You know the old Cyndi Lauper song “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” ? Well, Omaha is a great place for the girls to get together, laugh, eat, shop, make some new memories and have fun! On a summer trip, two of my new North Iowa blogger friends, Sara and Joy, and I headed to Omaha on a little blogging outing sponsored by Visit Omaha. What a hoot it turned out to be! We bonded around some great food, wonderful adventures and some interesting unintended side trips.
There were a lots of laughs and memories I will take with me forever.
Omaha turned out to be the perfect place to spend fun times with my new friends. It was easy to get around, and had all of the items from my Top 5 list for when planning a girl trip. I’m already planning a trip with my oldest girl friends — Look out Omaha — the girls just want to have fun!
TOP 5 Reasons For An Omaha Girl Trip
1. The Shopping…
I love to shop – but kind of hate malls, they are pretty much all the same. I want to meander in and out of cute shops with my girl friends, looking at one of a kind items — and maybe even a little giggling when we try on funny hats — eh, Sara? I want to taste and feel the local color. Omaha’s Old Market District delivers lots of local color. From antiques, hand made jewelry and art studios, candy and tea shops, to fun and funky clothing stores, there is something for everyone in Omaha.
For more information check out: Visit Omaha Shopping
2. The Food…
All I can say is yum, yum, yum! Omaha surprised me by the cornucopia of food choices. We all think of “Steak” when we think of Omaha – and they do have fabulous steaks. But Omaha has so much more to offer for the food lover.
We were very lucky to have Omaha Culinary Tours highlight several of Omaha’s treasures for our little group on our second day.
Our walking tour of the Orpheum Theater District delivered delight after delight. On our warm summer morning we started out at the Culprit Cafe and Bakery being served vanilla ice cream covered with luscious, deep espresso — a drink called Affogato — talk about decadent and a great start to our tour.
Next we were entertained by the delightful Jessica Duggan at Kitchen Table as we snacked on homemade cheesy pastries and their house popcorn, topping it all off with their lovely ginger ale. She and her husband Colin, served beautiful, colorful, healthy dishes for a wonderful Farm to Table eating experience for a decadent and great start to our tour.
You would think we couldn’t eat anymore by this time, but with a short walk between each stop, we managed to down this interesting plate of sliders at the Tap House. All were outstanding, but I must admit I was surprised I enjoyed the PB & J burger.
Coffee and dessert at Aromas Bliss…. we were served delicate chocolate cupcakes with a creamy peanut butter frosting , almost to gorgeous to eat. But ate them we did! There is a reason Bliss made it to Cupcake Wars.
Just when we thought we were done, we headed to an adorable tea shop for our afternoon tea. It was so cool, and calming…very zen and I loved it. The Tea Smith provided just the right, cool, afternoon tea time break.
Our last stop on our foodie tour took us one of the more notorious spots in Omaha, Wilson & Washburn. We munched on beet chips and sipped a nice cold drink while listening to the “spicy” story of ladies who are the namesake for Wilson & Washburn.
3. The Culture…
So many things to do, so little time. Omaha has awe-inspiring museums and galleries, public art displays, performing arts with the largest community theatre in the country. Omaha isn’t some bumpkin town with nothing going on — you can see Monets and Degas at the Joslyn Art Museum, find a play at one of several theatres, enjoy the Omaha Symphony or take in an opera at Omaha Opera.
Check out more at:
4. The Nightlife…
Music, Martinis and the Mambo! Omaha is not just for square dancing anymore. I was pleasantly surprised at the diverse opportunities for fun a evening. Our group found the Old Market area a hopping place for an evening out in the middle of the week. It had great food, music and entertainment.
There were so many fun places to visit in Omaha outside of the Old Market area for evening fun also, but these three ladies were pretty tired and headed back for a good night’s snooze.
If you are a nightlife kind of group — check out more fun spots at:
5. Last But Not Least, Nature…
If outdoor activities are what you are looking for — Omaha delivers. One of the things that I would have loved to done with my girlfriends was each grab a bike and see downtown Omaha and maybe a trip across Bob the Bridge.
Learn more at:
A walk through Lauritzen Gardens will be sure to bring the serenity only nature can provide.
What a fun trip you and your girl friends had, Mary. Makes me want to go to Omaha!