While winter break is a great time for overworked students to catch up on sleep or even a show they’re watching, getting out of the house and making memories is just as important. Living in Omaha means there’s a wide variety of exciting winter-themed activities to do with friends or family during the time off, so here are some suggestions:
1. The Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
Being one of the best zoos in the nation, there are tons of things to do even in the wintry weather. Each year, they host “Zoolightful,” a local favorite Christmas event which runs from late November to Jan. 11, with the exception of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day andNew Year’s Eve. Visitors are welcome to walk the glowing paths, see “larger-than-life” animal lanterns, and enjoy the festive food and drinks to warm up.
2. The Lauritzen Gardens
This Omaha botanical garden is especially known for its winter events and exhibits, changing it up each year. A recently opened outdoor exhibit is “Thomas Dambo’s TROLLS: Save the Humans” which includes large wooden sculptures of trolls with stories of a mission to help humans reconnect with nature. Along with this, the gardens have their “Bright Nights” events during the evenings throughout December and January, displaying their iconic 20-foot-tall poinsettia tree. This is a wonderful place to go for those who enjoy more artsy and calm environments rather than the chaotic holiday crowds.
3. Santa’s Rock N Lights
Each holiday season, Werner Park is transformed into a glowing display of Christmas lights, exciting for anyone to see. From Nov. 21 to Dec. 31, you can drive through over a mile of lights synced with music available to play on the radio, making these lights dance with the music. This is perfect for those who want to stay warm and comfortable while also getting out of the house for a while.
4. Try seasonal menu items
A less obvious winter tradition is visiting local restaurants, cafes, bakeries and more to try out delicious foods or drinks from their holiday menus. Some of the best places to go are Pettit’s Pastry, Wheatfields Eatery & Bakery and The Mill Coffee & Tea. Not only would you be supporting local businesses, but you could also make it a fun game of deciding which ones have the best hot chocolate.
5. Ice skating
One of the most popular winter activities, and really the one most people think of first, is ice skating. In Omaha, we are lucky to have multiple locations such as Gene Leahy Mall at The Riverfront and UNMC’s Ice Rink. Any of these places are perfect for a special, wintry experience, especially when with friends or family.
6. Sledding and making snowmen
On a more traditional side, a perfect way to enjoy break is by doing some of these classic winter activities. When there’s snow, going to Memorial Park and sledding is a tradition. After slipping and sliding down hills, it can be fun to take a break while participating in another cliché winter activity such as building a snowman. This is sure to make anyone feel like a kid again and truly enjoy the magic of the holidays.
