Apple Cider Donuts… Lemonade Slushies… Fresh Produce… Special Events… Family Fun… can all be found in the beautiful surroundings at Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard.

Located just North of Council Bluffs, Ditmars Orchard offers a perfect day trip from Omaha!

SUNFLOWERS

Stroll through the Sunflower fields for a picturesque view!

With butterflies fluttering all around you, visitors can walk among the Sunflowers and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery!

U-PICK FRESH PRODUCE (& in-store, too!)

Depending on the season, guests can pick apples, peaches, strawberries, pumpkins and more!

SPECIAL TREATS

Their Apple Cider Donuts are delicous!

Visit the indoor cafe to pick up produce, lunch, or a lemonade slush!

As a vineyard, Ditmars also offers a variety of wines. Guests can take a “FLIGHT” and taste a sample of their wines, a glass to enjoy in the scenery of the orchard, or a bottle to take home. 

KIDS PLAY AREAS

Kids will love the playsets, swings, climbing on the tires, and special area just for them!

BEAUTIFUL SCENERY

These new seating areas are perfect for enjoying a treat from the cafe or a glass of wine, while enjoying the beautiful surroundings!

SPECIAL EVENTS

Ditmars offers special events throughout the year, including Movie Nights, Various Bands, and our favorite event – the Hot Air Balloon Festival in the Fall!

Find out more about Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard here to plan your visit!

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Nebraska Game and Parks has launched a NEW discovery adventure at Venture Parks!

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has launched an outdoor discovery adventure at its Venture Parks system, a network of four parks nestled in the Platte River Valley between Omaha and Lincoln.

This adventure was designed to take participants to all four parks — Eugene T. Mahoney and Platte River state parks and Louisville and Schramm Park state recreation areas — to discover six of their unique gems and find the answers to clues revealed in the app. 

Participants will need to download the Geocaching Adventure Lab mobile app to access coordinates to the six parks’ gems. Users should search for Nebraska Game and Parks: Venture Parks Adventure or use the QR code found here: labs.geocaching.com/goto/NGPCVentureAdventure.

The adventure can be completed in a day, with some extra time to play, such as fish, hike or explore outside. A low to moderate amount of walking is required to complete the course. A park entry pass is required for vehicles entering the parks and can be purchased online at OutdoorNebraska.org.

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Halfway between Omaha and Lincoln in Greenwood, NE, you will find Baker’s Candies- Nebraska’s Largest Candy Outlet. Founded in 1987, Baker’s is Nebraska’s largest chocolate manufacturer.

It is a fun day trip from Omaha or a stop on your way to Lincoln!

Join our growing community and keep updated on Omaha family-friendly events and activities and Sign up for our Free Email Newsletter!

If you have been to Baker’s in the past, you’ll be in for a treat because they just recently expanded into a brand new building that is bigger and better! My family and I recently went to check it out.

When you first walk in, you are hit with the fantastic smell of chocolate, friendly workers, and an inviting storefront.

Baker’s is most well known for their Chocolate Meltaways!

Their meltaways are world-famous, and for many, synonymous with the state of Nebraska. “Meltaways” is the most accurate description because their chocolates are so decadent and smooth, they truly melt in your mouth.

Their chocolates are individually wrapped, and the shiny colored foil wrapping signifies what flavor the chocolate is. They are so delicious, it feels simply impossible to just have one.

The variety of goodies feels endless. There were candies at Baker’s that I hadn’t seen since my own childhood.

While my kids were all about the candy, it was the wide variety of flavored sodas that sucked my husband and I in. There were obscure flavors like Grass, Butter and Dirt. Then other flavors that seemed too good to be true like Cookie Dough and Birthday Cake.

We were all tempted by the goodies in their chocolate case. Options like meltaway bars, truffles, and clusters collectively had our mouths watering.

Their prices are very affordable, making it even more tempting to over-indulge.

It’s a true Nebraska gem, not to be missed! Suffice it to say we know the full depths of feeling like “kids in a candy store” after visiting Baker’s.

See more Day Trips near Omaha here!

Baker’s Candies Outlet Store

Address: 831 S Baker St; Greenwood, NE 68366

Directions: The exact half way point between Lincoln and Omaha on Hwy 6.

Hours: Visit their FAQ’s page for the Outlet Store hours.

Brooke Wheeler is married with 3 children. She is a stay-at-home mom who lives in the Omaha area. She shares about family, fun, food, fashion, and more, on her Instagram page.

[Click on the image for a larger copy that links to each guide for further details!]

PLEASE NOTE: In 2020, not all of these events or activities are happening this Summer. As things continue to change during this time, it is always a good idea to verify details before visiting. 

Create the BEST Summer with this Omaha Summer Fun List!

Join our growing community and keep updated on Omaha family-friendly events and activities and Sign up for our Free Email Newsletter!

Omaha Summer Fun Guides

Looking for a fun family outing on the farm? Enjoy an adventure full of a variety of activities at Nelson Produce Farm.

Known for its beautiful Sunflower Field in the Fall, this farm offers family fun all Summer, too!

See and Feed the Animals

Kids will love seeing the animals!

See the adorable baby goats! Guests can purchase animal feed for the sheep and goats, or add-on the optional experience to feed a baby goat with a bottle. 

Be sure to visit inside the barn to see the animals. At the time we visited, there were baby chicks and a bunny!

As this is a working farm, visitors might see the animals receiving a bath or being fed. 

Enjoy the Activities

Climbing over and around the huge hay bales is always a favorite!

Little ones will love the trikes with plenty of space to ride.

A huge sand pile with trucks and pails waiting to be explored!

Seasonally, they also offer a kiddie train ride and a hayrack ride. 

Pick Your Own Produce & Visit The Market

Depending on the season that you visit, visitors can pick your own fruits or vegetables. During our visit, we picked yummy strawberries!

Guests can visit The Market to pick up some fresh produce, jams, and other products.

Be sure to stop by Pam’s Kitchen for a tasty meal or treat – the shredded beef was delicious!

Nelson Produce Farm

Location: 10505 N 234th Street, Valley, NE

2020 Hours and Admission:
Hours of operation: Thursday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Farm Maintenance Fee: $6.00 per person (Age 2 and under are free.) Season Passes are also available. Guests are asked to purchase their pass and make a reservation online before their visit.

See Current Schedule, Hours, and Purchase Tickets here: https://www.nelsonproduce.com/

Have a fun time at the Farm!

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This year, Papillion is celebrating its 150th anniversary with many events. 

Throughout the Summer, see the beautiful “Wings Over Papillion” Butterfly Bench Public Art Project with uniquely painted butterfly benches throughout Papillion!

This is one of the Free Activities this Summer and one of the items on the Summer Fun Checklist!

Papillion 150 is the community’s celebration of 150 years, 1870-2020. 

Enjoy a wonderful family-friendly activity exploring around Papillion. Several of the benches are located in the downtown area, with several within walking distance around the library.

“Wings Over Papillion” Butterfly Bench Public Art Project features the work of a variety of artists. who were invited to submit their creative ideas. Some highlight Papillion’s history and culture, while others showcase colorful and inspiring designs.

Additionally, large butterfly murals which are part of The Butterfly Effect, will be created throughout Papillion. 

Visitors are invited to take a fun picture in front of one of the Social Butterfly Installations. Text the picture to 402-215-2464 and they will make a donation on your behalf to the Papillion Community Foundation and other selected community organizations.

Post your picture with the following hashtags: #papillion150 #butterflyeffect #socialbutterfly

More Butterfly Benches can be found at Halleck Park, Papillion Landing, and various other places around Papillion. 

A map of all bench locations is now available here!

Find out more about the Papillion 150 celebration or follow Papillion 150 on Facebook.

TIP: Be sure to stop by  Graley’s Creamery & Confections, a favorite place for ice cream!

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