Jess and I’ve household in Omaha, which suggests we’ve visited town plenty of instances through the years. In that point, we’ve visited an awesome a lot of Omaha’s sights and sights. 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 ultimately entice individuals to remain for its railroad, meatpacking, and business jobs. Immediately this mid-sized Midwestern metropolis is residence to plenty of cultural sights and performs host to well-liked occasions such because the Faculty World Sequence and the annual Berkshire Hathaway assembly.
So, whether or not you’re on the town for a giant occasion just like the Faculty World Sequence, a convention, visiting household like us, or simply questioning what there may be to do in Omaha, this information is for you.
We’ll cowl the primary sights and sights, present tips about the place to remain, give ideas 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 quite a bit to do in Omaha, from museums to historic sights to consuming and buying. Listed here are our favourite issues to do in Omaha.
Durham Museum
The Durham Museum is present in Omaha’s authentic Union Station constructing, which dates from 1899. It was the Union Pacific’s first Artwork Deco railroad station and was used as a passenger practice station till 1971.
The Union Station constructing is a beautiful instance of Artwork Deco structure. It’s nearly price visiting this museum for the constructing alone! That mentioned, the museum contained inside the constructing is considered one of our favourite sights in Omaha.
The Durham Museum focuses totally on the historical past of the area and Western America typically, 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 will discover one thing fascinating. We notably loved the total measurement practice displays 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 typically that is the very best place to go. If you will only one museum in Omaha, this could be our suggestion for most individuals.
There may be 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.
In the event you keep for lunch, you possibly can simply spend half your day having fun with this museum. Additionally they usually have particular exhibitions and household occasions taking place.
There’s an admission price for the museum and free parking on website. It can save you on admission with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack.
The Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
Rated as one of many world’s prime zoos, the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, also called the Omaha Zoo, spreads throughout over 130 acres of land and is residence to over 962 animal species! It has been round for over 100 years as properly, making it one of many oldest sights in Omaha on our record.
The zoo is massive and there’s quite a bit to see, with completely different habitats showcasing completely different species. These embrace:
- 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 pink panda, Indian rhinos, snow leopard, and Siberian tiger
- the Desert Dome, which is likely one of the world’s largest indoor deserts. This 1 acre coated space has desert species from around the globe together with the African wild cat, klipspringer, bobcat and higher roadrunner
- Gorilla Valley – an exhibit primarily targeted on primates together with gorillas and varied monkey species
- Orangutan Forest – one other primate targeted exhibit which incorporates the orangutan and langur
- the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium, one of many world’s largest in-zoo aquariums. Species 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 every thing from bats to porcupine, sloth, crocodiles, & alligators
There are heaps extra displays, however this could provide you with an thought of how spectacular this zoo is. There are additionally rides, together with a 2.5 mile steam powered narrow-gauge railroad which loops across the park. There’s additionally a tram and a “Skyfari”, which is principally an open-air chairlift which presents glorious views over displays together with the lions and cheetahs.
As you possibly can see, there’s quite a bit to see and do on the Omaha Zoo. We suggest planning on spending a minimum of a half day right here, however ideally a full day.
There’s an entry price, with free parking accessible on website. It can save you on admission with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack.
Joslyn Artwork Museum
In the event you 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 important updates over the a long time, together with the newest renovations which had been accomplished in late 2024.
Immediately, 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 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 may be additionally free parking on website. Nevertheless, you ought to be conscious that the automotive 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 possibly can go to all three in a single go, or decide and select relying in your pursuits. The entire riverfront improvement is certainly price a stroll although, particularly on a pleasant day. In case you are searching for a pleasant place to go for a stroll, have a picnic, calm down on a bench, or take the youngsters out for some recent air, any of those can be an awesome 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 in the present day flows via and marks the japanese fringe of Omaha.
Immediately, there are a variety 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 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 in the present day. It’s free to go to.
The Lewis and Clark touchdown space has much more to supply past the customer middle although. It’s a part of the Omaha Riverfront space, and is residence to an city seashore, volleyball courts, strolling trails, and a powerful playground which options zip-lines, rocket ship formed climbing towers, sand pits, and extra. When you have children, 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 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 huge city park has a sculpture park, outside live performance venue, water options, outside tables and benches, and play space. In the event 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 ingredient being a big lake which options three fountains. The most important of those three fountains shoots water 300 ft into the air and has a nighttime gentle present.
There’s a strolling path which circumnavigates the lake (round a mile in size), and in the summertime you possibly can take boat rides on the Basic Marion boat. In the event 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 notably good choice when you’re visiting Omaha with children, however adults are catered too as properly. In truth, there’s usually an adults solely occasion referred to as Evening Gentle on Thursday evenings.
Inside, you’re going to search out greater than 100 hands-on displays. From studying how physics works, to materials science, constructions, the human physique, know-how, math and geometry, you might be positive to search out one thing to take pleasure in.
There’s free parking on website. There’s an entry price, which is comparatively excessive, however we expect price it when 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 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 automotive site visitors making it a preferred choice for households with children to take pleasure in.
On the Omaha aspect, the bridge begins close to the Nationwide Park Service Guests Middle. It takes you to the Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park on the Iowa aspect. In the event you take pleasure in 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
In the event you like your experiences to be of the paranormal sort, then you’ll possible take pleasure in a go to to Omaha’s Museum of Shadows. That is residence to a wide range of haunted artifacts, with the museum itself additionally mentioned to be haunted.
Now, this expertise isn’t going to be for everybody, and evaluations are positively blended. Nevertheless, if you wish to expertise one thing a bit completely different and consider within the paranormal, it’s positively an choice.
There’s an entry price, discover out extra right here. You should buy tickets on-line upfront or on website in individual. Simply notice this isn’t open day-after-day so be sure you 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, places of work, and extra.
Adjustments in how groceries had been purchased and offered meant that by the Fifties the Previous Market was now not fulfilling its authentic perform, and lots of of its buildings had been liable to being condemned.
Fortunately, regionally born landowner Samuel Mercer noticed the potential of the world, and led the renovation efforts. Immediately, the Previous Market district is the center of the eating and buying expertise in Omaha. The outdated buildings and cobbled streets stay, now residence to shops, eating places, bars, espresso retailers, thrift shops, pubs, and residences. You possibly can even nonetheless take a carriage experience!
You’ll additionally discover that the Omaha Guests Middle is positioned subsequent to the Previous Market space on 306 S tenth Avenue. It’s usually open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-4pm. They’ve workers who will help you propose your time, free vacationer brochures, and likewise native souvenirs and reward for buy. In case you are within the Omaha Financial savings Pack, you could find out extra about it right here.
Lauritzen Gardens
In the event you 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 pageant which was a whole lot of enjoyable. You could find 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 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 stand proper subsequent to when you go to Kenefick Park. This park is free and we actually loved visiting it.
Lauritzen Gardens cost an entry price, and there’s free parking on website. It can save you on admission with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack.
Joslyn Fort & Gardens
If you go to Omaha, you’ll discover the identify “Joslyn” popping up right here and there, together with the Joslyn Artwork Museum and the Joslyn 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 an awesome 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 residence they referred to as Lynhurst and what’s in the present day often known as Joslyn Fort & Gardens. The home itself, accomplished in 1903, is a 4 story constructing constructed within the Scottish Baronial Revival architectural fashion. It principally seems to be like a Scottish fortress within the coronary heart of Omaha. This value $250,000 to construct again in 1903, or round $9 million in in the present day’s cash.
The virtually 20,000 sq. foot home is open to the general public by guided tour solely, and we will positively suggest taking a tour when 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 had been extremely educated and the inside is simply beautiful. This was positively our favourite guided tour we’ve taken in Omaha.
There’s a price to take a tour and you’ll 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 whole go to.
In the event you aren’t visiting on a tour day, or are joyful 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
In the event you like public artwork, then there are many areas throughout Omaha the place you possibly can take pleasure in public artwork without cost. A few of our favourite items embrace:
- Untitled by Jan Kaneko within the Gene Leahy Mall. You possibly can’t assist however discover the big peaceable head if you stroll via this park!
- The Illumina sculptures outdoors the CHI Well being Middle Enviornment. That includes six statues of individuals representing the humanities and humanities occasions that happen on the conference middle, in addition to a 35 foot clock. Step inside the middle at evening for an additional colourful artwork set up
- The Pioneer Braveness Park sculptures by Utah sculptors Blair Buswell and Edward Fraughton will be discovered on Capital Avenue. They function a wagon practice continuing alongside a creek mattress, and must be seen to be believed. There’s additionally one other set up on this collection, the Spirit of Nebraska Wilderness sculptures discovered outdoors the First Nationwide Financial institution of Omaha, which depict over 50 bigger than life Canada Geese. See particulars on each these parks right here. Two sculpture parks, Pioneer Braveness and Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness and The Transcontinental Railroad, rejoice town’s pioneering historical past.
- Fertile Floor Mural by Meg Saligman. You possibly can’t discuss public artwork in Omaha with out together with the Fertile Floor Mural. At 70 ft tall and 465 ft 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 is likely to be an oddball alternative, however when you’ve ever eaten canned spaghetti within the USA as a baby, you might be most likely acquainted with the Chef Boyardee model. The statue is of the real-life chef behind the model, Italian immigrant Ettore Boiardi. He modified his identify to Chef Hector Boyardee to assist gross sales of his packaged spaghetti sauce and dinners and his identify turned nationally recognized.
You possibly can 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 need to eat, and there are just a few meals choices you must positively attempt if you’re on the town. We suggest 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 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 street on one other go to, which many declare to be the very best Reuben in Omaha. Truthfully, they had been each good. In the event you desire a extra formal eating expertise, then the Blackstone is the best choice. In the event you desire a pub fashion setting with a beer, then go together with the Crescent Moon choice.
- It’s exhausting to say meals in Omaha with out speaking about steaks. There’s actually a complete firm devoted to the idea! This really 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 would possibly need to even have a steak when you are on the town. Choices to contemplate 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 well-liked steak eating choice in Omaha is Gorat’s Steakhouse. However this restaurant is known for an additional purpose – 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 you can pose by when you so want!
- If you wish to attempt extra native produce past steak, then you definately’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 suggest having an ear of corn right here when its in season. Different well-liked crops and produce embrace milk and dairy merchandise, beans (Nice Northern, pinto, and so on.), pork, poultry, eggs, sugar beets, apples, and honey. Nebraska can be residence to over 30 wineries so you may additionally 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. 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 performed this, and it’s positively higher than it sounds.
- In the event 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 lodge and Joslyn Fort & Gardens. This really positioned first in a nationwide rating of ice cream areas, so we’re not the one ones who assume it’s price a go to! They handmake their ice cream with native, recent substances, and have a variety of basic and seasonal flavors to select from
That ought to provide you with some concepts of the place and what to eat if you go to Omaha, though there are in fact lots extra choices throughout town.
Omaha Kids’s Museum
In the event you’re visiting Omaha with kids, then you must positively take into account together with the Omaha Kids’s Museum in your to-do record. 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 short-term displays, 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 price and there’s free parking on website. It can save you on admission with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack.
Buying
As with most cities, Omaha has a superb alternative of buying choices. These vary from the usual massive field and shops that you simply’ll discover most in all places, via to regionally owned areas, which we’ll deal with on this information.
- The Previous Market space of Omaha is the place we’d suggest heading when you’re searching for smaller, regionally owned retailers. You’ll discover every thing from vintage retailers to sweet retailers, residence decor, books, classic clothes, jewellery and music. We will additionally suggest visiting the Artists Cooperative Gallery when you’d prefer to peruse and purchase artwork from native artists. Naturally, the world additionally has loads of espresso retailers (in addition to eating places and bars) to maintain you fueled. You’ll additionally discover the native tourism workplace right here.
- The Dundee neighborhood, to the west of downtown, can be a superb buying vacation spot. Neighborhood retailers embrace Roger + Chris (residence decor), Albany and Avers (classic clothes) and Dundee Candle Co the place you possibly can create and pour your individual candle.
- Nebraska Furnishings Mart. Based in Omaha in 1937, and in the present day owned by Berkshire Hathaway, that is an iconic Omaha residence furnishing retailer. With over 450,000 sq. ft of retail area, it’s protected to say that in case you are searching for furnishings, it is a good choice. It’s additionally fairly an expertise wandering round resembling huge retailer. Jess and I visited, and had been impressed on the vary of furnishings on supply, throughout a variety of budgets. And sure, they provide delivery.
- For extra identify model retail remedy, you would possibly need to head to one of many close by buying retailers. These are largely positioned outdoors of Omaha, and embrace Nebraska Crossing (largest outlet mall in Nebraska), Village Pointe and Regency Buying Middle (extra upscale manufacturers). We as soon as did some coat buying at Nebraska Crossing and located it to be a very nice outside outlet mall.
As you possibly can see, there are many buying 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, then you definately would possibly take into account a visit out to the Enjoyable Plex Waterpark and Rides. That is about seven miles from downtown, and is the most important amusement park in Nebraska.
The park has plenty of common rides for each adults and youngsters, 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, Reveals, & Occasions
Omaha hosts many occasions all year long, from main sporting occasions via to massive conferences, festivals, and extra. Relying on if 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 thought of what to anticipate.
Even when you aren’t occupied with a selected occasion it’s price noting when it takes place as some occasions, such because the Berkshire Hathaway Assembly or the Faculty World Sequence will be highly regarded instances to go to Omaha, with lodging costs capturing up and well-liked eating places reserving out. So when you don’t intend on collaborating within the occasion, you would possibly need to keep away from city at the moment!
- Faculty World Sequence, a baseball match held in Omaha each June since 1950,. at present going down 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 Enviornment.
- Style of Omaha – a three-day meals pageant held each summer time within the Heartland of America park
- Maha Competition – a big music pageant which usually takes place on the finish of July
- The Omaha Movie Competition, which takes place in March every year
- 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 films, axe throwing, arcades, bowling, mini golf… the record of actions in Omaha goes on!
For extra on what’s on in Omaha, and extra concepts on what to see and do typically, we extremely suggest popping into the Omaha Guests Middle within the Previous Market space on 306 S tenth Avenue. The Go to Omaha web site additionally has info on occasions taking place within the metropolis.
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 automotive, airplane, and practice! Listed here are the primary methods to get to town.
- By automotive. Omaha is related by street to the remainder of the U.S. by two important Interstates, I-80 which runs east all the best way to New York by way of Chicago and west all the best way 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, that means town is comparatively straightforward to get to by air
- By practice. Omaha is on the Amtrak passenger practice community. We’ve traveled to Omaha on the in a single day sleeper practice from Denver into Omaha which was a enjoyable expertise. Omaha is on the primary Amtrak route which runs between Chicago and San Francisco, the service often known as the California Zephyr, which incorporates stops in Denver, Salt Lake Metropolis, and extra.
How Many Days Ought to I Spend in Omaha?
Yon can spend as little or as a lot time as you need in Omaha as there are many issues to do and see. You possibly can simply spend every week right here visiting all of the cultural sights, exploring the parks, gardens, and strolling paths, buying, consuming at steakhouses, and taking in some night leisure.
However at a minimal we’d most likely suggest a minimum of two full days and nights to get a superb style of 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 time out after which have dinner that night at an area steakhouse.
When you have extra time, then I might 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 provide you with a good suggestion of how a lot time you’ll want. Additionally be sure you keep in mind opening instances and days as many sights are closed a minimum of in the future every week.
In case you are visiting for the Faculty World Sequence, 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 will have extra time to discover if potential.
The place to Keep in Omaha
Omaha has a variety of lodging choices, together with lodges, house leases, motels, and extra. Costs vary from finances to high-end, and customarily the nearer you might be to downtown the upper the costs shall be. In case you are driving, most downtown lodges will supply valet parking, though avenue parking can be usually an choice (simply keep in mind to pay the meter!).
It’s additionally price noting that pricing can range quite a bit relying on the time of yr 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 when you aren’t planning on attending that you simply would possibly 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 relationship from 1930, this Artwork Deco styled 4* boutique lodge presents 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 middle for plenty of occasions and conferences within the metropolis), to which it’s related by way of a Skybridge, making it a superb 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 a superb lodge choice for the Faculty World Sequence on the Charles Schwab stadium as it is extremely near the venue additionally.
- The Peregrine – this lodge is present in a historic native landmark constructing which dates from 1914. Immediately it’s a boutique lodge providing 4* lodging simply minutes stroll from downtown.
- The Farnam, Autograph Assortment – one of the extremely rated lodges in downtown Omaha, this centrally positioned 4* lodge 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* lodge is a revival of the long-lasting Blackstone lodge which was discovered on this location from 1916. It is a lovely outdated lodge with all of the facilities you’ll want for a leisure or enterprise keep. In the event you keep right here, be sure you attempt 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 effective choice to contemplate. It’s just some minutes drive to downtown and breakfast is included
- BridgePointe Inn & Suites – a extra finances oriented choice present in Council Bluffs, Iowa. There’s free parking on website and breakfast is included. It’s additionally solely a brief drive from downtown Omaha
Naturally there are a lot of extra lodging choices in Omaha. See a full record of choices together with trip leases, motels and lodges right here.
How one can 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 just a little farther from downtown, such because the Blackstone District, Joslyn Fort, Lauritzen Gardens and so on., then you’ll want 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 you could find dwell bus instances and routes on the My Journey web site and app. Fares for the Metro service should be paid via the UMO system, which suggests both downloading the UMO app, getting an Umo card, or buying an Umo token. See extra on how to do this right here.
Omaha can be within the means of establishing a streetcar service which is meant to hyperlink downtown with the Blackstone district. That’s hoped to be operating by 2027.
You can even drive simply round Omaha, which is what we usually find yourself doing. Avenue parking is out there throughout town for affordable charges, and you’ll pay utilizing the Park Omaha or ParkMobile app for smartphones. Charges range, and you’ll examine the most recent parking info right here.
Journey 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 cross that we’re conscious of, it can save you on sights with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack. It is a free service provided by the native tourism workplace, and presents reductions on a number of the hottest sights within the metropolis.
This contains locations just like the Durham Museum, Lauritzen Gardens, the Zoo, Omaha Kids’s Museum, and extra.
It’s free to get the cross and it’s all dealt with on-line. All it’s important to do is present your info and the cross shall be despatched to your telephone. You possibly can 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 town, and journey within the USA typically.
- 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 finances.
- I’ve written a information that includes a few of my prime suggestions for driving within the USA to assist get you happening the street!
- 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 street journey inspiration, see our itineraries for a USA Deep South street journey, California Street Journey, Route 66 Street Journey and Pacific Coast Freeway Street Journey
- And when you’re searching for inspiration for the remainder of the USA, take a look at our USA part, which has heaps extra inspiration
Do you will have any questions on visiting Omaha? As at all times, we’re joyful 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 will.
