Bellevue is located South of Harrison Street, bordering South Omaha to the North.  With a population of 64,176, Bellevue is the home of the famous Offutt Air Force base with wonderful housing options for soldiers and their families.  Every year, Offutt hosts a fantastic air show, and next year, the Thunderbirds will once again be headlining this 2024 Defenders of Freedom Air and Space Show.  In this article, Gloria Allen will be featuring five of her favorite things she loves to do in Bellevue, Nebraska! 

Feature Image Photo Credit Tasha Moss: https://oabrmls.paragonrels.com/ParagonLS/Default.mvc#1,1,2

Visit Bellevue University & Old Towne Bellevue

Bellevue is a wonderful place to raise a family and launch a family business.  Bellevue University is right in the heart of Bellevue at 1000 Galvin Rd S.  There are plenty of restaurants and shops in the surrounding area.  Just a bit further South of the university you will find Old Town Bellevue a very cozy area with plenty of parks and a few mom-and-pop shops like The Light House Cafe & Coffee. This is a great place to stop for your morning coffee and pastry or a hearty afternoon lunch. You will also find the office of the current Bellevue Mayor, Rusty Hike, in the heart of Old Town Bellevue.  

Photo Credit Danielle Knipp https://www.bellevue.edu/

Check out Fontenelle Forest Nature Center

Fontenelle Forest Nature Center is another amazing benefit of living in Bellevue. Fontenelle Forest has More than 1,000 acres of forested hardwoods and wildlife-filled wetlands including a nature center with animal exhibits and children's programs. They regularly host Family Adventure Days, Nature Challenges, and Full Moon Hikes! 

Learn About Local History at the Sarpy County Museum

You will also find Sarpy County Museum here in Bellevue. Sarpy County has a rich history, full of stories from local Native American tribes and famous Air Force heroes. The museum has a variety of historical topics and items ready to catch your attention. Featuring stories of human ingenuity, the museum also offers research opportunities with digitized newspapers, naturalization records, and digitized and printed photos.

With so many amazing pieces inside, it’s no surprise that they have outgrown their space. Historical county treasures marking strides in human ingenuity are currently contained in a small, 1970s building in a far less-traveled part of the USA. The need for additional museum space, numerous current building repairs, as well as major upgrades have prompted them to look for a new space.  So keep your eye and ears open to a new museum to come! 

Take Your Family to Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch

If local history doesn’t interest you, Bellevue still has much to offer. During Halloween, my family always makes it a point to visit the amazing Bellevue Berry and Pumpkin Ranch!  The ranch hosts festivals beginning with the Renaissance Festival of Nebraska, the first 2 full weekends in May, and the Midwest Pirate Fest. Grab a turkey leg, and immerse yourself in a different world! The festivals are weekend events featuring six-stage performances, jousting, and plenty of artisans selling their wares—all of which are intended to entertain and educate patrons of all ages. It’s a place where your family can make their own festival a reunion. Don’t forget they also have the Ranch of Terror haunted house, Haunted Caves, and the best Haunted Hayride anywhere around. Sarpy County’s famous Taco Bike ride also runs through the Ranch.

The farm offers pick-ur-own strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, sugar snap peas, and asparagus as well as the Great Pumpkin Roundup with over 20 acres of pumpkins and other fall crops.  They also sell assorted vegetables at their stand at different times of the year.

Try Some Amazing Sauces at Volcanic Peppers

Bellevue is also the home of the Volcanic Peppers whom Fuego Box recently named as one of their All-Star Vendors! Specializing in hot sauces, seasonings, and salsas, these spices are sure to impress you. Fuego Box has featured their Aleppo Pepper Sauce and our Spicy Curry Sauce in their awesome Hot Sauce of the Month program, and you can find their products at their retail store in Los Angeles.

Photo Credit Tom Bader https://volcanicpeppers.com/contact-us/

So, there you have it folks, just a few reasons to love and raise a family, or start a business in Bellevue Nebraska!  Bellevue is in Sarpy County and is one of the best places to live in Nebraska, and the houses there are surprisingly affordable. According to RPR, the medium home value in the area is $253,000, with most houses being large, single-family homes built in the last 40 years. 

Living in Bellevue offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents proudly own their homes. Bellevue Public Schools are also award-winning, and the Elementary schools are the recent recipient of a $1.25 Million STEM Grant.

If you are looking to move to a neighborhood in Bellevue Nebraska please contact Gloria Allen at 402.403.2499 or email me at gallen@nebraskarealty.com

Article by: Gloria Allen