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Discover
South O! by Karlha VelÁsquez Rivas
O
ne of Omaha’s most culturally diverse neighborhoods is South Omaha, which has long been a hub for immigrants. Once known as “The Magic City,” South Omaha drew thousands of hardworking immigrants from Europe in the early 1900s to work in the stockyards. Today South Omaha retains its diverse cultural heritage as home to much of the city’s Latino community.
Beyond its many attractions, such as parks, restaurants, tourist locations, golf courses and one of the most well-regarded zoos in the United States, South Omaha is a lively neighborhood that hosts numerous cultural events, concerts and dances. Here’s a guide to help you discover more about South O.
South O! Art & Culture
dances to showcase cultural pride. Due to COVID-19, this year the celebration will take place June 11-13.
Guaca Maya - Dancing If you wish to enjoy some great live Mexican music to dance to, the Guaca Maya restaurant is the right place to be, not only for its ambiance but also for its delicious Mexican dishes. For more information, visit guaca-maya.com.
South High Soccer States. It offers many events and exhibits that aim to connect communities. On top of being a fascinating meeting place, it’s also an educational center that offers programs for kids, adolescents and adults.
cy, you’ll find the Threads of Life mural, and a few feet from there you’ll see Del Futuro al Pasado, where cultural Mexican themes are on full display. To learn more, visit southomahamuralproject.com.
El Museo Latino is open Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. General admission is $5. For more information, visit elmuseolatino.org.
The Tree of Life
Mural (N street, parking Plaza de la Raza)
El Museo Latino Located on 25th Street in South O, El Museo Latino opened its doors on May 5, 1993. It’s one of about 20 Latino museums in the United
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Exploring the concept of a Magic City, the murals project will delight those who visit South Omaha. Vibrant colors, figures and typical representation of Latino and indigenous immigration, along with social justice themes grace the parking lots and façades in the area. Right next to Kubat Pharma-
May 2021
The Tree of Life gives everyone a warm welcome to the historic area of South Omaha. It’s a symbol that represents the mixing and bonding of ethnic groups and cultures associated with the area, such as the Czech, Polish, Croatian and Mexican communities. Definitely take a picture there!
For soccer fans, spring brings the start of intercollegiate tournaments in which the best (male and female) teams of each school take to the field in the tournament organized by Omaha South High Magnet School. To check out the calendar, visit southpackerspride. com/events.
South O! History
Cinco de Mayo Fest In honor of the extensive Mexican heritage in the area, the South Omaha community celebrates the Cinco de Mayo Festival, along with more events held during May that include live music, parades and
Post Office For people who love architecture, the post office building in South Omaha is one of the main attractions in the
