Omaha-College World Series

Our First Trip to Omaha

This was our first trip to Omaha, and I can honestly say it exceeded every expectation.

We stayed at the Homewood Suites in downtown Omaha and couldn’t have picked a better location. From our room on the eighth floor, we had a direct view of Charles Schwab Field. Once we parked the truck, we never moved it again until it was time to head home on Monday morning.

While the room certainly wasn’t inexpensive during College World Series week, the location made it worth every penny. Breakfast was included, parking was reasonable, and being able to walk everywhere was a huge advantage.

One of our favorite discoveries was Baseball Village. On Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, it was easy to explore, photograph, and enjoy before the larger crowds arrived. By lunchtime on Friday, the energy had completely changed as fans from all over the country filled the area.

One of my favorite lunch stops was The Matt. The restaurant was packed, and finding a table seemed nearly impossible. We noticed two ladies sitting alone at a table for five, introduced ourselves, and asked if we could join them.Before long, we had made two new friends. The funny part? They weren’t even in Omaha for baseball. They were there for a race.

That’s one of the things I loved most about Omaha. People were friendly, conversations happened naturally, and complete strangers became friends over lunch. The sandwich was fantastic, and despite the crowds, the staff somehow managed to keep everyone fed and happy without missing a beat.

Saturday, after the monsoon rainstorm, we wandered through Omaha’s historic Old Market district, exploring local shops, galleries, and restaurants before heading back for more baseball. The brick streets, local businesses, and unique character of the area quickly made it one of my favorite parts of the city.

We also walked across the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, crossing from Nebraska into Iowa and back again. There was something fun about standing in two states at once while overlooking the Missouri River and Omaha’s beautiful riverfront.

Sunday after the game, we met friends at Spencer’s inside the Hilton Garden Inn, which was the perfect way to wrap up the trip.

Of course, baseball remained the centerpiece of everything. The Ferris wheel in Baseball Village became one of my favorite photography subjects and offered a unique view of the stadium. We purchased tickets for the games through both SeatGeek and GameTime and had great experiences with both.

What stood out most, however, wasn’t the baseball itself.

It was Omaha.

For 10 days each year, Omaha becomes the center of the college baseball world, and the people of Omaha embrace it wholeheartedly.

The stadium attendants, police officers directing traffic, restaurant servers, shop owners, hotel employees, and volunteers were all incredibly welcoming. You could tell they genuinely love the College World Series and the role it plays in their city.

As visitors, we felt welcomed everywhere we went.

And that’s probably why I found myself wanting a keepsake that represented more than just a baseball game.

I wanted something that captured Omaha itself. The Omaha Keepsake I Couldn’t Find, So I Created It Myself.

From Baseball Village to Charles Schwab Field, Omaha becomes the center of the college baseball universe each June. Fans from across the country fill the streets wearing team colors. Restaurants are packed. Conversations start easily. Complete strangers become friends for a few innings at least.

As much as I enjoyed the baseball, I also enjoyed exploring Omaha itself.

If you’ve ever traveled with me, you know one of my favorite things to do, besides taking way too many photos, is wander through local shops, galleries, and small businesses. I love finding artwork and unique pieces that remind me of a place long after the trip is over. (Jack, on the other hand, would probably tell you that wandering through galleries is not his favorite pastime.)

Fortunately, marriage is about compromise. and he patiently follows me through galleries and shops, and I sit through a lot of baseball games.

It works.

So between games, I wandered through Baseball Village, browsed the souvenir tents, visited the Old Market district, and stopped in local galleries hoping to find the perfect keepsake from Omaha.

I never found it.

There were plenty of t-shirts.

Plenty of hats.

Plenty of cups, signs, and baseball memorabilia.

But I couldn’t find the piece I wanted to bring home.

I was looking for artwork.

Something that captured the feeling of Omaha and the College World Series.

Something that could hang on a wall and tell the story years later.

One morning, while staying across the street from Charles Schwab Field, I noticed something happening over and over again.

Families were taking photos.

Friends were taking photos.

Entire teams were taking photos in front of the famous Road to Omaha statue.

The statue, which originally stood at the former Rosenblatt Stadium before being moved to Charles Schwab Field, has become one of the most recognizable symbols of college baseball.

Everyone wanted a picture with it.

Including me.

As I stood there watching, I had a thought:

I can’t be the only person looking for an artistic keepsake from Omaha.

So I did what creatives do.

I made one.

The next morning, I grabbed my camera and headed out before most of the city was awake. The streets were quiet. The light was beautiful. The stadium stood waiting for another day of baseball.

Using photographs I captured during our trip, I created a collection inspired by Omaha and the College World Series experience.

One piece became a detailed pencil sketch of the iconic Road to Omaha statue.

Another became a watercolor interpretation of Charles Schwab Field.

And of course, there is still the original photograph that started it all.

What began as a personal project quickly became something more.

Maybe I wasn’t the only one looking for that keepsake after all.

Whether you’re an Ole Miss fan, a Troy, UNC, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma or West Virginia fan, or simply someone who has made the pilgrimage to Omaha, the Road to Omaha means something special to college baseball fans everywhere.

For me, these pieces are more than artwork.

They are reminders of a road trip, a city we unexpectedly loved, and a weekend spent celebrating one of the greatest traditions in sports.

Sometimes the best souvenir isn’t the one you buy.

It’s the one you create.

PS…What began as a personal keepsake has turned into something I may be able to share with other college baseball fans. If you’re interested in the watercolor, pencil sketch, or original photograph, I’d love to hear from you.