I’m in awe of buildings. Their size. Their function. Their design. Their history.
The architectural design and messages conveyed leave a lasting impression. Looking back on photographs, I easily recall the location and the feeling I had near it.
Buildings communicate the way people live, work and move in an area. They represent both history and progress.
I marvel at the gifted, creative minds and hard-working tradespeople who design and build such pieces.
I’ve been told I’m a “cheap date.”
Drop me in a location and I’m impressed with buildings.
Trees impact me equally.
I’m okay with this. Perhaps, it’s my petite size. Or, insatiable curiosity.
Here are some of the most impressive buildings I’ve seen and visited. Some are not the most well-known buildings in their communities. They are, however, the ones that instantly grabbed my attention and captured my interest.
Links by building and location sorted by state/region/country are provided under each image.
Click on them. Plan a visit.
All photography is mine.
What’s Your Favorite Building?
What message does it send you?
Let me know below.
Suggest a new building for me to explore. Be sure to send a photo and link along. Thank you.
Linda Leier Thomason is a former CEO who writes freelance business and travel stories, along with feature articles. Her work experiences include a Fortune 500 corporation, federal government, entrepreneurship and small business.
You will most often find her outdoors enjoying natural settings, wherever she’s at.
Find out more about Linda by clicking the “Meet Linda” tab above. Interested in working together? Send me a note today. Let’s connect.
The COVID-19 Pandemic cancelled our family’s summer getaways. Therefore, we’ve taken mini Nebraska stay-cations.
For each adventure we choose locations that
We have not previously visited.
Are considered a day trip from our home base of Omaha, Nebraska.
Have a good mix of art, history, dining and parks and recreation.
Are surrounded by a nearby cluster of other interesting sites and locations
Recently we chose Columbus, Nebraska.
After reviewing their wonderful Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website http://www.visitcolumbusne.com/, we decided to add two surrounding small towns, Newman Grove and Humphrey, Nebraska and the village of Tarnov to our itinerary that ended in Columbus, Nebraska before returning to Omaha.
For those interested in driving to the locations we’ve visited, here’s an estimated mileage chart.
Distance
Omaha to Newman Grove, Nebraska: 2 hours 2 minutes
511 Hale Avenue Newman Grove, Nebraska 68758 402.447.6446 Adam and Dawn Witchell, Owners
We’d seen this café and their pies widely touted on Twitter and Facebook. Droves of Omaha citizens were pre-ordering pies driven back and distributed in a local parking lot. We were curious not only about the pies but about the community and the café owners.
After driving through town, we had omelet breakfasts at the City Café around 9:30 AM and finished up our visit with a piece of their famous pie.
If you like pie and road trips, add the City Café to your bucket list.
Here’s the other thing. Your tourist dollar is deeply appreciated in communities such as Newman Grove. And, the service is what you’d expect: top notch.
There are always plenty of freshly baked pies to enjoy at City Café.
Near Humphrey Public School (405 S. 7th Street) Contact Information: humphreyveteranspark@gmail.com
The purpose of the Veteran’s Park in Humphrey, Nebraska is to recognize servicemen and women across all branches of the United States military for their service and sacrifice to our great nation during times of war and peace.
We’ve visited many veterans’ parks. This park is quite impressive, especially for the size of the community. Add it to your places to visit when in the Columbus, Nebraska area.
A local veteran was there the day we visited making our visit even more meaningful. He provided a lot of insight into the Park and the surrounding communities.
Contact Information:stmichaelstarnov@gmail.com Contact ahead of time for scheduled tour. Free Admission. Good Will Offering Encouraged.
St. Michael’s is the first Polish Catholic parish still operating in Nebraska. Established in 1900. Now listed on National Register of Historic Places.
To date, it’s the most surprising place we have visited in Nebraska.
Not only is the church spectacular but also the museum next door is plump full of pieces that will help you recall days gone by. Each item is well maintained and appropriately displayed in a historical building.
Museum is housed in former Saint Michael Boarding School Built 1910-1911.
HINT: We contacted the church via email before leaving Omaha asking if the church would be open during our visit. Since it was not, we received a gracious reply that someone could come over and open it and give us a tour of both the church and the museum, if we had time and interest. [We texted an assigned number when leaving Humphrey, NE so the guide could meet us at the church.]
Make time. Judy, our guide, was phenomenal. She’s from the area and a member of the Church. Her heart for her community and for the preservation and maintenance of both the church and the museum shone through during the entire 2-hour visit.
Contact the church office if you’re interested in arranging a group tour with dessert or lunch and/or overnight lodging. stmichaelstarnov@gmail.comBe sure to visit the grotto and the cemetery on the grounds before leaving the complex.
Before driving into Columbus, we drove through the Lake North Park-Loup. Our intent was to walk the trail; however, the rain storm prevented that.
Contact Information: Two Lakes Trail, Columbus, NE 68601, USA
402.564.3171 / 402.562.5709
Location: 4 miles north of Columbus at US Highway 30 on 18th Avenue. The park is 14 acres with two beaches and two boat ramps adjoining a 200-acre lake. It is popular for boating, water skiing, and fishing. Camping is allowed. Electrical hook-ups and primitive camping are available during the summer. Primitive restrooms are on-site.
Pawnee Park is known as the “Picnic Capital of Nebraska.” It contains almost 153 acres adjoining the Loup River and Van Berg Golf Course.
Location: 2001 Higgins Drive Columbus, Nebraska 68601 Southwest of Columbus. South of the viaduct on either side of Highways 81 and 30.
Contact Information: 402.562.4240
Visit in walking shoes. There is a lot to see and do in Pawnee Park.
Pawnee Park also contains:
1904 Union Pacific Steam Locomotive
Quincentenary Belltower
Oregon Trail Monument
Horseshoe Pits
All Weather Running Track
Playground
Sand Volleyball Courts
Tennis Courts Lit Until Midnight
Disc Golf
Living Tree Museum
Rose Garden
Skate Park
Water Park
Andrew Jackson Higgins National Memorial
LOCATION: In West Pawnee Park.
This sculpture was built from pieces of World Trade Center steel. The large bronzed freedom eagle on top has an 8-foot wing span. The pieces do not touch symbolizing that terrorists cannot destroy freedom.
The soldiers in front honor the National Guard and Reserves.
This means seek permission before using copy or images from this site. Images are available for purchase.
Linda Leier Thomason writes freelance business and travel stories along with feature articles. Her work experience includes a Fortune 500 corporation, federal government, entrepreneurship and small business. Read more about her background and qualifications by clicking on the “Meet Linda” tab above.
Do you have a story idea or interesting person who’d be a great feature?
Contact Information: Contact Jarrod McCartney Director of the Red Cloud Heritage Tourism Development Office to personally plan a visit 402-746-4065 or at jmccartney@redcloudnebraska.com
A showcase of natural history specializing in ancient woods and fossils from around the world plus Native American arrowheads and artifacts — many from within 25 miles of Ogallala.
The collection is a result of the efforts of brothers Howard and Harvey Kenfield who began collecting in the 1950’s.
McCook, Nebraska
Fuller’s Family Restaurant’s Cookie Jar Collection
Free Admission. It’s in the back of the gift shop in the same building that the public restaurant is in.
One can also tour the campus including the Hall of History, Dowd Chapel and the Father Flanagan Tomb, Garden of the Bible, Father Flanagan House, Chambers Chapel and the gift shop. A restaurant open to the pubic is also available on site.
Sandhills
Ainsworth, Nebraska
Meadville General Store
89235 Meadville Road Ainsworth, Nebraska 69210
Truly one of the most memorable stops on our adventures. The setting, music, dancing and fellowship left a lasting favorable impression: a simplier time.
117 North Brown Street, Suite 53 Pierce, Nebraska 68767
Contact Information: Call ahead for store hours. 402.329.4365 . This food product can only be found here…in Pierce, NE. Go get some! Pierce is near Norfolk, Nebraska.
Newman Grove, Nebraska
City Café
511 Hale Avenue Newman Grove, Nebraska 68758
https://www.facebook.com/ngcitycafe/ Known for pies, but try out other worthy menu items. The owners have a tremendous social media presence. It’s worth following them but better to support entrepreneurs like them helping build and maintain small rural communities.
Free Admission: The Museum next door is a can’t miss stop. The grotto is between the museum and cemetery.
As spectacular as the church itself is, the most surprising find on our Nebraska adventures, to date, was the museum next door to this church. It warehouses a diverse array of all aspects of Polish and rural life.
Contact the church to schedule your private tour. Donations accepted.
Groups can arrange for a tour that includes lunch.
What unusual sites (lesser known) have you visited in Nebraska?
SHARE this post with others wanting to explore Nebraska.
Want to explore more places in Nebraska?
Click on the TRAVEL tab above and then MIDWEST and NEBRASKA for other suggested road trips throughout Nebraska.
Linda Leier Thomason is a former CEO who writes freelance business and travel stories, along with feature articles. Her work experiences include a Fortune 500 corporation, federal government, entrepreneurship and small business. Find out more about Linda by clicking the “Meet Linda” tab above. Interested in working together?
Norfolk is a city in Madison County, Nebraska, United States, 113 miles northwest of Omaha and 83 miles west of Sioux City at the intersection of U.S. Routes 81 and 275.
Plan Ahead
What do you enjoy doing?
Shopping
Outdoor Recreational Activities
Dining
Arts + Culture
Live Music
Other?
Decide how you want to spend your day and do some research.
We made our inaugural visit to Norfolk, Nebraska in late May 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Public parks were now open, but city park restrooms were not. Museums were closed. Shops were open. Masks were required to enter. Restaurants were open at 50 percent capacity.
Cowboy Trail Head in Ta-Ha-Zouka City Park
2201 S. 13th Street Norfolk, NE
Trailhead is accessible on the SW corner of the park.
Once part of the Chicago & North Western Railroad’s Cowboy Line, this limestone trail covers 321 miles from Norfolk to Chadron.
-We entered the trail shortly after 9AM on a May Saturday. It was well-kept with plenty of scenic resting areas. We walked about 75 minutes and saw four other walkers and one bicycler.
-The Elk Horn River and the birds provide great background music.
-Tree canopies provide lots of shade on the portion of the trail we walked.
-Depending on the length of your walk/ride, it may be helpful to carry:
Water
Light Snacks
Bug Spray
Sun Screen
Cellular Phone
City Parks
The Visitor Bureau’s website provides accurate descriptions of its parks.
705 South 6th Street- across the street from Norfolk Junior High School
This park is home to the local WWII Memorial and athletic courts lit so citizens can play at night.
We were the only park visitors on a late Saturday morning.
Skyview Park
1900 West Maple Avenue in NW part of Norfolk
This park was busy with guests participating in all sorts of recreational activity while also practicing social distancing. They were kayaking, walking, running, eating picnic lunches and enjoying the picturesque views.
This park has a two-mile trail around the lake and offers Music in the Park on its bandstand.
It has a cross country course and well-manicured disc golf course: No one was playing golf during our visit.
NOTE: Help keep our parks clean. Remember to pick up your trash. There was a good bit of trash in the parking lot during our visit. Garbage containers are provided throughout the park.
Johnny Carson
Johnny was born on October 23, 1925 in Corning, Iowa. Although born in Iowa, Johnny moved to Norfolk, NE at age eight and always considered it his hometown.
Johnny is rightfully recognized as a national icon and hometown hero in Norfolk.
Johnny Carson Mural Downtown Norfolk, NE. Thank you to life-long citizen who left the coffee shop to take this photo for us. Super hospitality!
One can drive by his boyhood home at 306 S. 13th Street and visit a mural depicting his career milestones in downtown Norfolk at 3rd and Norfolk Avenue.
The Elkhorn Valley Museum featuring a Johnny Carson Gallery was closed due to the pandemic during our visit. https://elkhornvalleymuseum.org/
Dining
Norfolk has an abundance of outstanding dining options from family to elegant dining.
After strolling the entire well-maintained and aesthetically-appointed downtown area, we chose lunch from the District Table & Tap. It’s located across the street from the Johnny Carson mural.
The patio was open. The décor alone is worth a visit. Look at the walls. Great design work. Clean, well-appointed restrooms.
We’d enjoy a return visit when live music is playing.
Side Trip to Pierce, Nebraska
Willow Creek State Recreation Area
54876 852 Road Pierce, NE
The recreation area is located on the 700-acre Willow Creek Reservoir, approximately 1.5 miles southwest of Pierce, or about 15 miles northwest of Norfolk.
As fans of state parks and recreation areas, we couldn’t leave the area without a visit here.
It did not disappoint. Guests were fishing, boating, bicycling, walking, riding horses and enjoying their campsites on our Saturday afternoon visit.
The scenery is beautiful and well worth a visit.
NOTE: Signage is small and limited. There is an entrance fee or a state park pass is needed to enter.
Wragge Dogs at Pierce Locker
117 North Brown Street, Suite 53 Pierce, NE
402.329.4365
On this trip we missed the opportunity to taste Wragge Dogs.
We could not find store hours anywhere online but packed a cooler and ice hopeful we’d bring some Wragge Dogs back to Omaha with us.
We were disappointed to find the Locker closed when we arrived around 2 PM Saturday.
We look forward to getting a taste of Wragge Dogs, one day soon.
This means seek permission before using copy or images from this site. Images are available for purchase.
Linda Leier Thomason writes freelance business and travel stories along with feature articles. Her work experience includes a Fortune 500 corporation, federal government, entrepreneurship and small business. Read more about her background and qualifications by clicking on the “Meet Linda” tab above.
Do you have a story idea or interesting person who’d be a great feature? SHARE details below.
Omaha has plenty to offer even when the weather turns foul in late April.
We trekked to the https://www.blackstonedistrict.com/ Blackstone District of Omaha to enjoy a legendary Reuben Sandwich at Crescent Moon before attending the Spring Open House at the Hot Shops Art Center.
Legend of the Reuben Sandwich
Legend has it the Reuben sandwich was created in the 1920s in Omaha, Nebraska. It was there that Bernard Schimmel ran the kitchen at the Blackstone Hotel (today known as Blackstone Center), which his father owned and where he would also enjoy a weekly poker game with friends.
As this legend goes, one of the players—local grocery store owner Reuben Kulafofsky—requested a sandwich with corned beef and sauerkraut. Schimmel, who was a European-trained chef, put his own spin on it by draining the sauerkraut, mixing it with Thousand Island dressing, then layering it with Swiss and homemade corned beef on dark rye bread. He then grilled it.
Crescent Moon Restaurant
3578 Farnam Street. Founded in 1996, Crescent Moon names its Reuben for the Blackstone Hotel which is just a few steps away and is credited with the creation of the Reuben sandwich. The Crescent Reuben was awarded Omaha’s Best Reuben by the Omaha World Herald-Omaha’s newspaper.
Man v. Food
On April 25, 2019 the TV show Man v Food (The Travel Channel) a reality TV series about America’s iconic dishes and food challenges filmed an episode there, featuring all items Reuben.
Staff expects the episode to air in late 2019.
Craft beers are generously featured on the menu. The restaurant also offers Sunday brunch.
Hot Shops Art Center
Hot Shops Art Center
Glass Work
Fabric Art
Information
1301 Nicholas Street (near TD Ameritrade Baseball Park)
Linda Leier Thomason writes freelance business and travel stories, along with feature articles. Her work experiences include a Fortune 500 corporation, federal government, entrepreneurship and small business. She specializes in undercover studies of communities wishing to attract visitors for economic impact. Read more about her background and qualifications by clicking on the “Meet Linda” tab above. Want an advertorial written on your business? Would you like to have your community promoted?
www.joslyn.org–Check Calendar of Events for docent guided tours & special exhibits, classes and performances ($)
Opens 10 AM
Closed Monday
FREE General Admission
Café Durham located in the Museum’s Atrium
Hitchcock Museum Shop on main floor
Sculpture Garden & Discovery Garden: exterior of Museum
Free parking in lot northeast of the Museum
Well-marked drop-off location for those with limited mobility
NOTES
The docent-guided building tour (check calendar of events for dates and times) is well worth a visitor’s time. It lasts about an hour. One learns the history of the building’s art deco design while special features, often missed by visitors, are pointed out.
Arts Works-A Place for Curiosity-on the lower level isn’t just for children. It’s a hands-on art studio for all ages. It will delight you and perhaps introduce you to more current ways of creating art.
Read photography rules at www.joslyn.org.
Do not sit on or climb on outdoor sculptures or displays.
Block out at least 3 hours (more if take a guided building tour) to view the exhibits and wander the outdoor gardens.
Create your own masterpiece & then Email it
A Gift to Omaha Citizens
Joslyn Art Museum was a generous gift to the people of Omaha from Sarah H. Joslyn (1851–1940) in memory of her husband, George A. Joslyn (1848–1916).
George & Sarah Joslyn
Lunch
Amsterdam Falafel + Kabob
620 North 50th Street
Located in Omaha’s Dundee neighborhood
402.504.3223
Find them on Facebook
Limited indoor seating
Outdoor seating available
Falafel is a Middle Eastern dish of spiced mashed chick peas, ground into a paste, formed into balls or fritters and then deep fried.
Kabob is roasted or grilled meat on a skewer.
Beverages for purchase.
Kabob Meat on Lettuce with Herb Dressing
Recommend Something
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Nominate it here.
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No services or fees were provided by either location for this post.
Linda Leier Thomason writes freelance business and travel stories, along with feature articles. Her work experiences include a Fortune 500 corporation, federal government, entrepreneurship and small business. She specializes in undercover studies of communities wishing to attract visitors for economic impact. Read more about her background and qualifications by clicking on the “Meet Linda” tab above. Want an advertorial written on your business? Would you like to have your community promoted?
It offers plenty of entertainment and attractions for all ages and interests.
Check out 12 places to explore and find bonus links below.
Have fun exploring Omaha!
12 places to Explore in Omaha
1. OPPD Arboretum LOCATION: 108TH and Blondo, adjacent to an OPPD substation This is an ideal place to visit if you are planning to upgrade your yard with shrubs and plants. It contains groupings of native Nebraska trees, a conifer collection and lowland/wetland plantings ideal for the Omaha region. Explanations of each plant and how to plant these trees and shrubs around power lines are provided.
The arboretum is open to the public from dawn till dusk. A paved walking trail and wood chip trail are available as well as restrooms.
2. Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium LOCATION: 3710 South 10th Street
One of Nebraska’s most popular tourist destinations. Check the website for hours and admission fees. Also look for paid Animal Encounters and Backstage Experiences. Plan on spending a full day. Going in summer months, pack patience. It can get busy and hot.
3. St. Cecilia Cathedral LOCATION: 701 North 40th Street
The twin bell towers of this lovely hillside cathedral are one of Omaha’s key landmarks. It was founded in 1905 and took over 50 years to complete. The Cathedral is a national landmark containing more than 3 million bricks. It is one of the most outstanding cathedrals in the USA.
4. Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge LOCATION: 705 Riverfront Drive-just north of downtown Omaha
S-curved, cable-stayed 3000-foot pedestrian bridge connecting Iowa and Nebraska. A plaque marks the spot where the two states meet. Take a photo there. Bicycles are encouraged, as trails are on either side of the bridge. The Omaha landing features the Omaha Plaza, with bench seating, exhibits, a water jet spray fountain, a Fiber Wave Sculpture, play area, and a National Park Service Visitors Center. (Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters).
5. Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods LOCATION: 1111 Bellevue Boulevard North Bellevue, NE Located off HWY 75 minutes from downtown Omaha
26 miles of maintained trails and 2,000 acres of upland and lowland forests, native prairies, wetlands, lakes and waterways. Go create a memorable adventure in the forest right here in Omaha, NE. Check the website for hours and admission fees.
6. Gene Leahy Mall LOCATION: 1302 Farnam in downtown Omaha This isn’t a traditional bricks and mortar shopping mall. This is a 10-acre outdoor green space in downtown Omaha near the Old Market District. Highlights include a lagoon and waterfalls, walking paths, gardens, playground, amphitheater and a sculpture garden. It connects to Heartland of America Park. Each winter it’s the centerpiece for the Annual Holiday Lights Festival. http://www.holidaylightsfestival.org/ Kids love the giant slide here. Pets enjoy the vast open outdoor areas.
7. Omaha Community Playhouse LOCATION: 6915 Cass Street-near UNO Dodge campus
The Playhouse is the largest community playhouse in the USA. It houses two state-of-the-art performance spaces: Hawks Mainstage Theatre and Drew Theatre. Check the website for upcoming performances and ticket prices, including young professional and student tickets.
8. The Florence Mill LOCATION: 9102 North 30th Street
Open May-October, the Mill is a National Register Historic site that once served as a grist mill. It was built under the supervision of Brigham Young. Today it serves as an art-loft gallery, museum, farmer’s market location and one of the sites on the North Hills Pottery Tour. http://www.omahanorthhillspotterytour.com/
Check the website for hours of each event.
9. Boys Town LOCATION: 13628 Flanagan Blvd 137th and West Dodge Rd
Visit the Hall of History, Visitors Center and the Father Flanagan House in this National Historic Landmark District. Attend mass on campus. Get an up-close look at the world-famous Village established by Father Flanagan. Check out the World’s Largest Ball of Stamps and walk the lakeside path.
10. Kenefick Park LOCATION: 100 Bancroft Street
Named after the former Union Pacific Chairman and CEO John C. Kenefick this park sits on the southwest corner of the Lauritzen Gardens property and is easily visible from I-80. Park in the Lauritzen Gardens lot and walk to the top of the hill to see the largest and most powerful diesel-electric locomotive ever built and the world’s largest steam locomotive.
Featuring several plazas, seating areas, a grand staircase, “canyon” stone walls, interpretive signage, sculpture and walkways, the park documents Union Pacific Railroad’s role in the development of Omaha and the West.
11. Lauritzen Gardens: Omaha’s Botanical Center LOCATION: 100 Bancroft Street A hidden sanctuary in the heart of Omaha, the Gardens are planted for visitors to enjoy all four seasons. In addition to the exquisitely maintained gardens, a visitor and education center features a floral display hall with seasonal flower shows, a unique gift shop, café, a horticulture resource library, banquet and meeting spaces and classrooms. Check the website for hours and admission fee.
12.Hot Shops Arts Center LOCATION: 1301 Nicholas Street One block north of home plate at TD Ameritrade Park. Free parking located on 13th and Izard Streets
This center hosts over 80 studio artists and multiple gallery spaces, along with four anchor artists. Click on the website for classes, a list of artists and Open Houses, along with demonstration times.
Bonus Links
Website Link for City of Omaha Parks, Golf Courses and Pools https://parks.cityofomaha.org/
Omaha Visitors Center Link with List of Activities to Do https://www.visitomaha.com/things-to-do/
Linda Leier Thomason is a former CEO who writes freelance business and travel stories, along with feature articles. Her work experiences include a Fortune 500 corporation, federal government, entrepreneurship and small business. Find out more about Linda by clicking the “Meet Linda” tab above. Interested in working together? Complete this form below.
Ready to move to Omaha? Connect with Megan.
Megan Owens, Realtor
Owens Real Estate Group
“Delivering extraordinary care for extraordinary clients.”
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate
Phone | 402-689- 4984 Email | MeganOwensRE@gmail.com
A funny thing happened on the way to Enzo’s. We discovered a whole new side of Omaha and ditched our previously made weekend plans. It was our first time dining in historic FlorenceOmaha since relocating 15 months ago. We were eager to experience both the community and the food. Neither disappointed. The restaurant was brimming with people, conversation and aromas, reminding me of Sunday afternoons in the homes of Italian friends. The tiramisu alone will draw us back, often.
Exit 13 off 680 in Northeast Omaha is familiar to us; we take it every time we fly out of Eppley Airfield. But like many, in our hurriedness, we never paid attention to the exit surroundings. That is, until Friday night. Pottery Tour yard signs were well posted. Some were placed near a historical looking brown building right under the Morman Bridge one crosses to enter Nebraska from Iowa.
Parks
Saturday morning we headed north off Exit 13 on John Pershing Drive. Surprise! We drove past a Coast Guard station. The Coast Guard was familiar in our former home, Charleston, South Carolina, but a bit of a surprise here. We drove through N.P. Dodge Memorial Park and explored Hummel Park . Wow! Omaha has done a great job of preserving and using green space.
Florence Mill
We headed back to that brown building: Florence Mill– to discover it’s on the National Register of Historic Places. The first Saturday in October it’s a stop on the Omaha North Hills Pottery Tour. Visitors were purchasing pumpkins, having lunch and viewing the work of five artists including, Susan McGilvrey. Susan explained not only the building’s history but also the pottery tour to us. (Thank you, Susan!) We were hooked. Having visited Seagrove, North Carolina’s365-day pottery show multiple times, there was no way we’d miss this self-guided tour of four stops and 19 clay artists. Off we went.
Dennison Pottery
Dennison Pottery was our second stop on the Tour. The road there was new to us, but clearly not to others. Vehicles lined both sides of the gravel path. Walking up to the shop, one heard jazz sounds by Dan Livingston and the buzz of conversation. Five artists displayed their wares while guests lingered over complimentary soup, wine, and baked goods. Benches and a fire pit invited all to stay, mingle and connect. It was clear many there frequent often. We’d have stayed longer, but there were two more stops on the tour. It was just that welcoming.
Too Far North Wine
Too Far North Wine in Fort Calhoun, NE was our next stop. One couldn’t miss the location with the well-placed signs and the overflowing crowd loitering outside the store’s entrance. Inside was stuffed with patrons at the wine bar, making the space tight and warm. Travis Hinton and Eric Knoche were busily explaining and selling their wares, but not too busy to engage in meaningful conversation with patrons, including us.
Detour
As an aside, we curiously entered Cure Cooking next door to the wine shop. What a fascinating find! Chad was giving demonstrations and answering questions about upcoming classes. This business is another great example of people pursuing their passion and building a business around it. We wish he and his business much success!
Big Table Studios
The tour ended near Herman, NE at Big Table Studios in the rolling hills above the Missouri River Valley. The farmstead was packed with guests enjoying complimentary pizza, sweets and beverages while visiting and shopping on a cloudy October afternoon. Seven artists displayed their varied outstanding work.Liz Vercruysse‘s seed pod pieces hanging from trees captured our immediate attention. I wish I’d have met her, or any of the other artists on site.
On the journey back we marveled at how letting go of previously made weekend plans turned the first weekend in October into one of our favorite since relocating. Yes, we will do this pottery tour again. And, we’ve already invited others to join us on the journey. Will we meet you on the tour?
Comment & Mark Your 2018 Calendar
Have you explored the area off Exit 13 on 680? What else should we see and do?
Comment below about your impressions of the pottery tour.
Linda Leier Thomason is a former CEO who writes freelance business and travel stories, along with feature articles. Her work experiences include a Fortune 500 corporation, federal government, entrepreneurship and small business. Find out more about Linda by clicking the “Meet Linda” tab above. Interested in working together? Complete this form below.
This is an ideal place to visit if you are planning to upgrade your yard with shrubs and plants. It contains groupings of native Nebraska trees, a conifer collection and lowland/wetland plantings ideal for the Omaha region. Explanations of each plant and how to plant these trees and shrubs around power lines are provided.
This isn’t a traditional bricks and mortar shopping mall. This is a 10-acre outdoor green space in downtown Omaha near the Old Market District. Highlights include a lagoon and waterfalls, walking paths, gardens, playground, amphitheater and a sculpture garden. It connects to Heartland of America Park. Each winter it’s the centerpiece for the Annual Holiday Lights Festival. http://www.holidaylightsfestival.org/ Kids love the giant slide here. Pets enjoy the vast open outdoor areas.
A hidden sanctuary in the heart of Omaha, the Gardens are planted for visitors to enjoy all four seasons. In addition to the exquisitely maintained gardens, a visitor and education center features a floral display hall with seasonal flower shows, a unique gift shop, café, a horticulture resource library, banquet and meeting spaces and classrooms. Check the website for hours and admission fee.
Too Far North Wine
