Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

They say each region of the United States has a unique “specialty” dish.  The west and east coast are known for their seafood, the south has good Mexican, and the Midwest has the best BBQ.  For Nebraska, being in the middle of the country does have its perks.  The state is able to produce delicious dishes that are inspired from all over the United States.  Whether it’s meat, Italian, Mexican, or fast food, Nebraska never disappoints.

Highly recommended by magazines and professional chefs like Rachel Ray, The Drover is one of the country’s best steakhouses.  Located in Omaha, people come from all over to get a taste of the famous whiskey filet and sirloin.  Nebraska’s corn fed cattle gives the out of state visitors a fresh new taste of steak.  The Drover’s service, free salad bar, and atmosphere keeps its visitors coming back for more.

Not many restaurants can say they’ve had the world’s richest man and most famous male artist eat with them, but Avoli Osteria sure can!  Warren Buffett accompanied by Paul McCartney ate at the Dundee Omaha restaurant in the beginning of July while the singer was passing through for a concert in Lincoln.  The two were spotted dining and whining at the popular Italian restaurant that is known as one of Buffett’s favorites.

Kansas, Iowa, Denver, and Nebraska are the only places blessed with a fast food restaurant called Runza.  Every heard of it? I didn’t think so.  The small chain is home of the Runza Sandwich, which is meat wrapped in a homemade bun.  The different variations of the sandwich and famous fries capture every fast food lover’s attention.  Even though it sounds ordinary, there is nothing quite like it.  The item has become so popular that the company recently started to ship them to people all over the country.

You don’t have to travel far to get a good Mexican meal in Nebraska.  South Omaha is home to over 20,000 Hispanic families and 250 Mexican restaurants.  Hector’s Restaurant has been up and running for over 20 years and is one of the area’s favorite.  The inexpensive, yet authentic, meal exceeds every Mexican cuisine fanatic’s expectations.  Customers come for the queso, but stay for the margaritas. 

Through being located in the middle of the country, Nebraska has developed a love for all types of cuisines.  Whether it’s Mexican from the south or Italian from the northeast, the state has mastered it all.  If you want a little taste of everything, Nebraska is the place for you.

**This Wednesday I'll use Pinterest to upload pictures of the best schools in Nebraska for children.  

**Every Monday I'll use Twitter to tweet any deals and coupons Nebraska restaurants and events have.

Life Styles of the Rich and Famous

When thinking of a city that has produced a lot of famous people and has lots of money, one might think of Los Angeles or New York City.  It’s rational to believe that those large coastal cities have produced the most famous people, but that’s certainly wrong.  Between those cities lies Nebraska, which has been noted to have the most famous people come out of it. From actors to authors, Nebraska has clearly inspired many people to fulfill their dreams.  Through researching, I found five famous people that many wouldn’t know were from Nebraska.

Larry the Cable Guy is a stand-up comedian, actor, voice actor, and former radio personality.  Born in Pawnee City, Nebraska on a pig farm helped this redneck develop his country attitude and accent.  He’s best known for his voice as the character Mater in Disney’s Cars.  He now resides in Lincoln, Nebraska on a 180-acre farm.

Another celebrity with some Nebraska history is Hilary Swank.  She was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, but ended up moving after her parents split up when she was 10.  This actor is best known for her roles in The Next Karate Kid, Beverly Hills 90210, Million Dollar Baby, and Freedom Writers.  Her success story and elegance makes all Nebraskans very proud.

Responsible for every woman’s favorite love story is Nicholas Sparks, and yes, you guessed it, he’s from Nebraska!  On December 31, 1965 Sparks was born in the city of Omaha.  He has two siblings that have been a large inspiration within his writing.  His younger sister was Sparks’ influence for his 1999 novel A Walk to Remember when she died at 33 because a brain tumor.

Another creative mind from Omaha is the one and only Alexander Payne, who is a director, screenwriter, and producer.  Payne’s family was part of the fabric of Omaha, which he references as part of his upbringing.  He graduated from Creighton Prep, which is a private Catholic high school in the heart of Omaha.  Payne is best known for his work in Jurassic Park III, Sideways, The Descendants, and Nebraska.  Nebraska is extremely proud of the work he’s done.

Nebraska’s most profound native is one of the world’s richest.  He’s often called the “Oracle of Omaha” or “Wizard of Omaha,” but is more commonly referred to as Warren Buffet.  Born in raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Buffet developed a mind for earning and saving money at a very young age.  By the time he was a junior in high school he was already investing in companies.  He attended the University of Pennsylvania and then soon transferred to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Buffet's full profile can be accessed here.  His demonstration of life long learning has been an inspiration to all.

Nebraska is overlooked when it comes to the fame and fortunate.  The state has clearly produced some of America’s most talented citizens.  Nebraska is proud of all work these people have done and can’t wait to see what the future brings. 

**This Thursday I'll use Pinterest to upload pictures of the Top 10 Things To Do With Your Child in the Summer.  

**Every Monday I'll use Twitter to tweet any deals and coupons Nebraska restaurants and events have.

Keep Monkeyin' Around

When I was a child, it seemed like all I wanted to do was grow up and become a teenager.  I looked forward to being in high school and experiencing everything television showed me what it would be like.  Now that those moments are locked in my memory, I find myself longing to have my innocent childhood back.

I now look for activities that help me feel like a child again.  My favorite place to go is the zoo, but not just any zoo, the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.  Located in Omaha, Nebraska, the zoo is consistently ranked the top three best zoos in the United States.  Spread over 130 acres, the zoo is equipped with over 30 exhibits, 962 species, and 17,000 animals.

One of the most famous exhibits is the Scott Kingdom of the Seas Aquarium.  The indoor adventure opened on April 1^st 1995 at the cost of $16 million.  The aquarium features many displays of aquatic habitats, including the flooded Amazon Rainforest, coral reefs, polar regions, and temperate oceans.  Visitors love to go through the shark tank tunnel and watch the penguins dive into the water.  The entire exhibit is 71,000 square feet and contains a total of 1,200,000 gallons of water.

Right next to the aquarium explorers would find the Lied Jungle, which is one of the largest indoor rainforest exhibits in the world.  This $15 million display is 90 feet tall, spans over 1.5 acres, and has 123,000 square feet of floor space.  Visitors are able to walk along a dirt trail on the floor of the jungle as well as on a walkway around and above the animals.  There are approximately 90 species that can be found in the exhibit, including squirrel monkeys, porcupines, otters, crocodiles, and tapirs.

The length of the zoo makes it nearly impossible to conquer it all in one day.  To help cut travel time down, the zoo developed three ways to explore.  The Tram drives on the walkway paths around the zoo and offers four stops.  For a non-stop tour, the Railroad is available for a 2.5-mile loop around the zoo.  One of the zoos newest accomplishments, and the most popular way to explore, is the Skyfari.  The Skyfari is an aerial tram that runs from one end of the zoo to the other.  From above, everyone can see cheetahs, a koi lagoon, rhinos, and giraffes.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo offers every visitor something unique to enjoy.  The zoo has specialized in making its territory fun for all ages.  The exhibits and fun ways of exploring helps every adult find their inner-child.

**This Sunday I'll use Pinterest to upload pictures of the top 10 best restaurants in Nebraska. 

**Every Monday I'll use Twitter to tweet any deals and coupons Nebraska restaurants and events have.

A Blast From The Past

The news is true!  The citizens of Omaha, Nebraska can travel back to their late 1800 roots!  By driving no more than 20 minutes to 10^th street, anyone can enter into the world of 19^th century Omaha.  The area is referred to as the Old Market, which is just a few blocks north of downtown.

Red brick buildings and roads, created in the late 1800s and early 1900s, surround the entire 7-acre land.  The old fashioned buildings have been filled with hundreds of one-of-a-kind businesses, which are all owned by locals.  The most famous stores are: The Flying Warm Clothing, M’s Pub, Old Market Candy Shop, and Ted & Wally’s Ice Cream.  Each store has something different to offer, which helps create the ultimate old-town vintage feel.

Even though the buildings have been restored, their history still remains.  The brick of many structures are still labeled with the original business name and information.  The writing can tell you a lot about the property, which makes it interesting to compare what it used to be to what it is now.  In some cases, the current owner decided to keep the original name of the building.  The Old Mattress Factory, informally called “The Matt,” is currently a full functioning bar and grill that used to be a mattress company in the 1880s.  The restaurant takes pride in the historic place and wants to continue to strive to reserve Omaha’s past.   

Fortunately, there is much more to do in the Old Market besides shop and eat.  Many visitors enjoy walking around or traveling by horse and carriage to explore.  Strolling through the area always leads to stumbling upon something new.  Whether it be a new store, restaurant, or musician, there are always surprises around every corner!  

The atmosphere and entertainment of the community definitely depends on the season.  During the spring and summer, the Old Market is much more lively and upbeat.  People fill the streets as they walk from store to store while listening to the wonderful musicians on every corner.  The long Midwest autumn and winter has the area covered in Christmas lights and garland while the ice-skating rink is enjoyed by all ages.  No matter the season, visitors can always find something fun to do.

Omaha takes great pride is the preservation of the history within the Old Market.  Each building and road tells a story of a past that has helped shaped the future.  The city thoroughly enjoys the community, no matter what season it may be.  It’s a wonderful area that is truly appreciated by all. 

**Every Monday I'll use Twitter to tweet any deals and coupons Nebraska restaurants and events have.

**This Thursday I'll use Pinterest to upload pictures of the top 10 most famous people that have come out of Nebraska.