enjoylife

Hello!

I am going to Omaha, Nebraska 11/8-11/10. I want to bid on Priceline, but I am uncertain which area of Omaha would be best.
Any suggestions?

Also, what fun and/or touristy things are there to do in Omaha?

Also, any recommendations for restaurants that serve something other than steak?

How's the weather that time of year?

Tess

How about bidding on the downtown/Old Market area? The Sheraton and Embassy Suites are both nice. Doubletree is okay. Red Lion is ugh. Omaha's a typical midwestern city--very spread out--and staying in the Old Market is a pretty good central location.
Touristy things: Henry Doorly Zoo is amazing--after San Diego, it's the best zoo I've seen. Strategic Air Command (SAC) museum is worth a visit. For something a little different, stop by Borsheims jewelry store--it's something like 45,000 square feet and is owned by Warren Buffet. They even give tours. Joslyn Art Museum is downtown and has excellent permanent as well as traveling exhibits. Oh, can't forget a visit to Boys Town (now called Girls and Boys Town), even though it's way on the west side of town.
Restaurants: Tons down in the Old Market: the French Cafe (my favorite), M's Pub, Vivace, Upstream Brewery and the Indian Oven are a few good ones.
Weather: Well...it could be sunny and 70 or it could be blizzarding and 10. It's really hard to predict Nebraska weather but chances are it will be nice. Have a great trip!

J_Correa

Another vote for staying near the Old Market. I was there in March for business and we stayed in a different area of the city, but went down to the Old Market for dinner one night. There were many restaurants and pubs down there.

Coskier

Ditto on the Embassy.

enjoylife

Thanks for the info.

Any further suggestions for things to see.

Any restaurant suggestions?

indytravel

I'd bid downtown too. There are more things to do in a smaller area. The Courtyard by Marriott downtown is very nice too. I think the Red Lion is way out on 72nd street. It shouldn't be in the Priceline downtown zone.

If you can fit in a show try to see something at the Orpheum or especially the Rose where the Omaha Theater Company for Young People is located. The Rose is a restored grand old 30's movie palace that is spectacular inside. The building is open most days and you should be able to walk in a look around a bit even if you can't see a show. The Rose produces shows for children, but they are of excellent quality. Some of the sets & costumes are unbelievable. Another plus is the shows run about an hour with no intermission. Looks like you'll be there during "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse."

http://www.otcyp.org/newindex.htm

There's a nice children's museum near the Rose if you'll have kids with you. The museum of transportation is in the old train station downtown. It's really cool art deco. Lots of old photos of Omaha as well as railroad stuff. The swanky personal rail cars of the president of the Union Pacific railroad are usually parked there, unless he's using them.

A street or two south of the Old Market is a farmer's market on Saturday mornings. Lots of local produce and meats brought in. I don't know how late it runs in the year.

In the Old Market Delice is excellent for a lunch/brunch thing and great for desserts anytime.

V. Mertz in the passage of the Old Market is one of my favorite upscale restaurants. Beautiful setting, excellent food, pricey for Omaha. Passport is downtown and like V. Mertz. I really like it too. Another swanky restaurant near the Sheraton is the Flatiron. The food is very good and I love the setting. It's in a wedge shaped room, ground floor with lots of windows looking out.

The hottest new spot is Rick's Boatyard on the river by the new Gallup Poll center. It would be tough to walk to from downtown, but it has recently opened and some high profile gatherings have happened there.

4khansen

I notice on BiddingforTravel that 2.5* Downtown has been hitting at the new Marriott Courtyard for about $30. Great price and good location within two blocks of the Old Market.

If you happen to be a gambler you might get a good price at Harrah's Hotel right across the river on the interstate in Iowa. Three casino's and a dog track in about a square mile area, and just 5 minutes from the Old Market.

4khansen

Weather that weekend, well its my birthday and I have experienced 70 degrees and 12 inches of snow.. to everything in between..... your guess!! The most choices in restaurants are in the Old Market, you can walk and window shop making your decision. French, Italian, Greek, Indian, Oriental etc. to basic beef.