Adventure is out there: not just a phrase for those in living in big cities, travelling to foreign countries, or searching for that perfect Instagram caption.

Junior Allie Abendroth experiences first-hand all of the quirks of Omaha, and can provide convincing evidence that it isn’t as boring as many may think.

¨[Omaha] has a lot to offer and people just don’t really go for it and look for their own places that appeal to them,”Abendroth said.
She chooses to explore Omaha because, simply, “it’s the closest [she is]”. Abendroth has been trained to embrace her surroundings and step away from the norm ever since she was little, challenged by her dad.

“He pushed us a lot to try new things,” Abendroth said. “He always wanted us to eat spicy food or bugs. We always went places or did things that, even if we’d be crying, ‘Dad, I don’t want to,’ he’d be like “You have to.’”

Abendroth frequently visits all of Omaha, including the Old Market and downtown area, Blackstone district, and Bellevue.
Sozo coffee- an underground coffeehouse that neighbors a live music venue and serves delicious coffee- is a common hangout for Abendroth. A new find is in Bellevue is Le Smash: “a huge stress reliever” that involves therapy through smashing items, for example, a chair.

The Blackstone District also houses a few go-to’s for Abendroth: Coneflower Creamery, Noli’s, and Indian Bowl. Noli’s, the restaurant with the “best pizza ever,” was the setting for some crazy stories and interesting interactions with an Alvin Diamond Harper.

“He was talking about how I could be the queen of my own life,” Abendroth said. “I couldn’t really tell if he was famous or homeless, to be honest, but he was having a good time. It was definitely a memory, I’ll never forget that.”

Abendroth recalled this unforgettable interaction with Harper, who drew both her and her friend during a two and a half hour long conversation about many things, including plans to become a millionaire. She described it as the “weirdest thing that has ever happened to [her].”

Embracing the unknown has its benefits, and is possible- even for the homebody. All someone needs is a friend to go on an adventure with.

“Sometimes it’s scary on your own, but just make plans with people,” Abendroth advised.

Abendroth usually goes to her cousin, Chloe, best friend Daniela, or siblings to discover the city with. However, there is another indispensable tool of discovery in Omaha: Groupon, the app with a variety of activities at a discounted price.

Abendroth’s ability to step out of her comfort zone and see where life takes her has led her to discover alternative ways to spend her free time. In her eyes, this is just practice for real life and adapting to real life changes.

“I think it’s really important for people to try new things and go different places, just because in the future, you’re not going to stay in one place forever,” Abendroth said. “You’re practicing so when you go somewhere new you can feel confident. In the moment, it’s just fun.”