[Sheridan1962]

We will be spending a full day in Omaha this summer as part of a two week road trip, as my 16 year old daughter is a zoo fanatic, and wants to visit the Henry Doorly Zoo. I'd appreciate any tips or advice on visiting the zoo, and any ideas for good restaurants in the area. We are staying two nights at a hotel in Bellevue, which looks to be about 10-15 miles south of Omaha (???) . Thanks.

[Omaha Rocks]

You'll love the zoo, and staying in Bellevue is a good choice. The Kennedy Expressway will get you to the zoo in no time.

If your daughter is a true zoo fanatic, she might not get to everything she wants in one day...


Restaurants. What are you looking for? Local flavor and flare? Just good eats? Atmosphere?

[tpabes]

First of all, have fun! Since the zoo has so many indoor attractions, I like to hit the outdoor exhibits before the heat of the day and then visit the indoor exhibits. My other advice is if you are visiting the week of the College World Series, get there really early because parking is limited. I leave the restaurants to the locals! Have a great trip, road trips are the best.

[thatguy1]

June 13-23rd is the College World Series. That could definitely complicate things for you. Good luck though.

[kdbrich]

Wear good walking shoes. It's a great zoo and there's a lot to see.

[Fern435]

Enjoy! The Henry Doorly Zoo is (to our family) one of the very best zoos. Anywhere. You will LOVE it!

Old Market has some wonderful places to eat. It's north of the zoo.

Culver's in Bellevue (on 36th Street, just north of 370 and the movie complex) has delicious shakes and sundaes in a variety of flavors. Great fries and sandwiches, too.

There is also a diner just 30 seconds from Culver's (and on the opposite side of 36th St.) that serves delicious breakfasts from scratch. It's in a small business complex. I'm sorry I forgot the name. I hope it is still there. There's also a Panera (bagels, pastries, sandwiches, soups) in Bellevue.

If Mama Alvino's is still there (Capehart Road, Bellevue), I highly recommend getting a pizza there! Omaha has GREAT food!

[Sheridan1962]

Thank you all for the tips! Fortunately we won't be there until after the baseball thing...we'll be visiting the zoo on Sunday, June 28.

Family friendly places to eat are what we go for...chain or non-chain type places.

[laserdisque]

I would go to any of the outdoor places before the heat sets in. I like to have lunch in the aviary. I just like eating with the flamingos, and it is usually less crowded than other areas of the zoo. The indoor "can't miss" things are the rainforest, desert dome, kingdoms of the night (which is below the desert dome), aquarium, butterfly exhibit, and the gorilla valley. They also just added a ski lift sort of thing that crosses the entire zoo which looks kind of neat. One place that is a little off the beaten path that I really love is an enclosed parakeet habitat which you get to walk into and have a ton of the birds fly around you. It is on the hill above and behind the petting zoo/dairy area. For eating out you really should go up to the old market which is just north of the zoo. 13th street will take right to it. It has a lot of nice local places to eat and shop. Hope your trip goes well!

[omahajosh618]

Fern, that restaurant you're referring to across from Culver's on 36th street is called Vidlak's Family Cafe.

[Fern435]

Originally Posted by omahajosh618

Fern, that restaurant you're referring to across from Culver's on 36th street is called Vidlak's Family Cafe.

Vidlak's! Thank you, Omahajosh! Delicious food, generous portions! You do not leave hungry.

People just seem to know how to make foods taste great back in Nebraska.

Cafe Delice (Old Market) would be a nice place. I miss Omaha/state of Nebraska.