Driving from Chicago for a wedding this weekend. I welcome suggestions on shit to see, do, feel, etc. Also, sights to be seen on the way there or back besides corn? I might also stop in Columbia, MO on the way back.

I can't wait for the drive! I have never driven through the midwest.

I heartily endorse the Antiquarium record/book store in Omaha. Excellent selection, I always try to make a stop there.

the Classical wrote:I heartily endorse the Antiquarium record/book store in Omaha. Excellent selection, I always try to make a stop there.

Seconded. Great shop. There are also a couple other excellent record stores located a couple blocks south(?) from where the Antiquarium is located. All of this is in the downtown section known as the "Old Market" - lots of knick-knack shops etc., but a cut above your standard tourist fare.

Good restaurants in this area as well, though all of the names escape me. The Lady grew up in Omaha, will talk to her for some firm recommendations.

Oh yeah, beyond the Old Market area, there isn't much. A zoo, I think, and gambling boats. There are a number of malls, standard pretty much, but Omaha either has a much lower sales tax or no sales tax, I can't recall.

More later (probably).

i agree with the antiquarium--it's easy to lose track of time in there--and will also recommend drastic plastic, which is on howard in old market. old market is a really nice place in general to walk around. on sundays the stores open up later than they do during the rest of the week.

upstream brewing company is a really good brewpub, i don't know the address but you can google it. brothers is another good place. no clue about the address. o'leavers is where some shows are.

i was pleasantly surprised by the city, it's very nice and laid back

Second Drastic Plastic - I just bought a few things when I was there in May - for a friend's wedding, coincidentally enough. The city, or some entity, has done a pretty good job of keeping chains out of the Old Market and there are some worthwhile things to be done there. M's Pub has good food, and like many of the Old Market shops, has done a great job of retaining parts of the 19th century interiors.

If you're at all into western American landscape and American Indian crafts and history, I highly recommend the Joslyn museum - it's just a few minutes from downtown. Added bonus of being a cool Art Deco building in an unlikely spot.

http://www.joslyn.org/

There's also a museum of the american west, or something, that's worth poking your head in just to see the interior of the building (old rail terminal).

I work at the record store mentioned above "Drastic Plastic"
We are located on 12th and howard st in the old market, next to little king

Antiquarium is on Harney St, a block over
and you should definitely go there, it's awesome

Rainbow Recording Studio has some vintage amplifiers and the like
around 60th and center st. they are pricey but you can try to barter, and they have more than what's on the floor, ask for what you want (they aren't going to have travis beans)
(i can get exact address if interested)

Upstream Brewing Company is located about a block east and then south, of the record stores around 11th and jones st

M's pub is a bit fancier (both have great food) a block east, and then a half a block north

I will be at drastic on Sunday, but otherwise pm me for any further directions or help

also, I wasn't trying to sway you away from M's Pub.
I would actually say go there first.
there are also a great Persian, Indian, and French restaurants
Zios Pizza is also a great choice