Travis’ Midtown-Downtown Guidebook
Food scene
This iconic hotel was the historic Blackstone hotel in its prime, but until it was recently restored to its glory, it was an office building to locals. You’d never know, though, because this place is a full-out resort destination, and it’s tasteful- and thoughtfully designed lobbies, restaurants, and bars are open to the public. This place is so popular, my husband and I are considering joining their “country club” to have guest-level access year round.
I frequent the Orleans room, one of the bars, for a nice day-time hang out.
But the knock-out, in my opinion, is the Cottonwood Room, located in the basement, which I can’t even describe. It has to be seen to fully understand its appeal. If someone asked what one bar to go to, that’s THE one!
Using ResortPass, you can buy a day pass to the pool (with a pool bar!) during summer months for around $39
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Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel
302 S 36th StThis iconic hotel was the historic Blackstone hotel in its prime, but until it was recently restored to its glory, it was an office building to locals. You’d never know, though, because this place is a full-out resort destination, and it’s tasteful- and thoughtfully designed lobbies, restaurants, and bars are open to the public. This place is so popular, my husband and I are considering joining their “country club” to have guest-level access year round.
I frequent the Orleans room, one of the bars, for a nice day-time hang out.
But the knock-out, in my opinion, is the Cottonwood Room, located in the basement, which I can’t even describe. It has to be seen to fully understand its appeal. If someone asked what one bar to go to, that’s THE one!
Using ResortPass, you can buy a day pass to the pool (with a pool bar!) during summer months for around $39
Killer burgers. Tater tot nachos. Fried Oreos. Craft cocktails & frozen drinks. Kitchen open late. All the good things.
Be advised all guests must be 21+ even if not drinking.
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Nite Owl
3902 Farnam StKiller burgers. Tater tot nachos. Fried Oreos. Craft cocktails & frozen drinks. Kitchen open late. All the good things.
Be advised all guests must be 21+ even if not drinking.
Imagine a mall food court, but upscale! Perfect for you if you love shopping, because this is the food court at Westroads Mall, which also has an AMC movie theatre. Just a 13 minute drive West on Dodge.
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Flagship Commons
10000 California StImagine a mall food court, but upscale! Perfect for you if you love shopping, because this is the food court at Westroads Mall, which also has an AMC movie theatre. Just a 13 minute drive West on Dodge.
It’s a bar in a tiny house. It’s also got the most inventive drinks in the city. It’s like hanging out in a really good friend’s living room only your drink is called “It’s Britney, Bitch”. Tiny House is also woman-owned and radically inclusive. A true safe space for all to relax.
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Tiny House Bar
1411 S 13th StIt’s a bar in a tiny house. It’s also got the most inventive drinks in the city. It’s like hanging out in a really good friend’s living room only your drink is called “It’s Britney, Bitch”. Tiny House is also woman-owned and radically inclusive. A true safe space for all to relax.
It might look like a dive bar, but it’s actually one of my favorite restaurants in town with some of the most reasonable prices. It’s also a convenient 10-15 minute walk from the apartment. It’s open for lunch and dinner.
You can also drink beer out of a boot, so there’s that.
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Crescent Moon
3578 Farnam StIt might look like a dive bar, but it’s actually one of my favorite restaurants in town with some of the most reasonable prices. It’s also a convenient 10-15 minute walk from the apartment. It’s open for lunch and dinner.
You can also drink beer out of a boot, so there’s that.
I had to include a breakfast joint, and this one is pretty unbeatable.
Get some hash holes for me!
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Early Bird Brunch
3824 Farnam StI had to include a breakfast joint, and this one is pretty unbeatable.
Get some hash holes for me!
Think “highway diner” but “fancy”. It’s in the Benson area, which will require transportation, but worth a try!
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Leo's Diner
6055 Maple StThink “highway diner” but “fancy”. It’s in the Benson area, which will require transportation, but worth a try!
Another 21+ eatery.
A 50’s style diner with upscaled diner food and craft cocktails.
I’m gonna be honest, I like it mostly because you order using a landline phone at your booth.
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Fizzy's Fountain & Liquors
1408 South 13th StreetAnother 21+ eatery.
A 50’s style diner with upscaled diner food and craft cocktails.
I’m gonna be honest, I like it mostly because you order using a landline phone at your booth.
If you’re looking for Chinese, this is the best in town. They lost their dining room to a fire during the Pandemic but it’s great as take out!
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Three Happiness Express
5107 Leavenworth StIf you’re looking for Chinese, this is the best in town. They lost their dining room to a fire during the Pandemic but it’s great as take out!
Beercade 1 is in Benson, this one’s a little more… social distance-friendly (most of the time).
Even if you’re not here to drink, it’s still fun to play arcade games. (Note: no prizes).
Hack: they can swipe your card for quarters at the bar, so don’t freak out if you don’t carry cash.
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Beercade 2
1423 South 13th StreetBeercade 1 is in Benson, this one’s a little more… social distance-friendly (most of the time).
Even if you’re not here to drink, it’s still fun to play arcade games. (Note: no prizes).
Hack: they can swipe your card for quarters at the bar, so don’t freak out if you don’t carry cash.
Lots of restaurants and shops in and around this neat little atrium in the Old Market neighborhood. You’re allowed to take photos in and around the atrium unless it’s a whole professional setup, which requires approval first.
This is where iconic high-end Steakhouse V.Mertz is located!
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Old Market Passageway
1020-1098 Howard StLots of restaurants and shops in and around this neat little atrium in the Old Market neighborhood. You’re allowed to take photos in and around the atrium unless it’s a whole professional setup, which requires approval first.
This is where iconic high-end Steakhouse V.Mertz is located!
Eclectic collection of different styles of food so bound to impress anyone!
(I love the Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese!)
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Twisted Fork
1014 Howard StEclectic collection of different styles of food so bound to impress anyone!
(I love the Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese!)
Think of it like an elevated New York deli. Cocktails and some of the greatest, delicious sandwiches. There’s something for the simplest and most adventurous palettes. The smoked and fried chicken sandwich is—no joke—lifechanging.
Get Real Sandwiches
3901 Farnam StreetThink of it like an elevated New York deli. Cocktails and some of the greatest, delicious sandwiches. There’s something for the simplest and most adventurous palettes. The smoked and fried chicken sandwich is—no joke—lifechanging.
What can I say? It’s really really good coffee. This is the type of coffeehouse you’ll go home and talk to people about, so it’s worth a visit. It’s not the best place to work or study just due to how busy it can get but it’s amazing either way.
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Myrtle&Cypress Coffeehouse
517 N 33rd StWhat can I say? It’s really really good coffee. This is the type of coffeehouse you’ll go home and talk to people about, so it’s worth a visit. It’s not the best place to work or study just due to how busy it can get but it’s amazing either way.
This is my favorite Mexican food in the whole state! This restaurant recently opened this new location in Omaha after two beloved locations in Lincoln and it’s gorgeous, and the food is just as good as its OGs. My mental health will take a deep decline if this new location closes, because I am so happy to not drive an hour to the closest one, so I’m slightly coercing you to go just to show them support 😅. It’s definitely a drive or Uber away but so so worth it! Get the Fiesta Enchilada!
Hacienda Real
425 North 78th StreetThis is my favorite Mexican food in the whole state! This restaurant recently opened this new location in Omaha after two beloved locations in Lincoln and it’s gorgeous, and the food is just as good as its OGs. My mental health will take a deep decline if this new location closes, because I am so happy to not drive an hour to the closest one, so I’m slightly coercing you to go just to show them support 😅. It’s definitely a drive or Uber away but so so worth it! Get the Fiesta Enchilada!
Neighborhoods
I had a unique experience of seeing Blackstone rise from nothing back in 2015. I lived at the recently renovated Blackstone Townhomes at 40th and Harney as bars and restaurants started moving into previously abandoned or condemned retail space. It’s crazy how much it’s blown up. I would list out each specific place I love, but I’ll just say—go explore!
(But, don’t forget to get some ice cream at Coneflower).
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Blackstone
I had a unique experience of seeing Blackstone rise from nothing back in 2015. I lived at the recently renovated Blackstone Townhomes at 40th and Harney as bars and restaurants started moving into previously abandoned or condemned retail space. It’s crazy how much it’s blown up. I would list out each specific place I love, but I’ll just say—go explore!
(But, don’t forget to get some ice cream at Coneflower).
It’s like Blackstone’s older sister. This nightlife hub is more established and has more tried and tested businesses, with a more diverse array of options, with the inclusion of comedy clubs, theatres, shops, and art galleries.
My favorite places are:
Beercade 1 (Drinks and Arcade Games)
Barchen (Wagyu Burgers!)
Jojo’s Diner (Diner Food)
Burrito Envy (Chipotle but Make it Local)
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Benson
It’s like Blackstone’s older sister. This nightlife hub is more established and has more tried and tested businesses, with a more diverse array of options, with the inclusion of comedy clubs, theatres, shops, and art galleries.
My favorite places are:
Beercade 1 (Drinks and Arcade Games)
Barchen (Wagyu Burgers!)
Jojo’s Diner (Diner Food)
Burrito Envy (Chipotle but Make it Local)
I can spend hours here. Shopping, eating, nightlife. Make sure you check online what events are going on as there’s always things like art fairs and farmer’s markets going on!
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The Old Market
I can spend hours here. Shopping, eating, nightlife. Make sure you check online what events are going on as there’s always things like art fairs and farmer’s markets going on!
Gift Shops
Just in case you’re the type of person who comes back with souvenirs for friends & family.
Shop Five Nine
6105 Maple StreetJust in case you’re the type of person who comes back with souvenirs for friends & family.
Made in Omaha
8722 Pacific StYour favorite Omaha and Nebraska merch 100% made by local artisans.
Sightseeing
Surprise, surprise. If you haven’t been (or you haven’t been in even a year), go! It’s constantly new and evolving.
These days if you’ve got little ones there are two new attractions just inside the new North Entrance that you can spend all day at and barely see an animal: (1) the new adventure trails playground is a massive multileveled interactive playground the size of a superstore, and (2) a giant, mostly enclosed splash pad where families can change into swim suits and spend the day cooling off with massive sculptures of whales and sea lions.
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Ζωολογικό κήπο και ενυδρείο Henry Doorly της Ομάχα
3701 S 10th StSurprise, surprise. If you haven’t been (or you haven’t been in even a year), go! It’s constantly new and evolving.
These days if you’ve got little ones there are two new attractions just inside the new North Entrance that you can spend all day at and barely see an animal: (1) the new adventure trails playground is a massive multileveled interactive playground the size of a superstore, and (2) a giant, mostly enclosed splash pad where families can change into swim suits and spend the day cooling off with massive sculptures of whales and sea lions.
Look, even if you think the idea of walking over the Missouri River and stepping over the Iowa border sounds boring, go anyway. It’s really cool.
Also if you have kids, there’s plenty of places to play, including a splash pad!
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Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
705 Riverfront DrLook, even if you think the idea of walking over the Missouri River and stepping over the Iowa border sounds boring, go anyway. It’s really cool.
Also if you have kids, there’s plenty of places to play, including a splash pad!
Ok, so this is a little bit further than my other recommendations, but this place is awesome for all ages without being too busy or overwhelming. Hiking trails (including one accessible walking trail on a footbridge through the forest) provide endless discovery. Multiple natural playgrounds. Views of the city from the forest, too!
Also—TreeRush—a ropes and zip line course!
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Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
1111 Bellevue Blvd NOk, so this is a little bit further than my other recommendations, but this place is awesome for all ages without being too busy or overwhelming. Hiking trails (including one accessible walking trail on a footbridge through the forest) provide endless discovery. Multiple natural playgrounds. Views of the city from the forest, too!
Also—TreeRush—a ropes and zip line course!
At first you’re like, “what a big candy store?” and then you start looking a little deeper and you start to notice little things like an arcade, a movie theatre, a diner, and suddenly you’re in an antique gift shop. It’s a trip. All ages love it!
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Hollywood Candy
1209 Jackson StAt first you’re like, “what a big candy store?” and then you start looking a little deeper and you start to notice little things like an arcade, a movie theatre, a diner, and suddenly you’re in an antique gift shop. It’s a trip. All ages love it!
It’s like Hollywood Candy, but without the lure of candy. It’s a thrift store/art show/collector fair/pop culture melting pot of nostalgia with a mix of artisans. One time I was haunted by a furby there. Remember furby?
Old Market Emporium
423 South 13th StreetIt’s like Hollywood Candy, but without the lure of candy. It’s a thrift store/art show/collector fair/pop culture melting pot of nostalgia with a mix of artisans. One time I was haunted by a furby there. Remember furby?
We waited three long years for this dream to come true. Just a 5 minute drive/Uber away, is Omaha’s newly renovated Gene Leahy Mall & Riverfront. The old park was fantastic but lacked amenities beyond trails and gondola rides and was not accessible. This new park has it all—an amphitheater, a mostly-enclosed playground with massive climbing arches, sculpture gardens, fire pits, “docks” overlooking the water, meeting spaces, hammocks, swings, a massive splash pad, the original iconic giant slides (plus some new slides to either side), dog parks, a gaming pavilion to play board games that are available to borrow, sandy beaches—this is the perfect place to grab takeout and enjoy a nice weather day. Check their website for events like free concerts and movies at the amphitheater, as well as outdoor fitness and wellness courses.
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Gene Leahy Mall
1001 Farnam StWe waited three long years for this dream to come true. Just a 5 minute drive/Uber away, is Omaha’s newly renovated Gene Leahy Mall & Riverfront. The old park was fantastic but lacked amenities beyond trails and gondola rides and was not accessible. This new park has it all—an amphitheater, a mostly-enclosed playground with massive climbing arches, sculpture gardens, fire pits, “docks” overlooking the water, meeting spaces, hammocks, swings, a massive splash pad, the original iconic giant slides (plus some new slides to either side), dog parks, a gaming pavilion to play board games that are available to borrow, sandy beaches—this is the perfect place to grab takeout and enjoy a nice weather day. Check their website for events like free concerts and movies at the amphitheater, as well as outdoor fitness and wellness courses.
Entertainment
I mean, not much to say other than this: Miniature Bowling. Be advised, it’s 21+ at all times.
Bob & Willie's Wonderbowl
3724 Farnam StreetI mean, not much to say other than this: Miniature Bowling. Be advised, it’s 21+ at all times.
Big Canvas is a new comedy theatre. On weekends there are usually multiple shows with walk-in availability for the bar crowd in Blackstone!
Big Canvas Theater
3624 Farnam StreetBig Canvas is a new comedy theatre. On weekends there are usually multiple shows with walk-in availability for the bar crowd in Blackstone!
This comedy theatre is a bit more established in downtown Omaha, and a tried and true local favorite.
The Backline Comedy Theatre
1618 Harney StThis comedy theatre is a bit more established in downtown Omaha, and a tried and true local favorite.
Are you a theatre snob like me? Then you have to visit one of the nation’s largest community theatres if there’s a show going on!
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Omaha Community Playhouse
6915 Cass StAre you a theatre snob like me? Then you have to visit one of the nation’s largest community theatres if there’s a show going on!
I remember the Bluebarn theatre in the basement of a building downtown. These days, it’s got a gorgeous new construction building near Little Bohemia. This is where you’ll see little-known new works of performance art and it’s totally worth a visit if your trip aligns with one of their shows.
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BLUEBARN Theatre
1106 S 10th StI remember the Bluebarn theatre in the basement of a building downtown. These days, it’s got a gorgeous new construction building near Little Bohemia. This is where you’ll see little-known new works of performance art and it’s totally worth a visit if your trip aligns with one of their shows.
This is a brand new attraction to Omaha, part of the new Riverfront redevelopment that brought us the new and improved Gene Leahy Mall last year.
The Luminarium is much like a children’s museum for all ages. Interactive art, thrilling exhibits, and gorgeous architecture.
Tickets are timed and reserved in advance! If you visit Omaha often, consider the membership options, as one membership is roughly the price of a handful of trips.
Kiewit Luminarium
This is a brand new attraction to Omaha, part of the new Riverfront redevelopment that brought us the new and improved Gene Leahy Mall last year.
The Luminarium is much like a children’s museum for all ages. Interactive art, thrilling exhibits, and gorgeous architecture.
Tickets are timed and reserved in advance! If you visit Omaha often, consider the membership options, as one membership is roughly the price of a handful of trips.