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 amazing 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 biggest metropolis (by inhabitants) in Nebraska. It turned an essential transportation hub within the nineteenth century and would finally appeal to folks to remain for its railroad, meatpacking, and trade jobs. At present this mid-sized Midwestern metropolis is dwelling to plenty of cultural sights and performs host to fashionable occasions such because the School World Collection and the annual Berkshire Hathaway assembly.
So, whether or not you’re on the town for a giant occasion just like the School 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 recommendations on meals to attempt 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 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 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 throughout the constructing is considered one of our favourite sights in Omaha.
The Durham Museum focuses totally on the historical past of the area and Western America normally, masking historical past, tradition, science, and trade. 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 significantly loved the total dimension prepare 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 normally that is the most effective place to go. If you’re going to only one museum in Omaha, this is able to be our advice for most individuals.
There’s additionally an on-site museum store which is a superb place for souvenirs and the Soda Fountain and Sweet Store which is the unique Union Pacific soda fountain that serves phosphates, egg lotions, sundaes, soda, espresso, ice cream floats, snacks, sweet, and extra. Sandwiches, salads, and soups are additionally served right here throughout lunch hours.
When you keep for lunch, you’ll be able to simply spend half your day having fun with this museum. In addition they typically have particular exhibitions and household occasions taking place.
There’s an admission payment for the museum and free parking on web site. It can save you on admission with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack.
The Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
Rated as one of many world’s high zoos, the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, also called the Omaha Zoo, spreads throughout over 130 acres of land and is 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 checklist.
The zoo is massive and there’s lots to see, with totally different habitats showcasing totally different species. These embody:
- the 28-acre African Grasslands space, 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 crimson 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 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 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 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 every little thing from bats to porcupine, sloth, crocodiles, & alligators
There are tons extra reveals, however this could provide you with an concept of how spectacular this zoo is. There are additionally rides, together with a 2.5 mile steam powered narrow-gauge railroad which loops across the park. There’s additionally a tram and a “Skyfari”, which is mainly an open-air chairlift which affords glorious views over reveals together with the lions and cheetahs.
As you’ll be able to see, there’s lots to see and do on the Omaha Zoo. We suggest planning on spending at the very least a half day right here, however ideally a full day.
There’s an entry payment, with free parking obtainable on web site. It can save you on admission with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack.
Joslyn Artwork Museum
When you take pleasure in artwork museums then you’ll undoubtedly need to embody a go to to Omaha’s spectacular Joslyn Artwork Museum in your go to to Omaha. This initially opened in 1931, and has undergone important updates over the many years, together with the latest renovations which had been accomplished in late 2024.
At present, 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 contemporary 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 web site. Nevertheless, you need to be conscious that the automobile park can replenish so be ready to attend, or discover parking close by (paid avenue parking can be 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. At present, 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 may go to all three in a single go, or decide and select relying in your pursuits. The entire riverfront growth 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, chill out on a bench, or take the children out for some contemporary air, any of those could be an amazing choice. Right here’s what you’ll discover in every space.
Lewis & Clark Touchdown & Customer Heart
Within the early nineteenth century, famed explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark journeyed throughout the huge expanse of land which the USA had bought from France as a part of the Louisiana Buy. They primarily adopted the Missouri River, which at the moment flows by means of and marks the japanese fringe of Omaha.
At present, there are a selection of issues you are able to do within the touchdown space. First, we’d suggest visiting the Lewis and Clark Nationwide Historic Path Headquarters and Customer Heart. This constructing is the headquarters of the historic path which covers 4,900 miles throughout 16 states, and is an effective place to be taught concerning the expedition and the path as it may be explored at the moment. It’s free to go to.
The Lewis and Clark touchdown space has much more to supply past the customer middle although. It’s a part of the Omaha Riverfront space, and is dwelling to an city seaside, volleyball courts, strolling trails, and a formidable playground which options zip-lines, rocket ship formed climbing towers, sand pits, and extra. You probably have children, they will love visiting this playground.
This a part of the Riverfront can be the place you’ll discover the Kiewit Luminarium, which we cowl elsewhere on this put up 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, out of doors live performance venue, water options, out of doors tables and benches, and play space. When you go to in winter time, it’s going to be festooned with lights.
The Gene Leahy Mall connects with the Previous Market space of Omaha in addition to the Heartland of America park. It’s a pleasant place to stroll for a pleasant inexperienced break from the city panorama.
Heartland of America Park
The 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 ingredient being a big lake which options three fountains. The biggest of those three fountains shoots water 300 ft into the air and has a nighttime 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 Common Marion boat. When you’re in Omaha in late Spring, that is additionally the place you’ll discover the annual Style of Omaha occasion.
Kiewit Luminarium
Discovered within the Lewis & Clark Touchdown space of Omaha’s RiverFront, the Kiewit Luminarium is a big Science Museum which has an emphasis on hands-on, interactive reveals. It’s a significantly good choice in case you’re visiting Omaha with children, however adults are catered too as properly. In truth, there’s usually an adults solely occasion known as Night time 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, know-how, math and geometry, you might be positive to search out one thing to take pleasure in.
There’s free parking on web site. There’s an entry payment, which is comparatively excessive, however we expect price it in case you plan to spend at the very least 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 well-liked choice for households with children to take pleasure in.
On the Omaha facet, the bridge begins close to the Nationwide Park Service Guests Heart. It takes you to the Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park on the Iowa facet. When you take pleasure in strolling or biking the bridge hyperlinks up with 150 miles of trails. So you’ll be able to preserve going for fairly a while if you want!
Museum of Shadows
When you like your experiences to be of the paranormal form, then you’ll seemingly take pleasure in a go to to Omaha’s Museum of Shadows. That is dwelling to quite a lot of haunted artifacts, with the museum itself additionally mentioned to be haunted.
Now, this expertise isn’t going to be for everybody, and evaluations are undoubtedly combined. Nevertheless, if you wish to expertise one thing a bit totally different and consider within the paranormal, it’s undoubtedly an choice.
There’s an entry payment, discover out extra right here. You should purchase tickets on-line prematurely or on web site in particular person. Simply observe this isn’t open on daily basis so make sure to examine opening days and hours earlier than you head right here.
The Previous Market
One in all our favourite neighborhoods to wander round and seize a espresso in Omaha is the Previous Market. This was the initially the guts of Omaha’s wholesale grocery commerce again within the late nineteenth century when Omaha sat on the coronary heart of the railroads connecting East and West. The brick buildings right here served as warehouses, wholesale shops, places of work, and extra.
Adjustments in how groceries had been purchased and offered meant that by the Nineteen Fifties the Previous Market was now not fulfilling its authentic perform, and lots of of its buildings had been susceptible to being condemned.
Fortunately, domestically born landowner Samuel Mercer noticed the potential of the realm, and led the renovation efforts. At present, the Previous Market district is the guts of the eating and purchasing expertise in Omaha. The outdated buildings and cobbled streets stay, now dwelling to shops, eating places, bars, espresso outlets, thrift shops, pubs, and residences. You may even nonetheless take a carriage trip!
You’ll additionally discover that the Omaha Guests Heart 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 in addition native souvenirs and reward for buy. In case you are within the Omaha Financial savings Pack, you’ll find out extra about it right here.
Lauritzen Gardens
When you take pleasure in 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 fowl sanctuary. In addition they have occasions working all year long. We visited as soon as throughout a Japanese competition which was loads of enjoyable. Yow will discover out extra on the official web site right here.
The arboretum space focuses totally on the flora of the Nebraska area, and it additionally has useful info on the way to appeal to native birds to your backyard. The gardens additionally embody a rose backyard, Victorian backyard, herb backyard, Japanese park, and even a mannequin railroad backyard full with working mannequin trains.
Talking of trains, proper subsequent to the Lauritzen Gardens is Kenefick Park. This overlooks Interstate 80 and welcomes folks arriving from Iowa with the sight of two large locomotives. Which you’ll 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 web site. It can save you on admission with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack.
Joslyn Citadel & Gardens
Whenever 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 Citadel & Gardens. And also you would possibly surprise 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 trade. They contributed an amazing deal to 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 known as Lynhurst and what’s at the moment generally known as Joslyn Citadel & Gardens. The home itself, accomplished in 1903, is a 4 story constructing constructed within the Scottish Baronial Revival architectural type. It mainly appears to be like like a Scottish citadel within the coronary heart of Omaha. This price $250,000 to construct again in 1903, or round $9 million in at the moment’s cash.
The virtually 20,000 sq. foot home is open to the general public by guided tour solely, and we will undoubtedly suggest 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 had been extremely educated and the inside is simply beautiful. This was undoubtedly our favourite guided tour we’ve taken in Omaha.
There’s a payment to take a tour and you’ll see the tour schedule and worth right here. The excursions final about 90 minutes and I’d permit at the very least 2 hours on your complete go to.
When you 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 web site and you’ll discover the grounds your self.
Public artwork in Omaha
When you like public artwork, then there are many areas throughout Omaha the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in public artwork free of charge. A few of our favourite items embody:
- Untitled by Jan Kaneko within the Gene Leahy Mall. You may’t assist however discover the big peaceable head if you stroll by means of this park!
- The Illumina sculptures outdoors the CHI Well being Heart Area. That includes six statues of individuals representing the humanities and humanities occasions that happen on the conference middle, in addition to a 35 foot clock. Step inside the middle at evening for one more colourful artwork set up
- The Pioneer Braveness Park sculptures by Utah sculptors Blair Buswell and Edward Fraughton will be discovered on Capital Avenue. They function a wagon prepare 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 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 may’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 biggest public artwork venture 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 in case you’ve ever eaten canned spaghetti within the USA as a toddler, you might be in all probability aware of 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 may see tons 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
Whenever you’re in Omaha you’re going to need to eat, and there are a couple of meals choices you must undoubtedly 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 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 most effective Reuben in Omaha. Truthfully, they had been each good. When you want a extra formal eating expertise, then the Blackstone is the best choice. When you want a pub type setting with a beer, then go together with the Crescent Moon choice.
- It’s arduous to say meals in Omaha with out speaking about steaks. There’s actually a entire firm devoted to the idea! This really makes loads of sense as beef is Omaha’s largest trade, 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 if you are on the town. Choices to think about 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 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 you can pose by in case you so want!
- If you wish to attempt extra native produce past steak, you then’ll undoubtedly need to embody corn in your checklist of meals to attempt in Omaha. Corn is the primary crop grown within the state so we undoubtedly can suggest having an ear of corn right here when its in season. Different fashionable 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 be dwelling to over 30 wineries so you might also 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. One of the best place to get a Runza is at a Runza’s, a fast-food chain which has been working in Nebraska since 1949. For a real native expertise, purchase a cinnamon roll at Runza’s and dip it in Runza’s chili. We’ve carried out this, and it’s undoubtedly higher than it sounds.
- When you like ice cream (who doesn’t like ice cream?), then we extremely suggest a go to to Coneflower Creamery, which is inside strolling distance of the Kimpton Cottonwood resort and Joslyn Citadel & Gardens. This really positioned first in a nationwide rating of ice cream areas, so we’re not the one ones who suppose it’s price a go to! They handmake their ice cream with native, contemporary substances, and have a spread of basic and seasonal flavors to select from
That ought to provide you with some concepts of the place and what to eat if you go to Omaha, though there are after all a lot extra choices throughout town.
Omaha Youngsters’s Museum
When you’re visiting Omaha with youngsters, then you must undoubtedly contemplate together with the Omaha Youngsters’s Museum in your to-do checklist. This award profitable museum goals to stimulate children creativeness and excite them about studying new issues.
It does this by means of all kinds of everlasting and short-term reveals, nearly all of that are interactive. These embody a science middle the place experimentation is inspired, a kid-sized hospital with interactive “x-ray” machines, an interactive kid-friendly financial institution department, and hundreds extra.
The museum has an entry payment and there’s free parking on web site. It can save you on admission with the free Omaha Financial savings Pack.
Procuring
As with most cities, Omaha has a superb selection of purchasing choices. These vary from the usual large field and shops that you just’ll discover most in every single place, by means of to domestically owned areas, which we’ll deal with on this information.
- The Previous Market space of Omaha is the place we’d suggest heading in case you’re searching for smaller, domestically owned outlets. You’ll discover every little thing from vintage outlets to sweet outlets, dwelling decor, books, classic clothes, jewellery and music. We will additionally suggest 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 an excellent purchasing vacation spot. Neighborhood outlets embody 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 at the moment owned by Berkshire Hathaway, that is an iconic Omaha dwelling 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 akin to huge retailer. Jess and I visited, and had been impressed on the vary of furnishings on provide, throughout a variety of budgets. And sure, they provide transport.
- For extra title model retail remedy, you would possibly need 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 Procuring Heart (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 scorching summer season months with household, you then would possibly 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 searching for a bit extra grownup enjoyable.
The Enjoyable Plex is often open from late Could to the beginning of September, and you’ll see ticket costs and park opening hours on the official web site right here.
Native Leisure, Festivals, Exhibits, & Occasions
Omaha hosts many occasions all year long, from main sporting occasions by means of 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 only a few of the occasions that happen in Omaha to offer you an concept of what to anticipate.
Even in case you aren’t excited about a selected occasion it’s price noting when it takes place as some occasions, such because the Berkshire Hathaway Assembly or the School World Collection will be extremely popular instances to go to Omaha, with lodging costs taking pictures up and fashionable eating places reserving out. So in case you don’t intend on collaborating within the occasion, you would possibly need to keep away from city at the moment!
- School World Collection, a baseball match held in Omaha each June since 1950,. at present going down on the Charles Schwab Discipline
- Berkshire Hathaway Annual Assembly, the annual assembly for Berkshire Hathaway shareholders. Usually held in early Could on the CHI Well being Heart Omaha Conference Heart and Area.
- Style of Omaha – a three-day meals competition held each summer season within the Heartland of America park
- Maha Pageant – a big music competition which usually takes place on the finish of July
- The Omaha Movie Pageant, which takes place in March 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 (youngsters’s theater), Orpheum Theater, Omaha Group Playhouse, The Ready Room and the CHI Well being Heart
- Plus after all there are motion pictures, axe throwing, arcades, bowling, mini golf… the checklist of actions in Omaha goes on!
For extra on what’s on in Omaha, and extra concepts on what to see and do normally, we extremely suggest popping into the Omaha Guests Heart 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.
Find out how to Get to Omaha
Omaha is correct in the midst of the USA, and has cheap transport connections. We’ve visited Omaha by automobile, aircraft, and prepare! Listed here are the principle methods to get to town.
- By automobile. Omaha is related by street to the remainder of the U.S. by two most 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 aircraft. Omaha’s airport affords direct flights to over 30 locations in the USA, that means town is comparatively straightforward 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 generally 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 may simply spend every 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 suggest at the very least two full days and nights to get an excellent style of town.
Instructed Two Day Omaha Itinerary
Right here’s a fast overview of a doable 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.
You probably have extra time, then I’d undergo our checklist and write down all of the locations you need to see and the way a lot time you suppose you’d spend at every. That ought to provide you with a good suggestion of how a lot time you’ll want. Additionally make sure to take into consideration opening instances and days as many sights are closed at the very least someday every week.
In case you are visiting for the School World Collection, Berkshire Hathaway Annual Assembly, or another large occasion, it’s a good suggestion so as to add an additional day to your journey so you’ve gotten extra time to discover if doable.
The place to Keep in Omaha
Omaha has a variety of lodging choices, together with accommodations, condominium leases, motels, and extra. Costs vary from funds to high-end, and usually the nearer you might be to downtown the upper the costs might be. In case you are driving, most downtown accommodations will provide 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 fluctuate lots relying on the time of yr you go to, and if there are any main occasions occurring within the metropolis. The Berkshire Hathaway assembly for instance is a time when costs for lodging in Omaha can actually go up, so in case you aren’t planning on attending that you just 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 courting from 1930, this Artwork Deco styled 4* boutique resort 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 resort to the CHI Well being Heart (conference middle for plenty of occasions and conferences within the metropolis), to which it’s related by way of a Skybridge, making it an excellent 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 an excellent resort choice for the School 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. At present it’s a boutique resort providing 4* lodging simply minutes stroll from downtown.
- The Farnam, Autograph Assortment – one of the extremely rated accommodations in downtown Omaha, this centrally positioned 4* resort affords snug 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. This can be a lovely outdated resort with all of the facilities you’ll want for a leisure or enterprise keep. When you keep right here, make sure to 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 only a few 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 web site and breakfast is included. It’s additionally solely a brief drive from downtown Omaha
Naturally there are numerous extra lodging choices in Omaha. See a full checklist of choices together with trip leases, motels and accommodations right here.
Find out how to Get Round Omaha
Omaha is a reasonably straightforward 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 only a few minutes stroll aside. For locations just a little farther from downtown, such because the Blackstone District, Joslyn Citadel, 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’ll find stay bus instances and routes on the My Journey web site and app. Fares for the Metro service must be paid by means of the UMO system, which suggests both downloading the UMO app, getting an Umo card, or buying an Umo token. See extra on how to try this right here.
Omaha can be within the strategy of setting up a streetcar service which is meant to hyperlink downtown with the Blackstone district. That’s hoped to be working by 2027.
You may as well drive simply round Omaha, which is what we usually find yourself doing. Avenue parking is out there throughout town for cheap charges, and you’ll pay utilizing the Park Omaha or ParkMobile app for smartphones. Charges fluctuate, and you’ll examine the newest parking info right here.
Journey share providers together with Uber, Lyft and zTrip are additionally obtainable, as are bike share and scooter rental providers.
Find out 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. This can be a free service provided by the native tourism workplace, and affords 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 Youngsters’s Museum, and extra.
It’s free to get the go and it’s all dealt with on-line. All it’s important to do is present your info and the go might be despatched to your telephone. You may 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 wished to share some extra sources we’ve put collectively that can assist you plan your journey to town, and journey within the USA normally.
- Questioning how a lot a go to to Omaha may cost? Take a look at our information to how a lot it prices to journey within the USA that can assist you plan your journey funds.
- I’ve written a information that includes a few of my high ideas for driving within the USA to assist get you occurring the street!
- We’ve visited loads of different cities within the USA! See our guides to issues to do in Las Vegas, issues to do in Huntsville, issues to do in Savannah, issues to do in Charleston, issues to do in Albuquerque, visiting New Orleans throughout Mardi Gras, issues to do in Cambria, issues to do in Houston, issues to do in Dallas, and issues to do in Santa Fe
- If you’d like 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 in case you’re searching for inspiration for the remainder of the USA, try our USA part, which has tons extra inspiration
Do you’ve gotten any questions on visiting Omaha? As at all times, we’re completely satisfied 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.
