Omaha - College World Series first timers
 

We are going for DS's baseball tournament 6/20-24 & hope to get to a CWS game & events. We are staying by the airport. If anyone has restaurant suggestions and any other tips, it would be helpful. How busy is the city? Should we make restaurant reservations? I use Open Table quite a bit so can do that. Thanks

In general, Omaha doesn't get a lot of attention here, but as it is my hometown and I visit several times a year, I will try to help.

Probably my favorite Omaha restaurant that is near where you will be is the Upstream in the Old Market. They make their own beer, which is good, but we have found the food to be excellent as well. I have no idea how busy they will be at that time or what the wait might be. And of course, the Old Market area is pretty neat on its own.

Another cool area to explore a bit is Midtown Crossing which is a little west of downtown...restaurants, movie theater, a few shops, etc.

The zoo was just voted the #1 zoo in America--it is located just south of downtown/the Old Market just off I-80.

The Durham Western Heritage Museum is nicely done...located between downtown and the zoo. The art museum, the Joslyn, is also quite nice for a small museum.

The pedestrian bridge over the Missouri is a fun experience--you will be able to practically see it from the stadium.

Hope this is helpful and that you have a great time!

We went to a game at the CWS a few years ago when it was at the old stadium (we got tickets from a coworker's crazy aunt who lives in Omaha). All I can say is that it was a crazy happy atmosphere - and parking was difficult! Not sure if the parking situation is different at the new stadium.

Upstream is great suggestion - there is a great ice cream place in Old Market as well - Ted and Wally's.

The zoo is wonderful as well!

I don't recall where we stayed but they were strict about people staying through their entire reservation - i.e., if your team lost and you wanted to go home, you had to stay (or pay) for all the days you reserved.

Thanks for the suggestions. Upstream sounds good & will have to get to Ted & Wally's!

Are there campgrounds near the baseball stadium? How far in advance are reservations for hotels or campgrounds required? We wanted to come to CWS this year but were thwarted by the lack of information on obtaining tickets and lodging. Any hints on planning a CWS trip? Disappointed not to get to come support my favorite ball team.

Sorry you are having trouble getting information! Omaha has a Facebook page and they have been posting some information on the CWS there.

I can't think of any campgrounds nearby. This is only the second year for using the new stadium and it was built downtown near the big arena and convention center. If you could find something across the river in Council Bluffs, you would not be too far away.

It's difficult for me to imagine the impact of the CWS on Omaha these days--the series has been in Omaha for decades, but when I was growing up there in the 60's and 70's, it was SO not a big deal, nobody today would believe it--they literally GAVE the tickets away. I was on the safety patrol for my elementary school and they gave tickets to all the safety patrols in the city--we were 6th graders!

i thought since I am a td ameritrade customer, they would send me tickets. HaHa. Thanks for the info and next year I will begin planning my Omaha CWS trip much earlier. I am slowly finding more information but since our first game is tomorrow and it's a 12 hour drive, I will watch on TV for this year. I am not giving up on my dream and plan to visit the next time my team makes it there!

Back from Omaha & have a few observations:
1. We stayed by the airport at Holiday Inn Express which proved to be a good choice for the CWS. They had a shuttle service to downtown which we used a couple of nights for dinner. Driving around the stadium was difficult at certain times, especially Thursday when there was 3 games & people coming & going to a game all at the same time.
2. Reserved game tickets were available day of so although we had bought tickets before for Thursday night, others in our group got tickets day of. We parked Thursday night at the Riverfront Park which was a mile or so from the stadium but free & on the way to the hotel. There are a few other hotels near there, a Candlewood Suites, La Quinta but not much else right there besides a Subway.
3. For restaurants, we liked Upstream in Old Market & Spaghetti Works. Did not have any trouble getting seated & the Arizona baseball team was next to us at Upstream.
4. The corn looks good & was amazed at the fields right amongst the suburbs. Our games were in Elkhorn & corn fields were right next to the high school.

Omaha seems like a great city & may have to go back & see more!

Thanks for reporting back--glad you had a good time!

Glad you had fun!!! I would love to go sometime.

how difficult is it to get in to a game VIA general admission. time to wait in line and such