Things to Do in Bellevue

The shifting seasons bring beauty and bounty to Ditmars Orchard and Vineyard, from the baby buds and bursting petals of spring to the branches heavy with peaches, apricots, cherries, and apples during summer and autumn. In 1994, the Ditmars family laid 300 trees into the ground as a family project, but slowly expanded their hobby into a full-time orchard, now cultivating almost 4,000 trees.

In the summer, fat juicy strawberries nestle in rows ready to be picked, and in fall, fields overflow with acres of bulbous orange pumpkins ready to become jack-o’-lanterns or a horseman’s fancy new hat. Amid fiery foliage and crisp autumn air, families adventure through the onsite corn maze and attend fun fall festivals that feature face painting and hayrides. Kids can clamber over tractor tires and whoosh down slides in the orchard’s large playground. Guests reenergize at the country kitchen, where lunch selections include apple cider, frozen fruit pies, and fresh-made chicken-salad sandwiches, as well as native Iowa wines available by the bottle or glass.

At Busy Scrappin’, more than a thousand papers, albums, decorations, and kits surround a comfy workroom filled with hobbyists hard at work. The one-stop scrapbooking emporium is dedicated to fostering a community of likeminded craftsfolk by helping visitors learn new ways to memorialize family outings, little-league triumphs, and scrapbooking-competition victories. Guests drop in to socialize during Friday-night cropping sessions or learn new techniques at weekly, fun-filled workshops. And during regular hours, friendly staffers shepherd patrons through the selection of holiday-themed embellishments, card-making supplies, and paper crafts—eagerly giving suggestions for any upcoming project.

Retrofitted from former city buses, Nebraska Party Bus's six-vehicle fleet conveys revelers about town in limo-like luxury. The air-conditioned transports include a luxuriously upholstered 35-footer with a private party area in the rear, encouraging between-bar tête-à-têtes, whereas a pair of 42-seaters are perfect for ferrying wedding guests to receptions or back to central casting's rent-a-wedding-guest unit. The buses serve Omaha, Lincoln, and Council Bluffs, offering patrons comfortable conveyance throughout the metro area.

At That Pottery Place, the definition of an artist’s canvas expands to include everything from mugs to coin banks. The studio invites budding van Goghs to choose from more than 200 pottery designs and cloak their selection with lead-free paint from a rainbow of more than 50 colors. Stencils, stamps, and idea books stand ready to inspire artists who are facing creative blocks or giving their muse the silent treatment. After participants fully realize their visions, they entrust their work to the studio’s professionals, who glaze and fire each piece, readying it for pickup within a week.

In addition to pottery painting, That Pottery Place lets guests channel their creativity with mosaics, whose tiles and gems can be grouted or glued to mirrors and frames. Whatever the project, crafters can tote along their own snacks and drinks to fuel their creativity or throw at copycats. For more structured crafting, the studio organizes kids’ art classes and camps, and for celebrants seeking a hands-on event, they host parties.

Strike Zone's expert staff and instructors bolster ballplayers' confidence and batting averages with clinics that hone in on the fundamentals of America's pastime. A wide variety of clinics strengthen pitch records, agility, and overall skills with specially tailored drills, and a workout room allows athletes to bulk up with weight machines and free weights. With leagues for all ages, players can always find a fair match against equally skilled friends or the ghosts of legendary stadium organists, and a host of batting cages helps batters hone their home-run-hitting prowess. The on-site pro shop outfits Strike Zone members with all the necessary gear for all-star glory, such as cleats, bats, and a Harry Caray impersonator to narrate important life decisions.

Perched atop hills that overlook the Platte and Missouri River valleys, Bay Hills Golf Club’s 18-hole course arches across 6,411 yards of undulating, tree-lined fairways. As carts crest the verdant banks, golfers can pause to take in views of the surrounding tree lines, which harbor wildlife such as deer, turkey, fox, and feral ball washers. An expansive driving range, putting green, and chipping area act as the diminutive sidekick to the par 72 course. The staff of PGA professionals roams the club's full-service pro shop, shoring up swings with individual and group lessons and mending clubs with repair services. To keep swing-weary muscles well nourished, Bay Hills Grill serves up a menu of savory, greenside fare.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Total length of 6,411 yards from the back tees
• Four sets of tees per hole