Family Fun in Omaha

Your local resource for family-friendly activities and events in Omaha.

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Kids Calendar

Weekend Fun

Things To Do

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Pumpkin Patches

Fall Guide

Omaha Culinary Tours Chocolate and Pastries Tour: A Sweet Treat!

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Imagine tasting an authentic French croissant, visiting a German bakery, and meeting the entrepreneur behind the chocolate covered cordial cherries that made the list of Oprah’s Favorite Things… Imagine a 3-hour tour that feels like you are on a mini-vacation, tasting sweets while visiting adorable little shops, and being entertained and pampered the entire time… And all this, in Omaha!

Omaha Culinary Tours is a brand new company offering food tasting tours of Omaha’s culinary scene. Sample unique and delicious food, meet the owners and hear the stories behind their passions turned businesses, and visit locally-owned restaurants with a long history in Omaha, as well as those new to the city.

Chocolate and Pastries Tour

Their newest tour brings visitors to the most delicious and delightful locally-owned pastry shops, bakeries and chocolatiers in the Omaha area.

The Cordial Cherry

Omaha Culinary Tours - The Cordial Cherry

Our first stop, The Cordial Cherry, was a wonderful shop filled with masterfully hand-decorated chocolate-covered cherry cordials, each with a sweet liquid cordial center. The unique décor included salvaged wooden doors as tables and rows of beautiful cherries ready to be hand-picked. The highlight of our visit was hearing from Melissa, the owner, as she shared how she turned her passion into this shop using a recipe passed down from her Grandmother, and whose beautiful Nativity Set was recently included in Oprah’s 2013 List of Favorite Things!

Le Petit Paris French Bakery

Omaha Culinary Tours - Le Petit Paris

From delectable chocolate to melt-in-your-mouth pastries, we then headed to Le Petit Paris French Bakery, located next to Le Voltaire French Restaurant in Pepperwood Village. The bakery shop offers authentic French breads and pastries, all baked according to the exact recipes from France in their imported French deck oven.  The croissants and pastries were very flaky and delicious, so good that we returned a couple days later to try them fresh in the morning!

The Market Basket

Omaha Culinary Tours - The Market Basket

We traveled on to Countryside Village to The Market Basket, where we were greeted by a table full of sweet desserts. Since opening in 1986, this restaurant, bakery, deli, and gourmet market uses only fresh ingredients to treat local diners. The sweets from our tour were very rich and tasty as evidenced by our clean plates.

Gerda’s German Restaurant and Bakery

Omaha Culinary Tours - Gerda's

The next stop took us to midtown on Leavenworth. Established in 1976, Gerda’s German Restaurant and Bakery, is a favorite among locals for all of their wonderful German foods including Schnitzel and Spaetzle to wonderful German pastries and desserts. We were lucky to visit on the very popular pan-fried chicken night, and tasted the amazing chicken (a small break from the wonderful sugar high!).

Stories Coffeehouse

Omaha Culinary Tours - Stories Coffeehouse

A perfect spot for our final stop, Stories Coffeehouse filled whatever room we had left with tastes of wine, chocolate, popcorn, coffee, and soup. This wonderful place offers women-owned start-up culinary companies the opportunity to serve a variety of goodies in a relaxing and comfortable setting. Stories Coffeehouse is a place where you can sit for hours enjoying the company of family and friends or by yourself just relaxing with food, dessert, or drink.

In between stops, we were entertained by our fantastic tour guides with an introduction and history behind each restaurant/bakery, and were served delicious homemade hot chocolate and marshmallows from The Grey Plume, and pecan and lemon bars from Sweet Magnolia’s Bake Shop.    

Omaha Culinary Tours

In addition to the Chocolate and Pastries Tour, Omaha Culinary Tours also offers a Midtown Walking Food Tour. Exciting plans are in the works to add more tours including an Old Market Walking Tour, Omaha Steakhouse Tour, Pizza Tour, plus more! Gift certificates are available, as well as private group tours for special occasions or business outings.

Visit Omaha Culinary Tours for more information on scheduling a perfect date night, ladies night, or a fun and unique night on the town!

Disclosure: Many thanks to Omaha Culinary Tours for offering this fantastic new option in the Omaha area, and for providing tickets to my husband and I for the Chocolate and Pastry Tour.  All opinions are my own. See disclosure and privacy policy here. 

Camp Fontanelle Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze – Great Family Fun!

Camp Fontanelle Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze

Camp Fontanelle Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze, located just north of Fremont, Nebraska, offers great family fun every Fall.

We recently spent a fantastic Fall day visiting Camp Fontanelle. We first visited the area filled with all kinds of yard games including toilet seat tic-tac-toe and ladder golf. The kids loved the bounce house, sandbox, trike track, and petting zoo full of animals!

A fun hayrack ride took us on a tour of the beautiful camp, with the driver stopping along the way describing the history and showing us special points of interest. We were dropped off right by the jumping pillow, which is always a favorite for kids!

The MAiZE

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The highlight of our visit was the Corn Maze. The kids loved the challenging scavenger hunt with seven stations hidden around the huge maze. We were happy with the 3 we found, since they were all hidden very well! At the beginning, be sure to ask for the Passport which gives you clues to help you find your way around the maze.

Zip Lines

Camp Fontanelle Zipline

NEW in 2013: Ride a Zip Line through the trees! What a fun adventure for older children and adults! $10 for 2 rides. 2-6 p.m. on Saturdays & Sundays.

Dates and Hours

Camp Fontanelle is open from September 15 to November 3, 2013.

  • Saturdays and Sundays: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 19, Friday, October 25, and Saturday, October 26: 7 – 10 p.m. – Haunted

Admission

  • Children 3-11: $4.00
  • Adults 12+: $6.00
  • Cash or Check Only

Special Events

  • October 20: Toys for Tots,  2 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Every person bringing a new toy with a value of at least $5.00 will receive a free pass into the corn maze!
  • October 20: Search For Treats, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Bring your candy bag and search for goodies as you try to conquer the maze.
  • October 26: 4th Annual Wilderness 5k run/1 mile walk
  • Movie Nights Oct. 19, Oct. 25 & Oct. 26, at dusk (6:45ish)
  • Haunted-Oct. 19, 25 & 26: 7 -10 p.m.

Discounts

Print this coupon toward $1 off maze admission, a pony ride, a game of laser tag, or the zip line!

Looking for savings nationwide? Download valuable coupons for Corn Mazes, Pumpkin Patches and Fall Family Activities across the country!

Disclosure:  I am a Moms Connect member of US Family Guide, and in exchange for my participation in sharing information, discount offers, and giveaways for family-friendly attractions, US Family Guide has provided passes for my family. See disclosure and privacy policy here.

Things That Go! at the Omaha Children’s Museum + Giveaway!

Omaha Children's Museum

The newest exhibit at the Omaha Children’s Museum is sure to get your children up and moving! Things That Go! encourages interaction and participation in everything from vehicles, water, energy, and more.

Some Highlights of Things That Go!:

  • Slide into the driver’s seat of a kid-powered semi-truck
  • Climb aboard a real Metro City Bus
  • Build a pinewood derby car then race it down a winding track
  • Create a pinball rollercoaster with lights, ramps and jumps
  • Shoot balls and bottles with air powered cannons inside the launch cage
  • Race boats through obstacles in a giant water table
  • Find the fastest route to the top of a 40-foot vertical maze

Things That Go! Grand Opening

Saturday, October 19: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Be the first to visit Things That Go! at the Grand Opening on Saturday, October 19!  The special exhibit then continues through April 13, 2014.

Omaha Childrens Museum

Giveaway: Win A Family Pass to the Omaha Children’s Museum – 2 Winners!

Two lucky Family Fun in Omaha readers will win a Family Pass to the Omaha Children’s Museum! A Family Admission Pass admits up to four people for one visit to the museum, including Things That Go! special exhibit.

TO ENTER:

  • Simply enter through Rafflecopter below by signing in with your Facebook account or with your name and email address.
  • Earn additional entries as described.

THANK YOU FOR ENTERING AND GOOD LUCK!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

GIVEAWAY ENDS: Sunday, October 27, 2013, 11:59pm, CST.  

OTHER: Entrants must be 19 or older and located in the US only.  The winner will be selected using Rafflecopter and notified via email.  Winner must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize, or another winner will be chosen.  Duplicate entries will be deleted.

Disclosure: Many thanks to the Omaha Children’s Museum who provided the family passes for the giveaway. All opinions are my own. See disclosure and privacy policy here.  This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

Other Helpful Resources:

Bloom Where You’re Planted Farm: Wonderful Family Fun!

Bloom Where You're Planted

Today, we welcome Sarah H. as a Guest Contributor to Family Fun in Omaha!

Our family had a wonderful day at Bloom Where You’re Planted Pumpkin Patch in Avoca, NE. We visited the family owned & operated Pumpkin patch on a gorgeous September day. It was about a 45 minute drive to Avoca, but the autumn scenery along the way made the drive quite pleasant.

We began our visit on the playground – there are several fun play areas that are perfect for younger visitors. There were also several rows of hay bales for climbing, which both my 3 year old and 13 year old enjoyed. One even had a slide and we all took turns going down!

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Another definite highlight of the farm was the family sized tire swing. We had a great time being able to swing together – my son’s favorite was spinning, while my daughter enjoyed bumping into the support posts. For those not into the rough & tumble action of the tire swing, there is a regular swingset, as well as a porch style swing.

The hayrack ride – always a popular pumpkin patch activity – runs twice an hour. We took a short but lovely drive out to the field, where most of the pumpkins were already off the vines (a huge plus for me, since those pumpkin vines are always prickly!!) The kids each picked out a pumpkin – one orange, one white, and we headed back to the main part of the farm.

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I don’t think it’s possible to visit a pumpkin patch without sampling some fall snacks and Bloom Where You’re Planted did not disappoint! We headed over to the Schoolhouse Café and tried what their website refers to as their “famous homemade frosted sugar cookie”. Believe me – the cookies lived up to the hype!

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After refueling, we wandered around in the Pumpkin Barn & Gift Shop. They have a fun and eclectic collection of items, as well as popcorn and additional snacks in the gift shop. In the Pumpkin Barn, we found a wide variety of pumpkins and gourds on display. My favorite part was their use of real Radio Flyer Wagons to transport your pumpkins while on site – so cute!

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While at the farm, we also enjoyed the Rubber Duck Races, Word Scavenger Hunt (we didn’t “officially” participate in this activity, but found it fun to spot the words placed around the farm) and the Gourd Garden. My three year old son especially liked all the open space that he had to run around – and the multiple play areas. My 13 year old daughter enjoyed petting the horses and was pleased to find the perfect white pumpkin that she plans to paint.

Admission is $5.00/person (including tax) and children 2 and under are free. Bloom Where You’re Planted is open on Fridays from 1 – 6pm and Saturdays & Sundays from 10am – 6pm until October 31, 2013. We had a great time visiting and think your family will, too!

Disclosure: Many thanks to Sarah for being a guest contributor, and to Bloom Where You’re Planted Farm who provided the passes to facilitate the review. They are a Featured Omaha Area Pumpkin Patch. 

Helpful Tips for Visiting the Omaha Zoo!

*Updated 2017.

The Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is one of the best family attractions in the United States (named the #1 Zoo in the Country on TripAdvisor), and we are lucky enough to have it right here in Omaha!  We have a zoo pass and go about 2-3 times each month.  My kids love it, and we always feel like we are on vacation when we visit the zoo!

Be sure to plan a full day to see the zoo.  There is plenty of free parking, and two entrances in the summer.  The most popular exhibits are located near the main entrance (at the top of the hill).  Enjoy!

Keep updated on the latest Omaha fun and Sign up for our Free Email Newsletter!

Find these and many more events in the Omaha Kids Calendar and this weekend’s events here!

Highlights

  • The newly renovated Aquarium, Lied Jungle (with two levels, offering unique perspectives), Desert Dome, Kingdoms of the Night (below the Desert Dome), and Gorilla Valley are the must-see sights on your visit.
  • Other wonderful exhibits include Bear Canyon (especially during feeding time), and the Butterfly Pavilion (have to park stroller outside).  We also always enjoy visiting the Cat Complex, Red Barn Park, Sea Lions, Rhinos, and Giraffes.
  • At the Fossil Dig Site, children can use provided shovels and buckets to dig for fossils in rubber mulch, which is great for digging in without the mess of sand.
  • The IMAX Theater currently has 3 different shows daily, scheduled each hour.  Zoo members receive Free IMAX tickets – stop by the IMAX Box Office to pick up your tickets on each visit.  It is recommended to pick up or purchase your tickets early even for the later shows, since new releases often sell out.  See current shows and schedule here.
  • The Infield at the Zoo (located in the parking lot) honors the legacy of Rosenblatt Stadium with the original location of home plate, ability for kids to run the bases, and is an enjoyable gathering space for visitors.

What to Bring

  • Visitors are welcome to bring a lunch (highly recommended), and there are plenty of covered picnic areas to eat.  Bags, coolers and wagons are allowed, but no glass containers or alcohol.
  • Sunscreen, water, and good walking shoes since there are quite a few hills.
  • Strollers – If you have little ones, it is a good idea to bring a smaller stroller for when they get tired (since there is a lot of walking).  This will be easier to navigate in the indoor attractions which may be crowded.  You can take the stroller with you in all exhibits, except for the Butterfly Pavilion.

Visiting Year-Round

  • Summer – Arrive early.  On particularly hot days, do your walking while it is cool, then visit indoor exhibits.  The Kingdoms of the Night, Aquarium, Gorilla Valley, Expedition Madagascar, and Wild Kingdom Pavilion are great places to cool off and enjoy the air-conditioning.  There are also spray misters set up around the zoo to help stay cool.

Download the Zoo App

  • Download the Zoo App which includes a GPS-enabled Zoo map, Interactive special events and animal encounters calendars, and more.
  • Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium members can activate their membership card within the app.

Admission and Special Events

  • Although the zoo does not offer coupons, they occasionally offer a free zoo day during the year (usually in the Winter months).  (Follow Family Fun in Omaha to keep posted on the latest events!)

Other Helpful Resources:

We hope you have a wonderful visit to the Omaha Zoo and Aquarium!

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Family Fun in Omaha is your local resource for family-friendly activities and events in Omaha! Created by a local Mom who loves finding new adventures with her family and wants to help you enjoy all that Omaha has to offer. We recommend starting here. Thank you for visiting!

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