Unless you are visiting one of the major cities like Omaha or Lincoln, you won’t find much in the way of exciting shopping. Most towns in Nebraska cater to the local population, which means stores sell practical goods rather than crafty things. Nebraska isn’t known for any special products other than its bounty of food from the many farms stretched across the state. You won’t have any trouble finding delicious jars of fruit preserves to take home or fresh pies to eat on the spot.
One of the most enjoyable ways to explore Nebraska’s rich farming community is at one of its many Farmer’s Markets. Omaha has a great one every Saturday morning between May and October in the downtown Old Market district. This part of the city is also the best place in Nebraska to do some creative shopping, with a number of crafts shops, antiques stores and specialty boutiques filling the old warehouse spaces. Another Omaha mainstay is Borsheim’s, the nation’s largest jewelry store under a single roof.
The capital of Lincoln is another decent city for shopping in Nebraska. Stores downtown range from antiques to specialty shops selling crafty items and home décor. It may come as a surprise that the state is home to 20 vineyards. Taking a winery tour is a great way to get out into the countryside and see what’s brewing. From the scenic Superior Estates Winery outside the Victorian town to the Prairie Vine Vineyard with its Old West atmosphere, there are plenty of options if you enjoy drinking a fine red or white. Take a few bottles home to turn your friends onto something they certainly have never tried.