Nestled along the Missouri River, Omaha used to be the "Gateway to the West" and was a highlighted stop for those traveling to the coast. Along our cross country road trip from California to Maine, we planned for a pitstop in this quirky city.
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When to Visit Omaha
According to locals, the best time to visit Omaha is from July through October, the weather is perfect and you will have just missed the busiest time for tourism (in June). We visited towards the end of July and the temperature stayed around 78 degrees. If you stay into fall, the foliage around the city is spectacular and worth the drive through areas like The Hitchcock Nature Center or Mahoney State Park.
(This photo is not my own, found at The Reader).
Where to stay in Omaha
When looking for places to stay we wanted somewhere with character, charm and history, and we found just that at The Offutt Manor. This French Chateauesque-style Mansion was built in 1894 and cost only $15,000 to build, but today that is equivalent to $10 million dollars. The home was built by Casper and Anna Yost, and was gifted to their only daughter as a wedding gift. This estate boasts being one of the earliest high-style mansions in Omaha. Located in Omaha's Historic Gold Coast District, it is graced with features and fixtures that are original to the building of the mansion. We felt like we had stepped into a real life game of "Clue". Not only was this estate beautiful in it's architecture and design, but the history of the estate and the family members who lived in it are framed along the living room walls, which allows visitors to peek into the late 19th century and see what life looked like just over a hundred years ago.
Things To Do in Omaha
1. Joselyn Castle
Steps away from the Offutt Manor is The Joselyn Castle, which was built by the first millionaires in Iowa. The castle is an Omaha landmark and was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1972. The gardens are open to the public, free of charge and the castle can be toured on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays for a $10 admission fee. We explored the gardens and took photos outside of the castle, they turned out great! We definitely recommend walking through the gardens with your morning coffee, especially if you stay at The Offutt Manor.
2. Explore the Old Market District
Take the time to explore the Old Market District in Omaha, it's filled with restaurants, breweries, shops and cute little streets laced in character.
3. Visit the Zoo
Did you know that Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium was named the third “Best Zoo” in the country? We didn't until after we left. Now we have a reason to go back and visit this famous zoo and aquarium. Aquarium's are Hunter's favorite, and would be an excellent activity as a family with kiddos!
Best Brunch Spots in Omaha
1. Early Bird Brunch:
We grabbed brunch on our way out of town at the Early Bird Brunch and it was great! The atmosphere was fun, hip, and captured the whole vibe of the Old Market District. We recommend getting the cinnamon bun pancakes, they were more like cinnamon rolls than pancakes which I loved!!
Here are a few other cute brunch cafes we considered going to so you have some options! We will try these out next time we stop in Omaha!
2. Lola's Cafe:
This cafe has the perfect brunch aesthetic!
3. Le Peep:
The food looks fantastic and it is highly rated.
Whether you're planning a whole trip around visiting Omaha or just passing through, know that you're going to be greeted with charm, character and an experience that only this unique city can offer.
Travel Soon!
Love Mr & Mrs Jones