Daytrip Charm in the Historic Old Market

Breakfast

The Old Market and downtown district is never short on places to eat. If a savory breakfast like chicken and waffles is your ideal breakfast, try The Brunch Box in the Capitol District. If a classic breakfast of pancakes, fruit, eggs and bacon is ideal, then check out Lula B’s for classic breakfast foods. When you’re in the mood for specialty waffles, The Table Coffee Co. is a great place to find gourmet waffles. For coffee and a light treat in the morning, visit Café Postale, located in the historic Rail & Commerce Building.

Morning

After you’ve had a wonderful breakfast, head down to Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront, a great place for a family outing, date or a walk by yourself. Kids and adults can enjoy themselves while zipping down the slides, relaxing on the swings or crossing the water on the floating stepping stones. If the weather is not as suitable for outside activities, then wander over to The Durham Museum. Housed in the historic Union Station, The Durham Museum shows a wonderful example of the region’s history and is home to traveling exhibits about history, art, culture and science. 

Lunch

Once lunchtime rolls around, many amazing lunch locations will come to life and will be calling your name. For an early afternoon locally crafted drink, go to Upstream Brewing Company. With beers crafted in-house and viewing windows to see the action, you can rest assured that your beer was crafted locally. While you’re there, enjoy the classic pub fare that pairs perfectly with the brewery environment. For a more ethnic experience, visit Heart of Asia Cuisines, a small Asian diner with a warm environment and the sweetest staff. Test a wide variety of Asian cuisines and never be disappointed by the amount of flavor you experience.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, try out an escape room at the House of Conundrum. A great family activity or with a group of friends, House of Conundrum is a great afternoon activity to test your wit. There is a large variety of rooms that have unique story lines full of clues to get you out and maybe set a new room record. When you’re done at House of Conundrum, take a trip to Hollywood Candy on Jackson Street. Take time to look at the old pinball arcade, fill a bag with Jelly Belly jellybeans from the largest selection in Nebraska and stroll through the never-ending maze of Hollywood movie memorabilia.

Dinner

The Old Market excels in dinner locations. A Nebraska family favorite for Italian food is Spaghetti Works. For bottomless pasta and classic Italian dishes Spaghetti Works is always a filling meal. For a more formal experience, visit Dynamite Woodfire Grill. Specializing in smoked dishes and cooking over open flame, it is sure to be a unique experience. For a more casual home-style meal, visit the Twisted Fork Grill and Bar. With contemporary twists on classic American dishes, Twisted Fork has meals that remind you of home.

Evening

After you have had a lovely dinner, head to Ted and Wally’s for a delicious ice cream dessert. Enjoy ice cream that was made the old-fashioned way in antique White Mountain freezers using the old-fashioned rock salt and ice technique. After ice cream, catch a show at the Orpheum Theater or The Rose Theater if you have kids. With popular plays and musicals circulating out of both, neither of them will ever be the same as the last time you visited.

Places to Stay

If you need a place to stay the night, there are plenty of options in the downtown area. The Magnolia Hotel Omaha offers timeless elegance with a warm, home-like feeling. With a restaurant located within the hotel and luxury room accommodations, you may never want to leave. Another gorgeous option is The Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel. A boutique hotel with charm from the Second Renaissance Revival, it is worth visiting even if you aren’t staying the night