Market West - Omaha, NE

The Market West’s distinguished stone buildings were originally part of the Old Market’s grocery warehouses and offices. From its construction in the 1880s, the historic neighborhood has undergone several facelifts.

Dominating the arts scene is the Orpheum Theatre. This 1926 beauty, originally part of the multi-city vaudeville Orpheum Circuit, stages local events with Opera Omaha and national performances from Broadway Across America. Though tight seating inside the theater makes shows uncomfortable for long legs, the venue’s small amphitheater gives every seat a good view.

For the latest visual arts just outside of West Market, wander the galleries or attend an artist presentation at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts. Residents can also visit the Omaha Summer Arts Festival. The free event, located along Farnam Avenue, brings together 135 national artists for one of the country’s top-ranked arts events.

Though Market West's small dimensions limit the number of restaurants and bars within its immediate boundaries, the Old Market's ethnic venues and classic Americana pubs are just a few minutes' walk away. At the neighborhood's own Hiro 88, dusky lighting and a creative cocktail menu draw attention to the up-scale sushi. Save room for the unconventional edamame rice and stir-fried ribs dishes. Enjoy dinner or just a bar snack and award-winning house wine during the 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. happy hour. Nicola's reminds patrons of a true Italian kitchen, where seating spills onto the patio and the woman carrying out your pasta is both owner and chef. All desserts are made in-house; so, while locals rave about the ravioli, it's the lemon cake that brings them back. Buy Nicola's special dressing to make similar Italian salads at home. More nearby dining and drinking favorites include the Boiler Room, where open second floor seating provides a view of the well-dressed traffic at the wine bar below; and the more casual Wilson & Washburn, which prides itself on over 24 rotating draft beers and the popular poutine croquette appetizer. For music, step into the Old Market's basement bar, The Dubliner. In Market West, residents are lucky to have one of the area's best clubs, The Max. Its stages attract regionally acclaimed DJs, and the club is proudly supported by Omaha's gay community.

Though West Market’s size and proximity to the Old Market and greater downtown areas make it very pedestrian-friendly, the Omaha Metro bus system does operate around the neighborhood. Route 13 runs east-west along 13th Street from downtown to South Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo. Route 7 rolls down the other edge of the neighborhood, along 16th Street. These both stop at the Downtown Transit Center, where passengers can connect to nearly every other bus route in the city.

From Market West, simply step outside and you’ll find yourself within downtown Omaha. To escape the city for a weekend, pull onto Highway 4/Interstate 480, and Iowa’s cornfields will pass your windows 10 minutes later. Residents who own vehicles take advantage of apartment parking lots, though metered street side parking is available.

If you prefer to taxi, call one of Omaha’s cab companies or check in with Lyft, the local ride sharing service. The service’s convenient app allows you to locate potential drivers around the city from your phone. Uber also operates in Omaha using a mobile application.

Because the neighborhood’s constant activity keeps people on the streets at all hours, both walkers and cyclists should feel safe here, though it doesn’t hurt to be extra careful after dark. BikeOmaha Pilot Network organizes citywide routes and lanes, three of which begin in the Old Market and carry wheels into East and South Omaha.

Coinciding with Market West’s goal of fostering a unique urban identity, the Greater Omaha Chamber Courtyard gives the neighborhood’s dull parking spaces a bright and welcoming makeup job. The redesigned green space features a water feature, free Wi-Fi and movable chairs. An LED screen advertises upcoming events around the area. Take a lunch break in this unexpected streetscape, or relax amidst the boxes of native wildflowers.

At the Heartland of America Park, east of Market West, stretches of walking paths and grass encircle a man-made lagoon. Take a boat ride around the water or feed the clustering ducks and geese. These 31 acres were originally scouted by early explorers Lewis and Clark; now, they attract foot traffic from the nearby ConAgra Foods headquarters. The annual Taste of Omaha festival occurs here, treating Omahans to free tastings of the city’s best restaurants.

While dogs are welcome in the city’s parks, they’re not allowed off-leash in unmarked areas.

Cyclists should follow the streets from Heartland Park east to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, where they can pedal over the Missouri River and into Iowa.

The cost of living in Market West is roughly equal to the average cost of living in the city. With rental rates also similar, expect to pay about $725 for a one-bedroom rental unit.

Goods in the neighborhood are also on par, if not slightly more expensive, than elsewhere in Omaha. A pint at the local pub here costs $5 to $7, while a mixed drink will set you back $10. Fill up your gas tank and you’ll pay approximately 5 percent less than the national average.

West Market residents must leave the neighborhood for personal shopping but, unless they’re looking for Walmart Supercenter or generic mall chains, the Old Market houses home wares galleries, gift boutiques and enough vintage shops to keep closets full year-round.

The Flying Worm has a hippie vibe to its vintage fashions; check out the website for the latest sales and charitable clothing drives that support the neighborhood’s homeless.

At Drastic Plastic, music fans can deck out their wardrobes with band gear or buy the newest vinyl release. The store has been an institution since the 1980s, with a reputation for hard-to-find labels and witty screen-printed Nebraska Tshirts.

One grocery store, Patrick’s Market, operates in Market West. This independent shop stocks a range of basic and more specialty goods, such as milk in glass bottles, hot shrimp cakes and cinnamon rolls. Patrick’s also has deli and produce sections. Sign up for the customer loyalty program to accrue points off your total bill.

The closest farmers’ market is the Omaha Farmers’ Market, which runs from spring through autumn. Besides the expected fruit and vegetable stalls, vendors also sell homemade condiments, craft products and hot foods. Bring your own bag, because many vendors don’t carry extras.