eomaha's VirtualTourist Home Page

Alright... Omaha isn't paradise, no one is going to argue that. But Omaha also isn't the flat, barren wasteland that has been established in sterotypes.

What Omaha IS... is a typical midwestern city with a few surprises which most find worth the visit.

If you're going to knock Omaha... you might as well knock every other midwestern city, because the terrain, the climate, the people... are no different.

A little background...

Omaha is not flat and treeless... perhaps this is a carry over from experiences on the vast length of I- 80 which runs through some of the least scenic parts of Nebraska (Nebraska actually has some incredible scenery OFF the interstate... but that is another story).

On the contrary, Omaha sits among rolling, green hills, of the Missouri, Platte, and Elkhorn river valleys.

The metropolitan covers nearly 2,500 square miles and consists of over 700,000 people.

Like any other midwestern city, there is a dense urban core surrounded by increasingly suburban areas. In terms of demographics, Omaha is 86% white, 8% black, and 5% hispanic. The median age is 33.

No, Omaha doesn't have any mountains or oceans... but if you can look beyond those 'major' drawbacks, you're rewarded with a low cost of living (6% below national average) and financial prosperity (median income 20% higher than national average and unemployment less than 4%). Omaha has been cited by numerous sources as being among the best cities in the nation for raising a family. Its schools shine, including consistently being in the top 5 in national standardized testing.

Omaha is also home to two medical schools in Creighton University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Omaha is a little giant in terms of its business climate. It is home to 5 Fortune 500 headquarters (as many as nearby and much larger Kansas City). Billionaire and Wall Street legend Warren Buffett calls Omaha home.

Omaha is also home to the headquarters of the Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base.

Omaha is a major telecommunications center, sitting on the convergence of 6 national fiber-optic networks. With some 4,000 information technology related businesses, Omaha was named as one of 10 "high tech havens" by Newsweek magazine.

Of course, Omaha is a transportation center geographically, and sits at the intersection of interstates 80 and 29. It's Eppley Airfield handles 4 million passengers annually.

There no lack of culture in this part of the plains. It's residents not only watch, but take part... Omaha is home to the nations largest community playhouse, one of the nations largest childrens theatres and resident artist programs. The Orpheum theatre has hosted a reknowned ballet/theatre company and symphony and will soon be supplemented with a $90 million downtown performing arts center.

No, Omaha doesn't have any major league sports (how many cities under 1 million do?). But it does have a vibrant minor league and collegiate sports atmosphere. Omaha is home to the annual NCAA College World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium. Rosenblatt is also home to the AAA Royals baseball franchise, where Omahans get to see the stars before the major league fans do. Creighton University fields a consistent final 4 NCAA soccer team and a premier basketball program which has reached the NCAA tournament for 5 years straight. Omaha is a hockey town... supporting a division I University of Nebraska team and a USHL franchise. Among other sporting pursuits, you'll find an IPFL arena football team. Omaha's sports stage expands dramatically this year with the opening of a new $280 million, 16,000 seat arena, located on the riverfront downtown.

Omaha has plenty of big city amenties. Shopping is one of them, with over 175 shopping centers and 700 restaurants, including 3 major malls with 4 or more anchor stores. You'll even find everything from numerous Starbucks stores to a Pottery Barn and PF Changs.

Attractions? On to the next chapter...