Jess and I’ve household in Omaha, which suggests we’ve visited town plenty of occasions over time. In that point, we’ve visited an amazing lots of Omaha’s sights and sights. So we needed to place collectively a fast information to our favourite issues to do in Omaha, Nebraska.
Omaha is the biggest metropolis (by inhabitants) in Nebraska. It grew to become an vital transportation hub within the nineteenth century and would finally appeal to individuals to remain for its railroad, meatpacking, and business jobs. Right this moment this mid-sized Midwestern metropolis is house to plenty of cultural sights and performs host to fashionable occasions such because the Faculty World Sequence and the annual Berkshire Hathaway assembly.
So, whether or not you’re on the town for a giant occasion just like the Faculty World Sequence, a convention, visiting household like us, or simply questioning what there may be to do in Omaha, this information is for you.
We’ll cowl the primary sights and sights, present tips about the place to remain, give solutions on meals to attempt in Omaha, concepts for what to do in Omaha with youngsters, and much extra.
Let’s get began!
Issues to Do in Omaha
There’s loads to do in Omaha, from museums to historic sights to consuming and procuring. Listed here are our favourite issues to do in Omaha.
Durham Museum
The Durham Museum is present in Omaha’s authentic Union Station constructing, which dates from 1899. It was the Union Pacific’s first Artwork Deco railroad station and was used as a passenger practice station till 1971.
The Union Station constructing is a beautiful instance of Artwork Deco structure. It’s nearly value visiting this museum for the constructing alone! That mentioned, the museum contained inside the constructing is one among our favourite sights in Omaha.
The Durham Museum focuses totally on the historical past of the area and Western America typically, overlaying historical past, tradition, science, and business. So whether or not you have an interest in transport and trains, Native American tradition, or wildlife, you’re going to discover one thing fascinating. We notably loved the complete dimension practice reveals on the decrease ranges, however the entire museum was wonderful to be sincere.
If you wish to study Omaha and this a part of the nation typically that is the very best place to go. If you’re going to only one museum in Omaha, this might be our suggestion for most individuals.
There’s additionally an on-site museum store which is a superb place for souvenirs and the Soda Fountain and Sweet Store which is the unique Union Pacific soda fountain that serves phosphates, egg lotions, sundaes, soda, espresso, ice cream floats, snacks, sweet, and extra. Sandwiches, salads, and soups are additionally served right here throughout lunch hours.
If you happen to keep for lunch, you may simply spend half your day having fun with this museum. In addition they usually have particular exhibitions and household occasions taking place.
There’s an admission charge for the museum and free parking on website. It can save you on admission with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack.
The Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
Rated as one of many world’s high zoos, the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, often known as the Omaha Zoo, spreads throughout over 130 acres of land and is house to over 962 animal species! It has been round for over 100 years as nicely, making it one of many oldest sights in Omaha on our record.
The zoo is massive and there’s loads to see, with completely different habitats showcasing completely different species. These embrace:
- the 28-acre African Grasslands space, house to species together with African elephants, giraffes, rhino, lion, cheetah, meerkat, ostrich, and extra
- the 8-acre Asian Highlands space together with species such because the pink panda, Indian rhinos, snow leopard, and Siberian tiger
- the Desert Dome, which is likely one of the world’s largest indoor deserts. This 1 acre lined space has desert species from around the globe together with the African wild cat, klipspringer, bobcat and higher roadrunner
- Gorilla Valley – an exhibit primarily centered on primates together with gorillas and numerous monkey species
- Orangutan Forest – one other primate centered exhibit which incorporates the orangutan and langur
- the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium, one of many world’s largest in-zoo aquariums. Species embrace sea turtles, sharks, jellyfish, puffins, and penguins
- Kingdoms of the Night time, the world’s largest nocturnal animal exhibit, which additionally occurs to comprise the world’s largest indoor swamp! Inside you’ll discover every part from bats to porcupine, sloth, crocodiles, & alligators
There are tons extra reveals, however this could offer you an concept of how spectacular this zoo is. There are additionally rides, together with a 2.5 mile steam powered narrow-gauge railroad which loops across the park. There’s additionally a tram and a “Skyfari”, which is mainly an open-air chairlift which gives wonderful views over reveals together with the lions and cheetahs.
The previous Rosenblatt stadium, which used to host the Faculty World Sequence (now performed on the town on the Charles Schwab Stadium), may also be discovered on the Zoo. While not loads stays, the footprint of it may well nonetheless be discovered within the Zoo car parking zone.
As you may see, there’s loads to see and do on the Omaha Zoo. We advocate planning on spending not less than a half day right here, however ideally a full day.
There’s an entry charge, with free parking obtainable on website. It can save you on admission with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack.
Joslyn Artwork Museum
If you happen to take pleasure in artwork museums then you’ll positively wish to embrace a go to to Omaha’s spectacular Joslyn Artwork Museum in your go to to Omaha. This initially opened in 1931, and has undergone important updates over the a long time, together with the latest renovations which have been accomplished in late 2024.
Right this moment, the museum has plenty of everlasting collections which cowl a variety of time intervals and areas. These embrace Historic artwork from Greece and Italy, European artists together with Rembrandt and Monet, and a variety of early and trendy American artwork. There’s additionally a big space of contemporary and modern artwork, and a stunning out of doors backyard that includes numerous sculptures.
The Joslyn Artwork Museum is free to go to and there may be additionally free parking on website. Nonetheless, you need to be conscious that the automobile park can refill so be ready to attend, or discover parking close by (paid avenue parking can be obtainable).
Omaha’s Riverfront Space
Omaha’s riverfront space has undergone important revitalization lately, turning it right into a vacation spot in its personal proper. Right this moment, it’s a 72-acre space which hyperlinks downtown Omaha to the riverfront. There are three distinct areas to discover: the Lewis & Clark Touchdown. the Gene Leahy Mall, and the Heartland of America Park.
You may go to all three in a single go, or choose and select relying in your pursuits. The entire riverfront improvement is certainly value a stroll although, particularly on a pleasant day. If you’re on the lookout for a pleasant place to go for a stroll, have a picnic, chill out on a bench, or take the youngsters out for some recent air, any of those can be an amazing choice. Right here’s what you’ll discover in every space.
Lewis & Clark Touchdown & Customer Middle
Within the early nineteenth century, famed explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark journeyed throughout the huge expanse of land which america had bought from France as a part of the Louisiana Buy. They primarily adopted the Missouri River, which in the present day flows via and marks the jap fringe of Omaha.
Right this moment, there are a selection of issues you are able to do within the touchdown space. First, we’d advocate visiting the Lewis and Clark Nationwide Historic Path Headquarters and Customer Middle. This constructing is the headquarters of the historic path which covers 4,900 miles throughout 16 states, and is an efficient place to be taught concerning the expedition and the path as it may be explored in the present day. It’s free to go to.
The Lewis and Clark touchdown space has much more to supply past the customer heart although. It’s a part of the Omaha Riverfront space, and is house to an city seaside, volleyball courts, strolling trails, and a powerful playground which options zip-lines, rocket ship formed climbing towers, sand pits, and extra. When you have youngsters, they will love visiting this playground.
This a part of the Riverfront can be the place you’ll discover the Kiewit Luminarium, which we cowl elsewhere on this publish as a high factor to do in Omaha.
Gene Leahy Mall
The Gene Leahy Mall extends Omaha’s riverfront parks into the downtown space. This massive city park has a sculpture park, out of doors live performance venue, water options, out of doors tables and benches, and play space. If you happen to go to in winter time, it’s going to be festooned with lights.
The Gene Leahy Mall connects with the Previous Market space of Omaha in addition to the Heartland of America park. It’s a pleasant place to stroll for a pleasant inexperienced break from the city panorama.
Heartland of America Park
The biggest of the three RiverFront parks, that is additionally probably the most southern of the parks. It extends alongside the Missouri River, with the important thing factor being a big lake which options three fountains. The biggest of those three fountains shoots water 300 toes into the air and has a nighttime mild present.
There’s a strolling path which circumnavigates the lake (round a mile in size), and in the summertime you may take boat rides on the Normal Marion boat. If you happen to’re in Omaha in late Spring, that is additionally the place you’ll discover the annual Style of Omaha occasion.
Kiewit Luminarium
Discovered within the Lewis & Clark Touchdown space of Omaha’s RiverFront, the Kiewit Luminarium is a big Science Museum which has an emphasis on hands-on, interactive reveals. It’s a notably good choice in the event you’re visiting Omaha with youngsters, however adults are catered too as nicely. The truth is, there’s usually an adults solely occasion known as Night time Gentle on Thursday evenings.
Inside, you’re going to search out greater than 100 hands-on reveals. From studying how physics works, to materials science, constructions, the human physique, expertise, math and geometry, you might be certain to search out one thing to take pleasure in.
There’s free parking on website. There’s an entry charge, which is comparatively excessive, however we predict value it in the event you plan to spend not less than half a day right here.
Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
Omaha sits proper on the jap fringe of Nebraska, with simply the Missouri river separating town from Council Bluffs, Iowa. Linking the 2 cities, and supplying you with the chance to face in each states directly, is the spectacular Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.
This 3,000 foot lengthy bridge curves majestically throughout the river, and from it you get good views of the cities of Omaha, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa. Naturally you additionally get good views of the Missouri river, which the bridge crosses.
The bridge is pedestrian solely so no automobile visitors making it a preferred choice for households with youngsters to take pleasure in.
On the Omaha aspect, the bridge begins close to the Nationwide Park Service Guests Middle. It takes you to the Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park on the Iowa aspect. If you happen to take pleasure in strolling or biking the bridge hyperlinks up with 150 miles of trails. So you may preserve going for fairly a while if you want!
Museum of Shadows
If you happen to like your experiences to be of the paranormal variety, then you’ll doubtless take pleasure in a go to to Omaha’s Museum of Shadows. That is house to quite a lot of haunted artifacts, with the museum itself additionally mentioned to be haunted.
Now, this expertise isn’t going to be for everybody, and evaluations are positively blended. Nonetheless, if you wish to expertise one thing a bit completely different and imagine within the paranormal, it’s positively an choice.
There’s an entry charge, discover out extra right here. You should buy tickets on-line prematurely or on website in particular person. Simply be aware this isn’t open every single day so you should definitely verify opening days and hours earlier than you head right here.
The Previous Market
One in every of our favourite neighborhoods to wander round and seize a espresso in Omaha is the Previous Market. This was the initially the guts of Omaha’s wholesale grocery commerce again within the late nineteenth century when Omaha sat on the coronary heart of the railroads connecting East and West. The brick buildings right here served as warehouses, wholesale shops, places of work, and extra.
Modifications in how groceries have been purchased and bought meant that by the Fifties the Previous Market was now not fulfilling its authentic operate, and lots of of its buildings have been susceptible to being condemned.
Fortunately, regionally born landowner Samuel Mercer noticed the potential of the world, and led the renovation efforts. Right this moment, the Previous Market district is the guts of the eating and procuring expertise in Omaha. The previous buildings and cobbled streets stay, now house to shops, eating places, bars, espresso outlets, thrift shops, pubs, and residences. You may even nonetheless take a carriage experience!
You’ll additionally discover that the Omaha Guests Middle is situated subsequent to the Previous Market space on 306 S tenth Avenue. It’s usually open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-4pm. They’ve employees who may also help you propose your time, free vacationer brochures, and likewise native souvenirs and present for buy. If you’re within the Omaha Financial savings Pack, you’ll find out extra about it right here.
Lauritzen Gardens
If you happen to take pleasure in inexperienced areas, Omaha has lots of choices, each free and paid. Falling into the latter class are the Lauritzen Gardens. These are a botanical backyard and arboretum in southern Omaha which cowl 100 acres, together with a 4-acre arboretum, and chicken sanctuary. In addition they have occasions working all year long. We visited as soon as throughout a Japanese pageant which was lots of enjoyable. Yow will discover out extra on the official web site right here.
The arboretum space focuses totally on the flora of the Nebraska area, and it additionally has useful info on how one can appeal to native birds to your backyard. The gardens additionally embrace a rose backyard, Victorian backyard, herb backyard, Japanese park, and even a mannequin railroad backyard full with working mannequin trains.
Talking of trains, proper subsequent to the Lauritzen Gardens is Kenefick Park. This overlooks Interstate 80 and welcomes individuals arriving from Iowa with the sight of two huge locomotives. Which you’ll stand proper subsequent to in the event you go to Kenefick Park. This park is free and we actually loved visiting it.
Lauritzen Gardens cost an entry charge, and there’s free parking on website. It can save you on admission with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack.
Joslyn Citadel & Gardens
While you go to Omaha, you’ll discover the identify “Joslyn” popping up right here and there, together with the Joslyn Artwork Museum and the Joslyn Citadel & Gardens. And also you would possibly surprise why that’s.
Nicely, George Joslyn and his spouse Sara moved to Omaha in 1880 and have become rich because of George Joslyn’s involvement within the printing business. They contributed an amazing deal to town, together with the aforementioned Artwork Museum.
By 1893 the Joslyn’s had ample wealth to construct the backyard and residential of their goals. This resulted within the creation of their house they known as Lynhurst and what’s in the present day often known as Joslyn Citadel & Gardens. The home itself, accomplished in 1903, is a 4 story constructing constructed within the Scottish Baronial Revival architectural model. It mainly seems like a Scottish fortress within the coronary heart of Omaha. This price $250,000 to construct again in 1903, or round $9 million in in the present day’s cash.
The virtually 20,000 sq. foot home is open to the general public by guided tour solely, and we will positively advocate taking a tour in the event you’d wish to be taught extra about this uncommon property and the individuals who constructed it. We actually loved our tour right here, the guides have been extremely educated and the inside is simply gorgeous. This was positively our favourite guided tour we’ve taken in Omaha.
There’s a charge to take a tour and you may see the tour schedule and value right here. The excursions final about 90 minutes and I’d enable not less than 2 hours on your whole go to.
If you happen to aren’t visiting on a tour day, or are blissful to only discover the backyard and take a look at the constructing exterior, that is free to do. There’s free parking on website and you may discover the grounds your self.
Public artwork in Omaha
If you happen to like public artwork, then there are many places throughout Omaha the place you may take pleasure in public artwork at no cost. A few of our favourite items embrace:
- Untitled by Jan Kaneko within the Gene Leahy Mall. You may’t assist however discover the massive peaceable head whenever you stroll via this park!
- The Illumina sculptures exterior the CHI Well being Middle Enviornment. That includes six statues of individuals representing the humanities and humanities occasions that happen on the conference heart, in addition to a 35 foot clock. Step inside the middle at night time for one more colourful artwork set up
- The Pioneer Braveness Park sculptures by Utah sculptors Blair Buswell and Edward Fraughton may be discovered on Capital Avenue. They function a wagon practice continuing alongside a creek mattress, and must be seen to be believed. There’s additionally one other set up on this collection, the Spirit of Nebraska Wilderness sculptures discovered exterior the First Nationwide Financial institution of Omaha, which depict over 50 bigger than life Canada Geese. See particulars on each these parks right here. Two sculpture parks, Pioneer Braveness and Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness and The Transcontinental Railroad, have a good time town’s pioneering historical past.
- Fertile Floor Mural by Meg Saligman. You may’t speak about public artwork in Omaha with out together with the Fertile Floor Mural. At 70 toes tall and 465 toes lengthy that is the biggest public artwork venture in Omaha and one of many largest murals within the USA. Discover it on 602 N thirteenth St within the Previous Market space of city.
- The Chef Boyardee Statue exterior the Conagra constructing within the Heartland of America park. OK, so this is likely to be an oddball selection, however in the event you’ve ever eaten canned spaghetti within the USA as a toddler, you might be in all probability conversant in the Chef Boyardee model. The statue is of the real-life chef behind the model, Italian immigrant Ettore Boiardi. He modified his identify to Chef Hector Boyardee to assist gross sales of his packaged spaghetti sauce and dinners and his identify grew to become nationally identified.
You may see tons extra examples of public artwork in Omaha, with location info and particulars of the piece and artist on the official Public Artwork Omaha web site right here.
Native meals and produce
While you’re in Omaha you’re going to wish to eat, and there are a couple of meals choices you need to positively attempt whenever you’re on the town. We advocate the next dishes and places:
- A Reuben Sandwich. It’s believed that the unique Reuben Sandwich was invented on the Blackstone Lodge in Omaha, Nebraska, again in 1925 (though some New Yorkers would contend this!). The excellent news is that you would be able to nonetheless have a Reuben Sandwich on the Blackstone Lodge, which has since turn into the Cottonwood Lodge. We had one right here and it was scrumptious (as was the opposite meals we’ve tried right here). We additionally had one on the Crescent Moon throughout the highway on one other go to, which many declare to be the very best Reuben in Omaha. Truthfully, they have been each good. If you happen to desire a extra formal eating expertise, then the Blackstone is the best choice. If you happen to desire a pub model setting with a beer, then go together with the Crescent Moon choice.
- It’s laborious to say meals in Omaha with out speaking about steaks. There’s actually a complete firm devoted to the idea! This really makes lots of sense as beef is Omaha’s largest business, and town has been a meatpacking heart because the center of the twentieth century. So that you would possibly wish to even have a steak if you are on the town. Choices to think about for a steak embrace Drover, Mahogany, Jerico’s, Sullivans, Gorat’s, Flemings, and Brother Sebastian’s.
- Talking of steakhouses, as we talked about above, one fashionable steak eating choice in Omaha is Gorat’s Steakhouse. However this restaurant is known for one more purpose – it’s the favourite steakhouse of legendary investor Warren Buffet who’s head of Berkshire Hathaway. He’s eaten right here many occasions, and has even eaten right here with Microsoft founder Invoice Gates. His favourite dish is the 22-oz Omaha T-bone steak and the hashbrowns. Once we went we didn’t see Warren in particular person, however there’s a cardboard cutout of him that you would be able to pose by in the event you so want!
- If you wish to attempt extra native produce past steak, then you definately’ll positively wish to embrace corn in your record of meals to attempt in Omaha. Corn is the primary crop grown within the state so we positively can advocate having an ear of corn right here when its in season. Different fashionable crops and produce embrace milk and dairy merchandise, beans (Nice Northern, pinto, and so on.), pork, poultry, eggs, sugar beets, apples, and honey. Nebraska can be house to over 30 wineries so you may additionally have an opportunity to attempt some native wine.
- A regionally fashionable quick meals is the Runza, which is a yeast dough bread pocket with a filling consisting of beef, cabbage or sauerkraut, onions, and seasonings. One of the best place to get a Runza is at a Runza’s, a fast-food chain which has been working in Nebraska since 1949. For a real native expertise, purchase a cinnamon roll at Runza’s and dip it in Runza’s chili. We’ve executed this, and it’s positively higher than it sounds.
- If you happen to like ice cream (who doesn’t like ice cream?), then we extremely advocate a go to to Coneflower Creamery, which is inside strolling distance of the Kimpton Cottonwood resort and Joslyn Citadel & Gardens. This really positioned first in a nationwide rating of ice cream places, so we’re not the one ones who suppose it’s value a go to! They handmake their ice cream with native, recent substances, and have a spread of basic and seasonal flavors to select from
That ought to offer you some concepts of the place and what to eat whenever you go to Omaha, though there are after all loads extra choices throughout town.
Omaha Kids’s Museum
If you happen to’re visiting Omaha with kids, then you need to positively take into account together with the Omaha Kids’s Museum in your to-do record. This award profitable museum goals to stimulate youngsters creativeness and excite them about studying new issues.
It does this via all kinds of everlasting and non permanent reveals, the vast majority of that are interactive. These embrace a science heart the place experimentation is inspired, a kid-sized hospital with interactive “x-ray” machines, an interactive kid-friendly financial institution department, and hundreds extra.
The museum has an entry charge and there’s free parking on website. It can save you on admission with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack.
Buying
As with most cities, Omaha has a wonderful selection of procuring choices. These vary from the usual huge field and shops that you simply’ll discover most in all places, via to regionally owned places, which we’ll concentrate on on this information.
- The Previous Market space of Omaha is the place we’d advocate heading in the event you’re on the lookout for smaller, regionally owned outlets. You’ll discover every part from vintage outlets to sweet outlets, house decor, books, classic clothes, jewellery and music. We will additionally advocate visiting the Artists Cooperative Gallery in the event you’d wish to peruse and purchase artwork from native artists. Naturally, the world additionally has loads of espresso outlets (in addition to eating places and bars) to maintain you fueled. You’ll additionally discover the native tourism workplace right here.
- The Dundee neighborhood, to the west of downtown, can be a superb procuring vacation spot. Neighborhood outlets embrace Roger + Chris (house decor), Albany and Avers (classic clothes) and Dundee Candle Co the place you may create and pour your individual candle.
- Nebraska Furnishings Mart. Based in Omaha in 1937, and in the present day owned by Berkshire Hathaway, that is an iconic Omaha house furnishing retailer. With over 450,000 sq. toes of retail area, it’s secure to say that in case you are on the lookout for furnishings, this can be a good choice. It’s additionally fairly an expertise wandering round akin to huge retailer. Jess and I visited, and have been impressed on the vary of furnishings on supply, throughout a variety of budgets. And sure, they provide delivery.
- For extra identify model retail remedy, you would possibly wish to head to one of many close by procuring retailers. These are largely situated exterior of Omaha, and embrace Nebraska Crossing (largest outlet mall in Nebraska), Village Pointe and Regency Buying Middle (extra upscale manufacturers). We as soon as did some coat procuring at Nebraska Crossing and located it to be a very nice out of doors outlet mall.
As you may see, there are many procuring choices in Omaha, no matter you have an interest in shopping for!
Enjoyable Plex Waterpark and Rides
If you’re visiting Omaha within the scorching summer time months with household, then you definately would possibly take into account a visit out to the Enjoyable Plex Waterpark and Rides. That is about seven miles from downtown, and is the biggest amusement park in Nebraska.
The park has plenty of common rides for each adults and children, in addition to a big waterpark space which options slides, a wave pool, lazy river, and extra. There’s even a 21+ swim-up bar for these on the lookout for a bit extra grownup enjoyable.
The Enjoyable Plex is generally open from late Might to the beginning of September, and you may see ticket costs and park opening hours on the official web site right here.
Native Leisure, Festivals, Exhibits, & Occasions
Omaha hosts many occasions all year long, from main sporting occasions via to massive conferences, festivals, and extra. Relying on whenever you go to Omaha, you would possibly discover that there’s one thing go on! Right here’s a fast run down of just some of the occasions that happen in Omaha to offer you an concept of what to anticipate.
Even in the event you aren’t excited by a selected occasion it’s value noting when it takes place as some occasions, such because the Berkshire Hathaway Assembly or the Faculty World Sequence may be very talked-about occasions to go to Omaha, with lodging costs taking pictures up and fashionable eating places reserving out. So in the event you don’t intend on collaborating within the occasion, you would possibly wish to keep away from city at the moment!
- Faculty World Sequence, a baseball match held in Omaha each June since 1950,. at present happening on the Charles Schwab Area
- Berkshire Hathaway Annual Assembly, the annual assembly for Berkshire Hathaway shareholders. Usually held in early Might on the CHI Well being Middle Omaha Conference Middle and Enviornment.
- Style of Omaha – a three-day meals pageant held each summer time within the Heartland of America park
- Maha Pageant – a big music pageant which usually takes place on the finish of July
- The Omaha Movie Pageant, which takes place in March annually
- There are additionally quite a few performs, musical acts and different performances at venues throughout town all year long, together with at The Rose Theater (kids’s theater), Orpheum Theater, Omaha Neighborhood Playhouse, The Ready Room and the CHI Well being Middle
- Plus after all there are films, axe throwing, arcades, bowling, mini golf… the record of actions in Omaha goes on!
For extra on what’s on in Omaha, and extra concepts on what to see and do typically, we extremely advocate popping into the Omaha Guests Middle within the Previous Market space on 306 S tenth Avenue. The Go to Omaha web site additionally has info on occasions taking place within the metropolis.
And Even Extra!
In fact, there’s tons extra to do in Omaha and the encompassing space than we have now lined above! Another notable highlights to think about visiting, relying in your pursuits, are the next:
- Squirrel Cage Jail. Present in Council Bluffs, Iowa, this museum was a jail from 1885 via to 1969. It’s notable as being house to a revolving “squirrel cage” cell, one among solely 18 constructed
- Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum. Simply southwest of Omaha, this museum focuses on the plane and nuclear missiles of the US Airforce in the course of the Chilly Conflict. Displays embrace an SR-71 Blackbird plane and a B52 Stratofortress plane, in addition to tons extra plane, missiles, and even spacecraft.
- Platte River State Park – discovered midway between Omaha and Lincoln, this state park gives quite a lot of nature trails and actions together with fishing and kayaking. We will advocate climbing up one of many remark towers for fantastic views of the encompassing panorama
- Vala’s Pumpkin Patch – in the event you’re visiting Omaha from late August via to early November, then take into account a go to to Vala’s Pumpkin Patch. This big out of doors attraction focuses on all issues Fall, and also you’ll discover hundreds to do from watching pig races to a corn maze, cider consuming, dwell reveals and extra. A really enjoyable household attraction.
The best way to Get to Omaha
Omaha is true in the midst of the USA, and has cheap transport connections. We’ve visited Omaha by automobile, airplane, and practice! Listed here are the primary methods to get to town.
- By automobile. Omaha is related by highway to the remainder of the U.S. by two most important Interstates, I-80 which runs east all the best way to New York through Chicago and west all the best way to San Francisco through Salt Lake Metropolis. There’s additionally I-29 which runs north to Fargo, after which in the end to the Canadian border, and south to Kansas Metropolis.
- By airplane. Omaha’s airport gives direct flights to over 30 locations in america, that means town is comparatively straightforward to get to by air
- By practice. Omaha is on the Amtrak passenger practice community. We’ve traveled to Omaha on the in a single day sleeper practice from Denver into Omaha which was a enjoyable expertise. Omaha is on the primary Amtrak route which runs between Chicago and San Francisco, the service often known as the California Zephyr, which incorporates stops in Denver, Salt Lake Metropolis, and extra.
How Many Days Ought to I Spend in Omaha?
Yon can spend as little or as a lot time as you need in Omaha as there are many issues to do and see. You may simply spend per week right here visiting all of the cultural sights, exploring the parks, gardens, and strolling paths, procuring, consuming at steakhouses, and taking in some night leisure.
However at a minimal we’d in all probability advocate not less than two full days and nights to get a superb style of town.
Urged Two Day Omaha Itinerary
Right here’s a fast overview of a attainable itinerary for 2 days in Omaha.
In your first day you would possibly go to the Durham Museum within the morning, have a Reuben for lunch, spend the afternoon within the Previous Market space, and see a play that night.
Then on the second day you would possibly head over to the Omaha Zoo & Aquarium (Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium) for a full time out after which have dinner that night at an area steakhouse.
When you have extra time, then I’d undergo our record and write down all of the locations you wish to see and the way a lot time you suppose you’d spend at every. That ought to offer you a good suggestion of how a lot time you’ll want. Additionally you should definitely consider opening occasions and days as many sights are closed not less than sooner or later per week.
If you’re visiting for the Faculty World Sequence, Berkshire Hathaway Annual Assembly, or another huge occasion, it’s a good suggestion so as to add an additional day to your journey so you will have extra time to discover if attainable.
The place to Keep in Omaha
Omaha has a variety of lodging choices, together with lodges, condominium leases, motels, and extra. Costs vary from finances to high-end, and usually the nearer you might be to downtown the upper the costs can be. If you’re driving, most downtown lodges will supply valet parking, though avenue parking can be usually an choice (simply keep in mind to pay the meter!).
It’s additionally value noting that pricing can fluctuate loads relying on the time of yr you go to, and if there are any main occasions occurring within the metropolis. The Berkshire Hathaway assembly for instance is a time when costs for lodging in Omaha can actually go up, so in the event you aren’t planning on attending that you simply would possibly wish to keep away from these few days.
Listed here are some choices for the place to remain in and round Omaha.
- Lodge Deco – in a constructing courting from 1930, this Artwork Deco styled 4* boutique resort gives beautiful en-suite rooms and is inside straightforward strolling distance of the downtown sights. There’s an on-site restaurant and valet parking. We stayed right here for 3 nights on a latest go to to Omaha and loved it.
- Hilton Omaha – That is the closest resort to the CHI Well being Middle (conference heart for plenty of occasions and conferences within the metropolis), to which it’s related through a Skybridge, making it a superb choice in the event you’re attending an occasion right here. 4* resort with on-site restaurant, airport shuttle, pool and each self-parking and valet parking choices. Pets accepted. This additionally a superb resort choice for the Faculty World Sequence on the Charles Schwab stadium as it is rather near the venue additionally.
- The Peregrine – this resort is present in a historic native landmark constructing which dates from 1914. Right this moment it’s a boutique resort providing 4* lodging simply minutes stroll from downtown.
- The Farnam, Autograph Assortment – some of the extremely rated lodges in downtown Omaha, this centrally situated 4* resort gives snug rooms, on-site parking, and three eating places to select from.
- Kimpton Cottonwood Lodge – present in Omaha’s Blackstone district a couple of minutes drive from downtown, this attractive 4* resort is a revival of the enduring Blackstone resort which was discovered on this location from 1916. This can be a stunning previous resort with all of the facilities you’ll want for a leisure or enterprise keep. If you happen to keep right here, you should definitely attempt a Reuben! The resort additionally has afternoon tea service on some Sundays.
- Hampton Inn Council Bluffs – in the event you would favor a resort with free parking, then the Hampton Inn in Council Bluffs Iowa is an efficient choice to think about. It’s just some minutes drive to downtown and breakfast is included
- BridgePointe Inn & Suites – a extra finances oriented choice present in Council Bluffs, Iowa. There’s free parking on website and breakfast is included. It’s additionally solely a brief drive from downtown Omaha
Naturally there are various extra lodging choices in Omaha. See a full record of choices together with trip leases, motels and lodges right here.
The best way to Get Round Omaha
Omaha is a reasonably straightforward metropolis to get round whether or not on foot, by automobile, by bike, or by public transit.
Downtown Omaha may be very walkable, with many sights just some minutes stroll aside. For locations a bit of farther from downtown, such because the Blackstone District, Joslyn Citadel, Lauritzen Gardens and so on., then it would be best to use some technique of mechanized transport.
Public transport companies, primarily within the type of a bus system, function throughout the Omaha space. The system is called the Omaha Metro, and you’ll find dwell bus occasions and routes on the My Journey web site and app. Fares for the Metro service should be paid via the UMO system, which suggests both downloading the UMO app, getting an Umo card, or buying an Umo token. See extra on how to do this right here.
Omaha can be within the means of establishing a streetcar service which is meant to hyperlink downtown with the Blackstone district. That’s hoped to be working by 2027.
You may as well drive simply round Omaha, which is what we usually find yourself doing. Avenue parking is offered throughout town for cheap charges, and you may pay utilizing the Park Omaha or ParkMobile app for smartphones. Charges fluctuate, and you may verify the most recent parking info right here.
Journey share companies together with Uber, Lyft and zTrip are additionally obtainable, as are bike share and scooter rental companies.
The best way to Save Cash in Omaha
Whereas Omaha doesn’t have a metropolis attraction cross that we’re conscious of, it can save you on sights with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack. This can be a free service supplied by the native tourism workplace, and gives reductions on a number of the hottest sights within the metropolis.
This consists of locations just like the Durham Museum, Lauritzen Gardens, the Zoo, Omaha Kids’s Museum, and extra.
It’s free to get the cross and it’s all dealt with on-line. All it’s important to do is present your info and the cross can be despatched to your telephone. You may see extra and enroll on the official Omaha Financial savings Pack web site right here.
Additional Studying
That’s it for our information to issues to do in Omaha, Nebraska. Earlier than you head off although, I simply needed to share some extra assets we’ve put collectively that will help you plan your journey to town, and journey within the USA typically.
- Questioning how a lot a go to to Omaha may cost a little? Take a look at our information to how a lot it prices to journey within the USA that will help you plan your journey finances.
- I’ve written a information that includes a few of my high ideas for driving within the USA to assist get you occurring the highway!
- We’ve visited lots of different cities within the USA! See our guides to issues to do in Las Vegas, issues to do in Huntsville, issues to do in Savannah, issues to do in Charleston, issues to do in Albuquerque, visiting New Orleans throughout Mardi Gras, issues to do in Cambria, issues to do in Houston, issues to do in Dallas, and issues to do in Santa Fe
- If you would like some USA highway journey inspiration, see our itineraries for a USA Deep South highway journey, California Highway Journey, Route 66 Highway Journey and Pacific Coast Freeway Highway Journey
- And in the event you’re on the lookout for inspiration for the remainder of the USA, take a look at our USA part, which has tons extra inspiration
Do you will have any questions on visiting Omaha? As all the time, we’re blissful to reply any questions you might need, simply pop them within the feedback under and we’ll get again to you as quickly as we will.
