2010 Nationals

The largest porch swing in the world is located in Nebraska and can seat 25 adults. They’re saving a seat for you! Spend a lazy day on the banks of the Missouri River or visit the Old Market which will provide you with art, shopping, and a diverse dining experience.

Native Americans were the first residents in the Omaha area. Omaha is rich in ethnicity as numerous groups have made this their home. Most immigrants were recruited to jobs in the Omaha stockyards and meatpacking industry. “Gate City of the West” is the nickname Omaha earned for the central role it played in the history of transportation.

The city has ties to numerous notable names such as actors Fred Astaire, Marlon Brando, Nick Nolte, and Henry and Peter Fonda. It is also the birthplace of President Gerald Ford, Malcolm X, and tennis great, Andy Roddick. Warren Buffett, the richest man in the world in 2008, lives in Omaha where he made his fortune in business. Buffett is nicknamed the “oracle of Omaha.”

By the early eighteenth century, the Omaha Indians had moved into the vicinity of present-day Omaha. The word “Omaha” means against the current, which refers to the northward movements the indians made against the current of the Mississippi River. The territory that would eventually become the city of Omaha, Nebraska, was acquired as part of the Louisiana Purchase and held uncertain potential for the developing nation.

The most significant event in the early development of Omaha was the passage of the Pacific Railroad Act in 1862, which provided for the construction of a transcontinental railroad from the Missouri River to California and was an essential developmental boom for the city. Major meatpacking industries developed in the city as a result of the stockyards. In 1892, Omaha was at the center of the Populist political movement, and Populist thought gained literary significance with such works as L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz. While a timeless work of children’s literature, it was also thought to be a thinly veiled allegory of Populist thought. Ever wonder why “Omaha” was written on the balloon that the wizard escapes in at the end of the movie?

After the tumultuous Great Depression of the 1930s, Omaha bounced back with the development of Offutt Air Force Base just south of the city. It was here that several bombers were produced to be used in the bombing of Japan in WWII. Today the city’s economy is diverse and built on skilled knowledge jobs. The city is home to such Fortune 500 companies as ConAgra Foods, Union Pacific Corporation, Mutual of Omaha, and Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway. In the summer of 2008, Omaha hosted the United States Olympic Swim Team Trials. This event was a highlight in the city’s sports community.

The newly renovated Holiday Inn Omaha Convention Center will house and host this year’s competition. The hotel is conveniently located near the Eppley Airport, downtown Omaha, shopping, and a variety of attractions.

This Holiday Inn is also home to the Coco Key Water Resort. The attached 60,000 square foot water resort features three 40ft-tall body and raft slides, a 300-gallon water bucket, an indoor/outdoor spa, and a dip-in theatre. For those interested, there is also a swimming pool separate from the waterpark, an in-house restaurant, fitness center, and free high-speed internet access.

Complimentary airport shuttle service to the hotel is provided from the Omaha Airport. Local area shuttle service, within a five mile radius, is also provided complimentary.

Omaha has you covered for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as the city lays claim to having invented Raisin Bran, the reuben sandwich, the tv dinner, and kool aid. When you think of Omaha, you immediately think steak, and if you’re looking for the best steak you’ve ever eaten, you’ve come to the right place! Steak is no doubt the specialty, but you can also experience a world of flavor and mouth-watering cuisine such as Persian, Mongolian, Greek, Chinese, and BBQ. In 1955, Omaha’s Union Stockyards overtook Chicago’s stockyards as the United States’ meat packing center. This legacy is reflected in Omaha’s renowned steakhouses. You don’t have to look far to find a great steakhouse or the world famous Omaha Steaks retail chain.

If you look at a map of the country, Omaha is at the true center of America. It is close to everything whether you are flying, driving, or traveling by train. As soon as you arrive in Omaha, you will find that it is an easy city to get around in, even though it is the 43rd largest city in the U.S.

Omaha is packed with things to do. It is full of historical attractions and museums, fine or casual dining, and unique shopping. It is home to the Omaha Community Playhouse, the largest community theater in the United States. This playhouse is where Marlon Brando’s mother encouraged Henry Fonda to pursue acting.

Got a few animals in your group? If you do, make sure to visit the Henry Doorly Zoo which is widely considered one of the premier zoos in the world. What’s so special about the Doorly Zoo? This zoo is home to the world’s largest nocturnal exhibit, indoor swamp, indoor rainforest, indoor desert, and geodosic dome in the world. This zoo is Nebraska’s number one paid attendance attraction and has welcomed more than 25 million visitors over the past 40 years.

The Old Market is more than just food and shopping. This area is a major historic district in downtown Omaha and is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Warehouses and other buildings have been converted to shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Downtown is also home to the Omaha Rail and Commerce Historic District, the Botanical Gardens, and the new Kenefick Park which recognizes Union Pacific’s long history.

Have you or anyone you know been helped by Boys Town? This organization was founded in Omaha in 1917 by Father Edward Flanagan. Boys Town was created to provide America’s youth and families with services and health care they might not receive anywhere else. If you visit their campus you can see Spencer Tracy’s oscar for the timeless classic movie, “Boys Town.”