Jess and I’ve household in Omaha, which suggests we’ve visited the town numerous 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 turned an vital transportation hub within the nineteenth century and would finally appeal to folks to remain for its railroad, meatpacking, and business jobs. Immediately this mid-sized Midwestern metropolis is residence to numerous cultural sights and performs host to standard 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’s to do in Omaha, this information is for you.
We’ll cowl the principle sights and sights, present tips about the place to remain, give strategies on meals to attempt in Omaha, concepts for what to do in Omaha with children, and much extra.
Let’s get began!
Issues to Do in Omaha
There’s rather a lot to do in Omaha, from museums to historic sights to consuming and buying. Listed below are our favourite issues to do in Omaha.
Durham Museum
The Durham Museum is present in Omaha’s unique Union Station constructing, which dates from 1899. It was the Union Pacific’s first Artwork Deco railroad station and was used as a passenger prepare station till 1971.
The Union Station constructing is a beautiful instance of Artwork Deco structure. It’s virtually price visiting this museum for the constructing alone! That mentioned, the museum contained inside the constructing is considered one of our favourite sights in Omaha.
The Durham Museum focuses totally on the historical past of the area and Western America normally, masking historical past, tradition, science, and business. So whether or not you have an interest in transport and trains, Native American tradition, or wildlife, you will discover one thing fascinating. We notably loved the total measurement prepare reveals on the decrease ranges, however the entire museum was glorious to be sincere.
If you wish to find out about Omaha and this a part of the nation normally that is one of the best place to go. If you will only one museum in Omaha, this may be our advice 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.
In case you keep for lunch, you may simply spend half your day having fun with this museum. In addition they typically have particular exhibitions and household occasions occurring.
There’s an admission price 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, also called the Omaha Zoo, spreads throughout over 130 acres of land and is residence to over 962 animal species! It has been round for over 100 years as effectively, making it one of many oldest sights in Omaha on our listing.
The zoo is giant and there’s rather a lot to see, with completely different habitats showcasing completely different species. These embody:
- the 28-acre African Grasslands space, residence 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 purple panda, Indian rhinos, snow leopard, and Siberian tiger
- the Desert Dome, which is without doubt 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 larger roadrunner
- Gorilla Valley – an exhibit primarily targeted on primates together with gorillas and varied monkey species
- Orangutan Forest – one other primate targeted exhibit which incorporates the orangutan and langur
- the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium, one of many world’s largest in-zoo aquariums. Species embody sea turtles, sharks, jellyfish, puffins, and penguins
- Kingdoms of the Night time, the world’s largest nocturnal animal exhibit, which additionally occurs to include the world’s largest indoor swamp! Inside you’ll discover all the pieces from bats to porcupine, sloth, crocodiles, & alligators
There are heaps extra reveals, however this could provide you with an thought 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 principally an open-air chairlift which gives glorious views over reveals together with the lions and cheetahs.
The outdated Rosenblatt stadium, which used to host the Faculty World Sequence (now performed on the town on the Charles Schwab Stadium), will also be discovered on the Zoo. While not rather a lot stays, the footprint of it might probably nonetheless be discovered within the Zoo parking zone.
As you may see, there’s rather a lot to see and do on the Omaha Zoo. We advocate planning on spending no less than a half day right here, however ideally a full day.
There’s an entry price, with free parking out there on website. It can save you on admission with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack.
Joslyn Artwork Museum
In case you get pleasure from artwork museums then you’ll undoubtedly wish to embody 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 many years, together with the newest renovations which have been accomplished in late 2024.
Immediately, the museum has numerous everlasting collections which cowl a variety of time durations and areas. These embody 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 outside backyard that includes varied sculptures.
The Joslyn Artwork Museum is free to go to and there’s additionally free parking on website. Nonetheless, try to be conscious that the automobile park can replenish so be ready to attend, or discover parking close by (paid road parking can also be out there).
Omaha’s Riverfront Space
Omaha’s riverfront space has undergone important revitalization lately, turning it right into a vacation spot in its personal proper. Immediately, 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’ll be able to go to all three in a single go, or choose and select relying in your pursuits. The entire riverfront growth is unquestionably price a stroll although, particularly on a pleasant day. If you’re searching for a pleasant place to go for a stroll, have a picnic, chill out on a bench, or take the youngsters out for some contemporary air, any of those could be an amazing choice. Right here’s what you’ll discover in every space.
Lewis & Clark Touchdown & Customer Heart
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 at the moment flows by means of and marks the japanese fringe of Omaha.
Immediately, 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 Heart. 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 in regards to the expedition and the path as it may be explored at the moment. It’s free to go to.
The Lewis and Clark touchdown space has much more to supply past the customer middle although. It’s a part of the Omaha Riverfront space, and is residence to an city seashore, volleyball courts, strolling trails, and a powerful playground which options zip-lines, rocket ship formed climbing towers, sand pits, and extra. If in case you have children, they’ll love visiting this playground.
This a part of the Riverfront can also be the place you’ll discover the Kiewit Luminarium, which we cowl elsewhere on this submit 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 huge city park has a sculpture park, outside live performance venue, water options, outside tables and benches, and play space. In case you go to in winter time, it’s going to be festooned with lights.
The Gene Leahy Mall connects with the Outdated 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 essentially the most southern of the parks. It extends alongside the Missouri River, with the important thing component being a big lake which options three fountains. The biggest of those three fountains shoots water 300 ft into the air and has a nighttime gentle 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 Basic Marion boat. In case you’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 when you’re visiting Omaha with children, however adults are catered too as effectively. In truth, there’s usually an adults solely occasion referred to 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’re certain to search out one thing to get pleasure from.
There’s free parking on website. There’s an entry price, which is comparatively excessive, however we predict price it when you plan to spend no less than half a day right here.
Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
Omaha sits proper on the japanese fringe of Nebraska, with simply the Missouri river separating the town from Council Bluffs, Iowa. Linking the 2 cities, and providing 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 site visitors making it a well-liked choice for households with children to get pleasure from.
On the Omaha facet, the bridge begins close to the Nationwide Park Service Guests Heart. It takes you to the Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park on the Iowa facet. In case you get pleasure from strolling or biking the bridge hyperlinks up with 150 miles of trails. So you may hold going for fairly a while if you want!
Museum of Shadows
In case you like your experiences to be of the paranormal type, then you’ll probably get pleasure from a go to to Omaha’s Museum of Shadows. That is residence to a wide range of haunted artifacts, with the museum itself additionally mentioned to be haunted.
Now, this expertise isn’t going to be for everybody, and opinions are undoubtedly blended. Nonetheless, if you wish to expertise one thing a bit completely different and consider within the paranormal, it’s undoubtedly an choice.
There’s an entry price, discover out extra right here. You should purchase tickets on-line prematurely or on website in particular person. Simply be aware this isn’t open day by day so you’ll want to test opening days and hours earlier than you head right here.
The Outdated Market
One among our favourite neighborhoods to wander round and seize a espresso in Omaha is the Outdated 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.
Adjustments in how groceries have been purchased and offered meant that by the Fifties the Outdated Market was not fulfilling its unique operate, and plenty of of its buildings have been susceptible to being condemned.
Fortunately, domestically born landowner Samuel Mercer noticed the potential of the world, and led the renovation efforts. Immediately, the Outdated Market district is the guts of the eating and buying expertise in Omaha. The outdated buildings and cobbled streets stay, now residence to shops, eating places, bars, espresso retailers, thrift shops, pubs, and flats. You’ll be able to even nonetheless take a carriage journey!
You’ll additionally discover that the Omaha Guests Heart is positioned subsequent to the Outdated Market space on 306 S tenth Road. It’s usually open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-4pm. They’ve workers who might help you propose your time, free vacationer brochures, and in addition native souvenirs and reward for buy. If you’re within the Omaha Financial savings Pack, you could find out extra about it right here.
Lauritzen Gardens
In case you get pleasure from inexperienced areas, Omaha has loads 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 competition which was loads 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 the best way to appeal to native birds to your backyard. The gardens additionally embody 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 folks arriving from Iowa with the sight of two large locomotives. Which you’ll stand proper subsequent to when you go to Kenefick Park. This park is free and we actually loved visiting it.
Lauritzen Gardens cost an entry price, and there’s free parking on website. It can save you on admission with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack.
Joslyn Fort & Gardens
While you go to Omaha, you’ll discover the title “Joslyn” popping up right here and there, together with the Joslyn Artwork Museum and the Joslyn Fort & Gardens. And also you may marvel why that’s.
Properly, George Joslyn and his spouse Sara moved to Omaha in 1880 and have become rich due to George Joslyn’s involvement within the printing business. They contributed an amazing deal to the town, together with the aforementioned Artwork Museum.
By 1893 the Joslyn’s had adequate wealth to construct the backyard and residential of their desires. This resulted within the creation of their residence they referred to as Lynhurst and what’s at the moment often known as Joslyn Fort & Gardens. The home itself, accomplished in 1903, is a 4 story constructing constructed within the Scottish Baronial Revival architectural fashion. It principally seems to be like a Scottish fortress within the coronary heart of Omaha. This price $250,000 to construct again in 1903, or round $9 million in at the moment’s cash.
The virtually 20,000 sq. foot home is open to the general public by guided tour solely, and we are able to undoubtedly advocate taking a tour when 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 undoubtedly our favourite guided tour we’ve taken in Omaha.
There’s a price to take a tour and you may see the tour schedule and value right here. The excursions final about 90 minutes and I’d permit no less than 2 hours on your whole go to.
In case you aren’t visiting on a tour day, or are glad to only discover the backyard and have 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
In case you like public artwork, then there are many areas throughout Omaha the place you may get pleasure from public artwork free of charge. A few of our favourite items embody:
- Untitled by Jan Kaneko within the Gene Leahy Mall. You’ll be able to’t assist however discover the big peaceable head whenever you stroll by means of this park!
- The Illumina sculptures outdoors the CHI Well being Heart Area. That includes six statues of individuals representing the humanities and humanities occasions that happen on the conference middle, in addition to a 35 foot clock. Step inside the middle at evening for one more colourful artwork set up
- The Pioneer Braveness Park sculptures by Utah sculptors Blair Buswell and Edward Fraughton might be discovered on Capital Avenue. They characteristic a wagon prepare 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 outdoors 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, rejoice the town’s pioneering historical past.
- Fertile Floor Mural by Meg Saligman. You’ll be able to’t speak about public artwork in Omaha with out together with the Fertile Floor Mural. At 70 ft tall and 465 ft lengthy that is the biggest public artwork undertaking in Omaha and one of many largest murals within the USA. Discover it on 602 N thirteenth St within the Outdated Market space of city.
- The Chef Boyardee Statue outdoors the Conagra constructing within the Heartland of America park. OK, so this may be an oddball alternative, however when you’ve ever eaten canned spaghetti within the USA as a toddler, you’re most likely acquainted with the Chef Boyardee model. The statue is of the real-life chef behind the model, Italian immigrant Ettore Boiardi. He modified his title to Chef Hector Boyardee to assist gross sales of his packaged spaghetti sauce and dinners and his title turned nationally identified.
You’ll be able to see heaps 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 will wish to eat, and there are a couple of meals choices you must undoubtedly attempt whenever you’re on the town. We advocate the next dishes and areas:
- A Reuben Sandwich. It’s believed that the unique Reuben Sandwich was invented on the Blackstone Resort in Omaha, Nebraska, again in 1925 (though some New Yorkers would contend this!). The excellent news is that you could nonetheless have a Reuben Sandwich on the Blackstone Resort, which has since change into the Cottonwood Resort. 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 one of the best Reuben in Omaha. Truthfully, they have been each good. In case you choose a extra formal eating expertise, then the Blackstone is the most suitable choice. In case you choose a pub fashion setting with a beer, then go along with the Crescent Moon choice.
- It’s laborious to say meals in Omaha with out speaking about steaks. There’s actually a entire firm devoted to the idea! This really makes loads of sense as beef is Omaha’s largest business, and the town has been a meatpacking middle because the center of the twentieth century. So that you may wish to even have a steak when you are on the town. Choices to contemplate for a steak embody Drover, Mahogany, Jerico’s, Sullivans, Gorat’s, Flemings, and Brother Sebastian’s.
- Talking of steakhouses, as we talked about above, one standard steak eating choice in Omaha is Gorat’s Steakhouse. However this restaurant is legendary for one more motive – 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. After we went we didn’t see Warren in particular person, however there’s a cardboard cutout of him that you could pose by when you so want!
- If you wish to attempt extra native produce past steak, you then’ll undoubtedly wish to embody corn in your listing of meals to attempt in Omaha. Corn is the primary crop grown within the state so we undoubtedly can advocate having an ear of corn right here when its in season. Different standard crops and produce embody milk and dairy merchandise, beans (Nice Northern, pinto, and so forth.), pork, poultry, eggs, sugar beets, apples, and honey. Nebraska can also be residence to over 30 wineries so you may additionally have an opportunity to attempt some native wine.
- A domestically standard quick meals is the Runza, which is a yeast dough bread pocket with a filling consisting of beef, cabbage or sauerkraut, onions, and seasonings. The perfect 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 achieved this, and it’s undoubtedly higher than it sounds.
- In case you 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 Fort & Gardens. This really positioned first in a nationwide rating of ice cream areas, so we’re not the one ones who assume it’s price a go to! They handmake their ice cream with native, contemporary substances, and have a spread of basic and seasonal flavors to select from
That ought to provide you with some concepts of the place and what to eat whenever you go to Omaha, though there are in fact a lot extra choices throughout the town.
Omaha Kids’s Museum
In case you’re visiting Omaha with kids, then you must undoubtedly contemplate together with the Omaha Kids’s Museum in your to-do listing. This award profitable museum goals to stimulate children creativeness and excite them about studying new issues.
It does this by means of all kinds of everlasting and non permanent reveals, the vast majority of that are interactive. These embody a science middle the place experimentation is inspired, a kid-sized hospital with interactive “x-ray” machines, an interactive kid-friendly financial institution department, and masses extra.
The museum has an entry price 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 superb alternative of buying choices. These vary from the usual large field and malls that you just’ll discover most all over the place, by means of to domestically owned areas, which we’ll deal with on this information.
- The Outdated Market space of Omaha is the place we’d advocate heading when you’re searching for smaller, domestically owned retailers. You’ll discover all the pieces from vintage retailers to sweet retailers, residence decor, books, classic clothes, jewellery and music. We will additionally advocate visiting the Artists Cooperative Gallery when you’d wish to peruse and purchase artwork from native artists. Naturally, the world additionally has loads of espresso retailers (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 also be an excellent buying vacation spot. Neighborhood retailers embody Roger + Chris (residence decor), Albany and Avers (classic clothes) and Dundee Candle Co the place you may create and pour your personal candle.
- Nebraska Furnishings Mart. Based in Omaha in 1937, and at the moment owned by Berkshire Hathaway, that is an iconic Omaha residence furnishing retailer. With over 450,000 sq. ft of retail area, it’s protected to say that if you’re searching for furnishings, it is 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 provide, throughout a variety of budgets. And sure, they provide transport.
- For extra title model retail remedy, you may wish to head to one of many close by buying shops. These are largely positioned outdoors of Omaha, and embody Nebraska Crossing (largest outlet mall in Nebraska), Village Pointe and Regency Buying Heart (extra upscale manufacturers). We as soon as did some coat buying at Nebraska Crossing and located it to be a very nice outside outlet mall.
As you may see, there are many buying 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, you then may contemplate 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 numerous 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 searching 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 by means of to giant conferences, festivals, and extra. Relying on whenever you go to Omaha, you may 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 thought of what to anticipate.
Even when you aren’t involved in a particular occasion it’s price noting when it takes place as some occasions, such because the Berkshire Hathaway Assembly or the Faculty World Sequence might be very fashionable occasions to go to Omaha, with lodging costs taking pictures up and standard eating places reserving out. So when you don’t intend on collaborating within the occasion, you may wish to keep away from city at the moment!
- Faculty World Sequence, a baseball event held in Omaha each June since 1950,. presently 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 Heart Omaha Conference Heart and Area.
- Style of Omaha – a three-day meals competition held each summer time within the Heartland of America park
- Maha Pageant – a big music competition which usually takes place on the finish of July
- The Omaha Movie Pageant, which takes place in March every year
- There are additionally quite a few performs, musical acts and different performances at venues throughout the town all year long, together with at The Rose Theater (kids’s theater), Orpheum Theater, Omaha Group Playhouse, The Ready Room and the CHI Well being Heart
- Plus in fact there are films, axe throwing, arcades, bowling, mini golf… the listing of actions in Omaha goes on!
For extra on what’s on in Omaha, and extra concepts on what to see and do normally, we extremely advocate popping into the Omaha Guests Heart within the Outdated Market space on 306 S tenth Road. The Go to Omaha web site additionally has info on occasions occurring within the metropolis.
And Even Extra!
After all, there’s heaps extra to do in Omaha and the encompassing space than we’ve got lined above! Another notable highlights to contemplate visiting, relying in your pursuits, are the next:
- Squirrel Cage Jail. Present in Council Bluffs, Iowa, this museum was a jail from 1885 by means of to 1969. It’s notable as being residence to a revolving “squirrel cage” cell, considered one of 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 Battle. Reveals embody an SR-71 Blackbird plane and a B52 Stratofortress plane, in addition to heaps extra plane, missiles, and even spacecraft.
- Platte River State Park – discovered midway between Omaha and Lincoln, this state park gives a wide range of nature trails and actions together with fishing and kayaking. We will advocate climbing up one of many statement towers for great views of the encompassing panorama
- Vala’s Pumpkin Patch – when you’re visiting Omaha from late August by means of to early November, then contemplate a go to to Vala’s Pumpkin Patch. This big outside attraction focuses on all issues Fall, and also you’ll discover masses to do from watching pig races to a corn maze, cider ingesting, stay exhibits and extra. A really enjoyable household attraction.
The best way to Get to Omaha
Omaha is correct in the midst of the USA, and has affordable transport connections. We’ve visited Omaha by automobile, airplane, and prepare! Listed below are the principle methods to get to the town.
- By automobile. Omaha is linked by highway to the remainder of the U.S. by two primary 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, which means the town is comparatively simple to get to by air
- By prepare. Omaha is on the Amtrak passenger prepare community. We’ve traveled to Omaha on the in a single day sleeper prepare from Denver into Omaha which was a enjoyable expertise. Omaha is on the principle 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’ll be able to simply spend every week right here visiting all of the cultural sights, exploring the parks, gardens, and strolling paths, buying, consuming at steakhouses, and taking in some night leisure.
However at a minimal we’d most likely advocate no less than two full days and nights to get an excellent style of the town.
Instructed Two Day Omaha Itinerary
Right here’s a fast overview of a potential itinerary for 2 days in Omaha.
In your first day you may go to the Durham Museum within the morning, have a Reuben for lunch, spend the afternoon within the Outdated Market space, and see a play that night.
Then on the second day you may head over to the Omaha Zoo & Aquarium (Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium) for a full day trip after which have dinner that night at an area steakhouse.
If in case you have extra time, then I’d undergo our listing and write down all of the locations you wish to see and the way a lot time you assume you’d spend at every. That ought to provide you with a good suggestion of how a lot time you’ll want. Additionally you’ll want to have in mind opening occasions and days as many sights are closed no less than at some point every week.
If you’re visiting for the Faculty World Sequence, Berkshire Hathaway Annual Assembly, or another large occasion, it’s a good suggestion so as to add an additional day to your journey so you may have extra time to discover if potential.
The place to Keep in Omaha
Omaha has a variety of lodging choices, together with inns, residence leases, motels, and extra. Costs vary from finances to high-end, and customarily the nearer you’re to downtown the upper the costs will likely be. If you’re driving, most downtown inns will provide valet parking, though road parking can also be typically an choice (simply bear in mind to pay the meter!).
It’s additionally price noting that pricing can differ rather a lot relying on the time of 12 months 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 when you aren’t planning on attending that you just may wish to keep away from these few days.
Listed below are some choices for the place to remain in and round Omaha.
- Resort Deco – in a constructing relationship from 1930, this Artwork Deco styled 4* boutique resort gives pretty en-suite rooms and is inside simple 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 Heart (conference middle for numerous occasions and conferences within the metropolis), to which it’s linked through a Skybridge, making it an excellent choice when 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 an excellent resort choice for the Faculty World Sequence on the Charles Schwab stadium as it is vitally near the venue additionally.
- The Peregrine – this resort is present in a historic native landmark constructing which dates from 1914. Immediately it’s a boutique resort providing 4* lodging simply minutes stroll from downtown.
- The Farnam, Autograph Assortment – one of the crucial extremely rated inns in downtown Omaha, this centrally positioned 4* resort gives comfy rooms, on-site parking, and three eating places to select from.
- Kimpton Cottonwood Resort – present in Omaha’s Blackstone district a couple of minutes drive from downtown, this beautiful 4* resort is a revival of the long-lasting Blackstone resort which was discovered on this location from 1916. It is a lovely outdated resort with all of the facilities you’ll want for a leisure or enterprise keep. In case you keep right here, you’ll want to attempt a Reuben! The resort additionally has afternoon tea service on some Sundays.
- Hampton Inn Council Bluffs – when you would like a resort with free parking, then the Hampton Inn in Council Bluffs Iowa is an efficient choice to contemplate. 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 a lot of extra lodging choices in Omaha. See a full listing of choices together with trip leases, motels and inns right here.


The best way to Get Round Omaha
Omaha is a reasonably simple 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 farther from downtown, such because the Blackstone District, Joslyn Fort, Lauritzen Gardens and so forth., 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 could find stay bus occasions and routes on the My Trip web site and app. Fares for the Metro service have to be paid by means of the UMO system, which suggests both downloading the UMO app, getting an Umo card, or buying an Umo token. See extra on how to try this right here.
Omaha can also be within the technique of setting up a streetcar service which is meant to hyperlink downtown with the Blackstone district. That’s hoped to be working by 2027.
You can too drive simply round Omaha, which is what we usually find yourself doing. Road parking is accessible throughout the town for affordable charges, and you may pay utilizing the Park Omaha or ParkMobile app for smartphones. Charges differ, and you may test the most recent parking info right here.
Trip share companies together with Uber, Lyft and zTrip are additionally out there, 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. It is a free service provided by the native tourism workplace, and gives reductions on a few 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 you need to do is present your info and the cross will likely be despatched to your cellphone. You’ll be able to see extra and join 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 the town, and journey within the USA normally.
- Questioning how a lot a go to to Omaha may cost a little? Try 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 loads 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 when you’re searching for inspiration for the remainder of the USA, take a look at our USA part, which has heaps extra inspiration
Do you may have any questions on visiting Omaha? As at all times, we’re glad to reply any questions you may need, simply pop them within the feedback under and we’ll get again to you as quickly as we are able to.