Omaha Sightseeing during College World Series?
 

We've been invited to a wedding in June, which coincides with the College World Series.

Tentative plan is to fly in on Thursday.

We will have all day free on Friday, and presumably free on Saturday morning as well.

We = me, DH, and my in-laws. We are staying with family friends, so I don't know exactly where.

I'm thinking during the 1.5 days, we'll visit Durham Western Heritage Museum, Lauritzen Gardens, and the Henry Doorly Zoo.

I just realized that the Rosenblatt Stadium is right next to the Zoo and the Gardens. Will it be a nightmare trying to do sightseeing during the World Series? Looks like games are scheduled at 1pm and 6pm.

The zoo tries to keep a close eye on their parking lot during the series but going early in the day is a good rule of thumb.
The gardens are actually on the northside of I80 and shouldn't be greatly affected.
Alternatives are the SAC Museum and Mahoney State Park south of Omaha at the Platte River.

I don't know if parking will be an issue, but just wanted to say that the Henry Doorly Zoo is fabulous, as is Rosenblatt Stadium (we watched a minor league game there, not a College World Series game -- The Omaha Royals). If you have time, the Strategic Air Command museum is also excellent, but it's a ways out of the city.

If you get to the zoo before 10 am on Friday, you should have no problem with the parking in competition with the CWS - definitely recommend you make the effort to go - in my opinion, it is one of the best zoos in the country! Their indoor exhibits - Tropical Jungle; Aquarium; Desert Dome and Into the Night exhibit; and Gorilla House are all fantastic! If you're schedule allowed, I would encourage you to take in a CWS game as well - I moved to KC 10 years ago from Omaha, but still go up every year to the CWS - haven't missed going to at least a few games each year since the mid-70s when I was a kid! Great environment - great event! If you also have time, would recommend walking around the Old Market and doing some shopping and eating down there - great area!

Hi Thanks!

Getting to the zoo by 10am on Friday - might be a challenge, but I'll keep that in mind.

I know for sure we want to visit the zoo. But what's your opinion on the Durham Western Heritage Museum and Lauritzen Gardens? Are there other sights more worthwhile?

I also hear that it can be very hot/humid in June, so I'm a little concerned about the Lauritzen Gardens. Perhaps we can go there on Sat morning.

YK - even if you don't make it quite by 10, you still should be able to find parking - just might have to walk a little further.

I'm not much of a museum person, so I don't believe I have ever visited the Western Heritage Museum; however, the Lauritzen Garden is very nice and well worth a visit. Temps aren't that bad in June - obviously depending on the year, but typically upper 70's to upper 80's - of course, if you go in the morning it will be cooler. The area is quite hilly if you walk around the whole gardens, but they also have a tram you can jump on that cuts down on some of the exertion.

Omaha may not be a "destination" city but it definitely is a pleasant surprise to people who take the time to visit! Enjoy yourself!

You may want to consider a tour of Boys Town, just outside of town. It is especially interesting if you do the tour with a student guide. Everyone I know who has been there was impressed.

Henry Doorly Zoo is one of the best! I loved it.

I am not a train fan, but I thoroughly enjoyed the Durham Western Museum.

Also consider spending some time downtown in the Old Market.

Have fun!

Not sure about this but maybe someone can chim in. But if you go to the zoo and decide to head to the game you MAY be able to leave your car there.

I don't know exactly how the zoo determines who is still in the zoo or not, but at least this would be an excellent parking spot to do both and you are paying for entrance to the zoo so they aren't out anything and I would recommend trying to attend a game if you have any interest at all.

I think the Durham is an excellent museum of Omaha and local history. Well done, and people without any background or particular interest in Omaha would still find the exhibits worth visiting.

Also, as someone said earlier spend time in the Old Market if you have the chance. Other close things to the zoo are the Iowa side casinos if that trips your trigger. They are 5 minutes from the zoo.

Thank you for everyone's replies. I seriously doubt we'll go to a CWS game. I think I'm the only person in the group who is remotely interested in baseball, and that's just MLB only. With the time constraints, I think we'll stick with the main sights.

The zoo will make you pay for admission before they let you into the parking lot for the College World Series to try and keep it only for people going to the zoo. This (other than dining) is going to be the only place you have competition for the most part with the CWS people. Lauritzen Gardens and the Western Heritage museum are both worth a visit. If you have time and interest in Art I would also consider Josyln Art Museum.

Do you have hotel reservations already? If not I would get them as soon as possible. We tend to have a hotel shortage during the CWS.

I just got back from Omaha this evening. This was my first visit, so am not much help. But I have to say that I loved the Old Market area! Be sure to wear good flat shoes though...I was in heels and with the uneven bricks and such I had to be careful. The kids hit the zoo yesterday and said it was great. The entire area is really easy to get around. As I said, I had not been there before, but I didn't have any problem finding my way in downtown, and out to the La Vista and StratCom areas. I look forward to going back!

Thanks MrNuke. We will be staying with my husband's family friends. AFAIK, it's a couple of miles outside of the city. But i won't complain since it's free lodging. I understand hotels are very expensive during CWS. Not quite sure why that couple chose that weekend to get married. ((?))

Within Omaha you can be anywhere you want to be in about 20 minutes. I don't think being outside of the city will be an issue. Just a heads up, the Durham Western Heritage Museum dropped the Western Heritage part of the name this weekend. Same museum same location though. If there is anything else you have questions about feel free to ask.

Just want to let you know that I'm back from my trip to Omaha. We didn't get to do as much as I had hoped (due to family obligations & wedding). I wrote a brief trip report here:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35139229

Thanks again for all your input!