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You have to check out Omaha in October. Forget whatever you thought about Nebraska; Omaha is underrated. I snagged a low-fare flight, but honestly, I was trying to ensure I keep my A-List Preferred Status with Southwest. The last time I visited, I was there for AfroFest in September 2024. A year makes a huge difference, so I’m excited to see what’s new.
Of course, I headed to The Club MDW for breakfast before my flight. As always, I check FlightAware before leaving the house, and I noticed that my gate had changed. This was an added bonus. The lounge is next to my new gate. I was trying to be strategic by arriving after 6:00AM. The bar opens at 6:00. However, the bar was closed because the bartender had not arrived. Maybe it is not Happy Hour somewhere.
While I ate my mini pancakes, I booked a room at the Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District using 37,000 Bonvoy points. I was trying to keep this mini-trip under $250. On previous visits, I stayed at the Hilton and Hyatt Place using points plus cash. If you are looking for a beautiful hotel with great amenities, book at the Marriott and ask for Room 922. Although the room is near the elevator and across from the ice machine, I did not hear any noise. I look forward to catching the sunrise or sunset, and this room has a gorgeous view of the sunrise. If you need to work out, the fitness room is on the 3rd floor along with the lounge. By the way, the hotel has a shuttle to take you to and from the airport. As a Gold Elite Member, I received a 2:00PM checkout.
After a quick stop at the Visitors Center, I walked to Old Market to check out the Passageway. Can you believe I have walked past this area each time I visited Omaha, but never knew to take a stroll down the ramp? I was pleasantly surprised. This space is beautiful. I headed upstairs to visit the Art Gallery and one of the boutiques before having lunch at Trini’s Mexican Restaurant. Of course, I ordered the house specialty, Taco Salad. The shell for the salad was cooked to perfection. My server created the best Skinny Margarita I have ever tasted. I will definitely be back to try the puff tacos. For dessert, I walked to Ted & Wally’s and enjoyed two scoops of Peach Schnapps homemade ice cream.
I treated myself to an Old Market Manicure and Pedicure at The Nail Shop. The service included a lotion candle massage. Typically, my service only lasts an hour. However, I spent almost two hours in the shop where I received unbelievable service. The shop is small. There are four pedicure chairs. This is the first time I did not feel like I was in an assembly line. The service was worth $120. Since my nails have been damaged by overuse of the no-chip service, I opted for a natural color for my very short nails. By the way, my polish lasted longer than expected.
You should spend some time exploring the Old Market, walking through the historic cobblestone streets packed with cool restaurants, unique shops, and bars. It’s the perfect place to grab a bite or a local brew. If I visit Omaha again in October, I want to try The Joslyn Castle. I heard they have a Halloween-themed event. Yes, I spent more than $250.
