On your next trip to Omaha, give your teen a few hours to explore downtown Omaha on their own. The neighborhood is compact, walkable and safe. If you’re staying outside the urban core close to Dodge Street, getting there is simple. The ORBT bus travels from Westroads Mall eastbound through downtown and connects many of Omaha’s most popular destinations. And it’s free for riders 18 and under.
Start at Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront. There’s ping pong, giant slides and oversized swings. The big lawn is good for a pickup soccer game or playing Frisbee. Grab a seat around a firepit or relax in a hammock.
For lunch, Zio’s Pizzeria in The Old Market sells pizza by the slice, which goes easy on the allowance. The deli at Cubby’s is good value; locals swear by the fried chicken. Godega Market has grab-and-go items and outdoor patio seating (bonus: cute dogs frequent this spot, adding to the entertainment factor).
For shopping, Homer’s Music & Gifts carries records, posters and pop-culture finds. City Limits stocks games, puzzles and collectibles. Great Plains Vintage and Flying Worm Vintage both carry secondhand clothing. RAYGUN has snarky political t-shirts and stickers. Sneaker fans should check out workshop, which sells vintage kicks and apparel. Enter through a graffiti-covered passageway to shop and play some pool (ask first and don’t use the owner’s lucky pool cue).
End the afternoon at Tipico Helado, a Latin-inspired ice cream shop specializing in flavors like horchata and coconut. The menu also includes larger desserts, like the Dubai Strawberry Cup, which is packed with fresh strawberries, chocolate, Nutella, pistachio ice cream, kataifi and six mini pancakes.
Your teen might be too stuffed to join you for dinner, but make your restaurant reservations anyway.
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