Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska and in 2009 had an estimated population of 450,000. It is set on the Missouri River and is just 20 miles north of the Platt River. The unemployment and cost of living are low, making it one of the “Best Bang for Your Buck” cities as declared by Forbes Magazine. Omaha is a real frontier town, eventually bought from the Native Americans. It started out as a fur-trading center. As a pioneer city, it has had many ups and downs, withstanding early civil rights clashes, a leveling tornado, and the Great Depression. It still managed to be a center for the meatpacking industry and to produce the likes of one of the world's richest men in Warren Buffet. Sports and recreation form the basis for the residents' free time and the local parks, rivers, and lakes are always dotted with bikers, rafters, bird enthusiasts, and fisherman from all over the region. Omaha is seated and rooted in the Midwest, but of late has aspirations of greatness which can be seen in the trendy building conversions and thriving and expanding music and art cultures. As it grows and modernizes, preservation is still a big priority and in the last ten years many more spots have been marked as historically registered than in all of the years prior. The Henry Dooly Zoo is groundbreaking in both its breeding skills and the size of its exhibits, like the rainforest and nocturnal exhibits, which are the biggest of their kind in the world. The aquarium is one of the largest to be held within a zoo with its over 1 million gallons of water and a completely submerged tunnel that puts the visitors eye to eye with large marine predators. Omaha is a city rich in history and important to industry, but with an active and social atmosphere and affordable living for its eclectic residents.
The Omaha Indians were the Native Americans occupying the land that is now Omaha when it was sold to the Americans during the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. They actually began as three different tribes: the Pawnee, Otoe, and Sioux. The Omaha Indians were described as sharing interests with the Pawnee, but some think it was just an offshoot or a combination of the several different groups. They were called “Omaha” which means “against the current” because they were traveling North against the current of the Mississippi.
In 1804, the territory was still uncharted and only partially inhabited. Lewis and Clark passed through on their travels and noted that the area around Omaha would make a good trading post. From then until the middle of the century, the fur trade kept Omaha on the map and kept travelers stopping through. In 1854 the Kansas-Nebraska Act put up for sale the land across the river from Council Bluffs, Iowa. What is now Omaha was open to developers and the land around what is now Capitol Avenue was plotted and sold to a businessman named Jesse Lowe. He used the name of the local Native Americans, Omaha, and held a picnic to open the new territory's opening for inhabitance. Omaha was incorporated in February, 1957.
Land speculation was popular for the years after incorporation, but trading was still the main source of commerce. As the country spread west, Omaha became more of a destination than someplace to pass through. It was an important stopping point for migrating settlers and prospectors who came by land or by the river. By the late 1860s progress was made putting both the Union Pacific and Transcontinental Railroads in place in Omaha. In the 1880s the Union Stockyards were constructed. They later served as the home of four of the five meatpacking plants in the country. In the early 1900s, all of the sudden growth and industry in Omaha led to unrest between races, classes, labor groups, and competing businesses. There were fires started by angry mobs, lynchings, riots, strikes, and even the start of one of the earliest civil rights movements in the country, and consequently the NAACP. Troops were called in from the area to keep peace. The arts thrived in the tumult and through the Depression. After times got better, the Offutt Air Force Base was opened. It ended up housing the factory that produced planes for WWII including the Enola Gay and Bockscar that dropped the bombs on Japan. The insurance boom in Omaha in the 1950-70s funded the first skyscrapers in the city and although it never competed with Hartford and New York, it did help alleviate the joblessness in the area and is still a large employer locally.
Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska and occupies approximately 118 square miles. Three of those miles are underwater. Omaha is your typical Midwest city, based long ago in scavenging and normal frontier behavior; but it grew and expanded with leaps and bounds to forge forward and progress with the times even though resources were limited. The old stockyard is now the Livestock Exchange and is a nationally registered historic locale. The old fruit warehouses are now an upscale, but varied shopping area adjacent to the Old Market, the preserved, restored and protected historically relevant part of original Omaha. Many of the big old factory and warehouse buildings are now condominiums for the up and coming 30-somethings. The North and South ends were and still are havens for immigrants and as they move in and co-mingle with the Midwesterners, the Omaha population gains diversity it never had before.
As a result, Forbes has called Omaha the “Best Bang for the Buck City” and one of “America's Fastest Recovering Cities.” Tourism has since increased while housing and cost of living stayed fairly low.
In the late 1800s most jobs in the region were in meatpacking, processing, and railroad building and staffing. Times have changed and most of the original jobs have been phased out and moved into offices. Most of the meatpacking buildings are now condos for the new white collar Omaha employees. As of August 2010 unemployment was below the national average at 5.3%.
Although meatpacking and railroading jobs have disappeared or downsized significantly, the area is still home to food processing, like giants ConAgra Foods and Union-Pacific Corporation. Other large suppliers are Mutual of Omaha, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kiewit and Sons, Inc. and Berkshire Hathaway, which is headed by local Warren Buffet, one of the richest people in the world. Locally, there is also First National Bank of Omaha which is the largest private bank in the country. The jobs in Omaha have moved from the railroads and meatpacking plants to the high rise office buildings cropping up since the mid-1990s. Retail is also flourishing and the high turnaround makes it is a great place for to look for part-time work or entry level sales. Tourism is also a fairly stable industry with the growing amount of visitors coming to see both the historical aspects of the city and also attractions like the College World Series and the progress and science being done and exhibited at the Henry Doorly Zoo.
Dining in the former meatpacking capital of the world means lots of steakhouses. There are all of the major chains and then Omaha's own hometown meat masters. There are also restaurants specializing in all kinds of worldly cuisines, but the steak is what everyone will recommend and remember. V Mertz is a popular favorite for locals and tourists and serves a hearty menu whether you get the steak or not.
Testament to the growing diversity is that one of the most popular restaurants among residents and visitors alike is Tanduri Fusion, where guests rave about the Indian food. The service puts it over the top as the management will make the food, which is tough to alter, safe for any allergies or meatless preferences. For the picky eater, all of the shopping centers and malls have familiar restaurant chains and the simple eating everyone is used to.
The Holland Performing Arts Center opened in 2005. For the first time, Omaha has a serious performing arts culture and group of fans. At the acoustically innovative Holland Performing Arts center you can see local and national performances of jazz, classical, popular, and Broadway selections. Upcoming right now, for example, are Michael Bolton, the Boston Brass performing Imani Winds, and a showing of West Side Story.
The Omaha Community Playhouse is the largest community theater in the country. It is well known for featuring high quality original theater as well as offbeat classics. The Durham Western Heritage Museum opened in 1921 in Union Station. Its exhibits teach the visitor about the varied and exciting history of the area. Its location in the large old train station make its architect as attractive as some of the art, and the size and high ceilings have allowed the museum to showcase fully restored and re-imagined original trains with riders who even talk to make the presentation more interactive.
Old Market is a must see. It's the preserved and restored center of town from Omaha's founding days. Tourists can walk through the town like through a time warp and experience the lifestyle of the original settlers and the pioneers that put Omaha on the map.
The Henry Doorly Zoo is a very popular local attraction. It is a world-renowned zoo respected for its endangered species breeding and the resultant baby animal exhibits. It is also home to the world's largest indoor rainforest where visitors can walk on rope pathways through the natural forest full of indigenous birds and butterflies. Then they can head to the world's largest nocturnal exhibit or go underground and be surrounded on all sides by the one million gallon aquarium. One of the curious but popular attractions in Omaha is the Amazing Pizza Machine (AMP). Located on South Plaza, the AMP is a 60,000-square foot entertainment venue with over 140 games and nine rides. There are other stationary attractions and a large buffet with pizza, salad, pasta, and desserts. Big screen TVs show sporting events when relevant or movies and cartoons. It's been called “Best Family Entertainment in Omaha” and “Top Family Entertainment Center of the World.”
The nightlife is the sort you would respect in an old town that is in the process of entering the 21st century and trying to jump into mainstream. There are Irish bars, like 2 Fine Irishmen. There are plenty of micro brewpubs. Upstream Brewing Company is one of the favorites. It's conveniently located downtown and has homemade beer and a great restaurant menu to go with the brews. The bartenders and waitresses are very knowledgeable and can help customers pick the perfect combination of food and drink. It has a number of pool tables and a great outside courtyard and deck for lunching during nice weather or having a cold beer and watching the street activity.
Dance clubs, jazz and cigar venues, and larger arenas for rock or national tours abound. There are Indie bars, alternative music, and trendy wine and martini bars. You can watch the game at a sports bar like the Salty Dog. Visitors can grab a drink and listen to live music along the waterfront or see an old standby at Stir Cove (Huey Lewis and the News are among coming acts).
As in most Midwest cities, the shopping is vast and varied. There are outdoor and indoor malls and old time shopping centers intermingled with funky boutiques and antique and vintage rows. For jewelry, there's only one place to go, thanks to Warren Buffet. He owns Borsheim's, the country's largest independently owned jewelry store. Buffet also owns the Nebraska Furniture Mart which is like a huge mall full of great deals on new, quality furniture of all shapes and styles. They offer many options for shipping, since chances are your mode of going home won't fit a new bed, sofa or dining room set.
One place to find it all is Westroads Mall. It's close to downtown Omaha, right off of two major highways, Routes 680 and 6. It has all the retail stores anyone would need. Westroads has the Gap, Forever 21, Dick's Sporting Goods for people heading out into one of the parks, or JC Penney's for everything else. There are also large chain restaurants to please anyone with the expected familiar cuisine (especially picky children). TGIFriday's, PF Chang and Cheesecake Factory all have locations at Westroads.
Heartland America Park is a 31-acre park that runs through the center of the city along the river. It has optimal fishing, hiking, rafting, and biking trails. It's a great way to burn off some steam and get a great workout while enjoying the fresh Nebraska air.
Another outdoor venue for the biker or water minded is the network of trails along the Missouri River on both sides. The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge creates a connection to over one hundred miles of trails and the Keystone Trail is a slower winding 27-mile trail. Boaters and fishermen might also like the three lakes in the metro area. Sports minded fitness stays at the forefront in light of the College World Series, Omaha Royals AAA Baseball, and the PGA and ProRodeo all stopping for a spell in Omaha. There are plenty of spas for visitors interested in treatments like dermabrasion or rejuvenation. They are also great places to crash and have a massage or wrap the day after trying out all of the outdoor recreation.
Omaha has always been a center of commerce and a stopping point for people traveling across the country. Being a center of several industries and travelers by train and trucks, there are plenty of hotels. All national hotels are represented in Omaha; short- and long-term business accommodations are available. The Magnolia Hotel in downtown Omaha is a favorite among visitors because it offers a little step away from the Hiltons and Days Inns and is located in a convenient spot. It's near the Old Market and offers shuttles to other attractions. In keeping with its name, the Magnolia is alive with unexpected foliage and stays green in its eco-friendly ways as well. They also offer great, congenial service, and breakfast buffets and happy hour for guests.
There are also more intimate bed and breakfasts for visitors who want to experience a more local touch. The Cornerstone Mansion Inn is a B&B in Mid-town with old school amenities like claw-footed tubs, individual fireplaces and views of Joslyn Castle with their room service and Wi-Fi is also available.
There are seven districts in the public school system of Omaha, Nebraska. Within the seven districts there are 11 private high schools, and 18 Catholic schools. The Omaha School District is the largest school district in Omaha The district has 69 elementary schools, 17 middle schools, and 13 high schools. There are over 46,000 students who attend school in this district alone. Brownell-Talbot School is the oldest school in Nebraska and is the only private K-12 school. The Catholic schools in the Omaha District include Mercy High School, and Roncalli Catholic High School. There are a diverse number of institutions for parents to choose from. When you look at the span of schools just in the Omaha district you get an idea of what the whole city has to offer. When you check the other 6 districts you find schools just as diverse and just as willing to teach.
There are over a dozen colleges in Omaha, Nebraska. Omaha has the most colleges in Nebraska, compared to other cities. Between all of them they have over 30,000 students. This is a large student body. In researching the area it seems that over half of the students who attend elementary The largest schools are the Metropolitan Community College, University of Nebraska, Creighton University, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Metropolitan Community College is known for its programs in both photography and commercial business and management. The University of Phoenix is also in Omaha. Founded in 1976 it has helped thousands of students with its many distance learning and part time learning programs. Nebraska Christian College is another interesting college in Omaha. It is a private college that focuses on teaching its students what they need to go into the ministry.
There are many ways to get around in Omaha, Nebraska. You can travel by car, bike, on foot, by bus, or train. There are also ferries, stage coaches, and transit systems. The city has 11 highways and most of those interconnect with Interstate 80. There is an extensive camera system set up by the Nebraska Department of Roads that monitors traffic to see what improvements can be made to make traveling better. The camera system has been responsible for less congestion on the major highways.
There are Marinas available for public use. The area has lots to offer in the way of water activities. There are paddle boats, recreational boats, water skiing, fishing, and sailing in the area. There are lots of places available to rent boats and fishing equipment so that you do not have to travel with it. There are 3 new transit centers in Omaha that were installed by the MAT. They are helpful in taking commuters and tourists alike to short distance destinations. The Metro Bus has both fixed routes and routes that have tourist's stops for shopping and sightseeing. The Metro also offers a Nighthawks Express so that you can get a ride to the game, and not worry about parking.
The A & B Shuttle of Omaha is another public transportation service that is available. They have low rates, and door to door service. Their reviews are good in categories of cleanliness and customer service. They also have special needs equipment so everyone will be able to use this service. As in every other town, you can take a taxi, bus, or the local light rail. There are plenty of choices of transportation available so you can see Omaha in all its glory.
Omaha has many offices and departments helping you in so many ways, from the Mayor's office, to the city council and local government. Whether you need to find the local courtroom, pay your taxes or need information about your building codes, the people elected by you to serve Omaha provide a great range of services. Did you know that the city has departments for gun permits, County liquor licensing, animal adoption, information technology and Sustainability; as well as the more recognizable fire, police and the court services? The City uses all types of media to keep you informed, and keeps you up-to-date using newspapers, radio stations and the PBS TV station, Channel 12. The local government in Omaha aims to offer a wide variety of cultural, business, educational and recreational opportunities. Omaha also aims to be a diverse, friendly place to live in that encourages everyone to live life to the fullest. Omaha is also aiming to become much more involved in tourism and the Mayor's office can give you information on projects such as the Omaha Adventure Partnership.
The Omaha council offices, including the Mayor's office, are located at City Hall, Omaha-Douglas Civic Center - 1819 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68183. Do you need an outlet for your community spirit? If so, the Omaha Library is looking for help in planning its future. You can be a part of this incentive or one of many others being undertaken in Omaha. Contact the City council and request that a local government officer comes to your neighborhood to explain the City's official plans. You can contact City Hall if you need information on garbage pick-ups, snow removal, accident reports and transport queries, the availability of attractions such as the Qwest Center, and even the status of public projects such as Keep Omaha Beautiful. To find all of the information available regarding the local government offices, you should visit the official website at www.cityofomaha.org.
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