As a holiday gift to the children of our community, children under 12 years old receive FREE Zoo admission with a paid adult December 26th through 31st, 2019!

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is offering free admission to children under 12 years old with a paid adult. Offer valid Thursday, December 26 through Tuesday, December 31, 2019 only. Up to 6 children under the age of 12 can be admitted free to the Zoo with each paid adult.

Click here for details.

Omaha’s Zoo and Aquarium is currently open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Exhibit buildings close at 5 p.m.

 

Find more fun over Winter Break here!

 

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The Zoo has seven acres of indoor exhibits, all of which are perfect to enjoy during the winter
months including the Lied Jungle, the Desert Dome, the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium, and more.

Find More Fun:

• 10+ Free Things to Do Over Winter Break
• Indoor Playgrounds

Special thanks to Marcus Theatres for sponsoring this guide!

It’s the most wonderful moviegoing time of the year!

Whether catching a new release, cozying up to a classic or finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list, Marcus Theatres is your holiday headquarters with three Omaha-area theatres including the Marcus Majestic of Omaha, Marcus Twin Creek Cinema and Marcus Village Pointe Cinema.

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

 

Must-see Family Films

This year’s holiday movie slate offers something for everyone. Not sure what to see? This guide is for you! Click the links to check out the trailers for each film.

Animated Films:

• “Frozen 2” (PG) — Out now (Tip: your kiddos can score free popcorn with these “Frozen 2” coloring sheets!)

• “Playmobil: The Movie” (PG)— Out December 5 (Tip: every showing of this film — every day — is just $5 for all guests!)

• “Spies in Disguise” (PG) — Out December 25

 

Action Films:

• “Jumanji: The Next Level” (PG-13) — Out December 12 (Tip: the Majestic of Omaha will be hosting a Jumanji Adventure Night on December 12. Enjoy a photo station, giveaway and chance to win a movie-themed raffle prize!)

• “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” (PG-13) — Out December 19

 

Drama/Musical Films:

• “Cats” (PG) — Out December 19

• “Little Women” (PG) — Out December 25

 

Planning to take multiple trips to the movies? Make sure to take advantage of $5 Movie Tuesday featuring $5 movies, plus free popcorn for all Magical Movie Rewards members! (Tip: Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve both fall on a $5 Movie Tuesday this year!)

And don’t forget about $6 Student Thursday featuring $6 movies and free popcorn for students and school faculty.

 

Cozy Up to a Holiday Classic

Sure, watching movies at home is nice, but there’s something even more magical about seeing Clark Griswold try (and fail) to light up the house on the big screen! That’s why each year Marcus Theatres brings back a collection of favorites during its Holiday Classics Retro Series. This year’s line-up features:

• December 6-12: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “White Christmas” and “Elf”

• December 13-19: “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and “The Polar Express”

All films are just $6 per person. Fun fact: Marcus Theatres recently polled 11,000 of its Magical Movie Rewards members and “Christmas Vacation” was voted Nebraska’s favorite holiday classic!

 

Gifts that Entertain

Looking for a gift that’s perfect for friends, family, teachers, babysitters and more? Try a Marcus Theatres gift card! They’re perfect for family outings and date nights alike.

Now through January 5, receive $5 in FREE Snack Cash with every $25 gift card purchase in theatre or online. Visit the Marcus Gift Store for more details and the latest deals. (Tip: pair a gift card with an Ultimate Popcorn Tub for the gift that keeps on giving!)

 

Gifts that Give Back

While you’re busy checking everyone off your list, Marcus Theatres is also giving you the opportunity to gift a Magical Movie Experience to a Make-A-Wish Nebraska child battling critical illness. Visit www.MarcusTheatres.com/Wishes to learn more and spread some joy to a local family this holiday season.

 

Find More Holiday Fun:

• 100+ Holiday Events in Omaha
• Holiday Fun Guide
• Amazing Christmas Lights in Omaha + Map

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.

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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.

 

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.

If you live in the Omaha Metro, odds are you’ve heard of Vala’s Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard. It truly is the Disney World of pumpkin patches. The attractions are so fun and unique. It really is a great place for some good old-fashioned fall fun, and a great place to make memories with your family. There’s an endless amount of things to do and see during your visit and you’re sure to work up an appetite. 

Thankfully, Vala’s has some of the very best food around. Nothing can get you in the spirit of Fall quite like some of the treats you can find at Vala’s!

It was challenging to narrow down our list to just 10 items, but we have rounded up a list of 10 of the Best Foods at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch!

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Best Foods at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch

Here are our favorites of Vala’s Best Food (in no particular order):

Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake– This treat, accurately described as a “hidden gem” at Vala’s is absolutely amazing! It has a German chocolate crust and is so rich and decadent. You don’t even have to be a huge pumpkin fan to enjoy this. You can find it in the Country Bakery. Another yummy treat to try in the Country Bakery are the Pumpkin Bars.

 

Apple Cider Donuts– If you want some delicious, made-from scratch, apple cider donuts, head to the Harvest Barn. You can get your apple cider donuts cinnamon sugar coated or glazed. My personal favorite is glazed. If you can snag these first thing in the morning when they are hot and fresh, there really is little else comparable. These are a family favorite and served daily.

 

Apple Cider Slushy– If you find yourself at the patch on a particularly hot day, there is no better way to cool off than with an Apple Cider Slushy (although the Slushy Station is a close second)! They also offer Apple Cider Slushy Floats, but I personally love them as is (sans the ice cream). You, of course, can also just grab a hot apple cider, on a cold day, which is also amazing- perfect for dunking those Apple Cider Donuts in!

 

Turkey Legs– You can’t talk about food at Vala’s and not include their giant smoked turkey legs. My kids more closely resemble animals tearing into these, and love every minute of it. The are located at Time-Out Turkey Legs.

 

Brown Butter Salted Honey Pie– The fact that Vala’s has an entire pie barn, points to the fact that they know their pies!

While many are amazing, for me, the Brown Butter Salted Honey Pie takes the pie cake. This pie could be easily overlooked by some of its “flashier” looking relatives, but this salty-sweet pie is not to be missed! The texture is like custard. It gets an amazing caramel flavor from the brown butter and honey combination.

Other contenders for best pie, are the popular Salted Caramel Apple and Classic Pumpkin.

*Fun fact…did you know you can order their pies for Thanksgiving? Typically around the first week of November you can pre-order a Vala’s pie to be picked up the day before Thanksgiving. Follow their Facebook page for more information.

 

Apple Dumpling– We’ve gotten an annual family pass to Vala’s Pumpkin Patch for the past decade and it wasn’t until just recently that I discovered their Apple Dumplings. Dare I say it rivals their pies. The Apple Dumpling consists of an entire peeled apple (grown at Vala’s), wrapped in homemade pie crust and drenched in caramel sauce. I have never had anything quite like it- a truly unique treat. It’s important to note that these are only available on the weekends. You can find them in the Pie Barn.

 

Vala’s Seven Layer Bars– The treat that brings the most nostalgia for our family has to be the Seven Layer Bar. The pumpkin patch season doesn’t close without our family having consumed at least a few of these. Layers of chocolate and butterscotch chips, sweetened condensed milk, graham cracker crumbs, coconut and pecans, all come together to make a rich treat that is out.of.this.world. They are located in the Exit Barn.

 

Popcorn Balls– I think it’s pretty widely known that Vala’s sells great kettlecorn, but have you tried their, homemade, popcorn balls? The recipe is Grandma Lois Vala’s and is still being used today. Conveniently located in the Exit Barn, this is a good treat to take home to be enjoyed for later. They are appropriately orange in color as well, adding to the festiveness of the treat.

 

Succotash– Being more of a savory guy, my husband’s favorite thing at the patch is the Succotash, located at the Potato Patch Cookery. Other savory favorites include Chicken Pot Pie and soup in a bread bowl.

 

Cookie Coop Cookies– These cookies are truly amazing and yet another very unique recipe to Vala’s. These mini, warm, chocolate chip cookies are so thin, and absolutely scrumptious! You can purchase a cookie cone or a bucket of cookies. 

 

It was honestly super hard to narrow this list down, so if something didn’t make the list, it doesn’t mean it isn’t worthy. It’s just a testament to how great the food is at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch!

With that said, I wanted to add some honorable mentions:

• Hand-Dipped Caramel Apples
• Caramel Apple Funnel Cake Sundae
• Freak Shakes (Caramel Apple & S’mores)
• Kettle Corn

 

If having these treats just a few times a year isn’t enough for you, did you know they have a Vala’s Cookbook full of some of the very recipes listed above? Located in the Exit Barn, you can grab a cookbook for yourself and give some of these amazing recipes a try yourself! 

Discover more Helpful Tips for Visiting Vala’s Pumpkin Patch here!

 

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.

Fall is beautiful in and around Omaha! We asked our readers to share their favorite areas and best scenic drives near Omaha to see Fall colors!

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

 

Best Places to See Fall Colors Near Omaha

 

 

Lauritzen Gardens

Location: 100 Bancroft St.
Admission Cost. Memberships available.

Stroll around the beautiful Botanical Gardens with paved walking paths. See a model train railroad, indoor Conservatory, Visitor Center, and many themed garden areas.

Members of Omaha Public Library or Council Bluffs Library can check out a pass to visit Lauritzen Gardens. Find out more here!

 

Mahoney State Park

Location: 28500 West Park Hwy, Ashland, NE
Cost: Park Entry Permit is required

During the Fall, families can enjoy scenic drives, explore the park’s hiking and biking trails, visit the indoor playground, and climb the observation tower.

 

OPPD Arboretum

Location: 108th & Blondo
Cost: Free

The OPPD arboretum is an outdoor education area where you can walk along paved pathways.

 

Platte River State Park

Location: 14421 346th St., Louisville, NE
Cost: Park Entry Permit is required.

Enjoy the park’s picturesque waterfall, scenic hiking and biking trails, and two observation towers that allow those who climb to the top a spectacular view of both the Platte River and Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, which is just across the river.

 

Schramm Park

Location: 15810 Hwy 50, Louisville, NE
Cost: Park Entry Permit is required.

Families can explore a geologic display, feed fish in cool water trout ponds, tour the Schramm Education Center (admission), and enjoy a picnic on the bluffs.

 

Find More Beautiful Places here;

 

 

Best Scenic Drives to See Fall Colors Near Omaha

Highway 66 [Exit 426 between Omaha and Lincoln]

• Get off exit 426 between Omaha and Lincoln and enjoy the nearby attractions and scenic drive.
• Mahoney State Park – During the Fall, families can enjoy scenic drives, explore the park’s hiking and biking trails, visit the indoor playground, and climb the observation tower. Daily / Annual Park Entry Pass Required.
• Wildlife Safari Park – Drive-through and see elk, bison, deer, and more. In the middle of the park, you can get out of your car and walk to see the bears, wolves, petting corral, and eagle aviary. Hiking trails also available.
• Platte River State Park – Enjoy the park’s picturesque waterfall, scenic hiking and biking trails, and two observation towers that allow those who climb to the top a spectacular view of both the Platte River and Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, which is just across the river.

 

Hwy 75 [South toward Nebraska City and Indian Cave]

• Nebraska City is a favorite place to visit during the Fall and is popular for their apple picking, and experiencing the Tree Adventure at Arbor Day Farm.
• Cross over into Iowa to visit Waubonsie State Park.
• Indian Cave State Park is a popular camping spot, with beautiful overlooks and hiking trails.

 

Loess Hills National Scenic Byway

• The Loess Hills National Scenic Byway passes through a unique land formation that is up to 15 miles wide and about 200 miles long from north of Sioux City, Iowa to near St. Joseph, Missouri.
• For inspiration and ideas, visit 5 Stops for a Fall Foliage Tour of the Loess Hills and 9 Best Fall Color Views in the Loess Hills.

 

Find more Fall Fun in Omaha: