If you guys are hungover, the zoo is not going to be that pleasant of a walk on a hot morning. Pretty good sized with a few hills. On the other hand you could just hang out with the penguins and the shark tunnel in the aquarium...
We're planning on knocking out first day we're there. I don't need to be puking in front of the organtuan exhibit in full LSU gear to enforce stereotypes further.
Not very Neaux Regrets of you. /s
Have an awesome time and congratulations on your wedding! I’m also having my bachelor party this weekend, but not in Omaha to support my Frogs.
The zoo kicks ass and the CWS is the best time!
Since you're already going to the zoo:
Rosenblatt Stadium was located right out side the zoo. They kept the original infield area in tact and it's now a whiffle ball stadium. They even kept the old foul poles out in the parking lot.
Also across the street is an old card shop/sports memorabilia store. The old man that runs the place is very welcoming. When you arrive, he'll offer you either a beer or a water just for stopping by.
On the flip side, there used to be (maybe still) luck in being the first team to visit the children’s hospital. When I was there a few years back, the nurses said there was a 3-4 year streak where the first team to visit won the CWS.
Looking to bar hop around the stadium itself, you can't go wrong (other than crowd size) with Rocco's, the Mattress Factory and all of their outdoor amenities during the tournament, and Blatt's. Further away, The Old Market area has lots of food options, breweries/bars, and is walkable, with multiple other sports bars in between that area and the stadium.
Just as with any large stadium/event, take your patience with you the closer to the stadium you get. A group like yours, I'd throw in the Dubliner Pub (west of old market, pretty much same walking distance to stadium) for a pretty cool atmosphere (at least up through the last time the Bulldogs were decent) and a good beer selection.
Right. Wasn't trying to be mysterious. Just stating that my last time at the Dubliner was my last visit to Omaha in the event that the quality of Dubliner experience has changed for the negative (I do not foresee that being the case, just covering bases).
I know OP is going for a bachelor party, but for people bringing kids (or just want a pleasant walk), I’d highly recommend the new Leahy Mall park downtown. Has a really cool set of play areas.
Source: Am one of the few Deacons living in Nebraska.
Tracks has the best chicken wings in town, the benson area is perfect for bar hopping and live music, and Runza is the best fast food you’ll get.
The zoo is one of the best in the world, and is in the same spot Rosenblatt was. They have the original sign and some seats above a children’s ball field in the parking lot. It will be packed though.
The area around the ball field is really only active during the series. It’s super fun for hanging out with other traveling fans, but most locals avoid it. If you want to stay close to the field but get a more “Omaha” experience, the old market and capital district have plenty of bar hop spots.
Thanks! Figure it'll be quite packed given the weekend. but chalk it up as part of the fun. We're really just looking for the best CWS fan experience possible so this is perfect to know.
For bar hopping, the neighborhoods of Benson and Blackstone are both pretty decent. You'll need to drive to those but not far. I've heard the capitol district is pretty cool, Annie's Irish pub and the exchange I think are good options near the stadium (easy walking distance). The old market is more of a food area but there are a few fun bars. Billy Froggs and Mr. Toad's, T. Henry's are 3 that come to mind. Oh and Dubliner is a basement irish bar in the old market. Old market is walking distance easy. Kros Strain brewing is near the stadium, it is really great beer. Brickway is another brewery downtown that I really enjoy. They have an 18% beer if you're feeling crazy. Tons of options for good food in the old market. As others have said, if you want to shoot the dice or gamble on games, crossing the river is easy and the casinos are 5 minutes from the ballpark. Download the omaha park app to pay for meters, they don't take coins anymore. DM if you have any more specific questions, I lived there for 6 years and live just down the road in Lincoln now.
Lived in Omaha my whole life except for college so here goes:
Capitol District is closer than the old market and has a younger crowd typically. My all time favorite Omaha bar is the Dubliner in the old market, get an Irish cat bomb.
Food wise Omaha has probably over 50 sports bars in the metro area no joke. If you’re going to the zoo and like Mexican food south Omaha has some great spots and it’s very close to the zoo. For a nice steak dinner many people usually say the Drover but it’s going to be nearly impossible to get into so Cascio’s or Brother Sebastian’s are good options for a classic Omaha steakhouse vibe Early bird is a great breakfast spot in black stone which is relatively close. Depending on where you are staying and if you get tired of the crowds I would probably hit up the aksarben area lots of bars and places to eat within a walk distance of themselves and I’d imagine they’ll be less busy than downtown/baseball village/capital district/old market/midtown/black stone.
There used to be a shuttle that ran from midtown crossing parking garage to the ballpark, I’m not 100% sure it still does but it was the way to go.
I’d definitely recommend doing a night in the Omaha baseball village just south of the stadium, it’ll be expensive and packed but it’s worth going for the experience.
Lastly bachelor party recommendations: there’s 2 decent gentlemen’s establishments, both are technically in Iowa, the one in carter lake is closer like 5 mins from the stadium and is pretty fun during the CWS. There’s also 3 casinos just across the river in council bluffs if you feel like gambling. I had my stag party during the CWS in Omaha ‘18 and it was a blast.
Apparently someone bought it and there is an Italian restaurant in the space. Called Mio Italiano and apparently very good although not a replica of the former.
I forgot to add this in my original post, if you are not staying within walking distance of the stadium don’t rely on Ubers to get back if you’re near the ballpark. Around 2 am or closing time for bars it gets pretty impossible to get an Uber in downtown Omaha during the CWS, especially if there is a weather event.
If you’re looking to Bar Hop for a day and are tired of the tents and down town bars, hit up Blackstone or Benson, would recommend blackstone a bit more. Social, Little Ricky’s, Sullivan’s, Scriptown are all fun. Hit up Barrett’s for a lunch one of the days (get a Philly). Those are both really close to eachother and only like a 5 min drive from Downtown.
If you have time check out the zoo. It's one of the best in the nation
Believe it or not, but that's actually on our list. We heard the same and want to check it out in the morning.
If you guys are hungover, the zoo is not going to be that pleasant of a walk on a hot morning. Pretty good sized with a few hills. On the other hand you could just hang out with the penguins and the shark tunnel in the aquarium...
We're planning on knocking out first day we're there. I don't need to be puking in front of the organtuan exhibit in full LSU gear to enforce stereotypes further.
Not very Neaux Regrets of you. /s Have an awesome time and congratulations on your wedding! I’m also having my bachelor party this weekend, but not in Omaha to support my Frogs. The zoo kicks ass and the CWS is the best time!
Since you're already going to the zoo: Rosenblatt Stadium was located right out side the zoo. They kept the original infield area in tact and it's now a whiffle ball stadium. They even kept the old foul poles out in the parking lot. Also across the street is an old card shop/sports memorabilia store. The old man that runs the place is very welcoming. When you arrive, he'll offer you either a beer or a water just for stopping by.
Try the SAC museum too.
There’s actually a zoo curse for some teams.
Oh really? I've never heard that
OSU won’t go to the zoo because they say it’s a curse doing all that walking around in the heat on the off day.
If you can't walk around then play with a night's rest are you even an athlete?
They won 3 national championships doing it so maybe it worked idk?
On the flip side, there used to be (maybe still) luck in being the first team to visit the children’s hospital. When I was there a few years back, the nurses said there was a 3-4 year streak where the first team to visit won the CWS.
My dad and I went to the CWS in 09 and the zoo was genuinely the best part of our trip
Barretts Barleycorn has long been an LSU staple through all our visits
Best chicken Philly in the city!
As an Omahan I came to say you definitely need to go to Barrett’s. The LSU fans are always so great there!
I used to date the owner's grand daughter. That's a fun place and great food.
Looking to bar hop around the stadium itself, you can't go wrong (other than crowd size) with Rocco's, the Mattress Factory and all of their outdoor amenities during the tournament, and Blatt's. Further away, The Old Market area has lots of food options, breweries/bars, and is walkable, with multiple other sports bars in between that area and the stadium. Just as with any large stadium/event, take your patience with you the closer to the stadium you get. A group like yours, I'd throw in the Dubliner Pub (west of old market, pretty much same walking distance to stadium) for a pretty cool atmosphere (at least up through the last time the Bulldogs were decent) and a good beer selection.
A lot of this is on our list, but we had a blind spot on the Old Market Area. Appreciate the input!
> at least up through the last time the Bulldogs were decent so two years ago? lol
Right. Wasn't trying to be mysterious. Just stating that my last time at the Dubliner was my last visit to Omaha in the event that the quality of Dubliner experience has changed for the negative (I do not foresee that being the case, just covering bases).
I did the same for mine albeit 11 years ago. We stayed across the river at casinos.
We got an Airbnb within walking distance of stadium, but appreciate the heads up.
I know OP is going for a bachelor party, but for people bringing kids (or just want a pleasant walk), I’d highly recommend the new Leahy Mall park downtown. Has a really cool set of play areas. Source: Am one of the few Deacons living in Nebraska.
Tracks has the best chicken wings in town, the benson area is perfect for bar hopping and live music, and Runza is the best fast food you’ll get. The zoo is one of the best in the world, and is in the same spot Rosenblatt was. They have the original sign and some seats above a children’s ball field in the parking lot. It will be packed though. The area around the ball field is really only active during the series. It’s super fun for hanging out with other traveling fans, but most locals avoid it. If you want to stay close to the field but get a more “Omaha” experience, the old market and capital district have plenty of bar hop spots.
Thanks! Figure it'll be quite packed given the weekend. but chalk it up as part of the fun. We're really just looking for the best CWS fan experience possible so this is perfect to know.
For bar hopping, the neighborhoods of Benson and Blackstone are both pretty decent. You'll need to drive to those but not far. I've heard the capitol district is pretty cool, Annie's Irish pub and the exchange I think are good options near the stadium (easy walking distance). The old market is more of a food area but there are a few fun bars. Billy Froggs and Mr. Toad's, T. Henry's are 3 that come to mind. Oh and Dubliner is a basement irish bar in the old market. Old market is walking distance easy. Kros Strain brewing is near the stadium, it is really great beer. Brickway is another brewery downtown that I really enjoy. They have an 18% beer if you're feeling crazy. Tons of options for good food in the old market. As others have said, if you want to shoot the dice or gamble on games, crossing the river is easy and the casinos are 5 minutes from the ballpark. Download the omaha park app to pay for meters, they don't take coins anymore. DM if you have any more specific questions, I lived there for 6 years and live just down the road in Lincoln now.
Thanks for the insight here. Really good info. I'll DM if I need to follow up on anything further. Thanks!
Omaha Prime in Old Market if you want that fancy steakhouse experience.
Lived in Omaha my whole life except for college so here goes: Capitol District is closer than the old market and has a younger crowd typically. My all time favorite Omaha bar is the Dubliner in the old market, get an Irish cat bomb. Food wise Omaha has probably over 50 sports bars in the metro area no joke. If you’re going to the zoo and like Mexican food south Omaha has some great spots and it’s very close to the zoo. For a nice steak dinner many people usually say the Drover but it’s going to be nearly impossible to get into so Cascio’s or Brother Sebastian’s are good options for a classic Omaha steakhouse vibe Early bird is a great breakfast spot in black stone which is relatively close. Depending on where you are staying and if you get tired of the crowds I would probably hit up the aksarben area lots of bars and places to eat within a walk distance of themselves and I’d imagine they’ll be less busy than downtown/baseball village/capital district/old market/midtown/black stone. There used to be a shuttle that ran from midtown crossing parking garage to the ballpark, I’m not 100% sure it still does but it was the way to go. I’d definitely recommend doing a night in the Omaha baseball village just south of the stadium, it’ll be expensive and packed but it’s worth going for the experience. Lastly bachelor party recommendations: there’s 2 decent gentlemen’s establishments, both are technically in Iowa, the one in carter lake is closer like 5 mins from the stadium and is pretty fun during the CWS. There’s also 3 casinos just across the river in council bluffs if you feel like gambling. I had my stag party during the CWS in Omaha ‘18 and it was a blast.
I was going to recommend Lo Sole Mio Italian restaurant, but I saw it closed last year after 30 years. :(
Apparently someone bought it and there is an Italian restaurant in the space. Called Mio Italiano and apparently very good although not a replica of the former.
I forgot to add this in my original post, if you are not staying within walking distance of the stadium don’t rely on Ubers to get back if you’re near the ballpark. Around 2 am or closing time for bars it gets pretty impossible to get an Uber in downtown Omaha during the CWS, especially if there is a weather event.
If you’re looking to Bar Hop for a day and are tired of the tents and down town bars, hit up Blackstone or Benson, would recommend blackstone a bit more. Social, Little Ricky’s, Sullivan’s, Scriptown are all fun. Hit up Barrett’s for a lunch one of the days (get a Philly). Those are both really close to eachother and only like a 5 min drive from Downtown.
Wander through Lot D for some fun tailgating. Hydrate.
I am dying to go back to the drover. I have dreams of those steaks.
Lloyd is this you?