Exploring the Durham Museum in Omaha’s Old Union Station

Omaha’s Union Station, the first art-deco style train terminal in the country, was completed in 1931. After Amtrak took over all passenger rail service in 1971, the train station closed. It was almost demolished, but the railroad donated the station to the City of Omaha instead. Today the building is home to the Durham Museum. The museum’s permanent exhibits highlight Omaha area history, as well as temporary, traveling exhibits from sources like the Smithsonian.

Exploring Omaha’s Old Market District

Connie Food & Drink, Nebraska October 21, 2014November 1, 2017downtown Omaha restaurants, downtown Omaha shops, Old Market District Omaha, Old Market Passageway Omaha, omaha downtown, restaurants Omaha 0 Comment

I love exploring revitalized historic districts like Omaha’s Old Market District. 1880s brick buildings line the district’s cobblestone streets. Unique shops, art galleries and interesting pubs and restaurants fill those buildings. Omaha resident and fellow travel blogger Lisa Trudell, half of The Walking Tourists, introduced my husband and me to the area.

Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha: A Zoo Lover Must-See

Connie Attractions & Events, Nebraska September 22, 2014May 19, 2017doorly henry doorly, henrly doorly zoo omaha, Henry Doorly Zoo, henry doorly zoo address, henry doorly zoo animals, henry doorly zoo aquarium, henry doorly zoo exhibits, henry zoo, omaha things to do, omaha zoo, omaha's henry doorly zoo, the henry doorly zoo, things to do in Omaha, things to do in omaha today, what to do in omaha 0 Comment

Trip Advisor readers rank Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo as the best zoo in the world. Other rankings and polls consistently rank the zoo at the top or among the top. Of all of the zoos I have visited, I have to agree that Henry Doorly Zoo is the best, taking into consideration mainly the animal exhibits but also other zoo attractions, as well.

Lauritzen Gardens: Blending Nature with Omaha’s Railroad Heritage

Connie Attractions & Events, Nebraska August 28, 2014November 1, 2017attractions in Nebraska, attractions in Omaha, Lauritzen Gardens, Lauritzen Gardens Omaha, Nebraska attractions, Nebraska gardens, Omaha gardens, Omaha NE attractions, Omaha Nebraska attractions, Omaha tourist attractions 0 Comment

The Union Pacific train rolls through a tunnel cut out of a tree trunk, past Omaha Central High School and several other historic Omaha buildings. You become mesmerized as you watch it exit the covered bridge that spans a flowing river. Then you spot another train cross an overhead steel bridge and travel back into the woods. There is something fascinating about model railroad layouts, especially miniature versions of real existing structures and trains. Add Lauritzen Gardens’ natural landscaping, and the Model Railroad Garden, a miniature Omaha, becomes a work of art.

Sample Craft Beer at Omaha Breweries

Connie Food & Drink, Nebraska August 3, 2014November 1, 2017Nebraska tourism, old market, old market ne, old market restaurants, Omaha breweries, Omaha brewery tour, Omaha brewpubs, Omaha Craft Brewery Tour, omaha ne tourism, Omaha Nebraska tourism, omaha old market, omaha restaurants 0 Comment

If you live outside of the Omaha, Nebraska, metro area but plan to visit in the next year and you like beer, you’re in luck. Eight Omaha breweries want you to taste their beer—so they will each give you one on the house. Not a little taste, but a full-size beer.

Weathering this Midwest Winter

Connie Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin February 7, 2014March 20, 2014Illinois tourism, Indiana tourism, Iowa tourism, Kansas tourism, Kentucky tourism, Michigan tourism, Midwest Travel, Minnesota Tourism, Missouri tourism, Nebraska tourism, North Dakota tourism, Ohio tourism, South Dakota tourism, Wisconsin tourism 1 Comment

“I’m tired of this winter.” I’ve heard it over and over again for the past month. And I agree. It seems that every day, at least here in the Chicago area, we’ve been getting either more snow, making roads dangerous to navigate, or single-digit to sub-zero temperatures, so we can’t go out and enjoy snow activities. Of course, the obvious remedy is to go somewhere warm, and if you can do that, great. But for many, a vacation to a warm climate is impractical or even impossible. Besides, a week later, you’ll be back home in the snow and cold again. So aside from hibernating and counting the days until spring, here are a couple of ways to counter the cabin fever that has hit the Midwest hard:

Go to indoor events and attractions. On the days that are cold but the roads okay to drive on, go to a local museum that you haven’t been to in a long time. (Call first to make sure they haven’t closed due to the cold.) Or go to one of the many travel, RV, boat, auto, or home shows going on in cities all over the Midwest. You’ll find links to information on lots of them on the Midwest Festivals & Fairs page.

Plan your summer travel. Now is the time to plan your summer getaways. Get them on the calendar before your calendar fills up with other obligations. If you’re planning to go to a popular seasonal destination, you should make your accommodation reservations as soon as possible, too, for the best selection. Need help in deciding where to go? Turn to the convention and visitors bureaus of the states you are thinking about. On the Internet, search “[state name] tourism” to find the state’s official tourism site, which will have listings of attractions, accommodations, dining options, and events. You can order free hard copy travel guides for the states or regions you are considering for your getaways, too. I personally like to peruse the hard copy guides from the cozy comfort of a sofa and then use the Internet to get further details on places that interest me. To get you started, I’ve included links below to order tourism guides for the Midwest states.

Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
North Dakota
Ohio
South Dakota
Wisconsin

Just thinking about and planning your summer getaways will do wonders to counter the winter doldrums. Do you have other suggestions for cabin fever remedies? Answer in the Comments box below.

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Other attractions you may enjoy this winter:

Peoria Riverfront Museum: Interactive Exhibits, Planetarium and Giant Screen Theater

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, Springfield IL: Museum Meets Disney

Frank Lloyd Wright Dana-Thomas House: 12,000 Square Feet of Phenomenal

Visit Jelly Belly, Pleasant Prairie WI: Take the Tour, Taste the Candy

Tour Stone Hill Winery, Hermann, MO: Most Historic and Awarded Winery in the State