The Ultimate Guide to Summer Fun in Omaha 2019 Edition

We’re heading into summer—the time for vacation, being outside, and most of all, fun. While you may have a few things planned in the coming months, you may not be aware of all that’s going on. Omaha is packed with fantastic summer festivals and events, along with other ways to make the most of the season. There’s practically something to look forward to or do every single week. Take a look at what’s coming to Omaha this summer and get excited for all the great events or places that you can experience and visit.

Omaha Summer Events and Activities

Break out your calendars! Omaha has no shortage of fun summer events to attend. Take a look at what’s coming to the city so you can start making your plans as soon as possible.

• 2019 College World Series. The College World Series of Omaha organizes the Men’s College World Series. It’s one of the most exciting sporting events to occur in Omaha. Baseball lovers can rejoice and enjoy a week and a half of baseball. The series starts Saturday, June 15 and continues until Wednesday, June 26.
• Zydeco Festival. Held on Saturday, June 22 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Turner Park at Midtown Crossing will host the Zydeco Festival. This event is free, family and pet-friendly, and will have all kinds of delicious food and good music.
• Heartland Pride – 2019 Parade & Festival. The LGBTQ+ community will celebrate their pride this weekend. It will also be the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall. Youth Pride will be on Friday, June 28th at the Baxter Arena. The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 29 at 10 a.m. in Old Market, Omaha. The Pride Festival begins the same day at noon at Baxter Arena.
• Omaha Beer Fest. This event is for all the beer lovers out there and will be held on Saturday, June 29 on the Infield Turf at Horsemen’s Park. There will be over 60 breweries, with all kinds of craft beer and cider to sample. Learn more here.
• Hullabaloo Festival. This three day music festival also includes camping. The Hullabaloo Festival is a place for the community to come together and enjoy the music, delicious food, and beautiful art. The fun begins on Thursday, July 18 and continues until Sunday, July 21. The festival will be in Falconwood Park in Bellevue.
• Nebraska Asian Festival. Everyone is invited to experience this festival that celebrates Asian culture. At the Nebraska Asian Festival, you will be able to eat Asian food, see cultural performances, and look at merchandise from Asian vendors. The festival is on Saturday, July 27 at the Lewis & Clark Landing from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Benson Days. This festival promotes community and local creativity. The weekend kicks off with a pancake breakfast, and there is a parade and festival with all kinds of vendors. Benson Days starts on Saturday, July 27th and continues until Sunday, July 28th.
• 5th Annual In the Market for Blues. On Saturday, August 3rd until Sunday, August 4th to 2 a.m., you can experience the five year anniversary of In the Market for Blues at the Old Market & Capitol District. There will be an outdoor venue this year so you can listen to the music under the night sky.
• Maha Festival. This four-day event brings the community together through experiencing music. The lineup includes Lizzo, Jenny Lewis, Courtney Barnett, and more. The festival begins on Wednesday, August 14th and goes to Saturday, August 17th.
• SeptemberFest Omaha. As the summer winds down, make sure to send it off with a big celebration. Vendors from all over the region, a carnival, and a giant parade are just a few attractions of the festival. SeptemberFest Omaha beings on Friday, August 30th and continues until Monday, September 2nd.
• Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. Spend a day at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. You can see and learn about all the fascinating animals that live there. From April 1st to October 31st, the zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Old Market. This neighborhood is a must-stop. It’s full of places to shop, dine, and you can’t help but appreciate its rich history. The Old Market also celebrates First Friday, so stop by on the first Friday of the month to see what’s happening.
• The Durham Museum. Learn about history amidst the breathtaking architecture of The Durham Museum. Take a look into culture, science, and industry of the past and gain a new perspective about Omaha.
• Lauritzen Gardens Omaha’s Botanical Center. Lauritzen Gardens has living displays of beautiful plants. Here you can breathe in the fresh air and see the beautiful seasonal flowers. There are also programs and workshops for adults and kids so they can learn about gardening, nature, and more.
• Joslyn Art Museum. Their mission is to create a space where everyone can appreciate and enjoy the arts. They also preserve art pieces so many future generations can continue to see them. The Joslyn Art Museum has plenty of interesting exhibits and collections that will hold your attention and make you think.
• Omaha Children’s Museum. Children can learn through creative and challenging ways in the Omaha Children’s Museum. They take into account how children learn best, which is why there’s a variety of hands-on exhibits, programs, workshops, and more throughout the summer. You can plan your visit here.

With all these festivals and events happening, you’re going to work up an appetite. Luckily, Omaha is full of restaurants where you can get a delicious bite to eat.

Restaurants with Outdoor Seating

Summers are meant to be spent outside as much as possible. When you’ve been taking advantage of the pleasant summer weather and you don’t want to go back indoors for dinner, Omaha has you covered. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a meal outside at one of these restaurants.

• The Matt Bar & Grill. This restaurant is in a renovated mattress factory, keeping a slice of Omaha history alive. The Matt Bar & Grill has a vast menu that includes sandwiches, burgers, tacos, entrees, and more. Pair it with something from the drink menu and you’ve got a great summer evening ahead of you.
• Bärchen Beer Garden. Inspired by German traditions, Bärchen Beer Garden has a large outdoor seating area. The long tables and benches can seat 220 people. Choose from the 30 drafts on tap and pick something from the food menu. All that’s left is for you to enjoy.
• Dario’s Brasserie. The food is exceptional and the ambience is elegant and comfortable. Each European-inspired dish is made with the freshest ingredients. Dario’s is open for dinner Tuesday-Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and brunch on the weekends.
• Toad’s Pub. Open since 1970, Mr. Toad’s Pub is a perfect spot to sit outdoors and pick from their wide selection of beer. On Sundays, you can catch the jazz band, Luigi, Inc. at 9 p.m. and Wednesdays feature local pianist Ray Williams from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. or later. These events are cover free and bring the entire crowd together.
• Marks Bistro. Located in the historic Dundee district, Marks Bistro offers delicious cuisine along with a gorgeous patio area. Everyone will find something that they like here, making everyone feel right at home.
• Jackson Street Tavern. Whether you’re in the mood for lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch, Jackson Street Tavern has the perfect menu for you. Their American cuisine along with their drink menu has options that everyone will love.
• Nicola’s Italian Wine & Faire. Stop by in Old Market to get authentic Italian food. Nicola’s also has a wine bar. Are you planning a lunch or dinner party? Nicola’s has your back—just look at their catering menu.

Omaha brings more than delicious restaurants to its citizens, they also have breweries. Drinking an ice-cold beer on a hot summer day is a great way to spend time with friends and family. Let’s look at where you can do this in our city.

Local Omaha Breweries

Omaha has a lot to offer craft brew enthusiasts. There are many local breweries that add their unique flair to their creations. It’s the perfect opportunity to get together with friends and sample the different kinds of beer made right in the city.

• Brickway Brewery & Distillery. This is the place to get hand-crafted spirits and beer. The taproom includes seasonal beers and unique cocktails. Brickway Brewery & Distillery tours are on Thursdays at 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Brickway is the perfect place for a summer weekend.
• Upstream Brewing Company. Open since 1996, Upstream Brewing provides a great place to gather with friends, order some food, and choose from a wide selection of drinks. Their schedule includes Happy Hour on Monday-Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and they even have a Late Night Happy Hour on Monday-Friday from 11 p.m. to close.
• Infusion Brewing Company. This brewery is located in the Historic Benson Neighborhood. Their selection of beer changes as they move through different types of infused beer. Tours are free, but reservations for Infusion Brewing Company are recommended.
• Lucky Bucket. This brewery makes all types of beer. You can try their lagers, stouts, ales, and more. Tours of Lucky Bucket are on the first Saturday of each month.
• Farnam House Brewing Company. Their specialty is European style beer from France, Germany, and Belgium, but their menu also changes with the season. Make sure to check out their weekly specials and events, which includes a Trivia Night every Wednesday. Farnam House Brewing Company is always trying something new and unique that will keep everyone coming back for more.

Now that you have an idea of what to do and where to eat and drink, you may be looking for another important element of the summer months—nature.

Omaha Hiking Trails

Getting out of the city and into nature is an essential part of any summer. There are plenty of places to hike and appreciate Nebraska’s beauty. Here are a few that are close to Omaha.

• Fontenelle Forest Nature Center. A quick 13 minute drive from Omaha, the Fontenelle Forest Nature Center protects important forest, prairie, and wetland areas and the animals that inhabit it. The trails are for walking and hiking only, so no bicycles or camping. It’s a great spot to spend a quiet day or a few hours.
• Hummel Park Nature Center. The trails show beautiful, scenic Nebraska and you can see all the local floral and fauna. The drive is only 18 mins away. There’s also a handful of family friendly activities at the Hummel Park Nature Center. There’s a Lightning Bug Party on Saturday, June 22nd from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. or you can go on the Family Camping Adventure Saturday, July 20th to Sunday, July 21st from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. On Saturday, August 17th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., there’s a Hummel Mud Run for kids ages 6-8 and 9-12.
• Standing Bear Lake. This is about 25 minutes away from Omaha. Standing Bear Lake is a gorgeous spot to go for a walk, run, or take advantage of the lake and go kayaking or paddle boarding.

Now that you have a list of activities, restaurants and breweries to visit, and nature trails to hike, you have all that you need for a fun-filled summer in Omaha.

Enjoy Your Summer from Welsh & Welsh

Welsh & Welsh PC, LLO proudly represents citizens of Omaha and the rest of Nebraska in personal injury matters. We want to inform the community of what’s happening this summer so everyone can enjoy it. Everyone benefits when they know about community events, locally owned business, and where they can get away and appreciate nature for a few hours. There’s so much that our city is bringing to us this summer and we hope that you take full advantage of everything going on. Have a safe summer!