Omaha Information and Links

Places to See

Lauritzen Gardens: One dollar off of admission with presentation of conference badge!! Lauritzen Gardens is a living museum of unique four-season plant displays, maintained to the highest standards consistent with environmental stewardship. It will provide memorable educational and aesthetic experiences for all. Visit the Gardens' customized MCMLA conference link here.

The Old Market: The Old Market is a premier arts and entertainment district featuring fine dining, shopping, corporate meeting facilities, hotel accommodations, and upscale night life.

The Henry Doorly Zoo: Our zoo is one of our greatest treasures and is the first place to which many of us take out-of-town visitors. October is a wonderful time to visit-- the summer crowds are gone and the animals are feeling a little cooler. Don't miss it!

Restaurants

Old Market Dining Guide: Here's the list of restaurants that are right around the conference hotel.

Old Omaha Classics Guide: This guide lists old, classic Omaha restaurants. No chains allowed!

Omaha ToGo: This guide includes menus and community rankings of Omaha area restaurants.

Google Directory: This list covers some spots that are not near the conference center, but still worth checking out!

Walking Tours

HistoricOmaha.com Historical Walking Tour of Downtown Omaha
This 2 ½ - 3 mile walking tour begins on the steps of the Omaha Civic Auditorium (1) at 18th and Capitol Streets.

Lewis and Clark Landing
515 N Riverfront Dr
Omaha, NE 68102
Phone: 402-444-5900
Explore Omaha’s riverfront on the original site of the Lewis and Clark landing in 1804. The 23-acre landing features a boardwalk on the eight-foot-high river wall, and a restaurant for indoor/outdoor dining and live jazz nightly. A circular stairway leads down to the colorful river-level plaza filled with large umbrella tables and chairs. A walking trail winds along the river’s edge and a bike trail runs west of Riverfront Drive to Miller’s Landing. The new Martin Luther King Jr. Pedestrian Bridge, with interpretive exhibits, connects to Qwest Center Omaha. A new riverfront marina features about 30 slips available for the public to rent short term at $5/hr. The marina is open 11am-midnight, May 1-Oct 31. Monument to Labor sculpture plus Lewis and Clark Interpretive Exhibits and Historical Marker on site. Free parking.

Omaha Riverfront Trail - South
The trail begins at Miller’s Landing Park which is a passive park nestled next to the Missouri River and the dock for the Omaha River City Star riverboat facility. It runs along the Missouri River and passes by Gallup’s World University Headquarters, the National Park Service Midwestern headquarters, Rick’s Boatyard Café, the Riverfront Condos, and the Omaha Qwest Center and Arena.

Stroll the Old Market
Harney to Jackson Sts and 10th to 13th Sts
Omaha, NE 68102
Phone: 402-346-4445
Unique shops, boutiques, pubs, restaurants and entertainment in a historic neighborhood. Shop bookstores to bakeries, art galleries to antiques, clothing to collectibles, then dine in one of more than 30 area restaurants. Accessible.

Heartland of America Park
8th & Douglas Sts
Omaha, NE 68102
Phone: 402-444-5900
Catch the spectacular Heartland of America Fountain with its 300-ft water jet and light show. Lewis & Clark Interpretive exhibits and a pedestrian bridge connecting to the Lewis & Clark Landing. Gondola rides by Heartland Gondola. Located across the street from the historic Old Market area. Accessible.

Performing Arts

The Holland Center for the Performing Arts:A product of the sensational participation and generous support of the community, the Holland Performing Arts Center is a testament to Omaha’s legacy for civic leadership and commitment to the arts

The Omaha Community Playhouse:The Playhouse features two state-of-the-art performance spaces – the 601-seat Mainstage Auditorium and the intimate Howard Drew Theatre. Added in 1986, the Howard Drew Theatre is a “black box” theatre, which allows for more progressive productions

The Blue Barn Theater: The Blue Barn produces Theatre Without Boundaries by presenting new works, contemporary classics, risque` holiday extravaganzas, late night theatricals, musicals festivals, and films.

The Shelterbelt: Known for its intimate setting, the Shelterbelt is an exciting performance space where audience members are never more than 15 feet from the stage.

Film Streams: Film Streams is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the cultural environment of the Omaha-Council Bluffs area through the presentation and discussion of film as an art form.

Films Showing During 007 Conference

2 Days in Paris 2007
Directed by Julie Delpy.
Running Time: 96 min. Rated R.
In her feature-length directing debut, writer-director Julie Delpy (BEFORE SUNRISE) crafts a romantic comedy in the smart style of Woody Allen, about a French photographer (Delpy) and American interior designer (Adam Goldberg) attempting to re-infuse their relationship with romance on a European vacation. “ Julie Delpy is an original, a woman who refuses to be defined or limited… What she has done here is avoid all temptation to recycle the usual lovers-in-Paris possibilities, and has created two original, quirky characters so obsessed with their differences that Paris is almost a distraction.” (Roger Ebert)
Thursday, October 11 – Saturday, October 13

The Apartment 1960
Directed by Billy Wilder.
Running Time: 125 min.
A young Jack Lemon and even younger Shirley MacLaine star in this brilliantly executed, wonderfully acted, and impeccably scripted comedy about climbing the corporate ladder and getting snagged by love.
Nominated for ten Academy Awards, and the winner of five, including Best Picture.
Sunday, October 14 – Monday, October 15


The Palm Beach Story 1942
Directed by Preston Sturges.
Running Time: 88 min.
Screwball comedies don’t’ come much screwier or comedic as this Preston Sturges classic about a couple in love but out of money. With her husband Tom at a financial dead-end, Gerry (Claudette Colbert) moves to
Florida with hopes of netting a wealthy suitor who could fund Tom’s projects. About as fun as it gets.
Friday, October 12 – Thursday, October 25


Great World of Sound 2007
Directed by Craig Zobel.
Running Time: 102 min. Rated R.
A hilarious, provocative debut from director Craig Zobel about the desire to be famous and the age-old art of the con. Hired as record producers searching for the next big thing, Martin and Clarence begin to suspect
something’s amiss when their new bosses will sign anyone prepared to put up some cash. Rather than casting actors to play the hopeful musicians, Zobel placed ads in local newspapers calling for genuine tryouts.
The result: real people performing in the audition scenes, with hidden cameras capturing their interaction with the lead actors. This documentary-style process was integrated into the final narrative, creating a unique blend of fact and fiction exposing the dubious nature of all undiscovered talent schemes..

IMAX Theatre at the Henry Doorly Zoo: Travel around the world without leaving your seat! The "IMAX" experience will transport you to amazing places on a 61 ft. tall by 83 ft. wide screen with a 12,000 watt surround sound system. It's the next best thing to being there!  During the month of October the IMAX will be presenting the following shows:

10:00 a.m. Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs
11:00 a.m. Dinosaurs Alive 3D
12:00 p.m. Deep Sea 3D
1:00 p.m. Dinosaurs Alive 3D
2:00 p.m. Deep Sea 3D
3:00 p.m. Dinosaurs Alive 3D
4:00 p.m. Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs
5:00 p.m. Dinosaurs Alive 3D

IMAX pricing is as follows:

Children (2 and under if sitting on lap)
FREE
Children (ages 3 through 11)
$6.25
Adults (ages 12 and over)
$8.25
Seniors (ages 62 and over)
$7.25
3D films
Extra $0.50
Henry Doorly Zoo Member
$1.00 discount

Visitor Information Centers

The Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau operate three visitor centers. Two at Omaha’s Eppley Airfield (lower level on the North and South ends by the escalator) and one downtown at 1001 Farnam Street (Southwest Corner of 10th and Farnam Streets.

The centers are run by Omaha Ambassadors, volunteers skilled at answering questions guests have about the city. Each center maintains a library of promotional materials on Omaha’s many attractions, hotels, restaurants, shops, special events and more.

Hours of Operation:

Eppley Airfield – Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
1001 Farnam Street - Monday – Saturday; 9:00 am – 4:30 pm