’t forget to check out the courtyard in the middle while you’re there.

See my next post for a guide to parking in The Capitol District!

Limited on time? Hit some of the highlights and visit my favorites in this area: Jewell on Capitol, Texas de Brazil, The Brunch Box.

Thanks a bunch to the Capitol District for sponsoring this post!

🍽️ Restaurants & Coffee

Akaraui: ramen, boba, poke
The Brunch Box: comfort food
DJ’s Dugout: sports bar, patio
Epoca Cantina: Mexican comfort food, patio
Frank’s Pizzeria: pizza, sandwiches, pasta, video games
Insomnia Cookies: cookies, brownies, ice cream
J. Gilbert’s: steak, seafood, cocktails
Let It Fly: sports bar, patio
Lula B’s: breakfast, brunch
Moe & Curly’s: pub, grill, karaoke
Nosh: wine lounge, plates
Society 1854: breakfast cuisine inside Marriott
Starbucks: coffee, bites, patio
Texas de Brazil: Brazilian steakhouse

🍷 Bars
Annie’s Irish Pub: pub, patio
Beer Can Alley: country bar
Burdock + Bitters: cocktails, bites
The Exchange: nightclub
Howard & Fine: speakeasy inside Moe & Curly’s
The Stuffed Olive: martini bar, small plates, patio

🪩 Activities
Capitol Arcade: arcade games, bar
The Fat Putter: mini golf, bar
Jewell on Capitol: live music, cocktails, small plates
Net Par: indoor golf simulator, bar, bites

08/12/2025

Thrift with me at Hand Me Ups.

Location: 15663 Spaulding St, Omaha, NE

🚙 Parking
There’s a small attached parking area that’s free to park in.

🚌 Metro Bus
The bus doesn’t travel this far west on Maple.

📣 Accessibility
There are no steps to get in or around the thrift store. Some corners might be tight to navigate around using a wheelchair.

Omaha Guidebook

10/30/2025

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10/07/2025

10/01/2025

09/26/2025

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09/12/2025

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08/12/2025

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