Introduction to Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, located in the eastern part of Nebraska on the west bank of the Missouri River, is the largest city in the state. Named for the Omaha Indians inhabiting in the area, the city was founded in 1854 and grew as a supply center for settlers heading west. The arrival of the Union Pacific transcontinental railroad in 1869 made the city a major transportation hub. The region is one of America's centers for grains, livestock and food processing. Today, Omaha has a population of around 400,000, with a diverse economy that has retained its core agricultural products but expanded to include banking, insurance, telecommunications and other high-technology industries. Top corporations headquartered in Omaha include Ameritrade, Berkshire Hathaway, ConAgra Foods, Mutual of Omaha, Union Pacific Railroad, Sitel Corporation and West Teleservices. Nearby Offutt Air Force Base, home of the US Strategic Command, is a major employer.
For residents of Omaha looking to earn a college education, the area is home to a number of postsecondary institutions, including the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Clarkson College, Bellevue College, and Creighton University. For individuals who don't have the time to attend an on-campus degree program, there are also online schools that Omaha resident may enroll in. These institutions may offer many degree programs, such as psychology, English, criminal justice, and business management. For more information about online schools please visit the online college directory on CityTownInfo.com.
Omaha Culture
Omaha's arts and cultural attractions include the Omaha Symphony, Opera Omaha, and dozens of theaters. The Joslyn Art Museum specializes in western and Native American art. The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts is America's only major international urban artist colony. Other Omaha museums include the Great Plains Black History Museum, Durham Western Heritage Museum and El Museo Latino.
Omaha Sports and Leisure
For spectator sports, Rosenblatt Stadium is home to the NCAA's college baseball world series and minor league baseball's Omaha Royals, an affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. For big league action, the parent club is a 3-hour trip away. The Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League play at the MidAmerica Center just across the Missouri River in Council Bluffs, Iowa. In the fall, Omaha's college football fans flock to Lincoln for Nebraska Cornhuskers action.
Omaha Outdoors
Lovers of the outdoors love the 80 miles of paved trails connecting the city's neighborhoods. The Keystone Trail/Bellevue Loop Trail, the longest at 26 miles, is popular among walkers, joggers, bicyclists and rollerbladers. Lovers of nature love Desoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge just north of the city. Its nearly 8,000 acres offer fishing, boating, ducks, geese and bald eagles. Just minutes away, the Missouri River, Lake Manawa and Carter Lake are also popular for fishing and water sports.
Omaha at Night
Omaha has a vibrant nightlife, centered around the Historic Old Market district, a renovated downtown area loaded with restaurants, bars and clubs. Clean air and water, affordable housing and a safe environment make Omaha is a great place to live, with publications such as Forbes, Ladies Home Journal, Redbook and Parenting Magazine naming it on their "best of" lists.