As always, we encourage you to wear a mask and social distance when going out. We also recommend checking the website of each individual business before visiting, in case of closures and special COVID-19 procedures.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo courtesy of the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium<\/a> is not just another zoo. In fact, it was recently ranked as the third-best zoo in the country by USA Today<\/a>! Plants, animals and unique habitats from all over the world sprawl over more than 160 acres, and it\u2019s all available for you to explore. The interesting exhibits are probably what lands this spot on every \u201cbest of\u201d list; when you visit the Lied Jungle, you actually feel like you\u2019re walking through a South American rainforest. And the Desert Dome is a spectacular indoor desert spanning 84,000 square feet, featuring plants and animal life from the Namib Desert of southern Africa, the Red Center of Australia and the Sonoran Desert of the southwestern United States. Masks and social distancing are required upon entry. Click here<\/a> to reserve your tickets in advance!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n While driving around Omaha, you may have seen giant blue push pins that say “Omaha” on them! These pins dot the city’s must-see attractions, from the Henry Doorly Zoo<\/a> and Lauritzen Gardens<\/a> to Durham Museum<\/a>, the Joslyn Art Museum<\/a> and Hot Shops Art Center<\/a>. The 8-foot tall push pins are at 15 locations. Pick up a brochure of all the locations at the Omaha Convention & Tourism Center<\/a> or at VisitOmaha.com<\/a> and see how many you can visit!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (more fondly known as \u201cBob the Bridge\u201d) is one of Omaha\u2019s most cherished landmarks. The 3,000-foot steel structure spans the Missouri River, connecting Omaha to\u00a0Council Bluffs<\/a>\u00a0via a pedestrian pathway. The bridge also crosses the state line that separates Nebraska from Iowa, so if you\u2019d like to get a little bit cheeky, you can stand in the middle of the bridge and claim to be standing in two places at once! Bonus: The views of the Omaha skyline from this vantage point can\u2019t be beat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Not only is the historic Alpine Inn<\/a> home to some of the best fried chicken in the country, but they also play host to some of the cutest guests around. Over 50 raccoons come around every day for food scraps. Don\u2019t be afraid of them\u2014these creatures are adorable and friendly. If you can\u2019t stop by for a visit, follow them on Facebook<\/a> for charming videos of these furry creatures.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Next time you\u2019re perusing the Old Market passageway, veer to the right and head all the way down the hallway until you see a sign that says \u201cGarden of the Zodiac: Sculpture Garden & Gallery<\/a>.\u201d Step inside and you\u2019ll find yourself in an art gallery that features rotating contemporary art exhibits\u2014but it\u2019s the garden out back that is the true gem of this unique locale. The garden is a tiny, round green space covered in trees, bushes\u2026 and 22 bronze heads. The heads were created by Swedish artist Eva Aeppli and installed in the garden to represent relaxation and meditation. And the garden itself is meant to represent the 12 constellations of the Zodiac and the planets as a group.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have you ever wanted to drink champagne from a tap? Well you can at Omaha’s Homey Inn<\/a>! They have sweet, dry, strawberry and peach champagne on tap as well as sangria and a full bar. Stop by for a glass any day of the week or visit to get a growler full of bubbly to take home with you!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n While Nebraska may not be the nation\u2019s top corn-producing state\u2014that honor goes to Iowa\u2014but the stuff is everywhere. As the \u201cCornhusker State,\u201d we passionately embrace that moniker any way we can. Dishes such as corn fritters, corn chowder and corn pudding are a staple on many Omaha menus, and our local ice cream shop, Ted and Wally\u2019s<\/a>, takes corniness to a whole new level with flavors including sweet corn, honey cornbread and caramel popcorn.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Omaha is home to some larger-than-life art displays spread out throughout the city. The Spirit of Nebraska\u2019s Wilderness<\/a> and Pioneer Courage Park<\/a> consists of more than 100 individual bronze pieces that cover more than six city blocks! Each of them allows you to visualize what it must have been like to journey like a pioneer. You could spend an entire day exploring the city and hunting down these stunning structures\u2014and you should! Take a day to try to locate them all; you can find a map of all of their locations here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The mysterious atmospheres and high-end cocktails make speakeasies an awesome destination for date night or an evening out with friends. Of course, part of what makes the experience so fun is figuring out how exactly to get in, so we won\u2019t divulge too much here\u2014but we highly recommend checking out the Wicked Rabbit<\/a>, an Alice in Wonderland-esque speakeasy offering some of the best cocktails in town.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo courtesy of the Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Situated just 30 minutes outside of Omaha, the\u00a0Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari<\/a>\u00a0is home to more than 350 animals and 53 species from all over the world. The park is a partner of the Henry Doorly Zoo and allows animals to thrive in a more natural habitat while researchers study their behavior. The park is unlike normal zoos in the fact that it offers the fabulous opportunity to take a drive-through tour of the park and witness animal demonstrations\u2014our own little Nebraska safari! Learn more about the park\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Although there are several claims to the invention of the Reuben sandwich, many believe that it was originally crafted by Omaha\u2019s own Reuben Kulakofsky in the heart of the Blackstone Hotel. It appeared on the menu in 1925 (for a whopping 40 cents), and was further developed by the Blackstone\u2019s Charles Schimmel, who insisted on soaking the kraut in Russian dressing at least 24 hours in advance. The Reuben is now a popular option at delis across the country. One of our favorites (and most authentic) here in Omaha is served by Crescent Moon<\/a>, conveniently located just across from the historic hotel.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t just Pearl Harbor that was hit during WWII. On April 18, 1945, a Japanese balloon bomb exploded in the sky over Dundee<\/a>. Fortunately, it didn\u2019t do much damage, and the attempt was kept hush-hush until after the war was over. Today, a plaque commemorates where the bomb exploded and sits surrounded by the neighborhood\u2019s trendy restaurants, bars and shops.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From 1953-1955, the\u00a0Boys Town<\/a>\u00a0Stamp Collecting Club embarked on an adventure: to create the world\u2019s largest ball of stamps. We are happy to report that they succeeded, creating a 600-pound ball measuring 32 inches in diameter and made up of over 4.6 million stamps. This magnificent sight is located in the Leon Myers Stamp Center in the\u00a0Boy\u2019s Town Visitors Center<\/a>\u2014just a short drive from the center of Omaha.\u00a0Due to COVID-19, the Stamp Center is currently closed. They hope to reopen soon when cases in the area go down. Visit\u00a0their website<\/a>\u00a0for updates!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n NP Dodge Real Estate (that’s us!) is the oldest real estate company in the country, having opened our doors in 1855. Our company was founded by brothers Grenville and Nathan Phillips Dodge after moving to Douglas County in 1853 and 1854. While Grenville went on to serve as a general in the Civil War and helped found the Union Pacific Railroad, N.P. stayed in the land-sale business, building the foundation for what is now America\u2019s longest-running, family-owned real estate firm.<\/p>\nExplore one of the best zoos in the country<\/h2>\n
![\"Omaha](\"https:\/\/npdodge.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Omaha-Zoo-1.png\")
<\/p>\n“Pinpoint” a location and then go there<\/h2>\n
Be in both Nebraska and Iowa at the same time<\/h2>\n
![\"TV](\"http:\/\/54.218.64.113\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/jesse-duering-EurrZveclZw-unsplash-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWatch raccoons eat dinner<\/h2>\n
Explore a garden full of bronze heads<\/h2>\n
Drink champagne on tap<\/h2>\n
![\"ben-wilkins-RhBnqwZwtbU-unsplash\"](\"http:\/\/www.npdodge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ben-wilkins-RhBnqwZwtbU-unsplash-e1613752448176.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTry corn-flavored ice cream<\/h2>\n
Go on a sculpture scavenger hunt<\/h2>\n
Visit an Alice in Wonderland-inspired speakeasy<\/h2>\n
Go on a safari in your own car<\/h2>\n
![\"Kids](\"https:\/\/npdodge.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Lee-G.-Simmons-Conservation-Park.png\")
<\/p>\nEat the original Reuben sandwich<\/h2>\n
See where a Japanese balloon bomb exploded during WWII<\/h2>\n
See the world’s largest ball of stamps<\/h2>\n
Work with the country’s oldest real estate company<\/h2>\n
![\"Omaha](\"https:\/\/npdodge.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/About_Us_History_1.JPG-2.png\")
<\/p>\n