Omaha What to Pack

Luggage and bags: If you are flying in to Omaha, Eppley Airfield actually has rather efficient baggage handling, so almost anything should be OK.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: If you are visiting during the winter months (i.e. November to March), be prepared for the worst. It is not unusual to have heavy snows, strong winds and sub-zero temperatures. During the summer, it will be hot...very hot. Keep in mind that usually, in Nebraska, if the sky is clear, it's horribly cold. Summer is an exception, if the sun is out, chances are that every outdoor plant is now dead. Rain seems to be an anomalie during the summer, and by the end of July, the idea of water falling from the sky seems novel, and somewhat unrealistic. Mid to late spring will, on the other hand, usually produce heavy rains, and if you're lucky a tornado or two. People in Omaha seem to be enthralled with weather, it's quite a sight to watch people flock outdoors and stare at the sky when the civil defense sirens start wailing due to a tornado warning...

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Omaha has excellent hospitals, numerous 24 hour medical clinics and emergency service, 911 service, and all amenities you would expect in a major American city, so no special preparations should be required.

Photo Equipment: Skip the 100 speed film unless you know it's going to be sunny, or you are taking pictures of inanimate objects. 400 speed is a much better choice on a typical grey Omaha day.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Omaha has a massive network of multi-use trails that can provide a LIFETIME of enjoyment for cycling, jogging, rollerblading, etc. They are also useful for actual transportation as well. I would recommend visiting the Nebraska DNR (Department of Natural Resources) site to find an outdoor activity to your liking, as there is a suprisingly large number of things to do outdoors near omaha. You may need to purchase park permits if visiting certain recreation areas outside of the Omaha metro area.

Miscellaneous: Visit the coffeehouses, and some bars that have Surftables. These are internet access kiosks built into tables with dual keyboards and flatscreen monitors. Many businesses will allow access for free with a purchase. Purchasing a decent map is also helpful, as downtown Omaha has a fair number of one-way streets and other oddities.