Papillion is a suburb of Omaha and home to around 20,000 people. The city was named the number two city to live by Money Magazine in 2015. Papillion has done a remarkable job at protecting the small-town feel while still being a vital part of the Omaha metro area and is thriving with the recent addition of the Facebook Data Center.
Why Moms Love it
Moms love Papillion because of the safe community, school district, local city events such as Papillion Days and Winter Wonderland, and the small-town vibe. Not only are the Public Works and Park and Recreation departments top-notch, the fact that there is a barbershop downtown and being able to get around anywhere in ten minutes or less doesn’t hurt the love for the town either.
Local Family Favorites
Papio Fun Park:: Papio Fun Park has been a staple of family entertainment in Papillion for over 20 years and awarded Omaha Magazine’s Best of Omaha 2018 Winner for best laser tag where you can also enjoy mini-golf, batting cages, arcade games, go-karts, and more! Every Monday this summer, you can come to hang out under the Pavilion for Hot Dog Mondays from 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. and enjoy a giant hot dog with all the toppings, chips, and a drink for just five bucks!
Taco Tuesdays at The Papio Pub:: The Papio Pub is located in the heart of downtown Papillion on Washington Street. They have a different food special every night, and the menu calls for $1.50 tacos and $2.50 margaritas on Taco Tuesday’s from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Farmers Market:: Every Wednesday from May 29th – August 21st, The Papillion Farmers Market is held at City Park on the corner of Washington and Lincoln Street from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. You can find fresh local produce and artisans alike here!
Halleck Park:: Also known as the “Duck Pond,” Halleck Park offers 70 acres of park area, which includes playgrounds, walking trails, a pond of which is stocked with fish, and so much more! Papillion is home to twenty parks and three splash pads, but Halleck is one of a kind. Find a full listing of parks here.
SumTur Amphitheater:: An outdoor venue for concerts, events, and outdoor movies are just a few of the things that SumTur Amphitheater has to offer to Papillion. Free family-oriented movies play outdoors under the stars on select Friday evenings throughout the summer. The shows begin at dusk with the gates opening at 7:30 p.m.
Werner Park:: Papillion is home to the Storm Chasers, the Royals AAA baseball team. If you catch a game at Werner Park on Wiener Wednesday, you can enjoy a full-size hot dog for just 25 cents, and if you have a pooch, you can bring your dog(s) along to the game for Bark in the Park and take in the evening from the McDonald’s Berm with your whole family. The ballpark also offers fireworks following every Friday night home game. Don’t forget to stop by Centris Family Fun Zone, where for just $6.00, your kiddos can enjoy riding the carousel, jumping around in the bounce houses, and more. If you bank at Centris, show your ATM card at the entrance of the fun zone, and you can receive free access for up to four people. Now that is family fun!
Graley’s Creamery & Confections:: This old-fashioned ice cream shop is family owned and operated, where the entire staff has dressed the part. In historic downtown Papillion, Graley’s offers over twenty flavors, and one of my favorite things about this sweet treat shop is that they keep a non-dairy sorbet on ice for those with lactose allergies. Whichever scoop you choose, each one is hand-made, including the waffle cones!
Date Nights
The Stave:: Looking for a nice date night that includes a charcuterie board and a fine glass of wine? Time to mark The Stave on your calendar for a weekend night out and enjoy live music to boot. If you’re feeling like having a quiet night at home on the patio, pop into Northwoods Cheese Haus next door and pick up a few different kinds of cheese straight from Wisconsin and enjoy some of their other fun eats. Check them out on Facebook for a full listing of events.
Twisted Vine:: Not only does the Twisted Vine offer over 40 craft beers on tap, over 100 wines, and a quaint outdoor back patio, they also are known for their Friday night food trucks featuring local food trucks in the Omaha Metro parked right outside. This local establishment also offers live acoustic music frequently like their Facebook page for a list of all the upcoming events.
Downtown Papillion Shopping:: The Papillion Downtown Business Association is full of local businesses that are one of a kind. Just to name a few local favorites, Kajomas, a popular clothing boutique with the latest fashion trends, antique shops, and the Belle Place Shoppes, are definite must-stops.
Presented by Lynette Arrasmith and Shannon Salem
Lynette Arrasmith
Hi! My name is Lynette Arrasmith. I am a Home Loan Specialist with Churchill Mortgage—maybe you’ve heard about us on the Dave Ramsey Show! Why would a Home Loan Specialist be on a moms blog? Well, I’m a mom who was born and raised in the Omaha area too! Navigating through the home loan process can be time-consuming and stressful. I am here as a resource for you! What I hear from my clients is that they like my consultative style and the use of a tool that I use to create a Strategic Cost Analysis for you. My motto is to serve vs sell and always leave people better for the encounter. NMLS 400322
Shannon Salem
Hi there! My name is Shannon Salem. I am a local realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Ambassador Real Estate here in the Omaha metro and an Omaha native! I really enjoy sharing my love of this city with anyone who will listen. Helping other families move towards their dream is the whole reason I do what I do. I’ve helped hundreds of families just like yours. My husband, Jeff, and I work side by side in our business while navigating through life with our 4 children. Besides real estate, my other passion is yoga and you can find me teaching a few weekly classes around town.
