Looking for a good hike for the weekend? You don't have to go far to find one in and around the Omaha area. There are a wide variety of hikes that are perfect for all skill and fitness levels. Check out these Omaha trails to hike this summer. Fontenelle Forest Fontenelle Forest in Bellevue, Nebraska, is just about 10 miles from Omaha. It has 26 miles of trails, including a boardwalk that makes it easy for families with strollers and for wheelchairs. The Stream Trail takes you along the stream where you might come across beavers or frogs, and the Cottonwood Trail crosses the flood plain and is perfect for exploring the giant cottonwood trees. Standing Bear Lake Loop Head to Standing Bear Lake and take the loop trail that runs for three miles. A new floating trail takes you across the west end of the lake, so you don't have to go on the shoulder of North 144th Street anymore. The new section of trail is eight feet wide and perfect for running, walking, and biking. Heron Haven Heron Haven is a spring-fed wetland sanctuary on Old Maple Road in Omaha. It has miles of trails to explore over the 17 acres of land. While hiking in Heron Haven, you are sure to come across a wide variety of wildlife from groundhogs to woodpeckers, ducks, geese, and great blue herons during the warmer months. Check out these Omaha area hiking trails when you want to get outside. You can go exploring and get some fresh air within a few miles of the city.
The Old Market neighborhood in downtown Omaha, Nebraska, is a historic district and sits on the National Register of Historic Places. The area has a number of landmark buildings, with many of the original warehouses now converted into lofts. Explore these historic areas in the Old Market. The Omaha Bemis Bag Company Building The Omaha Bemis Bag Company came to Omaha in 1887, and by 1900 is was the biggest manufacturer of bags in the world. The building that housed the business in Old Market is now the Blue Barn Theater and home to the Boiler Room Restaurant, and it was designated as an Omaha Landmark in 1978. Burlington Building The Burlington Building at 1004 Farnam Street was once the headquarters for the Burlington and Missouri River railroad. In 1966 the railroad left the building, and it stood vacant for 17 years. The restoration took place to turn the building into commercial office space, but many of the elements of the original building remain the same, including the balconies, cast-iron railings for the stairways, and the large atrium that rises from the first floor to the roof with a central court. Baum Iron Company Building The Baum Iron Company Building at 1221 Harney Street was built in 1880 and carried the Baum Iron name. It was once the home of the largest wholesaler of iron products in the Midwest. The building now houses Baum Hydraulics. These are just a few of the many historic buildings in the Old Market neighborhood of Omaha. You can take a walking tour to see these and more.
Image via Pixabay.com One of the most interesting things about living in Omaha, Nebraska, is its rich and diverse history. There are several landmarks commemorating this history that are worth a visit. Here are historic landmarks in Omaha to explore this spring. General Crook House Museum Constructed in 1879, the General Crook House once served as a grand home for General George Crook, a hero of the Civil War and National Indian Wars. Crook was also commander of the Department of the Platte while he was living in Omaha. The Department of the Platte oversaw military operations in Iowa, Nebraska, the Dakota Territory, and the Utah Territory. The Crook House, an Italianate-style mansion, is furnished with antiques from the 1880 Victorian period and is now a living history museum dedicated to educating visitors about the era. When you visit the museum, you'll enjoy viewing decorative arts, costumes, and the restored garden. Malcolm X Memorial Foundation Located in the heart of North Omaha, the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation sits on the site of the influential civil rights leader's place of birth. Born in 1925, Malcolm X (born Malcolm Little) was sent to live with relatives and eventually ended up in a series of foster homes after the death of his father. While the house he was born in no longer stands, the Memorial Foundation runs a museum and education center where you can view artifacts related to pivotal moments in Malcolm X's life and the Civil Rights movement. An official State of Nebraska historical marker also commemorates the site. These are just two of the many historic landmarks in Omaha you'll want to visit this spring.
