ROAD TRIPS

ROAD TRIPS words by PATRICK MULVIHILL | photos by ANNA PETROW

Head North– Call Omaha Home for The Weekend.

Looking to get away from it all for a weekend this summer? Hop on I-29 for three hours and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what Omaha has to offer. Once KCI and St. Joseph are in your rearview mirror, the terrain is defined by the stark contrast between the hills to the east and the vast Missouri River flood plain flanking the west, offering scenic summer views as you make your way north.

Much like Kansas City, Nebraska’s foremost financial and cultural hub is situated on the banks of the Missouri River. While Omaha feels remarkably similar to the Paris of the Plains in many ways, its unique history, culture, and charm will leave you wondering why you don’t make the less than 200 mile drive drive to play tourist more often.

We all know Omaha is best known for Warren Buffett, a world-class zoo, and the College World Series, but it’s possible that we’ve underestimated our neighbors to the north. From luxe hotels and upscale cocktails to fantastic dining and unique shopping, you’re sure to find a bit of the unexpected in Nebraska.

STAY

Before you take in all that Omaha has to offer, you’ll want to find a place to call home for your weekend getaway. For accommodations, road trippers need to look no further than the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel. Located in the newly renovated yet historically charming building that housed The Blackstone Hotel, the Cottonwood has breathed new life into this iconic hotel.

Since 1916, this building has played host to many familiar faces. In 1958, John and Jackie Kennedy celebrated their fifth anniversary here. In 1967, Richard Nixon declared his candidacy for the presidency from the rooftop ballroom. The Reuben Sandwich can even call this building home: according to local lore, Reuben Kulakofsky, a local grocer, first fed a group of late-night poker players this sandwich in 1925.

While the building is steeped in history, its more recent renovation has brought about many of the modern comforts travelers have come to expect. Every detail feels extravagant and deliberate without adding too many frills.

And, for the price, the dining options cannot be beaten. For cocktails, The Cottonwood Room Lounge makes for a warm and welcoming spot to kick off an evening or enjoy a nightcap. The Committee Chophouse down the hallway boasts an impressive setting, with beautiful mid-century modern inspired banquet tables and cozy low ceilings to match the low lighting. The menu offers imaginative takes on classic steakhouse fare, like cornbread canales and oysters “casino,” featuring pork belly and pepper jelly. The steaks are dry-aged, the wine list is extensive, and the Caesar salad is made tableside. For a more casual bite or a festive happy hour, the Orléans Room upstairs will be calling your name: beautiful tiled floors, plush seating, and a full bar make this the perfect spot for a hotel hangout.

SNACK

While the Cottonwoods accommodations and dining options might alone be worth the trip, it’s best to get out and taste all that Omaha has to offer. The Old Market, the historic center of Omaha’s arts and entertaining industries, is a walkable and shoppable area worthy of your time. The district has something for everyone, depending on what you’re craving. Try Plank Seafood for an oyster happy hour, La Buvette for classic French cuisine, Jams for inspired American fare, and Blue Sushi Sake Grill for an unforgettable menu.

If you’re craving a healthy yet hearty brunch, head to Saddle Creek Breakfast Club or pay a visit to Lola’s, a neighborhood café in Dundee. More of a health nut? The Grove Juicery & Wellness Cafe is great for a freshly made smoothie or a cold-pressed juice.

For sweettoothed travelers, Omaha has two top-notch ice cream spots worth of a scoop or two: Ted & Wally’s Ultra Premium Ice Cream has been scooping for Omaha natives since 1984, using local ingredients to make ice cream from scratch at their two locations in Old Market and Benson. For a truly unique experience, visit Coneflower Creamery in Blackstone (a short walk from the Cottonwood!) and grab a “farm-to-cone” helping of Omaha’s original Butter Brickle ice cream.

SIP

If you get thirsty while in Omaha, Old Market’s walkability cannot be beat. Park your car and start wandering – you’ll find plenty of options on every block. Step into The Berry & Rye for an Old Fashioned, Howard Street Wine Merchant for an impressive wine tasting, or Laka Lono for a Mai Thai.

A couple blocks west of Old Market, you’ll find Monarch Restaurant inside Hotel Deco, which boasts a remarkable collection of spirits and a show-stopping whiskey sour. However, the undisputed gem of Omaha’s cocktail scene is Wicked Rabbit, a hidden speakeasy located in the same building as Hotel Deco. Concealed by a faux shelving unit in an unassuming liquor store, entering Wicked Rabbit will transport you back in time. By combining fresh ingredients with rare spirits, their mixologists deliver

modern and imaginative cocktails that’ll keep you there for a second, maybe even third, drink.

For beer lovers, Zipline Brewing Co. can seemingly do no wrong, with a beer hall, a taproom, and a beer lounge spread throughout town so you’re never too far from an award-winning craft artisan ale. Located in the Benson neighborhood northwest of downtown, Benson Brewery and Bärchen Beer Garden are both great options (pro tip: Bärchen, along with the nearby Rathskeller Bier Haus, are both dog-friendly beer gardens worthy of a visit).

SHOP

Of course, a vacation isn’t really a vacation unless you bring home a little something to commemorate the trip. In Old Market, Made in Omaha, a shop inspired by the brilliant minds behind the growing Made in Kansas City brand, sells a great mix of products and apparel, sundries, and accessories, all sourced

from artists and makers local to the Omaha area. City Limits has an impressive puzzle and book collection, and Old Market Emporium is worthy of a visit for its collectibles and heirlooms. Wander around, and you’ll find plenty of antiques, artwork, and accessories around the district. And in Benson, Shop Five Nine’s meticulously curated selection of stationery, home goods, art, and jewelry toes the line between trendy and timeless.

Whether you’re shopping, sipping, snacking, or relaxing, the proximity and approachability of Omaha cannot be beat. Of course, these are merely suggestions. The beauty of road tripping is that you’re not subject to anyone else’s itinerary, just your own instincts. So pack up the car, set your GPS, then maybe turn it off once you’re close, and get lost to find all that Omaha has to offer.

ABOUT THE WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER Anna Petrow and Patrick Mulvihill call Kansas City home, but they have been known to find themselves off the beaten path. Born and raised in Kansas City, Anna is a culinary and lifestyle photographer with a knack for letting her camera lens guide her travels. Patrick is a writer, an enthusiastic travel companion, and a proud St. Louis native who uses each new trip as an excuse to eat five meals a day.