X-Travel Club to the Central Fly Away- canceled, didn't make minimum

March 28 th , 2022, Monday
9:00 AM Depart Excelsior Springs (Restroom stop on the way)
11:30 AM-12:30PM Lunch at Valentino’s (Local, Italian, Traditional) in Nebraska City
2:00 PM-4:00 PM Boys Town Nebraska In-depth Hosted Tour & Gift Shop (with step- on
guide)
When Father Edward J. Flanagan purchased the Overlook Farm in 1921 ,it
became the new,

Permanent site of Boys Town. Over the decades that followed, schools, churches and homes
were built and tens of thousands of lives have been transformed . When visiting the village of
Boys Town, you’ll get an unforgettable experience into the history of this organization that
has given new hope to so many at-risk children over the last 100 years.
Check in : The Historic Cottonwood Hotel (Blackstone Hotel 1916, Cottonwood Hotel 2020)
Kimpton Cottonwood hotel: Wine complimentary from 4pm to 5:30; meet the GM who will
share the famous property history
Our Omaha roots run deep at Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel, and in capturing the spirit of the
city we call home, we look to our rich heritage to inspire our fresh approach to modern
hospitality with a hearty dose of Midwestern charm. Take one look at our revitalized 1920’s
landmark building, an elegant icon of Second Renaissance Revival architecture, and you can
sense there are more than a few stories worth discovering inside. Step past our doors on 36th
Street and you’ll find a lively gathering place, where locals and travelers alike are creating new
stories of their own in a timeless setting that features nods to an illustrious past alongside
contemporary design details and playful boutique amenities. And as the gateway to the revived
and flourishing Blackstone District, we like to think of ourselves as part dynamic stopping place
en route to local adventures, part sophisticated destination for the ultimate Omaha stay and
entirely worth experiencing for yourself.
Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel
302 S. 36 th Street, Omaha, NE
6:30pm-8:30 PM Dinner at Gorat’s Steak House

Groups will visit Buffett’s favorite Omaha steakhouse, and eat like a billionaire. Gorat’s is an old-
school Italian steakhouse that has been in Omaha since 1944, and eating a meal here has
become something of a pilgrimage for Berkshire shareholders and Buffett enthusiasts.
Participants can enjoy Buffett’s favorite meal, which includes a T-bone steak, double order of
hash browns and a Cherry Coke. Participants will also get a peek into Warren’s private dining
space inside Gorat’s.
4917 Center St | Omaha, NE 68106

March 29 th , 2022
Breakfast at Cottonwood Hotel
8:45 – 10:30 AM Omaha City Driving Tour with Step-On Guide (with torte from Lithuanian
Bakery)

Introduction to City of Omaha
Enjoy a guided driving tour of Omaha’s past, present and future. A professional guide will join
your group for an overview of Omaha’s top points of interest. Tour highlights include; the
historic Old Market Entertainment District with its cobblestone streets and unique boutiques;
Lewis & Clark Landing, the historic spot where the exploring duo landed; the historic Gold Coast
District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places; a 1903 Scottish Castle; The Blackstone
Hotel, the birthplace of the Reuben sandwich; St. Cecilia’s Spanish Cathedral; TD Ameritrade
Park Omaha, home of the annual NCAA Men’s College World Series; the Omaha Community
Playhouse, the theatre where actor Henry Fonda started his acting career; Fertile Ground mural,
one of the largest murals in the country; Hollywood Candy, filled wall-to-wall with retro
candy….and much more.

10:45 – 12:00 PM Lauritzen Botanical Gardens

Explore 100 acres of urban oasis at Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha’s Botanical Center. Stroll through
twenty themed gardens, including a rose and model railroad garden, and the 17,000 sq. ft.
Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory.
12:15 – 1:30 PM Upstream Brewing Co.

Omaha is the home base for Reuben Sandwiches and no one does it better than Upstream.

1:45 – 3:45 PM Group 1: Kinsugi Pottery Experience

1:45 – 2:45 PM Subgroup A: tour of the facility; Subgroup B: Pottery
2:45 – 3:45 PM Subgroup B: tour of the facility; Subgroup A: Pottery
Hot Shops Art Center is a former warehouse that has been converted into over 80 artist studios.
Unbreakable - All groups experience ups and downs, but those breaks become part of your
larger story. In this experience, learn about the Japanese art of Kintsugi - where broken pottery
is mended. This art treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than
something to disguise. Watch Tim Barry throw a bowl on the wheel. Each participant will then
decorate a broken piece of the pot before it is repaired.
1:45 – 3:45 PM Group 2: Joslyn Castle Tour with Cello Musician

Be transported to Scotland with a visit to the historic 1903 Joslyn Castle. This 30-room stone
mansion resembles a traditional Scottish castle. As your group enters through the huge front
doors, they will be amazed by the craftsmanship of the elaborate wood interior, which comes
from all parts of the world. Your group will hear the fascinating story of George & Sarah Joslyn
and how the couple shared their extraordinary wealth with the community.

4:00 – 6:00 PM Group 2: kinsugu pottery class

4:00 – 5:00 PM Subgroup C: tour of the facility; Subgroup D: pottery
5:00 – 6:00 PM Subgroup D: tour of the facility; Subgroup C: pottery
4:00 – 6:00 PM Group 1: Joslyn Castle Tour with performance from local high school
choir

In 1903, George and Sarah Joslyn completed one of Nebraska’s greatest homes—a 35-room
Scottish Baronial mansion atop a hill on Omaha’s outskirts. four-story house was completed at a
cost of $250,000—about $7 million in 21st century dollars. The pace of construction—11
months—was amazing, given the rich use of carved wood, stained glass, chiseled stone, mosaic
tiles, and wrought iron. The Castle and the carriage house were built of Kansas silverdale
limestone. The Castle includes a reception hall, music room, ballroom, a library and gold
drawing room. The basement at one time housed a bowling alley. With the addition of a music
room in 1906, the house totaled 19,360 square feet. The interior of the home’s conservatory
was designed by landscape architect Jens Jensen in 1913.

6:30 – 8:00 PM Polish Meal & Entertainment at the Polish Home

Learn about Omaha’s Polish community with a visit to the Polish home for an authentic Polish
meal prepared by the Polish Heritage Society of Nebraska. Your group will also enjoy a special
dance presentation celebrating the culture of Poles in the Nebraska/Iowa area. Available for
both lunch and dinner.

March 30 th , 2022
Breakfast and check out depart at 8:30 AM

9:00-11:00 AM Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum (SAC)

Your guides will be retired Air Force pilots for this awesome experience. The Strategic Air
Command Center first opened in 1959 to commemorate mid-20 th century-and beyond aerospace The

museum became well-known by giving the public the opportunity to visit an impressive array of
aircraft that helped SAC preserve the peace during the Cold War.
In a natural extension of the Omaha community’s civic pride and longstanding support for Offutt Air
Force Base, community leaders began a campaign to develop a new state-of-the-art facility that
would not only house SAC aircraft and artifacts, but also provide a venue for the restoration of
aircraft, preservation and display of historical artifacts, and the education of future generations in the
areas of history, technology, and science.
11:30AM-12:15 pm Guided step-on tour of Lincoln Nebraska Historic Sites; meet and drop off;

Nebraska capitol building

12:20 to 1:15 PM Lunch at Billy’s (A Unique Experience in Dining)

Named after William Jennings Bryan, the elegant "Noble-Dawes House" located near the
Nebraska State Capital Building was built in 1887. Since 1986 it has been the home of Billy's
Restaurant. We find the finest ingredients for our diverse menu selections. Our entrée
specialties include steak, lamb, duck, Veal, seafood and delicious vegetarian dishes. You will
take home a memory of fine food, fine wine and excellent service whenever you visit Billy's
Restaurant. 1301 H. Street, Lincoln, Ne (across from the state capitol

1:30 PM-3:30PM Museum of American Speed

Headquartered in Lincoln is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1992 by “Speedy” Bill and Joyce
Smith.
It’s location on the Speedway Motors Campus (since 2001) covers 150,000 square feet and
presents a continuous chronology of Automotive Racing Engine and Speed equipment and
development , and preserves and interprets displayed items significant in racing and
automotive history.
Bill and Joyce had firsthand knowledge of racing history as they actively raced and sold speed
and power equipment for 60 + years. During Bill’s 6 decades of driving, he raced roaring
roadsters at county fairgrounds. Later he raced dragsters, stock cars, NASCAR & Sprint cars
599 Oakcreek Drive, Lincoln, NE 68528.
4:00 PM: Depart for Kearney Nebraska

5:45 PM: Arrive Best Western Plus, 224 South Second Avenue, Kearney, NE 68847
Dinner at The Alley Rose
6:15 PM: Depart for dinner at Alley Rose Restaurant 2013 Central Avenue, Kearney NE
Alley Rose is a local favorite with farm-to-table fresh, local and scrumptious entrees, and the
city’s best salad bar

March 31, Thursday

Breakfast at Hotel

9:00am-10:30 AM G.E. Frank Museum of Culture & History (University of Nebraska Kearney
Campus

Take a walk-through Nebraska history! Located in a beautiful Richardsonian Romanesque
mansion, the G.W. Frank Museum is part house museum, part history museum, part cultural

center. Built in 1890, the opulent home of capitalists George and Phoebe Frank was among
the first electrified houses in the American West. Its unique story as a once modern, stylish
residence, turned rental property, sanitarium, and tuberculosis hospital offers a window into
Kearney’s past – its early rise and fall, and its rebirth as a center for health and education.
2504 Ninth Avenue, Kearney, NE

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Fort Kearney Historic Site; 1020 V. Road Kearney, NE

Originally a safe haven for Overland Trail travelers, Pony Express riders, and gold
prospectors, Fort Kearny established in 1848, is now a state historical park preserved by
the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Visitors will explore reconstructed buildings, including the stockade, parade grounds,
powder magazine, and blacksmith/carpenter shop. Just for your group today—a special
Dutch-oven lunch, including dessert! 1020 V. Road Kearney, NE

1:30 pm-3:00 pm The Archway on the Oregon Trail

Celebrate an epic adventure! From the Oregon Trail through today, this life like
interpretive center and historical exhibits tells the story of all the adventurers and
pioneers that followed the Platte River. For film buffs, Jack Nicholson visited here during
the filming of “About Schmidt” in 2002.
Ian Rowe Audubon Sanctuary on the Platte River
At 3:15, we will return to the hotel to change for the evening and to wait for the sand
cranes to land on the Platte River sand bars.at the Rowe Sanctuary . We will be
outdoors, in a hunting/viewing blind. In late March it can still be frigid, so bring warm
clothing, practical shoes for walking on a trail, heavy coats, hats and gloves. This is the
only place in the entire world where these cranes (and an errant whooping crane
or two) land en mass by the thousands , here on the Central Flyway of North
America.
Boxed meals will be provided.
5: 30 PM: Depart Hotel for Rowe Visitor Center
6:00 PM to 8:30 PM Rowe Sanctuary Sand Crane Viewing 44450 Elm Island Road
Gibbon, Nebraska
9pm: Return to Hotel

April 1 st , Friday

Breakfast at Hotel and Check out

10:30 AM -11:15 AM: Clayton Museum of Ancient History, York College

The Clayton Museum makes ancient world history and artifacts accessible to people of
the Midwest. This facility collects, restores, displays, interprets, researches and
preserves authentic objects from the ancient world.
1125 East 8 th Street, York NE 68467

11:30AM-1:00 PM

Chances R. Restaurant and Grill: One of the best salad bars in the entire state of
Nebraska, great sandwiches, pastas, and home-made soups and desserts. Take your pick
and pick your price for this meal is self-pay!
124 West 5 th Street, York NE

1:15 PM: Depart York
2:00 PM: Brief stop (15 Minutes) Cracker Barrel Restaurant, 6700 North 27 th
Street, Lincoln, NE (Omaha tour director has the artwork from class on
March 29th )
2:15 PM: Continue to Excelsior Springs, Rest Stop on the way (20 Minutes
6:00 PM: Arrive in Excelsior Springs