As many of you know, we visited and wrote about our recent trip to Las Vegas in our last magazine. While we had a wonderful time in Vegas, it also got us thinking—how many of the same things could we do right here in Nebraska that would be just as good? Not only would they be just as good, but they’d also be more convenient since they would not be a plane ride away and they would probably also be more affordable. Our Vacation Omaha trip was especially exciting for us this year because we were able to compare it to our Vegas trip (and you’d be surprised how many times Omaha came out on top) and also because we have just launched Strictly Business Omaha and this trip provided some great ideas for us to include in our sister publication!
Please read on to find out what we did while vacationing in Omaha!
Embassy Suites Omaha
555 South 10th St. – (402) 346-9000
Anyone who reads our magazine on a regular basis knows that we are fans of Embassy Suites. We have stayed in Embassy Suites all over the country and truly believe that the one in the Old Market in Omaha is the best one we’ve stayed at. Not only is it within easy walking distance to a number of shopping, dining and nightlife venues, but it also has an impressive lobby and commons area.
The perks of staying at an Embassy Suites are many. You get a huge room with a separate bedroom and living area and added amenities such as a free breakfast every morning (with cooked to order omelets, a variety of pastries, bacon and sausage and fresh fruit) and happy hour every evening with free drinks and munchies.
We highly recommend staying at an Embassy no matter where your travels may take you, and especially recommend the one in the Old Market.
Jobber’s Canyon
416 S. 12th Street, Old Market – (402) 991-8002
We visited Jobber’s Canyon on Thursday night for dinner. Jobber’s Canyon Restaurant and Brewery, which opened in the Old Market District in 2005, is a three story eatery located in a historic building with a hip contemporary industrial feel. The first floor consists of a bar and dining area with an impressive exhibition kitchen; the second floor features a bar, billiards table and additional dining and the third floor, referred to at The Loft at Jobber’s Canyon, provides an environment perfect for gatherings up to 200 people.
Jobber’s Canyon has a unique and delicious menu that is perfect for the traditional and adventurous diner alike. Appetizers include selections like the Jobber’s Wings and the Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Shrimp. Entrée selections are split into categories, such as Comfort Food (with choices like the Brewer’s Cottage Pie and the Fish & Chips), Gourmet Burgers, Pasta Selections (Beer Cheese Penne & Meatballs, for example), Specialties (the most unique portion of the menu with options like the Smoked Pork Osso Buco, The Beef Oscar and Broiled Mahi Mahi), Canyon Steaks and Sandwiches (Pork Tenderloin and The Canyon Reuben, for example). Lunch options include smaller portions of the pasta dishes and additional sandwiches. Jobber’s Canyon featured their own brewery, so you can enjoy one of their signature beers with your meal and finish off with a decadent dessert such as Katherine’s Crème Brulee or Key Lime Pie.
Prices at Jobber’s Canyon are reasonable, with lunches ranging from $8.50 to $9.95 and dinners from $8.50 to $25.95. Visit them for a delicious dining experience in an unparalleled atmosphere.
Horseshoe Casino
Horseshoe Council Bluffs
2701 23rd Avenue
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 – (712) 323-2500
Friday night, we made plans to check out the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet at the Horseshoe Casino. The seafood buffet is featured every Friday night from 4 pm to 10:30 pm at the Village Square Buffet. It’s $24.99 per person, which may seem a little expensive until you realize what you get and then it becomes quite the bargain! The buffet was amazing with some of the most delicious crab legs we’ve ever had and every kind of seafood imaginable including tender grilled salmon, blackened catfish, buttery mussels and mounds of peel-and-eat shrimp.
After dinner, we made plans to attend the Pete Yorn concert at the Whiskey Roadhouse, located in the Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs. The Roadhouse features a uniquely intimate 500-seat venue to get up close and personal with some of music’s biggest acts and local artists. We had a wonderful time at the concert and were pleasantly surprised to find out that drinks were only $3 at the concert. This was in direct contrast with Las Vegas, where we couldn’t find a drink for less than $10.
After the concert, we took the casino’s free shuttle between the Horseshoe and Harrah’s, where we were staying. The shuttle is an excellent service that the casinos offer and is perfect if you want to visit both casinos in one evening.
Harrah’s Casino
1 Harrah’s Boulevard
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 – Phone: (712) 329-6000
We spent both Friday and Saturday nights at Harrah’s Casino, which is a great idea if you plan on having a late night at the casino. The rooms are well-appointed and comfortable and it’s so nice to be able to run back up to your room if you want to change clothes before going to the club or if you just need to freshen up after dinner.
On Saturday, we made plans to eat and take in a concert at Harrah’s.
360 Steakhouse
Located on the 12th floor of the casino, 360 Steakhouse is a great place to get together with friends for fun, food and the best view around. Their distinctive menu features a great selection of appetizers, like Oysters on the Half Shell, Portabella Au Gratin and Crab and Asparagus Dip.
The restaurant has a nice selection of specialty and seafood entrees, including Horseradish Crusted Halibut Steak, Twin Lobster Tails, Maple Cured Pork Porterhouse and Pistachio Crusted Rack of Lamb. Of course, the spotlight at 360 is on their steaks and they have an excellent selection including the Filet Mignon, New York Strip Steak and Bone In Ribeye. Each steak is accompanied by a selection of breads, choice of garden or Caesar salad and a choice of side item. Side items include a large baked potato, ranch style au gratins, grilled asparagus and creamy or garlic spinach.
360 is a little more on the upscale side and would be perfect for an anniversary or other special occasion or if you just want to treat yourself while having a weekend out at the casino.
After dinner, we made the short jaunt from 360 to Stir, Harrah’s nightclub. Stir’s concert series runs from May until September and takes place on a huge outdoor stage with room for over 2,000 fans. You can sit in the reserved seating or bring a blanker or lawn chair and watch from the lawn surrounding the stage. We had a great time watching Earth, Wind and Fire perform, then we went back into Stir for some dancing afterward. Again, drinks were only $3.75 at the nightclub, which was refreshing after Vegas!
Another positive comparison between Omaha and Las Vegas is the type of entertainment that comes to the Nebraska city. While in Las Vegas, we saw six shows and we were surprised and pleased to find out that three of these shows were coming to Omaha—Mamma Mia, Phantom of the Opera and Spamalot. These three shows, along with a number of other fabulous entertainment events, are coming to the Omaha Orpheum Theatre and Holland Center for the Performing Arts in 2007 and 2008. Spamalot will show in November, Phantom will be in January-February and Mamma Mia will show in March. For more information, please visit www.omahaperformingarts.org
When you consider this along with the concerts that come to the area, you realize that much of what you travel out of state for is available right here in Nebraska!