trip planning help, please?

[kcmom]

Hi,

This will be our third year to come up to Omaha for a long weekend vacation (this Thursday thru Sunday). Last year we went to the zoo, the children's museum (the dinosaurs were there?), and the Great Pizza Machine plus some mall that had a dino exhibit & arcade in the basement. The year before, we went to the Old Market area, the zoo, and the Strategic Air/Space Museum plus a free nature place Ben/Sar something, and our memorable dining experience was a great Italian buffett place that neither of us could remember the name of last year. Our family consists of 2 boys, ages 6 and 2 1/2. I was reading with interest about the Lincoln zoo & children's museum...how far is Lincoln from Omaha? Is it conceivable to spend a day there visiting those two places? My original plan was to visit the Omaha children's museum again (thought the 2 yr old would like the Bob the Builder exhibit?) and Omaha zoo (penguins!) and a park (near downtown that is on the river with fountains? We've never been). We usually stay at the Holiday Inn Central.
We love your city & always have fun there but thought this would be a great place to get some help on fun things to do (especially with the kids!) that might not be splashed all over the tourist sites? And maybe some insider dining tips?

TIA

Jean in KC

[Moderator]

Hi Jean,

I believe the Italian buffet you're referring to is Valentino's. Here's a link to their Omaha/Lincoln locations. You can also click on "coupons", there's one for a free large pop when you purchase a buffet (print one off for each person):

http://valentinos.com/valsoflo/index.html

If you're looking for upcoming events this weekend, a great place to start is the MomsOfOmaha.com Events Calendar:

http://www.momsofomaha.com/forums/calendar.php?s=&c=1&week=&month=8&year=2007

You also might want to check out the MomsOfOmaha.com Family Activities listings:

http://momsofomaha.com/family/family1stpage.htm

Lincoln is only about an hour away from Omaha, so it's a nice drive. Combining visits to the Lincoln Zoo and the Childrens Museum would make a great family outing.

Also, the park near Downtown with the fountains is the Heartland of America Park. It's near the ConAgra campus, and it's nice to visit in the evening when they light the fountain up. I'd recommend having dinner at a restaurant in the Old Market, then taking a walk down to the park to see the fountain. Here's the Old Market website, and they have a listing of their restaurants:

http://www.oldmarket.com/

Hope you guys have a great time in the big O!

velveetah

[momof2boys]

Hi Jean,

Velveetaha had some great information. I just want to add, if you are planning on spending a day in Lincoln you will be very pleased with the Children's Museum. http://www.lincolnchildrensmuseum.org/LCM.php
In fact, many Omaha moms will drive to Lincoln just to go to the children's museum there.

[Rhonda Dunaway]

Hi, kcmom.

You could definitely make a day of visiting the Lincoln's Children Zoo and the Lincoln Children's Museum. It's supposed to be very hot the rest of the week, so you might want to see the zoo in the morning when it's slightly cooler, and then do the museum in the afternoon.

Also, as if the zoo and museum weren't already enough, there are two other attractions in Lincoln that are also worth a mention: Morrill Hall and Antelope Park and Sunken Gardens. Both places have received a 5-star rating from the kids I know, including my 5-year-old son. The links are below if you'd like more information.

I hope you enjoy your trip!

Rhonda Dunaway


http://momsofomaha.com/family/indoors/museums1.htm

https://www.lincoln.org/visiting/attractions/parks/antelope.htm