The Mammoth Roller Coaster at Fun-Plex
Fun-Plex recently announced that it will be adding a mammoth-themed roller coaster this summer! Named the Mammoth, it will have more than 2,000 feet of track and rise more than 70 feet. It will be the largest roller coaster ever in Nebraska. Renderings of the coaster have not yet been released. Fun-Plex opened at 70th…
The Era of the Video Rental Store
Long before Omaha’s Applause and Captain Video, Eckhard Baum turned a small hobby into the video rental industry. In Kassel, Germany, he opened Film Shop, the world’s first video rental store in 1975. From his shop, he rented Super 8 films to customers who wanted to watch movies at home rather than in a theater.…
From Skateland to Skate City in Bellevue
Of the multiple Skateland locations that once operated in the Omaha area, only one remains as a skating rink. That honor belongs to Skate City in Bellevue, which retains a look and feel highly reminiscent of the family business Frank Cernik started more than 50 years ago. The Skateland founder originally set a goal of…
2025 Bright Nights at Lauritzen Gardens
Bright Nights at Lauritzen Gardens is one of our favorite holiday traditions. Its back and even better this year with the addition of Sofia’s Play Garden! As always, it includes the conservatory, floral hall and patio with games, fire pits and Smore’s. Other food and drinks (including bars with beer, wine and cocktails) are also…
2025 Omaha Holiday Market at Aksarben Village
This weekend only is the Holiday Market at Aksarben Village. This was my first time and the line at the entrance was a bit long but don’t let it discourage you; it moves quickly. Admission (and parking) is free, and the tent is heated so it provides a comfortable atmosphere to shop, snack and have…
2025 Frosty Nights Christmas Village at Falconwood Park
Last night I got the opportunity to attend the soft opening for Frosty Nights Christmas Village and Lights at Falconwood Park. This is the first year of the event which offers a fully interactive Christmas experience similar to what you might find during Halloween at some of the pumpkin patches. Spread across 80-acres, you will…
2025 Henry Doorly Zoo’s Zootacular
If you have younger kids or just want to enjoy a seasonal, non-spooky Halloween event, consider Zootacular. It’s the newly reimagined Halloween event at Henry Doorly Zoo. From 6:30-9:30, children received a trick-or-treat bag to collect candy from various stations spread throughout event space. While strolling along the pathways, you encounter bright lights and performances…
9th Annual Omaha Porchfest
Today is the 9th Annual Omaha Porchfest. For those that are unfamiliar, it is a free community music festival in which you walk from stage to stage throughout the Gifford Park neighborhood. Many of the stages are the front porches of the historic houses. Some are also reserved for art, poetry, open mic and comedy.…
Omaha’s 101st Santa Lucia Festival
This weekend the 101st Santa Lucia Festival is taking place near the Little Italy neighborhood at 10th and William Streets. Having started in 1925, it is one of Omaha’s oldest summer festivals and one that my family visits each year. The festival features plenty of food ranging from sausage pizza, sausage and peppers, meatball sandwiches,…
KIPP: Kids Indoor Play Park
This weekend my son and I got a chance to check out Kipp, the new indoor play park that opened earlier this year. Located in a former Shopko at 144th and West Center Road, it offered enough to keep him busy for a couple of hours. Like Urban Air, KIPP features trampolines, slides, climbing structure,…
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