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Artful Travel to Omaha

Walking up to the museum is quite a sight. The art deco design is amplified by the use of Georgia Pink marble for the exterior. It makes an impressive statement to visitors and locals alike. Opened in 1931, we found that the decorative panels on the outside pay homage to the native Indians who roamed these lands prior to the arrival of Europeans. Before heading inside, we wanted to enjoy a stroll through the outdoor sculpture garden.

Reminders of Home

Located on a little over an acre of space, the sculpture garden offers visitors some leisure time. It is also a great place to fill some time while you wait for your timed entry to arrive. This is obviously a COVID protocol and we are confident that there will be a time in the future when guests can drop by at any time the museum is open. As we explored this area, we came upon some familiar artists. Magdalena Abakanowicz’s Single was immediately recognizable, as we had made a recent visit to the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum in our hometown. Nearby, we spotted another piece that we found recognizable. Auguste Rodin is most noted for The Thinker, a copy is in Kansas City, but he has many more beautiful works. Our artful travel had brought us in front of this one in Omaha.

Artful Travel to Omaha

The time had come for our entry into the Joslyn so we made our way to the entrance. Once inside, we found the art deco design permeated the interior. This grand hall exudes the period and reminded us of many of the buildings and spaces in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We could hardly wait to explore more of the spaces.

Open Spaces

By using a timed entry approach, the Joslyn Art Museum has made it possible for guests to enjoy a socially distanced experience. In each gallery, we found plenty of space to view the pieces without being in close proximity to strangers. The artwork is spaced out in a fashion that also lends itself to semi-seclusion. With people just beginning to venture out, this type of precaution helps make artful travel safer.

European Influence

On this trip, our daughter Amanda had joined us for the day. While we enjoy traveling throughout North America, Amanda has a love for Europe. During her many visits to that region, she has developed a passion for European artists. I’ll say that I can enjoy these pieces, but like most, I have my own preferences. While the other two took in the artwork, I focused on my task of capturing images for the blog and our Instagram feed.

American Artists

Entering one gallery, I found myself instantly recognizing some pieces on the wall. While the specific images weren’t immediately familiar, the style of the artists was obvious. The works of Thomas Hart Benton are easily spotted and we have seen them served up in a wide variety of locations. Each one holds me in awe, as I take in the colorful images. Just as recognizable are the works of Grant Wood. This Iowa artist captures rural life in a way that evokes nostalgia.

Fashion Favorites

As much as Amanda likes European works, Crystal also has her favorites. It’s a sure bet that anything associated with fashion will capture her attention. When she spotted this work by Edgar Degas, her focus was on the fabric portion more than the bronze work. That is one of the great things about art. Everyone finds their own details that engross them and no one’s choice is wrong. Art is meant to be appreciated for all of its little details.

Forgotten Art

When we arrived in the wing that held the Native American works, it was time for me to see my favorites. My artful travel had been made with the anticipation of spotting some amazing beadwork. I can easily say I was not disappointed. Spotting this amazing case brought joy to my heart. I see art as a moment in time captured by the artist. Native American artwork will usually include some historical significance. This piece was dripping with history and I was enjoying every moment of it.

Old Meets New

While many of the pieces of native American beadwork are old, the art form has not died. The jacket was made in the mid-1800s and the beadwork looks as fresh as the day it was created. In contrast, the sneakers are obviously from a more recent time period, but nonetheless impressive. It is reassuring to see that there are still native artists keeping this skill alive.

In the Eye of the Beholder

Just down the hall, I spotted a large piece from an artist my age. Roxanne Swentzell shares the birth year with me but obviously has a great deal more artistic talent. I loved this piece that captures the playful spirit. It felt so alive that the pieces seemed to only be paused in a moment of frivolity.

Important Reminders

While the Joslyn Art Museum has an impressive collection of permanent galleries, they also feature a rotating exhibit. During our visit, it was a large piece by Wendy Red Star. It included a massive collection of photographic pieces featuring Native Americans. Most were labeled with the name of the people in the photos. It was very impressive to think about the number of hours required to assemble such a collection. The dedication showed in the quality of the piece. With daylight burning, we found our time in Omaha drawing to an end. I knew that the ride home would be filled with recollections of a day full of artful travel.

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Our itinerary will usually have us heading out after an early breakfast on a Friday morning. The drive up is a fairly normal landscape for the Midwest, and stops along the way are limited to quick rest stops, if needed. Once we hit town our first stop is usually in the Old Market area. Here you will find a multitude of restaurant options. The Twisted Fork is a funky little eatery that serves up standard fare with a contemporary spin. For those looking for a more traditional meal, Old Market Spaghetti Works dishes up Italian plates at reasonable prices.

After refueling our energy, it is time to do a little retail therapy. This area is packed with an eclectic collection of boutiques, art galleries, antique stores, and collectibles shops. We love to wander through the Old Market Passageway looking at what is available. If your sweet tooth gets to you there is a nice little candy store nearby, as well as a cupcake shop. Quite often we can spend a considerable part of the day in this part of town, and before long it is time to make our way to our hotel.

We have stayed at a variety of lodging options in Omaha, but our favorite place is definitely the Magnolia Hotel. Since our kids are grown, we find this boutique hotel, which is on the National Historic Registry, to be a great couple get-away. It is located just up the street from the Old Market and offers a free shuttle (think Cadillac Escalade). This helps to have to get your car from the valet. They have a restaurant and bar on-site, and each evening they offer FREE milk and cookies to their guests. We love this special treat! The hotel offers special packages that include various amenities, so if you are interested in is worth signing up for their emails.

Saturday morning we start our day with a good breakfast at the hotel, when it is included in the package. If not, we will usually grab a bite at one of the local bakeries or coffee houses. Now it is off to the Henry Doorly Zoo for a day of animal watching. This has to be our favorite zoological park in the Midwest, and their exhibits are impressive. We always grab our lunch at the Treetops Restaurant, which offers a good view of the rainforest exhibit while you eat for an affordable price. They also feature an aquarium, butterfly house, desert dome (can be kind of toasty in the summer), and a world-class primate area.

As the afternoon wears on, we notice the animals starting to slow down. Soon they all seem ready for their day to end, and it is our signal to start heading toward the gate. If it is early enough, we will have time to make a stop at the Durham Museum. Here we can see the history of Omaha, and find some interesting selfie opportunities.

We head back to the hotel to freshen up, and then have the valet drive us down to the Old Market area. With so many restaurant options, we never struggle to find something delicious. Afterward, we may choose a stroll in Heartland of America Park. Once we’ve walked off dinner it is time to head back to the hotel for our nightly cookie break. Mmm…they even have flavoring to add to your milk.

Sunday morning may be spent lounging around the hotel since it’s hard to say goodbye to this place. Soon we know that we need to start our return trip. Fortunately, there is another stop we can make before leaving Nebraska. Just about a half-hour away, in Ashland, you will find the Strategic Air Command Museum. We can spend a few hours here, but soon our stomachs are asking for lunch. As we head down the road we take comfort in knowing that we will be home before dinnertime. For our next visit, we will need to add different attractions and restaurants to our itinerary, but that will have to wait for now.

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The interior of the station is as grand as one would expect from the heyday of train travel. The station area has been preserved, and throughout the area statues have been added to memorialize the travelers of days gone by. Just past this area you will find a soda shop and candy store. Here visitors can fuel up before heading downstairs to view the exhibits.

Once downstairs you will find a history lesson on transportation methods in Omaha. There are a number of train cars that guests can wander through to see just how comfortable this form of travel became at the pinnacle of its use. Among the cars on display are a Pullman car, lounge car, and a caboose. Nearby you will find a hands-on exhibit that showcases the use of steam engines for helping with Westward Expansion. Our adult kids, and their parents as well, enjoyed the model train display, which mimics a 1950’s layout.

Of course, Omaha was on the edge of the frontier at one point, so they also highlight some of the earlier modes of transport. These would not have been nearly as luxurious or comfortable for long trips.

Additional exhibits focus on the history of Omaha, and some of the key businesses that helped drive its’ growth. Among these are Bekins Moving & Storage, a replica of the original 1915 Buffett Grocery Store, and Kimmel Orchard, complete with an apple tree.

Of course, with all of this walking. sometimes you just need a rest stop, and photo opportunity with a new found friend.

The Durham Museum also hosts traveling exhibits. They recently showcased an exhibit on Moonshining, which was widespread in the Midwest during the Prohibition era. The exhibit allowed visitors to explore a speakeasy, complete with dance floor, bar, and bandstand. Guests could also join gangsters in a lineup for photo opportunities. Beginning in May 2017, the museum will host an exhibit on spy-craft, where you can test your skills of observation. Exhibits will allow visitors to crack a safe, find hidden bugs, and use night vision. It sounds like it will be a blast for kids and adults alike. The museum is certainly family friendly, and it is best to carve off a couple of hours to explore it in depth. We hope you get to enjoy it soon and be sure to share your experiences with all of us.

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Open 9:00 to 5:00 daily, except holidays, visitors are welcomed by a few aircraft on display as you drive up the entrance. As you park you will notice the four rockets lining the walkway toward the entrance. These were each developed to assist in space exploration, satellite delivery or national defense. As you proceed past them you see the large glass entrance to the museum.

The 300,000 square foot facility has a glass atrium entrance, where guests will view a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. The Blackbird, which was built in the mid-1960’s, is still considered the world’s fastest airplane. The maximum speed is still classified information, but the cruising speed is listed at 1,320 mph. The plane is constructed largely of titanium, and has a special skin to resist the high heat of supersonic speeds.

The museum features two hangers, which are filled with an assortment of aircraft. Bombers, fighters, helicopters, and support aircraft fill the spaces, and offer visitors an up close view of these amazing machines. The museum also participates with other national museums in an exchange program. This allows them to offer traveling exhibits, which focus on assorted topics.

The museum offers educational programs for children including camps, workshops, overnight stays, scout programs, and science fairs. It also offers a venue to host birthday parties, which would be a special delight for a space enamored child. A snack bar is available for visitors to quench their thirst or stave off hunger. Near the end of your stay be sure to make a stop at the gift shop, and pick up a special token to remember your visit. Admission is $12.00 for adults, and $6.00 for kids age 4 to 12. Parking is free. Now wouldn’t it be great if they let you go for a ride in the aircraft of your choice?

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The Animals of the African Grasslands Exhibit

The most recent addition to this zoo is the $73 million African Grasslands exhibit. This 28-acre section is the single largest project in the zoo’s history. It opened this Summer, and the animals were still getting used to their surroundings. The day we went the weather was perfect, which meant that the activity level was fairly high.

Talk to the Animals

Meerkats and small African deer stand guard at the entrance to the new exhibit. This area can be missed if you aren’t paying close attention. Of course, kids usually have a habit of spotting these curious creatures. The giraffes are one of the first animals you encounter in the new open savanna-style exhibits. There were four outside the day we went, with a few more being held indoors. The staff is on hand to explain the exhibits, as well as answer any questions that guests may have.

Curious Residents

There is a feeding station where you can buy branches of leaves to feed the giraffes. They were quite skittish the day we went, but after a bit, they did wander closer. They were ready to eat until the train happened along. the staff explained that the giraffes had previously been in an area separate from the commotion, so they were still getting accustomed to the noise. It was still nice to get a close-up view of these amazing creatures.

Adapting to the New Enclosure

The train snakes its way all around the African exhibit, so many of the animals were a little on edge. The staff assured us that this will fade quickly, and soon they will go about their daily activities completely unnerved. The next area we encountered was the elephant enclosure. Unfortunately, they kept their distance from the crowd, so we didn’t get good views. I am glad I took our camera that has good zoom features. Staff explained that some of the elephants were recent additions to the zoo.

Hidden Gems

The rhinos are positioned on a hilltop just above the plains, so they are viewed a little from below. There are spots where they can be seen at eye level, but the feeding station is elevated, and that is where they were spending their time during our visit. Although they are on a hill, they are still in view.

Signs of Fall

As I already said, the weather was perfect, but the signs of Fall were already making their presence seen. The landscaping in this new section is very nice if still a little young. They have a wonderful selection of trees, shrubs, and grasses that will be quite dramatic when fully grown. The landscape will look even more beautiful as it matures. Continuing the journey towards the back of the park, we came upon a lagoon. Here there were plenty of places to feed the fish and ducks that occupy the water. In the middle of the lagoon, they have an island dedicated to holding the gibbons. These creatures are certainly entertaining to watch, as they swing, wrestle, and play high above the ground. It would be easy to spend an entire day watching them at play.

Lazy Day

After crossing one of the two bridges you will find yourself in the big cat area. Here you will find the cheetahs, which were sleeping in a log, and the lions. The lion exhibit is a take on a safari camp with places for guests to have an interesting interactive experience. One of the most fascinating is a wall of glass for panoramic views. There is even a section that has a truck divided in half by the glass. Guests can sit in the cab, while lions can climb in the bed of the truck. of course the day we were there the lions chose to spend their time surveying their land from a hilltop. The new exhibit mimics a safari camp.

After getting to the back end of the park, we chose to ride the aerial tram back toward the entrance. We thought this would give us an interesting perspective on what we had already seen. This ride costs $3.00 per adult for a one-way ride. The Skyfari ride runs from across the park. Gaining a new perspective of our surroundings. It certainly provided a better perspective of the layout of the new exhibit. This area will certainly require a return visit next year to see if the animals are better adapted to their new homes. Overall we were quite pleased with this new addition, but we have only scratched the surface of this wonderful zoo. What are some of your favorite exhibits at the Henry Doorly Zoo?

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