Visiting a zoo and aquarium can be mesmerizing for kids and a walk through childhood remembering all the fun for adults. Add special events and experiences to a current visit and everyone of all ages will create exciting memories that last a lifetime.
- Visitor Experiences
The zoo offers a variety of visitor experiences that add even more excitement to an already fun-filled day. If you’d like to see what happens behind the scenes, sign up for a Backstage Experience. You can also learn about the responsibilities needed to take care of the many animals that call the zoo home when signing up for the Keeper Experience.
Enjoy a look at some of the areas in comfort with a Golf Cart Tour or have an original painting created when you sign up for the Animal Artists experience. With the Wildlife Safari Park experience, you’ll see and meet some of the resident animals including a visit to the Cheetah Breeding Center.
- Special Events
Throughout the year, special events are scheduled for added entertainment. A few of the events to look forward to include Member Appreciation Day, Late Nights at the Zoo (adults only), Annual Zoo Run, Ghouls & Glow, and Thanksgiving Day and New Year’s Day openings.
- Education
Experience an onsite adventure at the zoo with one of the educational options such as overnight Sleeping Bag Safaris or Family Safaris, 21+ and Over Safaris, Wildlife Safari Park Camp Outs, and more.
Spend some time on the “wild side” with a day or night getting to know and understand the inhabitants of the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
Image via Flickr by ibinic
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Bag a Bargain at 3 Local Flea Markets
When you’re on the hunt for bargains and super deals, head to a local flea market to delve into the many booths and boxes filled with a variety of interesting items and collectibles.
- Imaginarium
If you’re on the hunt for personal treasures, The Imaginarium is the place to go to find a little of this and that. From vintage glassware to clothing and accessories, the shop is jam-packed with interesting items. Visit either the Super Store or the Old Market. Both are located downtown and promise to take you on a journey back to your childhood with an amazing inventory of classic goods.
- The Omaha Flea Market
Put on your walking shoes and get ready to peruse The Omaha Flea Market where you’ll find over 60 vendors offering assorted goods. The indoor market offers plenty of parking, a comfortable atmosphere, food and beverages, rest area, and restrooms. The market is open Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dundee Flea
At Dundee Flea, you can shop till you drop Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday through Wednesday by appointment. You’ll have access to a diverse selection of vintage and new items. This is not your typical flea market since you can also shop online.
When the shopping bug bites and you want to find something special, classic, vintage, or off-the-beaten-track, visit one of these local Omaha markets where new and used blend together to create a shopping spree to remember.
Image via Flickr by Janitors
Choose the Honda Civic That’s Right For You
If you’re looking for a car that can fit your lifestyle, the 2019 Honda Civic is the one you’re looking for. It’s offered in coupe, hatchback, or sedan body styles. It’s time to choose your own adventure.
Sedan
The classic four-door Civic sedan is at the top of its game this year. With a slick exterior and a cabin that can handle what your life throws at you, the Civic sedan has everything you’d want in a car. It has tech that keeps you entertained and connected, the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assisting technologies, and multiple trims to choose from to find the perfect sedan for you and your family.
Hatchback
For the best amount of cabin space, the obvious choice is the Civic Hatchback. In addition to the stylish flair its two-level set of spoiler ledges brings to the rear of the Civic, the Hatchback increases your interior cargo space to let you pack even more for your travels. The 60/40-split rear seats fold to let you pack bigger cargo, and the cargo cover lets you protect what’s yours.
Coupe
The small, sporty two-door coupe version of the Civic is ready to turn heads in the city. It gets up to 174 horsepower from its turbocharged engine to give you a zippy ride that’s ready to take on the streets. Get yours with the exhilarating six-speed manual transmission to really feel the Civic’s true potential.
Need a more hands-on approach to decide which 2019 Civic is for you? Visit us at O’Daniel Honda for a test drive of the Civic that’s perfect for you.
Image via Flickr by IainCameron
Where to Grab a Glass of Wine After Work
After a busy day of work, it’s nice to grab a glass of wine and relax a little. Wine bars are excellent spots to enjoy yourself and let go of the pressures of the day. Here are our three favorite wine bars in Omaha.
Corkscrew Wine and Cheese
Comfortable and intimate, Corkscrew Wine and Cheese is a laid-back wine bar that offers plenty of snacks to enjoy while sipping on a glass of wine. Their selection offerings are generous and include wines from all over the world at a variety of price points. When the weather gets chilly, cozy up to their outdoor fire pit.
Nosh Wine Lounge
Nosh Wine Lounge is much more than just a wine bar: They also have a full cocktail menu plus beer, as well as a varied food menu. While their cocktails are excellent, their wine selection steals the show. They have a private loft if you’re looking for a group gathering and their bar area is comfortable and relaxed.
Cedar
Loaded with personality, Cedar is a must-visit for wine fans looking for a unique venue for their next evening out. The bar offers a modern vibe paired with great wine and good eats. Enjoy one of their cheese platters or tuck into a full meal with your glass of wine. Plus, their outdoor seating is a great chance to enjoy the beautiful weather with your furry friend!
Offering a variety of choices and tasty food, these three wine bars are great places to enjoy a glass of wine and the company of others.
Image via Flickr by c.mcbrien
What’s Included in Honda Sensing?
Honda has always been dedicated to safety and the Honda Sensing safety package is clear evidence of the automaker’s consideration for the security of their drivers. Including a full range of safety features and driver-assist technologies, here’s a quick breakdown of some of the best features in the Honda Sensing Suite.
Safety
Some of the main inclusions in the Honda Sensing Suite are safety technologies. The Collision Mitigation Braking System works behind the scenes to automatically engage emergency brakes when a collision is imminent, improving reaction times and brake engagement beyond normal driver abilities. Automatic high beam headlights engage in dark, difficult-to-see situations with built-in sensors to reduce back to normal headlights when there is approaching traffic to avoid reducing visibility for other drivers.
Assistance
Assistance technology combines the best of safety features with innovative design to create higher levels of awareness on the road. Blind-spot monitoring alerts drivers to other vehicles within the merging perimeter of their Honda. This is paired with Honda LaneWatch, a camera system that helps drivers see even more of the traffic around them.
The Lane-Keeping Assist Systems helps prevent lane drift and keeps your Honda solidly within its own lane when turn signals aren’t activated. Adaptive Cruise Control is handy during long drives. This feature automatically adjusts the cruise control level in order to keep your Honda going at the rate of traffic by monitoring the vehicle in front via sensors.
Many of Honda’s vehicles come with the Sensing Suite as either an available option or standard. No matter where you’re going, Honda is committed to getting you there safely.
Image via Flickr by thelittleone417
Where to Explore the Great Outdoors Near Omaha
Omaha is situated in a gorgeous area that offers both residents and guests plenty of opportunities to enjoy some time outside. Here are some of the best places to explore the great outdoors near Omaha.
Fontenelle Forest
Fontenelle Forest is a beautiful stretch of wilderness that’s only about a ten-minute drive from Omaha. With over 26 miles of trails, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the forest and maybe catch sight of the wildlife that calls this refuge home. For families, the generously sized playground, Acorn Acres, is a fantastic way for kids to burn off some energy while enjoying time outside.
Hitchcock Nature Center
Located in nearby Honey Creek, Iowa, the Hitchcock Nature Center has diverse flora and fauna within the park boundaries, plus plenty of hiking and walking trails. Take your time enjoying the sights on the ground or head to the observation deck, which gives visitors a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area. The park regularly hosts special events, many of which are family-oriented.
Heron Haven
Heron Haven is a piece of natural beauty inside Omaha city limits. Home to lots of different kinds of birds, most notably the titular heron, this wetland sanctuary is a wonderful green space that provides some distance from the hustle of city life. One of the smaller spots on this list, it’s great for an afternoon getaway.
No matter if you’re looking for an all-day adventure or just a quick reconnect with nature, these three spots are all excellent places to enjoy some time outdoors.
Image via Flickr by FordRanger
3 Tips for First-Time Car Buyers
Maybe your parents bought you your first car or maybe buying a car will be your first opportunity to drive yourself around. Either way, buying your first vehicle can be a stressful experience, especially if you’re doing it alone. Still, if you keep the following advice in mind and know what to expect, your first time buying a car can be very straightforward.
- Understand What You Need
Cars, trucks, and SUVs come in all different shapes and sizes. Some are big and have plenty of room for cargo and passengers and others are small and cost less to buy and maintain. Establish your needs, your wants, and your budget to figure out what kind of vehicle you should buy.
- Research Local Inventories
You used to have to drive to each dealership in your area to find out what they have in stock, but now they all have websites that list their full current inventory online. You can save yourself a lot of time by doing the research and bringing a list of interesting vehicles to the dealership.
- Always Test Drive
Dealerships will always let you take a vehicle out for a quick drive around the block or down the road, this is when you can get a real feel for how a car performs and which one feels right.
You should also understand your financing options, so be sure to learn about pre-approved loans and credit scores. Once you’re ready, do your best to stay relaxed and try to enjoy yourself.
Image via Flickr by Scottb211
3 Reasons to Test Drive the 2019 Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot is the company’s midsize crossover and, while it’s not the biggest SUV on the market, it’s big enough to fit eight passengers in three rows of seats. Honda has made some important changes to the Pilot for the 2019 year, and between these and the Pilot’s already excellent features, there are plenty of reasons to test drive a new Pilot.
- Honda Sensing
For 2019, Honda has added the Honda Sensing suite to every trim level of the Pilot. This means every model comes with the Collision Mitigation Braking System, the Road Departure Mitigation System, the Lane Keeping Assist System, and Adaptive Cruise Control.
- The Nine-Speed Automatic
The other big update for the 2019 model year is the new automatic transmission. The update brings the gear count up from six to nine and these extra gears make acceleration both smoother and more efficient. Of course, the best way to experience this new transmission is to feel it at work while you’re in the driver’s seat.
- The Smooth Ride
The 2019 Honda Pilot is a family vehicle and because of that it comes with a comfortable suspension that absorbs all but the biggest bumps in the road. At the same time, the Pilot is also an SUV with available all-wheel drive and it can handle itself just fine on dirt and gravel roads.
If you’re in the market for a midsize SUV, schedule a test drive with your local Honda dealership today. You’ll quickly find out what makes it one of the best SUVs available.
Image via Flickr by RL GNZLZ
Ready to head outdoors this summer? There are lots of cool outdoor attractions in and around Omaha that make great summer destinations. Here are our top three favorite outdoor spots in Omaha to help you start planning your next adventure today!
- Fontenelle Forest
Just outside of Omaha is the Fontenelle Forest, an incredible 1,400-acre forest that is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. The forest is a National Natural Landmark and is even included in the National Registry of Historic Sites. There are about 19 miles worth of hikes in the area plus a new adventure park. Be sure to check out TreeRush Adventures the next time you visit.
- Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is one of the most popular destinations in Omaha and for good reason. With exhibits inside and out, its a great pick for a summertime outing. Head out on one of their children’s adventure trails with the whole family or explore some of their educational exhibits, including African Grasslands, Asian Highlands, Hubbard Gorilla Valley, and Hubbard Orangutan Forest.
- Benson Park Golf Course
If you’re a fan of golf, be sure to check out the Benson Park Golf Course. Beautifully maintained and fun to play, Benson Park Golf Course is just the right amount of challenging. Owned by the city, this golf course is open to the public and is affordable to play. Golf cart rentals are available and you can choose to play nine or eighteen holes.
These three spots are all great choices if you’re looking for some fun in the sun this summer in Omaha!
Image via Flickr by Chris Urbanowicz
3 Reasons to Appoint a Designated Texter
It’s been well established that using your phone while driving is dangerous, especially if you’re texting. A designated texter can help improve driver safety by removing the temptation of his or her smartphone. Here are three reasons why you should consider appointing someone to answer your texts while you drive.
- Reduced Distractions
From fussy kids in the back seat to billboard signage to navigation, there can be many things vying for our attention while driving. Texting pulls your eyes off the road and is one of the worst driver distractions. Having someone else in the car handling your text messages can help you remain focused on the road, while reducing the number of distractions in the vehicle.
- Increased Safety
With interruptions come safety concerns. Texting and driving are a major cause of roadway accidents. Thankfully, designated texters can keep drivers from being distracted by their phones. Instead of reading off the screen and trying to type a response with one hand on the wheel, your chosen passenger can take over. Their assistance helps to prevent fumbling and other dangerous conditions.
- Remain Connected
The best thing to reduce distractions is to shut your phone off and put it away. However, this isn’t always possible. Sometimes text messages need to be answered promptly but that shouldn’t compromise passenger safety. Your designated texter can help you remain safely connected with the outside world.
A designated texter is one of the best ways to avoid texting-related accidents. Whether it’s a friend or family member, you should assign someone to take care of your texts on your next drive!
Image via Flickr by Quoteinspector.com
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