15+ Issues to do in Omaha, Nebraska

Jess and I’ve household in Omaha, which suggests we’ve visited the town quite a lot of instances through the years. In that point, we’ve visited a fantastic lots of Omaha’s sights and points of interest. So we wished to place collectively a fast information to our favourite issues to do in Omaha, Nebraska.

Omaha is the most important metropolis (by inhabitants) in Nebraska. It turned an necessary transportation hub within the nineteenth century and would finally entice individuals to remain for its railroad, meatpacking, and business jobs. Immediately this mid-sized Midwestern metropolis is residence to quite a lot of cultural points of interest and performs host to well-liked occasions such because the Faculty World Collection and the annual Berkshire Hathaway assembly.

So, whether or not you’re on the town for a giant occasion just like the Faculty World Collection, 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 points of interest, present recommendations on the place to remain, give solutions 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 lots 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 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 practice station till 1971.

The Union Station constructing is a beautiful instance of Artwork Deco structure. It’s virtually value visiting this museum for the constructing alone! That mentioned, the museum contained inside the constructing is considered one of our favourite points of interest in Omaha.

The Durham Museum focuses totally on the historical past of the area and Western America on the whole, 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 attention-grabbing. We significantly loved the total measurement practice displays on the decrease ranges, however the entire museum was wonderful to be trustworthy.

If you wish to study Omaha and this a part of the nation on the whole that is the perfect place to go. If you will only one museum in Omaha, this could be our advice for most individuals.

There may be 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.

When you keep for lunch, you’ll be able to simply spend half your day having fun with this museum. Additionally they typically have particular exhibitions and household occasions taking place.

There’s an admission payment 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 prime zoos, the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, also referred to as 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 points of interest in Omaha on our checklist.

The zoo is massive and there’s lots to see, with totally different habitats showcasing totally 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 world wide together with the African wild cat, klipspringer, bobcat and better roadrunner
• Gorilla Valley – an exhibit primarily centered on primates together with gorillas and varied 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 embody 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 the whole lot from bats to porcupine, sloth, crocodiles, & alligators

There are heaps extra displays, 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 principally an open-air chairlift which provides wonderful views over displays together with the lions and cheetahs.

As you’ll be able to see, there’s lots to see and do on the Omaha Zoo. We suggest planning on spending no less than a half day right here, however ideally a full day.

There’s an entry payment, with free parking accessible on website. It can save you on admission with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack.

 

Joslyn Artwork Museum

When you get pleasure from artwork museums then you’ll positively 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 quite a lot of everlasting collections which cowl a variety of time durations and areas. These embody Historical artwork from Greece and Italy, European artists together with Rembrandt and Monet, and a variety of early and fashionable American artwork. There may be additionally a big space of contemporary and modern artwork, and a beautiful outside backyard that includes varied sculptures.

The Joslyn Artwork Museum is free to go to and there’s additionally free parking on website. Nevertheless, you need to be conscious that the automobile park can replenish so be ready to attend, or discover parking close by (paid avenue parking can be accessible).

 

Omaha’s Riverfront Space

Omaha’s riverfront space has undergone important revitalization in recent times, 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 decide and select relying in your pursuits. The entire riverfront improvement is certainly value a stroll although, particularly on a pleasant day. If you’re searching for a pleasant place to go for a stroll, have a picnic, loosen up on a bench, or take the children out for some contemporary air, any of those can be a fantastic 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 as we speak flows by 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 suggest 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 as we speak. 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 residence to an city seashore, volleyball courts, strolling trails, and a formidable playground which options zip-lines, rocket ship formed climbing towers, sand pits, and extra. In case you have children, 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 prime 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, outside live performance venue, water options, outside tables and benches, and play space. When you 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 most important 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 most important of those three fountains shoots water 300 toes 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’ll be able to take boat rides on the Normal Marion boat. When 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 displays. It’s a significantly good choice if you happen to’re visiting Omaha with children, however adults are catered too as effectively. The truth is, there’s usually an adults solely occasion referred to as Night time Gentle on Thursday evenings.

Inside, you’re going to seek out greater than 100 hands-on displays. From studying how physics works, to materials science, buildings, the human physique, know-how, math and geometry, you might be positive to seek out one thing to get pleasure from.

There’s free parking on website. There’s an entry payment, which is comparatively excessive, however we expect value it if you happen to 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 supplying you with the chance to face in each states without delay, 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 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. When you get pleasure from strolling or biking the bridge hyperlinks up with 150 miles of trails. So you’ll be able to preserve going for fairly a while if you want!

 

Museum of Shadows

When 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 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 critiques are positively blended. Nevertheless, if you wish to expertise one thing a bit totally different and consider within the paranormal, it’s positively an choice.

There’s an entry payment, discover out extra right here. You should buy tickets on-line prematurely or on website in individual. Simply observe this isn’t open day-after-day so remember to examine opening days and hours earlier than you head right here.

 

The Previous Market

Certainly one of our favourite neighborhoods to wander round and seize a espresso in Omaha is the Previous Market. This was the initially the center 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, workplaces, and extra.

Adjustments in how groceries have been purchased and bought meant that by the Nineteen Fifties the Previous Market was now not fulfilling its unique perform, and plenty of of its buildings have been susceptible to being condemned.

Fortunately, regionally born landowner Samuel Mercer noticed the potential of the realm, and led the renovation efforts. Immediately, the Previous Market district is the center of the eating and procuring expertise in Omaha. The outdated buildings and cobbled streets stay, now residence to shops, eating places, bars, espresso outlets, thrift shops, pubs, and residences. 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 Previous Market space on 306 S tenth Road. It’s usually open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-4pm. They’ve workers who may 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, yow will discover out extra about it right here.

 

Lauritzen Gardens

When you get pleasure from inexperienced areas, Omaha has a whole lot 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 hen sanctuary. Additionally they have occasions operating all year long. We visited as soon as throughout a Japanese pageant which was a whole lot 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 entice 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 operating 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 be able to stand proper subsequent to if you happen to go to Kenefick Park. This park is free and we actually loved visiting it.

Lauritzen Gardens cost an entry payment, and there’s free parking on website. It can save you on admission with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack.

 

Joslyn Fort & Gardens

If 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 would possibly marvel 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 a fantastic deal to the town, together with the aforementioned Artwork Museum.

By 1893 the Joslyn’s had ample 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 as we speak often known as Joslyn Fort & Gardens. The home itself, accomplished in 1903, is a 4 story constructing constructed within the Scottish Baronial Revival architectural type. 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 as we speak’s cash.

The just about 20,000 sq. foot home is open to the general public by guided tour solely, and we will positively suggest taking a tour if you happen to’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 payment to take a tour and you’ll see the tour schedule and value right here. The excursions final about 90 minutes and I’d enable no less than 2 hours to your complete go to.

When you aren’t visiting on a tour day, or are completely happy to simply discover the backyard and have a look at the constructing exterior, that is free to do. There’s free parking on website and you’ll discover the grounds your self.

 

Public artwork in Omaha

When you like public artwork, then there are many places throughout Omaha the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from public artwork without spending a dime. 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 massive peaceable head whenever you stroll by 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 heart, 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 could be discovered on Capital Avenue. They characteristic a wagon practice continuing alongside a creek mattress, and need to be seen to be believed. There’s additionally one other set up on this sequence, 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, have fun the town’s pioneering historical past.
• Fertile Floor Mural by Meg Saligman. You’ll be able to’t discuss public artwork in Omaha with out together with the Fertile Floor Mural. At 70 toes tall and 465 toes lengthy that is the most important public artwork challenge 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 outdoors the Conagra constructing within the Heartland of America park. OK, so this could be an oddball alternative, however if you happen to’ve ever eaten canned spaghetti within the USA as a toddler, you might be most likely conversant in 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 recognized.

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

If you’re in Omaha you will wish to eat, and there are a couple of meals choices you must positively attempt whenever you’re on the town. We suggest 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 which you could 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 perfect Reuben in Omaha. Truthfully, they have been each good. When you choose a extra formal eating expertise, then the Blackstone is the most suitable choice. When you choose a pub type setting with a beer, then go along with the Crescent Moon choice.
• It’s onerous to say meals in Omaha with out speaking about steaks. There’s actually a entire firm devoted to the idea! This really makes a whole lot of sense as beef is Omaha’s largest business, and the town has been a meatpacking heart for the reason that center of the twentieth century. So that you would possibly wish to even have a steak if 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 well-liked steak eating choice in Omaha is Gorat’s Steakhouse. However this restaurant is known 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 instances, 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 individual, however there’s a cardboard cutout of him which you could pose by if you happen to so want!
• If you wish to attempt extra native produce past steak, then you definitely’ll positively wish to embody corn in your checklist of meals to attempt in Omaha. Corn is the primary crop grown within the state so we positively can suggest having an ear of corn right here when its in season. Different well-liked crops and produce embody milk and dairy merchandise, beans (Nice Northern, pinto, and many others.), pork, poultry, eggs, sugar beets, apples, and honey. Nebraska can be residence to over 30 wineries so you might also have an opportunity to attempt some native wine.
• A regionally well-liked 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.
• When you like ice cream (who doesn’t like ice cream?), then we extremely suggest 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 places, so we’re not the one ones who suppose it’s value a go to! They handmake their ice cream with native, contemporary substances, and have a variety of traditional 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 in fact loads extra choices throughout the town.

 

Omaha Youngsters’s Museum

When you’re visiting Omaha with youngsters, then you must positively think about together with the Omaha Youngsters’s Museum in your to-do checklist. This award profitable museum goals to stimulate children creativeness and excite them about studying new issues.

It does this by all kinds of everlasting and short-term displays, the vast majority of that are interactive. These embody 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 payment and there’s free parking on website. It can save you on admission with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack.

 

Purchasing

As with most cities, Omaha has a wonderful alternative of procuring choices. These vary from the usual massive field and malls that you simply’ll discover most in all places, by to regionally owned places, which we’ll deal with on this information.

• The Previous Market space of Omaha is the place we’d suggest heading if you happen to’re searching for smaller, regionally owned outlets. You’ll discover the whole lot from vintage outlets to sweet outlets, residence decor, books, classic clothes, jewellery and music. We are able to additionally suggest visiting the Artists Cooperative Gallery if you happen to’d wish to peruse and purchase artwork from native artists. Naturally, the realm 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 an excellent procuring vacation spot. Neighborhood outlets embody Roger + Chris (residence decor), Albany and Avers (classic clothes) and Dundee Candle Co the place you’ll be able to create and pour your personal candle.
• Nebraska Furnishings Mart. Based in Omaha in 1937, and as we speak owned by Berkshire Hathaway, that is an iconic Omaha residence furnishing retailer. With over 450,000 sq. toes of retail house, it’s secure to say that in case you are searching for furnishings, it is a good choice. It’s additionally fairly an expertise wandering round equivalent 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 delivery.
• For extra title model retail remedy, you would possibly wish to head to one of many close by procuring retailers. These are largely positioned outdoors of Omaha, and embody Nebraska Crossing (largest outlet mall in Nebraska), Village Pointe and Regency Purchasing Heart (extra upscale manufacturers). We as soon as did some coat procuring at Nebraska Crossing and located it to be a very nice outside outlet mall.

As you’ll be able to 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 season months with household, then you definitely would possibly think about a visit out to the Enjoyable Plex Waterpark and Rides. That is about seven miles from downtown, and is the most important amusement park in Nebraska.

The park has quite a lot 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 searching for a bit extra grownup enjoyable.

The Enjoyable Plex is often open from late Might to the beginning of September, and you’ll 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 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 present you an concept of what to anticipate.

Even if you happen to aren’t concerned with a selected occasion it’s value noting when it takes place as some occasions, such because the Berkshire Hathaway Assembly or the Faculty World Collection could be extremely popular instances to go to Omaha, with lodging costs capturing up and well-liked eating places reserving out. So if you happen to don’t intend on collaborating within the occasion, you would possibly wish to keep away from city at the moment!

• Faculty World Collection, a baseball match held in Omaha each June since 1950,. at present happening on the Charles Schwab Subject
• 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 pageant held each summer season 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 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 (youngsters’s theater), Orpheum Theater, Omaha Neighborhood Playhouse, The Ready Room and the CHI Well being Heart
• Plus in fact there are films, axe throwing, arcades, bowling, mini golf… the checklist of actions in Omaha goes on!

For extra on what’s on in Omaha, and extra concepts on what to see and do on the whole, we extremely suggest popping into the Omaha Guests Heart within the Previous Market space on 306 S tenth Road. The Go to Omaha web site additionally has info on occasions taking place within the metropolis.

 

How one can Get to Omaha

Omaha is true in the course of the USA, and has affordable transport connections. We’ve visited Omaha by automobile, aircraft, and practice! Listed here are the principle methods to get to the town.

• By automobile. Omaha is related by highway to the remainder of the U.S. by two fundamental Interstates, I-80 which runs east all the way in which to New York through Chicago and west all the way in which to San Francisco through Salt Lake Metropolis. There’s additionally I-29 which runs north to Fargo, after which finally to the Canadian border, and south to Kansas Metropolis.
• By aircraft. Omaha’s airport provides direct flights to over 30 locations in america, that means the town is comparatively simple 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 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 per week right here visiting all of the cultural points of interest, exploring the parks, gardens, and strolling paths, procuring, consuming at steakhouses, and taking in some night leisure.

However at a minimal we’d most likely suggest no less than two full days and nights to get an excellent style of the town.

Advised Two Day Omaha Itinerary

Right here’s a fast overview of a potential 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 day trip after which have dinner that night at an area steakhouse.

In case you have extra time, then I’d undergo our checklist 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 remember to consider opening instances and days as many points of interest are closed no less than in the future per week.

If you’re visiting for the Faculty World Collection, Berkshire Hathaway Annual Assembly, or another massive occasion, it’s a good suggestion so as to add an additional day to your journey so you might have extra time to discover if potential.

 

The place to Keep in Omaha

Omaha has a variety of lodging choices, together with resorts, house leases, motels, and extra. Costs vary from price range to high-end, and customarily the nearer you might be to downtown the upper the costs will probably be. If you’re driving, most downtown resorts will provide valet parking, though avenue parking can be typically an choice (simply bear in mind to pay the meter!).

It’s additionally value noting that pricing can range lots 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 if you happen to 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 relationship from 1930, this Artwork Deco styled 4* boutique resort provides 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 current go to to Omaha and loved it.
• Hilton Omaha – That is the closest resort to the CHI Well being Heart (conference heart for quite a lot of occasions and conferences within the metropolis), to which it’s related through a Skybridge, making it an excellent choice if you happen to’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 Collection 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 – some of the extremely rated resorts in downtown Omaha, this centrally positioned 4* resort provides comfy 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 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. When you keep right here, remember to attempt a Reuben! The resort additionally has afternoon tea service on some Sundays.
• Hampton Inn Council Bluffs – if you happen to would favor 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 price range 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 numerous extra lodging choices in Omaha. See a full checklist of choices together with trip leases, motels and resorts right here.

 

How one can 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 could be very walkable, with many sights just some minutes stroll aside. For locations just a little farther from downtown, such because the Blackstone District, Joslyn Fort, Lauritzen Gardens and many others., then it would be best to use some technique of mechanized transport.

Public transport providers, primarily within the type of a bus system, function throughout the Omaha space. The system is called the Omaha Metro, and yow will discover dwell bus instances and routes on the My Trip web site and app. Fares for the Metro service must be paid by 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 be within the strategy of setting up a streetcar service which is meant to hyperlink downtown with the Blackstone district. That’s hoped to be operating by 2027.

You can too drive simply round Omaha, which is what we usually find yourself doing. Road parking is offered throughout the town for affordable charges, and you’ll pay utilizing the Park Omaha or ParkMobile app for smartphones. Charges range, and you’ll examine the newest parking info right here.

Trip share providers together with Uber, Lyft and zTrip are additionally accessible, as are bike share and scooter rental providers.

 

How one can Save Cash in Omaha

Whereas Omaha doesn’t have a metropolis attraction move that we’re conscious of, it can save you on points of interest with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack. It is a free service provided by the native tourism workplace, and provides reductions on a number of the hottest points of interest within the metropolis.

This consists of locations just like the Durham Museum, Lauritzen Gardens, the Zoo, Omaha Youngsters’s Museum, and extra.

It’s free to get the move and it’s all dealt with on-line. All it’s important to do is present your info and the move will probably be despatched to your telephone. 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 wished to share some extra assets we’ve put collectively that can assist you plan your journey to the town, and journey within the USA on the whole.

• 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 can assist you plan your journey price range.
• I’ve written a information that includes a few of my prime suggestions for driving within the USA to assist get you occurring the highway!
• We’ve visited a whole lot 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 Street Journey, Route 66 Street Journey and Pacific Coast Freeway Street Journey
• And if you happen to’re searching for inspiration for the remainder of the USA, try our USA part, which has heaps extra inspiration

Do you might have any questions on visiting Omaha? As all the time, we’re completely happy 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 will.