15+ Issues to do in Omaha, Nebraska

Jess and I’ve household in Omaha, which implies we’ve visited town plenty of instances over time. In that point, we’ve visited an ideal 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 essential transportation hub within the nineteenth century and would finally entice individuals to remain for its railroad, meatpacking, and business jobs. Right this moment this mid-sized Midwestern metropolis is dwelling to plenty of cultural sights and performs host to fashionable 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 sights, present tips about the place to remain, give options on meals to attempt in Omaha, concepts for what to do in Omaha with youngsters, and plenty 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 purchasing. 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 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 certainly one of our favourite sights in Omaha.

The Durham Museum focuses totally on the historical past of the area and Western America on the whole, protecting 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 total measurement prepare 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 on the whole that is the perfect place to go. If you’re going to only one museum in Omaha, this might 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.

For those who 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 occurring.

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 dwelling to over 962 animal species! It has been round for over 100 years as properly, making it one of many oldest sights in Omaha on our record.

The zoo is massive and there’s rather a lot to see, with completely different habitats showcasing completely different species. These embrace:

• the 28-acre African Grasslands space, dwelling 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 without doubt one of the world’s largest indoor deserts. This 1 acre lined space has desert species from all over the world together with the African wild cat, klipspringer, bobcat and larger 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 Evening, the world’s largest nocturnal animal exhibit, which additionally occurs to include the world’s largest indoor swamp! Inside you’ll discover all the things from bats to porcupine, sloth, crocodiles, & alligators

There are tons extra reveals, however this could offer you 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 mainly an open-air chairlift which presents wonderful views over reveals together with the lions and cheetahs.

As you’ll be able to see, there’s rather a lot to see and do on the Omaha Zoo. We advocate planning on spending a minimum of a half day right here, however ideally a full day.

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

 

Joslyn Artwork Museum

For those who take pleasure in artwork museums then you’ll positively need 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 vital updates over the many years, 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 durations 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 may be additionally a big space of recent and modern artwork, and a beautiful out of doors backyard that includes numerous sculptures.

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

 

Omaha’s Riverfront Space

Omaha’s riverfront space has undergone vital 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’ll be able to go to all three in a single go, or choose and select relying in your pursuits. The entire riverfront improvement is unquestionably price a stroll although, particularly on a pleasant day. In case you are in search of a pleasant place to go for a stroll, have a picnic, calm down on a bench, or take the children out for some recent air, any of those can be an ideal 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 the USA had bought from France as a part of the Louisiana Buy. They primarily adopted the Missouri River, which immediately flows by and marks the japanese fringe of Omaha.

Right this moment, there are a variety 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 effective place to be taught concerning the expedition and the path as it may be explored immediately. 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 dwelling 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. If in case you have youngsters, they’re going to 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 put up 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, out of doors live performance venue, water options, out of doors tables and benches, and play space. For those who 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 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’ll be able to take boat rides on the Basic Marion boat. For those who’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 case you’re visiting Omaha with youngsters, however adults are catered too as properly. In reality, there’s usually an adults solely occasion known as Evening Mild on Thursday evenings.

Inside, you’re going to search out greater than 100 hands-on reveals. From studying how physics works, to materials science, buildings, the human physique, expertise, math and geometry, you’re certain to search out one thing to take pleasure in.

There’s free parking on website. There’s an entry payment, which is comparatively excessive, however we expect price it in case you plan to spend a minimum of half a day right here.

 

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

Omaha sits proper on the japanese fringe of Nebraska, with simply the Missouri river separating town from Council Bluffs, Iowa. Linking the 2 cities, and providing 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 preferred choice for households with youngsters to take pleasure in.

On the Omaha facet, 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 facet. For those who take pleasure in strolling or biking the bridge hyperlinks up with 150 miles of trails. So you’ll be able to hold going for fairly a while if you want!

 

Museum of Shadows

For those who like your experiences to be of the paranormal type, then you’ll probably take pleasure in a go to to Omaha’s Museum of Shadows. That is dwelling 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 critiques 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 payment, discover out extra right here. You should purchase tickets on-line prematurely or on website in particular person. Simply word this isn’t open day-after-day so make sure you examine opening days and hours earlier than you head right here.

 

The Outdated Market

One in every of 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, workplaces, and extra.

Modifications in how groceries have been purchased and bought meant that by the Nineteen Fifties the Outdated Market was not fulfilling its unique operate, and lots of of its buildings have been vulnerable to being condemned.

Fortunately, domestically born landowner Samuel Mercer noticed the potential of the realm, and led the renovation efforts. Right this moment, the Outdated Market district is the guts of the eating and purchasing expertise in Omaha. The previous buildings and cobbled streets stay, now dwelling to shops, eating places, bars, espresso outlets, thrift shops, pubs, and flats. You’ll be able to even nonetheless take a carriage experience!

You’ll additionally discover that the Omaha Guests Middle is positioned subsequent to the Outdated Market space on 306 S tenth Avenue. It’s usually open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-4pm. They’ve employees who will help you intend your time, free vacationer brochures, and in addition native souvenirs and reward for buy. In case you are within the Omaha Financial savings Pack, you will discover out extra about it right here.

 

Lauritzen Gardens

For those who take pleasure in 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 fowl sanctuary. Additionally they have occasions operating all year long. We visited as soon as throughout a Japanese competition which was a whole lot of enjoyable. You 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 data on the right way to entice 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 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 large locomotives. Which you’ll be able to stand proper subsequent to in case you 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

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 surprise why that’s.

Properly, 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 ideal 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 desires. This resulted within the creation of their dwelling they known as Lynhurst and what’s immediately referred to as Joslyn Fort & Gardens. The home itself, accomplished in 1903, is a 4 story constructing constructed within the Scottish Baronial Revival architectural type. It mainly appears like a Scottish citadel within the coronary heart of Omaha. This price $250,000 to construct again in 1903, or round $9 million in immediately’s cash.

The just about 20,000 sq. foot home is open to the general public by guided tour solely, and we will positively advocate taking a tour in case you’d prefer 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 may see the tour schedule and worth right here. The excursions final about 90 minutes and I’d enable a minimum of 2 hours to your complete go to.

For those who aren’t visiting on a tour day, or are completely satisfied 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

For those who like public artwork, then there are many areas throughout Omaha the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in public artwork without spending a dime. A few of our favourite items embrace:

• Untitled by Jan Kaneko within the Gene Leahy Mall. You’ll be able to’t assist however discover the big peaceable head while you stroll by this park!
• The Illumina sculptures exterior the CHI Well being Middle 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 night time 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 prepare continuing alongside a creek mattress, and need to 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’ll be able to’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 mission 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 exterior the Conagra constructing within the Heartland of America park. OK, so this could be an oddball selection, however in case you’ve ever eaten canned spaghetti within the USA as a toddler, you’re in all probability accustomed to 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 tons extra examples of public artwork in Omaha, with location data 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 need to eat, and there are just a few meals choices you must positively attempt while 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 Lodge in Omaha, Nebraska, again in 1925 (though some New Yorkers would contend this!). The excellent news is which you can nonetheless have a Reuben Sandwich on the Blackstone Lodge, which has since turn out to be 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. Actually, they have been each good. For those who favor a extra formal eating expertise, then the Blackstone is the best choice. For those who favor a pub type setting with a beer, then go together with the Crescent Moon choice.
• It’s onerous to say meals in Omaha with out speaking about steaks. There’s actually a complete firm devoted to the idea! This truly makes a whole lot of sense as beef is Omaha’s largest business, and town has been a meatpacking middle for the reason that center of the twentieth century. So that you may need to even have a steak while you’re 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 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 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. After we went we didn’t see Warren in particular person, however there’s a cardboard cutout of him which you can pose by in case you so want!
• If you wish to attempt extra native produce past steak, you then’ll positively need 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 many others.), pork, poultry, eggs, sugar beets, apples, and honey. Nebraska can be dwelling to over 30 wineries so you may additionally have an opportunity to attempt some native wine.
• A domestically 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. The very 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.
• For those who 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 truly 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, recent components, 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 while you go to Omaha, though there are in fact a lot extra choices throughout town.

 

Omaha Kids’s Museum

For those who’re visiting Omaha with kids, then you must positively contemplate together with the Omaha Kids’s Museum in your to-do record. This award successful museum goals to stimulate youngsters creativeness and excite them about studying new issues.

It does this by all kinds of everlasting and non permanent reveals, nearly all of that are interactive. These embrace 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 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 superb selection of purchasing choices. These vary from the usual massive field and malls that you simply’ll discover most in every single place, by 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 in case you’re in search of smaller, domestically owned outlets. You’ll discover all the things from vintage outlets to sweet outlets, dwelling decor, books, classic clothes, jewellery and music. We will additionally advocate visiting the Artists Cooperative Gallery in case you’d prefer 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 a great purchasing vacation spot. Neighborhood outlets embrace Roger + Chris (dwelling 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 immediately owned by Berkshire Hathaway, that is an iconic Omaha dwelling furnishing retailer. With over 450,000 sq. toes of retail area, it’s secure to say that in case you are in search of furnishings, this can be a good choice. It’s additionally fairly an expertise wandering round comparable 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 transport.
• For extra title model retail remedy, you may need to head to one of many close by purchasing retailers. These are largely positioned exterior of Omaha, and embrace Nebraska Crossing (largest outlet mall in Nebraska), Village Pointe and Regency Purchasing Middle (extra upscale manufacturers). We as soon as did some coat purchasing at Nebraska Crossing and located it to be a very nice out of doors outlet mall.

As you’ll be able to see, there are many purchasing choices in Omaha, no matter you have an interest in shopping for!

 

Enjoyable Plex Waterpark and Rides

In case you are visiting Omaha within the sizzling 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 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 in search of 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, Reveals, & Occasions

Omaha hosts many occasions all year long, from main sporting occasions by to massive conferences, festivals, and extra. Relying on while 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 present you an thought of what to anticipate.

Even in case you aren’t keen on a selected occasion it’s price noting when it takes place as some occasions, such because the Berkshire Hathaway Assembly or the Faculty World Collection could be highly regarded instances to go to Omaha, with lodging costs capturing up and fashionable eating places reserving out. So in case you don’t intend on collaborating within the occasion, you may need to keep away from city at the moment!

• Faculty World Collection, a baseball event 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 Middle Omaha Conference Middle and Area.
• Style of Omaha – a three-day meals competition held each summer time within the Heartland of America park
• Maha Competition – a big music competition which usually takes place on the finish of July
• The Omaha Movie Competition, 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 in fact there are motion pictures, 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 on the whole, we extremely advocate popping into the Omaha Guests Middle within the Outdated Market space on 306 S tenth Avenue. The Go to Omaha web site additionally has data on occasions occurring within the metropolis.

 

Learn how 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 here are the principle methods to get to town.

• By automobile. Omaha is related by highway to the remainder of the U.S. by two important Interstates, I-80 which runs east all the way in which to New York by way of Chicago and west all the way in which to San Francisco by way of 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 airplane. Omaha’s airport presents direct flights to over 30 locations in the USA, which means 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 referred to 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 sights, exploring the parks, gardens, and strolling paths, purchasing, consuming at steakhouses, and taking in some night leisure.

However at a minimal we’d in all probability advocate a minimum of two full days and nights to get a great style of 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 record and write down all of the locations you need to see and the way a lot time you assume you’d spend at every. That ought to offer you a good suggestion of how a lot time you’ll want. Additionally make sure you have in mind opening instances and days as many sights are closed a minimum of in the future per week.

In case you are 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 may have extra time to discover if potential.

 

The place to Keep in Omaha

Omaha has a variety of lodging choices, together with inns, condo leases, motels, and extra. Costs vary from price range to high-end, and customarily the nearer you’re to downtown the upper the costs can be. In case you are driving, most downtown inns will supply valet parking, though avenue parking can be typically an choice (simply keep 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 happening within the metropolis. The Berkshire Hathaway assembly for instance is a time when costs for lodging in Omaha can actually go up, so in case you aren’t planning on attending that you simply may need 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 presents 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 Middle (conference middle for plenty of occasions and conferences within the metropolis), to which it’s related by way of a Skybridge, making it a great choice in case 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 great 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. Right this moment it’s a boutique resort providing 4* lodging simply minutes stroll from downtown.
• The Farnam, Autograph Assortment – one of the extremely rated inns in downtown Omaha, this centrally positioned 4* resort presents 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 stunning previous resort with all of the facilities you’ll want for a leisure or enterprise keep. For those who keep right here, make sure you attempt a Reuben! The resort additionally has afternoon tea service on some Sundays.
• Hampton Inn Council Bluffs – in case you would favor a resort with free parking, then the Hampton Inn in Council Bluffs Iowa is an effective choice to think about. 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 various extra lodging choices in Omaha. See a full record of choices together with trip leases, motels and inns right here.

 

Learn how 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 could 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 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 named the Omaha Metro, and you will discover dwell bus instances and routes on the My Experience web site and app. Fares for the Metro service should be paid by the UMO system, which implies 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 technique of establishing a streetcar service which is meant to hyperlink downtown with the Blackstone district. That’s hoped to be operating by 2027.

It’s also possible to drive simply round Omaha, which is what we usually find yourself doing. Avenue parking is obtainable throughout town for affordable charges, and you may pay utilizing the Park Omaha or ParkMobile app for smartphones. Charges differ, and you may examine the newest parking data right here.

Experience share providers together with Uber, Lyft and zTrip are additionally out there, as are bike share and scooter rental providers.

 

Learn how to Save Cash in Omaha

Whereas Omaha doesn’t have a metropolis attraction go 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 presents 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 go and it’s all dealt with on-line. All it’s a must to do is present your data and the go can be despatched to your cellphone. You’ll be able to 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 sources we’ve put collectively that will help you plan your journey to 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 will help 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 happening 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
• In order for you 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 case you’re in search of inspiration for the remainder of the USA, try our USA part, which has tons extra inspiration

Do you may have any questions on visiting Omaha? As all the time, we’re completely satisfied 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.