For those of you staying at the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel, you'll already be nestled right in on the action here! Blackstone District is one of our favorite areas of Omaha to explore - from ordering the totchos at Nite Owl, sipping on coffee at Archetype, getting some ice cream from Coneflower Creamery, to scream-singing in a private room at Reno's Karaoke. Fun Fact: Kyle and I split an order of the totchos with friends at Nite Owl before we ended the night with our first kiss in the early hours on April 13th, 2018.
The Old Market is Omaha's most historic neighborhood, and is where our wedding ceremony and reception is located in. The cobblestone streets are home to a diverse mix of shopping, galleries, restaurants, taverns and ample amounts of people-watching. The couple recommends; M's Pub, Jams Old Market, Ted & Wallys Ice Cream, Brickway Brewing, Laka Lono Rum Club, and Hollywood Candy. Do yourself a favor and also check out the Old Market Passageway! Fun Fact: Kyle and I's first ever date night was located at the Jams in Old Market back in June 2018 right before he moved to Memphis, TN and we did a year long distance!
I know what you might be thinking...recommending a zoo...on your wedding weekend? But hear us out; the Omaha Zoo has been ranked top five in the world and is currently ranked number one. If you are looking for something to do between wedding festivities, we are certain you won't be disappointed in this option.
Discover the charm of the Omaha Riverfront, where the Missouri River meets the vibrant energy of this city. Stroll along the scenic riverwalk, take in breathtaking views of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, and immerse yourself in the beauty of Heartland of America Park.
The Lauritzen Gardens are a must-see in Omaha and consists of several botanical gardens and a four acre arboretum. This spot is located just a few miles from where you'll be staying and is a lovely place to get some fresh air and reset between the hours of 9am-5pm.
If you are looking to lean into the autumn aesthetic during the arguable best time to be in Omaha (we may be biased, but we aren't wrong), then Vala's Pumpkin Patch should be at the top of your list. Please note that this is about a 25 minute drive from where you'll be staying, but hear us out! The Patch is only open from September through October and is one of the bride's most favorite spots in Omaha during this timeframe. If you make your way out here during your free time, the couple highly recommends the turkey legs (!!!), a cookie bucket from the Cookie Coop, hard cider and apple donuts from the Cider Mill, and the giant bags of kettle corn that you literally cannot miss.
If you take anything from this list seriously, let it be Block 16. Ask anyone that has been to Omaha for a food recommendation and we're certain this is the top of their list. Do yourself a favor and get the crab rangoon fries.
We dream about this old school breakfast diner often, as you truly can't go wrong with anything on the menu. It's a bit further than the other suggestions, but you'll thank us if you make it.
Wicked Rabbit is a hidden gem speakeasy, located in the Downtown district near the Old Market.
Two words: The Sparky
A true midwest staple! Your time in Omaha is not complete without indulging in a Runza sandwich (with lots and lots of ranch). If you aren't able to stop by before/after the wedding, you might be in luck... we hear the late night bites are going to be a crowd pleaser ;)