"Gate City"
"Quiet place above all others upon a stream*"

If you are new to Omaha, head for the Old Market, take a horse and carriage ride and see some of Omaha's best.  You can also take a trolley tour to help get you up-to-date first hand.

Omaha's Old Market area is an attraction in itself.  It is located in the oldest part of town so a lot of the original flavor of the old buildings has been preserved making it a pleasure to see as well as walk around.

The entire area is not to be missed, it is Omaha's oldest part of town preserved with the unique shops that can't be found anywhere else.  During summer months, it has a great Farmer's Market, reflecting back to the oldest days of the area.

The streets are paved with brick just like in the oldest days.  The sidewalk covering is edged with flower boxes, some with hanging plants.  The main intersection of 11th and Howard street has large circular planters on the corners.  The summer air is filled with the sweet smell of blossoms in bloom.  In the fall, the blossoms are replaced by Christmas lights.  Soon, the smell of fresh fallen snow fills the air.

Of course, the smell is often interrupted as you walk by one of the many restaurants.  No matter what you are interested in, there is a restaurant that will satisfy the palate, all unique, some very upscale such as Omaha Prime,  V. Mertz, and Le Bouillon.  Even more casual, check out Old Chicago, and others near by.

The Old Market also has great pubs and taverns most serving great food too.  Check out Barry O's Tavern, Howard Street Pub and Pizza, Mr. Toads Pub and the best brewery of Omaha and Chicago, so when in Omaha, visit the Old Market and have yourself a "Farquar" time.

Art and Museums  

Our old train depot has been converted into the Durham Western Heritage Museum showing some great exhibits of our earliest history.  There are several locations where art is on display such as the Artists' Cooperative, the Passageway Gallery, and the Garden of the Zodiac.  The Bemis Center for Contemporary Artists has an Artist in Residency program.

Shopping  

The Old Market area has lots of shops to choose from such as Images of Nature, Overland Sheepskin Company, and Tannenbaum Christmas Store.  Need cash for shopping?  The Old Market has several locations with ATMs (check the list along the side).

Sidewalk Performers  

One of the best things about the Old Market is the sidewalk performers.  You can have your caricature made, pick up some far out art, or stop and enjoy some sidewalk music from a variety of musical performances.  If you walk on by and spend some time listening, you may not realize how great some of the performances are and therefore miss out on rare talent.  Some of the musicians you see are professionals that like to get back to that close and personal experience.  Some have CDs available.  We are profiling sidewalk performers complete with contact information so if you want some of that music you heard, check out the Sidewalk Performer pages.

Click on address or state symbol for map.

Old Market Attractions Links  

    Durham Western Heritage Museum  (801 S. 10th St.)

Area Art Related Attractions  

    Artists' Coop Gallery  (405 S. 11th St.)
    Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts  (724 S. 12th St.)
    Images of Nature  (1115 Harney St.)
    Omaha Clayworks  (1114 Jones St., Studio C.)

Theatre Links  

    Blue Barn Theatre  (614 S. 11th St.)

Restaurant-Brewing Links   

    Le Bouillon  (1017 Howard St.)
    Omaha Prime  ( 415 S. 11th St.)
    Upstream Brewing Co.  (11th and Jackson St.)

    Barry O's Tavern  (420 S. 10th St.)