15+ Issues to do in Omaha, Nebraska

Jess and I’ve household in Omaha, which suggests we’ve visited the town plenty of occasions through the years. In that point, we’ve visited an excellent lots of Omaha’s sights and sights. So we needed to place collectively a fast information to our favourite issues to do in Omaha, Nebraska.

Omaha is the biggest metropolis (by inhabitants) in Nebraska. It grew to become an vital transportation hub within the nineteenth century and would ultimately entice folks 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 common occasions such because the School World Collection and the annual Berkshire Hathaway assembly.

So, whether or not you’re on the town for an enormous occasion just like the School World Collection, a convention, visiting household like us, or simply questioning what there may be to do in Omaha, this information is for you.

We’ll cowl the primary sights and sights, present tips about the place to remain, give recommendations on meals to strive in Omaha, concepts for what to do in Omaha with children, and plenty 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 purchasing. Listed below are our favourite issues to do in Omaha.

Durham Museum

The Durham Museum is present in Omaha’s authentic Union Station constructing, which dates from 1899. It was the Union Pacific’s first Artwork Deco railroad station and was used as a passenger practice station till 1971.

The Union Station constructing is a beautiful instance of Artwork Deco structure. It’s virtually value visiting this museum for the constructing alone! That stated, the museum contained throughout the constructing is one among our favourite sights in Omaha.

The Durham Museum focuses totally on the historical past of the area and Western America generally, 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’ll discover one thing attention-grabbing. We significantly loved the complete dimension practice reveals on the decrease ranges, however the entire museum was glorious to be trustworthy.

If you wish to find out about Omaha and this a part of the nation generally that is the very best place to go. If you’ll only one museum in Omaha, this is able to be our suggestion for most individuals.

There’s additionally an on-site museum store which is a good 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 possibly can 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 payment for the museum and free parking on website. It can save you on admission with the free Omaha Savings Pack.

The Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium

Rated as one of many world’s high 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 effectively, making it one of many oldest sights in Omaha on our listing.

The zoo is giant and there’s lots to see, with completely different habitats showcasing completely different species. These embody:

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 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 all over the world together with the African wild cat, klipspringer, bobcat and better roadrunner
Gorilla Valley – an exhibit primarily targeted on primates together with gorillas and numerous 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 the whole lot from bats to porcupine, sloth, crocodiles, & alligators

There are heaps 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 affords glorious views over reveals together with the lions and cheetahs.

As you possibly can see, there’s lots to see and do on the Omaha Zoo. We advocate planning on spending at the least a half day right here, however ideally a full day.

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

Joslyn Artwork Museum

For those who get pleasure from artwork museums then you’ll positively wish to embody a go to to Omaha’s spectacular Joslyn Art Museum in your go to to Omaha. This initially opened in 1931, and has undergone important updates over the a long time, together with the latest renovations which have been accomplished in late 2024.

Right this moment, the museum has plenty of everlasting collections which cowl a variety of time intervals and areas. These embody Historical artwork from Greece and Italy, European artists together with Rembrandt and Monet, and a variety of early and fashionable American artwork. There’s additionally a big space of recent and up to date artwork, and a beautiful outside backyard that includes numerous sculptures.

The Joslyn Artwork Museum is free to go to and there may be additionally free parking on website. Nevertheless, you have to be conscious that the automotive park can refill so be ready to attend, or discover parking close by (paid road parking can also be obtainable).

Omaha’s Riverfront Space

Omaha’s riverfront space has undergone important revitalization lately, turning it right into a vacation spot in its personal proper. Right this moment, it’s a 72-acre space which hyperlinks downtown Omaha to the riverfront. There are three distinct areas to discover: the Lewis & Clark Touchdown. the Gene Leahy Mall, and the Heartland of America Park.

You’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 certainly value a stroll although, particularly on a pleasant day. If you’re 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 could be an excellent 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 US had bought from France as a part of the Louisiana Purchase. They primarily adopted the Missouri River, which at the moment flows via and marks the jap fringe of Omaha.

Right this moment, there are a selection of issues you are able to do within the touchdown space. First, we’d advocate visiting the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center. This constructing is the headquarters of the historic path which covers 4,900 miles throughout 16 states, and is an efficient place to study concerning the expedition and the path as it may be explored at the moment. It’s free to go to.

The Lewis and Clark landing area has much more to supply past the customer heart although. It’s a part of the Omaha Riverfront space, and is dwelling to an city seaside, volleyball courts, strolling trails, and a powerful playground which options zip-lines, rocket ship formed climbing towers, sand pits, and extra. When you have children, they will 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. For those who 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 aspect 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 mild present.

There’s a strolling path which circumnavigates the lake (round a mile in size), and in the summertime you possibly can 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 Taste of Omaha event.

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 significantly 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 Mild on Thursday evenings.

Inside, you’re going to seek out greater than 100 hands-on reveals. From studying how physics works, to materials science, constructions, the human physique, know-how, math and geometry, you’re certain 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 when you plan to spend at the least half a day right here.

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

Omaha sits proper on the jap 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 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 automotive site visitors making it a preferred choice for households with children to get pleasure from.

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 get pleasure from strolling or biking the bridge hyperlinks up with 150 miles of trails. So you possibly can maintain going for fairly a while if you want!

Museum of Shadows

For those who like your experiences to be of the paranormal variety, then you’ll probably get pleasure from a go to to Omaha’s Museum of Shadows. That is dwelling to quite a lot of haunted artifacts, with the museum itself additionally stated to be haunted.

Now, this expertise isn’t going to be for everybody, and opinions are positively combined. Nevertheless, 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 here. You should buy tickets on-line upfront or on website in particular person. Simply be aware this isn’t open on daily basis so you should definitely verify opening days and hours earlier than you head right here.

The Previous Market

One in every of our favourite neighborhoods to wander round and seize a espresso in Omaha is the Old Market. This was the initially the guts of Omaha’s wholesale grocery commerce again within the late nineteenth century when Omaha sat on the coronary heart of the railroads connecting East and West. The brick buildings right here served as warehouses, wholesale shops, places of work, and extra.

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

Fortunately, domestically born landowner Samuel Mercer noticed the potential of the world, and led the renovation efforts. Right this moment, the Previous Market district is the guts of the eating and 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 Visitors Center is positioned subsequent to the Previous Market space on 306 S tenth Avenue. It’s usually open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-4pm. They’ve employees who might help you propose your time, free vacationer brochures, and likewise native souvenirs and present for buy. If you’re within the Omaha Financial savings Pack, you could find out extra about it right here.

Lauritzen Gardens

For those who 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 operating all year long. We visited as soon as throughout a Japanese pageant which was loads of enjoyable. You’ll find out extra on the official web site here.

The arboretum space focuses totally on the flora of the Nebraska area, and it additionally has useful data on 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 folks arriving from Iowa with the sight of two huge 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 payment, and there’s free parking on website. It can save you on admission with the free Omaha Savings Pack.

Joslyn Fortress & 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 Fortress & Gardens. And also you may marvel why that’s.

Effectively, 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 excellent 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 goals. This resulted within the creation of their dwelling they referred to as Lynhurst and what’s at the moment often known as Joslyn Castle & Gardens. The home itself, accomplished in 1903, is a 4 story constructing constructed within the Scottish Baronial Revival architectural model. It mainly seems like a Scottish fortress within the coronary heart of Omaha. This value $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 positively advocate taking a tour when you’d wish to study 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 beautiful. 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 here. The excursions final about 90 minutes and I’d enable at the least 2 hours to your complete go to.

For those who aren’t visiting on a tour day, or are pleased 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 possibly can get pleasure from public artwork without cost. 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 once you stroll via this park!
The Illumina sculptures outdoors the CHI Well being Middle 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 Courage Park sculptures by Utah sculptors Blair Buswell and Edward Fraughton will be discovered on Capital Avenue. They characteristic a wagon practice continuing alongside a creek mattress, and should 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 here. Two sculpture parks, Pioneer Braveness and Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness and The Transcontinental Railroad, have a good time the town’s pioneering historical past.
Fertile Ground 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 Previous Market space of city.
The Chef Boyardee Statue outdoors the Conagra constructing within the Heartland of America park. OK, so this is likely to be an oddball selection, however when you’ve ever eaten canned spaghetti within the USA as a baby, you’re in all probability conversant in the Chef Boyardee model. The statue is of the real-life chef behind the model, Italian immigrant Ettore Boiardi. He modified his title to Chef Hector Boyardee to assist gross sales of his packaged spaghetti sauce and dinners and his title grew to become nationally identified.

You’ll be able to see heaps extra examples of public artwork in Omaha, with location data and particulars of the piece and artist on the official Public Art Omaha website here.

Native meals and produce

While you’re in Omaha you’ll wish to eat, and there are a couple of meals choices you must positively strive once 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 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 street on one other go to, which many declare to be the very best Reuben in Omaha. Truthfully, they have been each good. For those who choose a extra formal eating expertise, then the Blackstone is the most suitable choice. For those who choose a pub model 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 whole company devoted to the idea! This really makes loads 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 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 common 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 occasions, and has even eaten right here with Microsoft founder Invoice Gates. His favourite dish is the 22-oz Omaha T-bone steak and the hashbrowns. Once we went we didn’t see Warren in particular person, however there’s a cardboard cutout of him you could pose by when you so want!
If you wish to strive extra native produce past steak, then you definately’ll positively wish to embody corn in your listing of meals to strive 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 common crops and produce embody milk and dairy merchandise, beans (Nice Northern, pinto, and so on.), pork, poultry, eggs, sugar beets, apples, and honey. Nebraska can also be dwelling to over 30 wineries so you may additionally have an opportunity to strive some native wine.
A domestically common 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 most effective 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 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 lodge and Joslyn Fortress & Gardens. This really positioned first in a nationwide rating of ice cream areas, so we’re not the one ones who suppose it’s value a go to! They handmake their ice cream with native, recent components, and have a spread of traditional and seasonal flavors to select from

That ought to offer you some concepts of the place and what to eat once you go to Omaha, though there are in fact lots extra choices throughout the town.

Omaha Youngsters’s Museum

For those who’re visiting Omaha with youngsters, then you must positively take into account together with the Omaha Children’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 via all kinds of everlasting and momentary reveals, nearly all 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 Savings Pack.

Procuring

As with most cities, Omaha has a wonderful selection of purchasing choices. These vary from the usual huge field and department shops that you simply’ll discover most in all places, via to domestically owned areas, which we’ll deal with on this information.

The Previous Market space of Omaha is the place we’d advocate heading when you’re in search of smaller, domestically owned outlets. You’ll discover the whole lot from vintage outlets to sweet outlets, dwelling 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 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 also be purchasing vacation spot. Neighborhood outlets embody Roger + Chris (dwelling decor), Albany and Avers (classic clothes) and Dundee Candle Co the place you possibly can create and pour your individual candle.
Nebraska Furniture Mart. Based in Omaha in 1937, and at the moment owned by Berkshire Hathaway, that is an iconic Omaha dwelling furnishing retailer. With over 450,000 sq. toes of retail area, it’s protected to say that if you’re in search of furnishings, this can be a good choice. It’s additionally fairly an expertise wandering round corresponding 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 wish to head to one of many close by purchasing retailers. These are largely positioned outdoors of Omaha, and embody Nebraska Crossing (largest outlet mall in Nebraska), Village Pointe and Regency Shopping Center (extra upscale manufacturers). We as soon as did some coat purchasing at Nebraska Crossing and located it to be a very nice outside outlet mall.

As you possibly can see, there are many purchasing choices in Omaha, no matter you have an interest in shopping for!

Enjoyable Plex Waterpark and Rides

If you’re visiting Omaha within the scorching summer time months with household, then you definately may take into account a visit out to the Fun 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 here.

Native Leisure, Festivals, Exhibits, & Occasions

Omaha hosts many occasions all year long, from main sporting occasions via to giant conferences, festivals, and extra. Relying on once 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 eager about a selected occasion it’s value noting when it takes place as some occasions, such because the Berkshire Hathaway Assembly or the School World Collection will be highly regarded occasions to go to Omaha, with lodging costs capturing up and common eating places reserving out. So when you don’t intend on participating within the occasion, you may wish to keep away from city at the moment!

College World Series, a baseball match held in Omaha each June since 1950,. at present happening on the Charles Schwab Discipline
Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting, the annual assembly for Berkshire Hathaway shareholders. Usually held in early Might on the CHI Well being Middle Omaha Conference Middle and Area.
Taste of Omaha – a three-day meals pageant held each summer time within the Heartland of America park
Maha Festival – a big music pageant which usually takes place on the finish of July
The Omaha Film Festival, 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 Community Playhouse, The Waiting Room and the CHI Health Center
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 generally, we extremely advocate popping into the Omaha Visitors Center within the Previous Market space on 306 S tenth Avenue. The Visit Omaha website additionally has data on occasions occurring within the metropolis.

The right way to Get to Omaha

Omaha is true in the midst of the USA, and has affordable transport connections. We’ve visited Omaha by automotive, airplane, and practice! Listed below are the primary methods to get to the town.

By automotive. Omaha is linked by street to the remainder of the U.S. by two principal 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 affords direct flights to over 30 locations in the US, that means the town is comparatively straightforward to get to by air
By practice. Omaha is on the Amtrak passenger practice community. We’ve traveled to Omaha on the in a single day sleeper practice from Denver into Omaha which was a enjoyable expertise. Omaha is on the primary Amtrak route which runs between Chicago and San Francisco, the service often known as the California Zephyr, which incorporates stops in Denver, Salt Lake Metropolis, and extra.

How Many Days Ought to I Spend in Omaha?

Yon can spend as little or as a lot time as you need in Omaha as there are many issues to do and see. You’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 at the least two full days and nights to get style of the town.

Prompt Two Day Omaha Itinerary

Right here’s a fast overview of a attainable 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 Previous 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.

When you have extra time, then I might undergo our listing and write down all of the locations you wish to see and the way a lot time you suppose you’d spend at every. That ought to offer you a good suggestion of how a lot time you’ll want. Additionally you should definitely keep in mind opening occasions and days as many sights are closed at the least someday per week.

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

The place to Keep in Omaha

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

It’s additionally value noting that pricing can differ lots 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 simply may wish to keep away from these few days.

Listed below are some choices for the place to remain in and round Omaha.

Hotel Deco – in a constructing courting from 1930, this Artwork Deco styled 4* boutique lodge affords pretty en-suite rooms and is inside straightforward strolling distance of the downtown sights. There’s an on-site restaurant and valet parking. We stayed right here for 3 nights on a current go to to Omaha and loved it.
Hilton Omaha – That is the closest lodge to the CHI Well being Middle (conference heart for plenty of occasions and conferences within the metropolis), to which it’s linked by way of a Skybridge, making it choice when you’re attending an occasion right here. 4* lodge with on-site restaurant, airport shuttle, pool and each self-parking and valet parking choices. Pets accepted. This additionally lodge choice for the School World Collection on the Charles Schwab stadium as it is vitally near the venue additionally.
The Peregrine – this lodge is present in a historic native landmark constructing which dates from 1914. Right this moment it’s a boutique lodge providing 4* lodging simply minutes stroll from downtown.
The Farnam, Autograph Collection – one of the extremely rated motels in downtown Omaha, this centrally positioned 4* lodge affords comfy rooms, on-site parking, and three eating places to select from.
Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel – present in Omaha’s Blackstone district a couple of minutes drive from downtown, this attractive 4* lodge is a revival of the enduring Blackstone lodge which was discovered on this location from 1916. This can be a lovely previous lodge with all of the facilities you’ll want for a leisure or enterprise keep. For those who keep right here, you should definitely strive a Reuben! The lodge additionally has afternoon tea service on some Sundays.
Hampton Inn Council Bluffs – when you would like a lodge 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 funds 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 listing of options including vacation rentals, motels and hotels here.

Deco Hotel Omaha by Laurence Norah-2 — Our room on the Lodge Deco in downtown Omaha

The right way to Get Round Omaha

Omaha is a reasonably straightforward metropolis to get round whether or not on foot, by automotive, 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 Fortress, Lauritzen Gardens and so on., then it would be best to use some technique of mechanized transport.

Public transport companies, primarily within the type of a bus system, function throughout the Omaha space. The system is named the Omaha Metro, and you could find dwell bus occasions and routes on the My Ride website and app. Fares for the Metro service must be paid via the UMO system, which suggests both downloading the UMO app, getting an Umo card, or buying an Umo token. See extra on how to try this here.

Omaha can also be within the means 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 even drive simply round Omaha, which is what we usually find yourself doing. Avenue 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 verify the newest parking data here.

Journey share companies together with Uber, Lyft and zTrip are additionally obtainable, as are bike share and scooter rental companies.

The right way to Save Cash in Omaha

Whereas Omaha doesn’t have a metropolis attraction cross that we’re conscious of, it can save you on sights with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack. This can be a free service provided by the native tourism workplace, and affords reductions on among the hottest sights within the metropolis.

This contains locations just like the Durham Museum, Lauritzen Gardens, the Zoo, Omaha Youngsters’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 data and the cross will probably be despatched to your telephone. You’ll be able to see extra and enroll on the official Omaha Savings Pack website 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 the town, and journey within the USA generally.

Questioning how a lot a go to to Omaha may cost? Try our guide to how much it costs to travel in the USA that will help you plan your journey funds.
I’ve written a information that includes a few of my top tips for driving in the USA to assist get you occurring the street!
We’ve visited loads of different cities within the USA! See our guides to things to do in Las Vegas, things to do in Huntsville, things to do in Savannah, things to do in Charleston, things to do in Albuquerque, visiting New Orleans during Mardi Gras, things to do in Cambria, things to do in Houston, things to do in Dallas, and things to do in Santa Fe
If you need some USA street journey inspiration, see our itineraries for a USA Deep South road trip, California Road Trip, Route 66 Road Trip and Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
And when you’re in search of inspiration for the remainder of the USA, take a look at our USA section, which has heaps extra inspiration

Do you will have any questions on visiting Omaha? As at all times, we’re pleased to reply any questions you may need, simply pop them within the feedback beneath and we’ll get again to you as quickly as we are able to.

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