Traveling to Omaha
So I'm now considering a somewhat impromptu trip out west for the opening weekend to support our boys. I'm sure there are some CWS veterans out there, so what advice do you have and what do us rookies need to know in order to make this happen?
Who else is making the trek to Omaha?
Go Blue!
If you are okay with sitting in the outfield. GA tickets are cheap and easy to come by. The area surrounding TDA Park is really fun and there are a lot of rooftop bars and open areas. You may be able to get a hotel out west for cheaper than downtown, but I’ve never stayed in a hotel here so I can’t say for certain. Also, the opening ceremonies are pretty fun and free on Friday night.
Here’s a decent outline I found without doing too much searching: https://ohmyomaha.com/2019/04/essential-college-world-series-guide/
Awesome. This is the useful info you get on MGoBlog that just typing it into Google is not going to tell you.
As another Omaha resident, be aware that you're probably going to be paying out the rear-end for hotel unless you get lucky. Most of the perennial CWS team's fans book stuff up a year in advance, but, you might get lucky with a cancellation. I work in a suburb right near 4 hotels, 2 of which are pretty big, and our corporate visitors for work couldn't get anything at any of them for next week.
There will be a bunch from UCLA fans coming open later today...
Don't forget to check Air BnB for accommodations. HERE is a link to their website for this weekend in Omaha. It's worth a look.
Don't be afraid to get a hotel 30-60 minutes away from the stadium. Can often save lots of money to make a little drive to your destination.
Yeah the GA tickets in the outfield is not a bad way to go. Its a fun atmosphere out there.
Same. When and where can we get tickets from? And do we officially know the time slot and day they will be playing yet?
We don't know the date or the time yet; that will be announced in the next few hours.
The first round games (Eastern time, so subtract 1 hour for Omaha time): Saturday 2:00, Saturday 7:00, Sunday 2:00, Sunday 7:00.
The second round games will be the same time slots on Monday and Tuesday, so there will be 1 day off between everybody's first and second games.
Just got an email from the athletic department with details, so check your email if you're on those mailing lists.
Thank you for your continued commitment to Michigan Athletics. After last night’s win, and as we prepare for #8 Texas Tech in the NCAA College World Series, we wanted to let you know the steps for requesting College World Series tickets.
The deadline to place your request is Tuesday, June 11, at NOON EDT.
Please note the following:
- College World Series tickets are sold by each individual game in which Michigan participates.
- If we are able to fulfill your request, your card will be charged for the first game Michigan plays in.
- All subsequent games Michigan participates in, your card will be charged.
- Pricing for each game ranges from $35-$60 each.
- This is a request for tickets, not a guarantee. Your credit card will be used to make this request but you will not be charged unless we can fulfill your request.
- If we are able to fulfill your request, your card will be charged for each game Michigan participates in, with prices ranging from $35-$60 a game.
- Your request is considered a commitment to purchasing the number of tickets you select without refunds or exchanges.
- We reserve the right to reduce your number of tickets purchased to be equitable to all donors/season ticket holders.
- All pre-orders will have seat locations assigned according to priority point total.
You may request tickets by doing the following:
- SIGN IN to your on-line account.
- Complete the ticket request.
- The deadline to request tickets is Tuesday, June 11, at NOON EDT.
If you have any questions, please contact us at mtickets@umich.edu or (734) 764-0247.
Thank you and Go Blue!
Omaha
Somewhere in middle America
Get right to the heart of matters
It’s the heart that matters more
But UCLA fans won't get their money back at the door
Scooter's and Runza!
Just so you guys know, there is a ton of flooding in the Omaha area. They have shut down parts of both Interstate 29 and Interstate 680 so if you are driving into Omaha, expect some frustrating detours and plan accordingly.
Also, the downtown Omaha scene is fun and lively, especially during the world series, but if you are bringing younger ones with you, the Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is considered one of the top 10 zoos in the world if zoos are your thing.
I miss Omaha
I really would like to go to this, but already planning to head back to Michigan this weekend for Father's Day to see my family. And the following weekend isn't exactly a fly-in/fly-out type of schedule like the basketball Final Four as the baseball finals are the following Monday-Wednesday. That said the ESPN coverage of this tournament in Omaha is fantastic so it will be fun to watch.
As an Iowan, I-80 from Quad Cities to Omaha is a great drive, river to river...enjoy it everyone! Lullllz
(I mention as I remember folks griping about the drive to Iowa City, 2 years ago for the night game, and now you get to tack on 4 more hours!)
My drive back to Michigan from Oceanside, CA was pretty brutal. I-15 to I-80. Wasn't much to see during those 33 hours.
Iowa is a much better drive than Illinois and Indiana. Iowa at least has turns and rolling hills, IL and IN are just straight and flat, insanely boring.
1600 miles through Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Nebraska. Lots of mountains followed by plains.
For hotels, it's hard to get anything near the stadium. I would maybe try Hotel Arthur in Glenwood Iowa (not far at all) or the Bellevue area, but staying outside of town or on the west side is not bad, if your in the metro area your a 20-30 minute drive away at the most.
Food:
I recomend Block 13. Very small place not far from the stadium, they serve the craziest dishes and they are very reasonable for the quality. I'm partial to the Duck Duck fries (French fries with duck meat, crispy duck skin, ect)
Dinkers isnt far if your wanting a good burger in a dive
If your wanting a good ol Nebraska steak I recommend Cascios, Gorats, or Outback (sacasm) but plenty of options
Drinks:
if your wanting to try our local beer I recommend The Local, very close to the stadium. Beercade is on the north side with a ton of local beer and classic arcade games, very good time
FYI, It's Block 16, not Block 13. I mention this because it's my favorite place in town. It is a must even with their weird hours and long lines. Trust me, everyone, it is worth the wait (the line moves pretty quickly). The poutine burrito is awesome, as is their spicy chicken sandwich, their fried chicken is amazing, but pretty much everything there is incredible. Also, make sure to check their daily specials, which are usually also incredible.
Most people will want a good steak. The downtown options are pretty pricey but all good. 801 chophouse has a good Sunday prix fix menu for those on a budget. I've never been to Gorats, but it's Warren Buffet's favorite spot. The Drover is a classic Omaha staple, which recently burned down, but I think it's reopening in time for the CWS. If you make it to Drover, and they have the prime rib, you get the prime rib. However, get there early enough because the prime rib sells out quickly.
For an under-the-radar steak move, Le Voltaire out west has an incredible filet mignon. It's in an unassuming strip mall in the suburbs, but it's an excellent restaurant with a good French bakery next door run by the same folks. Last time I got the filet it was $35 with sides included. It's actually my favorite steak in Omaha.
If you're going to eat at the ballpark, the Fan Fest area has a lot of food stands. A friend of mine runs the Nebraska Wienery, which sells a bunch of different hot dogs, brats, sausages, etc. I usually post up next to it and order more brats than I care to admit in public.
For those visiting, come hungry. Omaha has very good food.
I'm going for sure. Booked a room for Saturday last night. Hopefully we play Sunday tho because I'm suppose to see Bob Seger Friday night at DTE.
Don't worry if you miss Bob Segar, I'm sure he will have another Final Tour eventually.
I’ve went the last 13 years, maybe I’m young and dumb, but sit in the general admission. People are much more passionate out there. It’s a lot of fun.
I've been to Omaheehaw several times for work (at Offet AFB) over the years, and I rather enjoy it there. Always stayed in the Old Town area (is it called that, or something similar - I can never remember), which is on the edge of downtown (across the street from the Embassy Suites). I believe that is close to where the new stadium was built, so that place will be hopping next week. I was never there for the WS itself, but have been within a week either way. Also within a week of the air show at Offet. (Why could I never get there for those events?)
That Old Town area may seem a bit touristy, but it has some really nice restaurants and bars. Of course, if you can hook up with the locals, you can discover the family owned places that serve up genuine German meals. That is where you'll fall for Omaha...
I suppose staying Counciltucky is an option, but I'm too much of an Omaha snob to recommend it.
If you can't get tickets through UM, the secondary ticket market isn't too bad. GA seats are cheap and fun, but they are always in the sun. It looks like we might luck out this year and it won't be too hot. You can also scalp tickets pretty easily to get good seats that aren't that expensive. For $40-50 you can get decent seats.
I went to UNC for law school, and got tickets through UNC in 2013. The school usually gets good seats behind the dugout that generally go to families first and (presumably) wealthy alumni. The rest of the seats are in the upper deck in the sun. However, as UNC advanced further, my seats got better and I was sitting behind the families the last few games.
How does the team ticketing work? Do you get a strip or do you will call pick-up at every game? What if you have to leave during the middle of the week? Are you able to re-sell unused team tickets?
Thanks for the info.
This is obviously my first time doing it with UM, so I will be learning with everyone else. With UNC, I went online to put in a request for each game. So if I didn't want to go to a game, I could just not request tickets for that game. My seats got better as the tournament went on. I would assume that was because UNC fans were going home and fewer of their tickets were being purchased.
Staying in Omaha is a lot like staying in Ann Arbor for game day, the further away the cheaper it is. Omaha, and the hospitality business here, is built to take full advantage of this time every year. If you come plan to stay around the field, or uber/taxi in. The refreshments and food will be in abundance. There is plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance of the field.
The first round games are the toughest ticket as all eight teams are in it still. They are thinking like you, that I better get there for games 1 and 2 as that may be there is all to see. Week two tickets are easy to come by. If you are making the trip out there, I would at least try to get the good seats as they are more comfortable, bathrooms, etc. But, yeah, the outfield seats can be fun with a lot of chants and challenges to the opponent's fans.
For those coming to Omaha for the first time, here is a sparknotes rundown of Omaha:
North Downtown - This is where the stadium and the CHI Health Center are. It will be packed with the CWS Fan Fest, tents, food and beer tents, beer gardens, hotels, restaurants, bars, etc.
Old Market - This is the classic place to go in Omaha for shops, restaurants, and bars. It is just south of the business part of downtown and within walking distance of the stadium area. It features brick streets, horses and carriages, and many of the best eating and drinking spots in town. Start on 10th street and head west on Harney and you'll see many great spots.
South O - Predominantly hispanic area of town has lots of good Mexican food. Rosenblatt was in South O and the zoo and Lauritzen gardens are still there. As every Omahan ever will tell you, Omaha's zoo is legit. If you've got kids (and even if not), I recommend it.
Midtown - This part of town is just west of downtown and I-480, and has blown up recently. Midtown crossing features an Alamo Draft House, a number of good restaurants, and Turner Park is pretty cool. A few blocks west of Midtown Crossing is Blackstone, which has more good restaurants and bars, including my favorite new brunch spot called Earlybird. Coneflower in Blackstone has awesome ice cream.
Dundee - Old money part of town where Warren Buffett lives. I tell people that this is where you take your parents to eat when they come to visit. Darios and Avolis are my favorite restaurants in Dundee, but Pitch and Kith & Kin are solid options as well.
Benson - The hipster area of town. Like everywhere else in Omaha, lots of good eating and drinking spots. 1912 has a good rooftop. Beercade has a lot of good microbrews you can enjoy while playing classic arcade games. Au Courant is a good fancy restaurant.
Aksarben - It's Nebraska spelled backwards, and right next to UNO campus. It's a good place to go if you're a local, but if you're only in town for a few days, there's nothing here that should really draw you here. Gorats (Warren Buffet's favorite steak house) is nearby. Herbe Sainte is a good place for eating and drinking.
West Omaha - It's the suburbs, and where cm2010 grew up. It's standard suburbs just like every other city in the country (and especially the Midwest). Lots of strip malls and chain restaurants. Unless you've found a hotel out here or want to golf, there's no reason to go out here unless you're eating. Speaking of which, Le Voltaire has the most underrated steak in town.
Don't forget the south towns! If bored, going to Sinful Burger is worth it, best burger in the city. Also Kros Strain is the best local brewery, their tap room is awesome!
I always forget about the south towns. Thanks for the recommendations!
Can someone make a "Warde Manuel is screwing us out of tickets" post to get the ball rolling on getting Michigan fans access to tickets? Personally attended 2 of the 3 games at UCLA, and it was amazing!