I live in Omaha, Nebraska. Yes, I know where it is. Yes, I know how cold it gets. And yes, I know that some of the most depressing movies are set here (About Schmidt, anyone?). I frequently refer to DC as my mistress – I love her, but I know she’s not good for me. So, ultimately, I’ve settled down in Omaha and believe it or not – I don’t hate it. There is a lot to love about Omaha. Something I hope many of my friends will soon understand as they come visit for the annual DoDIIS Worldwide, the official conference of the Chief Information Officer at the Defense Intelligence Agency.
I heard there was a collective groan from the crowd in Portland after the 2024 location was announced, but come on – after Portland, you need the palate cleanser of Omaha. I can absolutely guarantee fewer contact highs and poop-laced sidewalks (no offense to Portland – I love you – you’re just different).
The arrival of DoDIIS next month is the first time I can recall a major defense industry conference coming to the state. Despite being home to STRATCOM (and Warren Buffett), when it comes to conference locations to entice a crowd, Omaha hasn’t stood out (it might not have helped that until last year the state tourism motto was ‘it’s not for everyone.’)
To say I’m excited to see the defense industry converge on one of the nation’s best kept secrets would be an understatement. Nebraska truly does offer the good life – if you can survive the winters – and it offers a few good things any DoDIIS attendee should be aware of.
If you’re traveling here for work, be honest with yourself – you probably won’t see the tourist highlights like the nation’s best zoo (really) or the Kiewitt Luminarium. When I travel for work, I hope for three things – a good run, a good coffee, and a good dinner. I’m lucky to get two out of three – but two out of three ain’t bad. If your travel goals are as simple, and you can sneak out of the conference for a bit, here are my recommendations in each category.
Best morning walk/run:
Hit up the River Trail along the Missouri River and the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge and you can cross over into Iowa – two states for the price of one! You’ll never regret the view of the sunlit sky shining across Iowa’s riverboat casinos. Hit up Pioneer Courage Park for the Laura Ingalls Wilder-themed selfies your family has been begging you for. Fun fact: Pioneer Courage park is the largest installation of bronze and stainless steel works of art in the U.S.
Best Coffee
Best all around coffee
Zen Coffee 2504 Farnam Street – Come to Zen for the vibes, stay for the coffee flights. Really. You can get an entire flight of coffee beverages and this place delivers on both flavor, creativity and caliber of the roast. You can’t go wrong at Zen, it has something for everyone whether you like it black or served with a side of sweet.
Best Coffee (award winning)
Archetype 3926 Farnam Street (an Uber away) – If you like your coffee to come with awards, Archetype is your jam. The place literally competes in the Grand Prix of coffee roasting and wins prizes at the national level. If you take your coffee seriously – this is a serious place to try a cup.
Best Coffee-Like-Product
Scooters – All Over – Scooters is an Omaha establishment, a coffee chain that was literally founded right here in Bellevue, Nebraska. I love Scooters. I absolutely hate their coffee-like product. The stores are cute, they have the best little logo and you will not meet better ‘baristas.’ And MANY people love this place. I am known to go there, because you have to support your home town team (this is something Nebraskans know very well). If your idea of coffee is a Frappuccino, check out Scooters and you won’t be disappointed. If you’re like me and need coffee with a bit more octane, you may want to try somewhere else.
Best Fine Dining:
Let’s just say this is Omaha, and you didn’t come here for the sushi. OR DID YOU. A Washington Post article spotlighted Yoshitomo and said it might be the best restaurant in the nation. And it’s in Omaha. I have not been to Yoshitomo because I’m too poor, but if you are a connoisseur of sushi and want a good story for your friends, head to Yoshitomo – or the restaurant it’s head chef used to lead, Blue Sushi Sake Grill, a multi-chain sushi establishment that has a great location right in downtown.
If Nebraska sushi causes you concern, you really can’t get a bad steak anywhere. Try Denny’s – I’m sure it beats Capital Grille. We have so much good steak, you have to put it into categories.
Best within-walking distance with steakhouse ambiance:
Omaha Prime and 801 Chophouse – close to Omaha’s downtown both spots sport great ambiance and great steak. If you’re looking for a traditional and high-quality steak experience close to the convention center, these are great bets.
Best steak served by a monk with possible ghosts:
Brother Sebastian’s (this is an Uber) – fun fact – I had a Snowball dinner with friends here in high school and have not been bag since, but I still remember the experience. If you would like to enter into a dark chamber of well-seasoned meat that won’t put your clearance in jeopardy, here you go. I’ve always wanted to go back but it’s off the radar – literally – and the monks like it that way.
Best steakhouse chain:
J Gilberts (uber close) and Mahogany’s (an Uber away) – Yes, you can eat at J. Gilberts in D.C. Yes, sometimes it’s nice to go somewhere where the steak knows your name. Mooo.
Most OG Omaha steakhouse:
The Drover (an Uber away) – known for its signature whisky steak, this place is a well-known Omaha establishment.
Bonus: A gift for the kids:
Don’t give your money to cheap Chinese products they’re selling in the airport; do your part for America and the nostalgia of the 1980s and buy your kids something from Omaha’s own Amazing Imaginarium, right in downtown. Go for the coveted ‘mystery bags’ or dig deep into your own nostalgia and find your favorite 1980s Ninja Turtle or Star Wars action figure. You name it – the Imaginarium has it.
Omaha is a great city and I can’t wait for folks to come enjoy what we have to offer this October. It offers a low cost of living, an incredible downtown, and is even home to the U.S. Strategic Command. It may not be a major military center – but it should be on your radar, and I can’t wait for the DoDIIS crew to see it – even if the city really isn’t for everyone.
