Going to College World Series in Omaha? Here's how to enjoy city while cheering for Arizona Wildcats
- Updated
Here are 10 ways to enjoy Omaha while also rooting for your Cats.
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
I am a Tucsonan, born and raised.
Rodeo break. Loved it. University of Arizona degree. Got it. Eegee’s. Explained it.
But about two years ago, I heard some terrifying words from my then fiancé (now husband) Lance: “We’re moving to Omaha, Nebraska.” Thanks, U.S. Air Force.
I had a lot of questions.
Tornados? Snow? Dry heat? Maybe. Yes. Never.
Will I be living in a cornfield? No. It turns out I would just live down the street from a cornfield.
Is there anything to do in Omaha? Yes. That Peyton Manning, he was on to something.
Tucson will always be my home, but Omaha is my playground. You’ll see what I mean when you come here for the College World Series, especially if you do it my way.
Here’s how you can enjoy the city while you’re rooting for the Cats:
Photo: Virginia plays Vanderbilt in the top of the first inning of Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series Championship on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb. Photo by Sarah Hoffman/The World-Herald
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Move over, Reid Park Zoo. Omaha’s zoo is ranked No. 1 in the world by TripAdvisor for good reason. It has more than you can enjoy in a day. I mean, it has its own IMAX Theater. And just last month, the $73 million African Grasslands area opened to the public, complete with lions, cheetahs and elephants—oh my. (Yes, you can feed the giraffes too.)
Photo: Lion cubs scamper as they are watched by their father Mr. Big, at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Neb., Friday, March 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
While Tucsonans dedicate their entire lives to finding and defending their choice for the town’s best taco (Taqueria Pico de Gallo, since you asked), Omahans are serious about their Reuben sandwiches. The local lore is that the Reuben was invented right here in Omaha, not New York, by grocer Reuben Kulakofsky. It then rose to fame on the Blackstone Hotel lunch menu. The hotel is no longer, so instead enjoy my personal favorite at Crescent Moon.
Photo: Crescent Moon owner Bill Baburek brings a photo-worthy Reuben from the kitchen to the photo shoot. Frank's Kraut visited the Crescent Moon to take a photo for the label of their cans when Mayor Jim Suttle proclaimed March 14, 2013, as Reuben Sandwich Day in Omaha. Photo by Matt Miller/The World-Herald
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In some places, it may be frowned-upon to push children out of the way and take over the playground equipment, but not in Omaha (except the pushing part). At Gene Leahy Mall, a greenspace in the heart of downtown, there are giant slides for anyone of any age to enjoy. Pro tip: Bring some cardboard or wax paper.
Photo: Gene Leahy Mall. Photo courtesy of Omaha Parks & Rec Twitter account (@OmahaParks)
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Just a short walk south of the ballpark, LOCAL offers an always-changing 60 Nebraska brews on tap, and even a few from that ol’ pesky Iowa. Gone are my days of Keystone in red cups on the stadium lawn; here are my days of sipping a Lucky Bucket selection on the patio.
Photo: Local beers are shown on tap at LOCAL Beer, Patio and Kitchen, in Omaha, Neb., on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015. Photo by Megan Farmer/The World-Herald
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
You can find the Nebraska-Iowa state line on “The Bob,” a 3,000-foot long walkway that stretches across the Missouri River. Your photo of one foot in each state is sure to be a hit on Facebook.
Photo: The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge is seen here on Monday, June 9, 2014. The city refuses to turn off some lights on the Bob Kerrey bridge at night — the ornamental ones — despite a request from Federal Fish & Wildlife Services. Photo by Ryan Soderlin/The World-Herald
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
If you came to Omaha without eating a steak, or at least a burger, did you really come to Omaha? I’m a huge fan of swanky 801 Chophouse (1403 Farnam St.). But for burgers, it has to be Stella’s Bar & Grill (106 Galvin Road S. in Bellevue)—where sloppy goodness is served on a napkin — or farm-to-table Block 16 (1611 Farnam St.).
Photo: Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Built back in 1931 by Union Pacific, the art deco Union Station is now a museum dedicated to the history of the United States' western region. Inside, there are actual restored trains that you can explore. Plus, they have an old fashioned soda fountain.
Photo: Durham Museum. Photo courtesy of Lincoln Journal Star
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Paul McCartney and Warren Buffett may frequent eCreamery (5001 Underwood Ave), which rolls out team-themed ice cream creations for the College World Series, but I am loyal to Ted & Wally’s in the Old Market. It offers old classics, like my favorite Dutch chocolate with Reese’s peanut butter cups mixed in, and the unusual, like feta. (Let me know how it is.) They even have vegan ice cream.
Photo: Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
No, really. You can surf in Omaha. This year, the College World Series overlaps with the U.S. Olympic Trials in Swimming because Omaha is that amazing. Head to USA Swimming’s Aqua Zone, a 100,000-square-foot space in the CenturyLink Center , for a surf lesson. If you’d rather stay dry, there are plenty of other activities in the Zone starting June 24.
Photo: Construction crews work on one of two temporary pools being built by Myrtha Pools at the CenturyLink Center on Tuesday, May 31, 2016, in Omaha, Neb., for the 2016 Olympic Swim Trials which take place here on June 26. Temporary pools were also built at the CenturyLink Center for the 2008 and 2012 trials. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
My husband will fight me on this, but Runza is a Nebraska thing. Their signature is a Runza sandwich—ground beef, onions and cabbage stuffed into fresh bread. Like eegee’s, you just have to try it.
Welcome to Omaha.
Photo: Runza sandwich. Photo courtesy of Runza Twitter account (@Runza)
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
I am a Tucsonan, born and raised.
Rodeo break. Loved it. University of Arizona degree. Got it. Eegee’s. Explained it.
But about two years ago, I heard some terrifying words from my then fiancé (now husband) Lance: “We’re moving to Omaha, Nebraska.” Thanks, U.S. Air Force.
I had a lot of questions.
Tornados? Snow? Dry heat? Maybe. Yes. Never.
Will I be living in a cornfield? No. It turns out I would just live down the street from a cornfield.
Is there anything to do in Omaha? Yes. That Peyton Manning, he was on to something.
Tucson will always be my home, but Omaha is my playground. You’ll see what I mean when you come here for the College World Series, especially if you do it my way.
Here’s how you can enjoy the city while you’re rooting for the Cats:
Photo: Virginia plays Vanderbilt in the top of the first inning of Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series Championship on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb. Photo by Sarah Hoffman/The World-Herald
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Move over, Reid Park Zoo. Omaha’s zoo is ranked No. 1 in the world by TripAdvisor for good reason. It has more than you can enjoy in a day. I mean, it has its own IMAX Theater. And just last month, the $73 million African Grasslands area opened to the public, complete with lions, cheetahs and elephants—oh my. (Yes, you can feed the giraffes too.)
Photo: Lion cubs scamper as they are watched by their father Mr. Big, at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Neb., Friday, March 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
While Tucsonans dedicate their entire lives to finding and defending their choice for the town’s best taco (Taqueria Pico de Gallo, since you asked), Omahans are serious about their Reuben sandwiches. The local lore is that the Reuben was invented right here in Omaha, not New York, by grocer Reuben Kulakofsky. It then rose to fame on the Blackstone Hotel lunch menu. The hotel is no longer, so instead enjoy my personal favorite at Crescent Moon.
Photo: Crescent Moon owner Bill Baburek brings a photo-worthy Reuben from the kitchen to the photo shoot. Frank's Kraut visited the Crescent Moon to take a photo for the label of their cans when Mayor Jim Suttle proclaimed March 14, 2013, as Reuben Sandwich Day in Omaha. Photo by Matt Miller/The World-Herald
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
In some places, it may be frowned-upon to push children out of the way and take over the playground equipment, but not in Omaha (except the pushing part). At Gene Leahy Mall, a greenspace in the heart of downtown, there are giant slides for anyone of any age to enjoy. Pro tip: Bring some cardboard or wax paper.
Photo: Gene Leahy Mall. Photo courtesy of Omaha Parks & Rec Twitter account (@OmahaParks)
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Just a short walk south of the ballpark, LOCAL offers an always-changing 60 Nebraska brews on tap, and even a few from that ol’ pesky Iowa. Gone are my days of Keystone in red cups on the stadium lawn; here are my days of sipping a Lucky Bucket selection on the patio.
Photo: Local beers are shown on tap at LOCAL Beer, Patio and Kitchen, in Omaha, Neb., on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015. Photo by Megan Farmer/The World-Herald
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
You can find the Nebraska-Iowa state line on “The Bob,” a 3,000-foot long walkway that stretches across the Missouri River. Your photo of one foot in each state is sure to be a hit on Facebook.
Photo: The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge is seen here on Monday, June 9, 2014. The city refuses to turn off some lights on the Bob Kerrey bridge at night — the ornamental ones — despite a request from Federal Fish & Wildlife Services. Photo by Ryan Soderlin/The World-Herald
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
If you came to Omaha without eating a steak, or at least a burger, did you really come to Omaha? I’m a huge fan of swanky 801 Chophouse (1403 Farnam St.). But for burgers, it has to be Stella’s Bar & Grill (106 Galvin Road S. in Bellevue)—where sloppy goodness is served on a napkin — or farm-to-table Block 16 (1611 Farnam St.).
Photo: Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Built back in 1931 by Union Pacific, the art deco Union Station is now a museum dedicated to the history of the United States' western region. Inside, there are actual restored trains that you can explore. Plus, they have an old fashioned soda fountain.
Photo: Durham Museum. Photo courtesy of Lincoln Journal Star
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Paul McCartney and Warren Buffett may frequent eCreamery (5001 Underwood Ave), which rolls out team-themed ice cream creations for the College World Series, but I am loyal to Ted & Wally’s in the Old Market. It offers old classics, like my favorite Dutch chocolate with Reese’s peanut butter cups mixed in, and the unusual, like feta. (Let me know how it is.) They even have vegan ice cream.
Photo: Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
No, really. You can surf in Omaha. This year, the College World Series overlaps with the U.S. Olympic Trials in Swimming because Omaha is that amazing. Head to USA Swimming’s Aqua Zone, a 100,000-square-foot space in the CenturyLink Center , for a surf lesson. If you’d rather stay dry, there are plenty of other activities in the Zone starting June 24.
Photo: Construction crews work on one of two temporary pools being built by Myrtha Pools at the CenturyLink Center on Tuesday, May 31, 2016, in Omaha, Neb., for the 2016 Olympic Swim Trials which take place here on June 26. Temporary pools were also built at the CenturyLink Center for the 2008 and 2012 trials. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
- By Jamie Blanchard-Schneider Special to the Arizona Daily Star
My husband will fight me on this, but Runza is a Nebraska thing. Their signature is a Runza sandwich—ground beef, onions and cabbage stuffed into fresh bread. Like eegee’s, you just have to try it.
Welcome to Omaha.
Photo: Runza sandwich. Photo courtesy of Runza Twitter account (@Runza)
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