Olio in Iowa

Build Your Bucket List With 100 Things to Do in Omaha Before You Die

Detailed stone archway in downtown Omaha, Nebraska

Over the years I’ve spent a good amount of time across the Nebraska border in Omaha for work. But it wasn’t until recently that I started exploring all of the fun things the city has to offer. Now with a new book titled 100 Things to Do in Omaha Before You Die I have even more places to add to my must-visit list.

Written by Tim and Lisa Trudell of The Walking Tourists, this new book gives a delightful glimpse into the epic eateries, charming cultural attractions, and heaps of historical locations Omaha has to offer.Continue Reading…

Discover the Unique History of Omaha with Nebraska Tour Company

Disclosure: I received a free ticket to the Nebraska Tour Company‘s Omaha Gems City Tour in exchange for a review. However, all opinions are my own.

Uncover some of the hidden gems of Omaha with Nebraska Tour Company!

When it comes to getting to know a new city, wandering its streets is one of my favorite ways to get acquainted. But it always helps to have a knowledgeable tour guide. Recently I spent the day in Omaha with the Nebraska Tour Company to learn more about the city’s hidden gems.

The company offers a variety of tours from walking tours to themed brewery or winery tours, but on this particular trip we decided to delve deep into the city’s history. The Omaha Gems City Tour offers a comprehensive look at some of the city’s highlights and begins at the Omaha Visitors Center.Continue Reading…

5 Spring Break Inspired Weekend Getaways

Ever since I can remember, all of my classmates and I desperately looked forward to spring break. Not only did it mean a week off school, but spring break always seemed to signify the impending, endless possibilities of summer. Now that I’m out of school and have to be a “real” adult, I don’t get a coveted week off every spring. But that doesn’t mean I can’t plan a getaway of my own to celebrate the warmer weather to come.Continue Reading…

Road Trip 2013: Des Moines to Cheyenne

All Rights Reserved Megan Bannister

After more than 52 hours in the car, seven days of togetherness and more pounds of gummy bears than I would like to admit, I’m back in Des Moines. Our road trip to San Francisco was a phenomenal success and I can’t wait to share all of our adventures.

Our first stop was in Omaha to photograph Stored Potential for an upcoming article in Think magazine. This 80-foot art installation on an out-of-use grain elevator is seriously cool, especially if you take the time to get up close and personal.

Next we stopped in Boys Town, NE to see the World’s Largest Ball of Stamps. It’s shaping up to be a crazy spring break – I know – but I have a secret love of “world’s largest” things and thankfully my friends indulged me. The ball weighs in at 600 pounds and was constructed over the course of three years starting from the core of a golfball.

To continue our nerdy trip, we made a stop in Lincoln to visit the Nebraska State Capitol. After the most terrifying elevator ride ever to the 14th floor, we walked around the capitol’s outdoor observatory and enjoyed not being in the car for an hour or so.

Always a lover of roadside attractions we stopped in North Platte, NE for dinner and couldn’t resist a trip to Fort Cody – a combination general store and museum just off of I-80. Slightly creepy? Absolutely. But worth a stop? Definitely.