Rambleridge - Omaha, NE

Rambleridge's history closely coincides with the suburban expansion of outlying communities after WWII. Around the early 1950s, the construction of Interstate 80, 480 and 680 spurred development, and Omaha's meatpacking and insurance industries attracted settlers from all over the United States. The development of Ramble Ridge Park in 1970 prompted investors to further develop the neighborhood into a middle-income housing community marked by spacious, family homes.

As a community development area, Rambleridge does not have any of its own museums. Many of the most popular museums in the area rest in downtown Omaha, such as the Durham Museum and the Bemis Center For Contemporary Arts.

Locals also make the 10-mile trip to the downtown area for the city's biggest events. The Omaha Lit Fest connects fans and authors with their love of the written word, while the Omaha Film Festival showcases nearly 100 films from all over the world.

Omaha's essential role on the frontiers of the West and its eclectic and diverse population from all over the world has helped develop a varied and mature culinary scene. Whether tastes skew towards the spicy fare from south of the border to elegant Americana classics, Rambleridge residents never have to travel far to find somewhere exciting to eat every night of the week.

Hailed as one of the best Italian restaurants throughout Omaha, Mangia Italiana transports visitors to the Italian old country with its traditional dishes adapted with innovative twists. Daily and weekly specials at this restaurant allow guests to always discover something new to try, such as the spicy buffalo pizza or the Italian hot dog. Locals rave over the chicken alfredo and the meatball sub.

Winner of several accolades, including Diners' Choice Best Food and Diners' Choice Best Overall categories, Dolce on West Maple Road endures as the ideal go-to restaurant for both special occasions and casual events. High-quality dishes made from fresh ingredients are elegantly displayed, though the casual atmosphere of this restaurant ensures that anyone can feel comfortable. For special occasions, visitors should opt for the Chef's Choice five-course dinner. The duck cassoulet and the American Kobe ragu remain popular choices as well.

As a community development area, Rambleridge fosters a fairly quiet nightlife scene. Locals looking for a high-octane night out complete with live music acts and a younger, more active crowd should head towards downtown Omaha. A little closer to home, however, several high-end lounges and traditional sports bars ensure relaxed nights with familiar faces. The Touch of Class Lounge endures as the picturesque dive bar in the area. Located on Fort Street, this simple and small bar boasts an intimate noir feeling contrasted by strong drinks and a personable, friendly staff.

Rambleridge sits near the outskirts of the greater Omaha area, and when heading downtown or getting out of the city, residents from this neighborhood typically travel by car. Spacious driveways and apartment parking lots make keeping a car at home quite convenient, and locals can always find free, curbside parking. Nearby Interstate 680 connects residents to Des Moines in the east and Interstate 80 to the south. By taking Interstate 680 southwards and then turning east on Dodge Road, commuters can reach downtown Omaha in about 20 to 25 minutes, depending on traffic.

As a quiet, well-cultivated suburban area, this neighborhood also boasts wide streets and abundant sidewalks. Neighborhood children and environmentally conscious commuters prefer to get around by foot or bike. Bike lanes are not available, but minimal traffic and a culture of courteous drivers enhance safety for local bicyclists. The paved Keystone trail starts in Democracy Park about 2.5 miles east of Rambleridge and provides a beautiful, convenient way for bikers to travel downtown.

Omaha city taxis don't often roam around Rambleridge looking to pick up passengers off the curb. When looking for a ride, consider calling ahead or using a smartphone to organize a trip with ride sharing services, such as Uber. Locals can also take advantage of the comprehensive Omaha Metro bus system. Route 14 picks up riders along North 108th Street and Fort Street.

Sitting on the outskirts of Omaha, Rambleridge makes the ideal homebase for outdoors enthusiasts looking to partake in Nebraska's abundant natural splendor. Attractive and well-cultivated neighborhood parks in the area cater to visitors of all ages, while a network of city biking trails and sports complexes provide convenience for athletes.

The namesake Ramble Ridge Park stands as the central park in the neighborhood that attracts neighborhood children and residents looking to relax. The small pond in the middle often hosts families of ducks as well as some pleasant walking paths. Several grills in the park also encourage a lively summer scene.

Roanoke Park to the south of Ramble Ridge features a community swimming pool packed with neighborhood children throughout the summer. The largest park in the area, Tranquility Park, includes several facilities aimed at both athletes and residents. Some of these facilities include a softball complex, soccer fields, playground equipment and much more.

The city does allow dogs in neighborhood parks, but owners must keep their dogs on a leash at all times. Rambleridge residents can enjoy close vicinity to the Hefflinger Dog Park immediately south of the neighborhood. Open from dawn to dusk, this massive dog park enables off-leash play for dogs of all sizes, though smaller dogs can enjoy the fenced 2-acre zone. Use of the neighborhood parks and the dog park remain free to the public.

Located 10 miles away at the beautiful Turner Park, the Jazz on the Green music festival remains one of Omaha's best-loved traditions. Although Rambleridge residents do have to travel a bit for this summer concert series, Jazz on the Green serves as the ideal Thursday night summer activity that allows Rambleridge residents to truly integrate with Omaha culture.

The Rambleridge neighborhood carries a slightly lower cost of living when compared to Omaha averages, and visitors to the area can often find larger, more spacious housing. Newcomers to Rambleridge should expect the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment to hover around $717 a year.

Traveling to downtown Omaha on the Metro costs $1.25 for a one-way ticket, while car owners often pay about 10 percent less than national averages on gasoline. Grabbing a pint of beer from local pubs costs between $2.50 and $4.

Intelligently designed shopping centers and a trendy culture of high-end boutiques and niche shops have given Omaha a delightful shopping culture. Although most of the best shopping sits near the downtown area, Rambleridge residents are never too far from West Omaha's shopping gems. Locals can hit up the Plaza North Shopping Center for some options, such as a Baker's supermarket and a Shopko. Located about 4 miles to the south, the Westroads Mall features several high-value anchors, including J.C. Penney and Dick's Sporting Goods.

Many Rambleridge and Omaha homes feature extravagant light displays when the holidays roll around, most of which come from Holidynamics Holiday Lighting Solutions. This lighting and electronics superstore features everything from LED Christmas displays to ornamental springtime trees. Located on Scott Circle, Holidynamics stands as the optimal solution to holiday home decor and lighting.

The Next Millennium showcases a much different side to home decor than normal gifts and novelty shops. Including everything from hard-to-find mystical books to one of the largest collections of incense in Omaha, this store hopes to bring more peace and spirituality into the home. Make sure to be on the lookout for innovative classes, author readings and much more.

Rambleridge residents have several options when stocking up on standard groceries. The nearby Walmart Supercenter and a Hy-Vee stand as the most frequented grocery stores, and shoppers can find everything from brand name foods to locally grown produce and sustainable meats. For more healthy foods grown straight from the Nebraska countryside, locals can visit Wenninghoff's Farm off Wenninghoff Road. This small, family run market provides over 40 types of fresh produce, a massive pumpkin patch and much more.