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5 Fantastic Things To Do At The Omaha Zoo In Winter

The best time to visit Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is in the winter. I was tempted not to write the article because I didn’t want to give out the secret and spoil it for the few of us who do venture to the zoo in the dead of winter. But I’m a giving person, so keep reading for the goods.

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UPDATED: This post was first published in 2014, and has been updated in November 2024.

A family walks toward Desert Dome at Omaha's zoo in the winter, with snow on the ground

Related post: Locals’ Tips For Visiting Omaha’s Zoo

Why visit the zoo in the winter?

Do you really enjoy trudging through the zoo on a 96-degree day in the summer, melting as you carry one of your kids (usually the one with who sweats the most), battling a crowd of people to catch a momentary glimpse of an animal before moving on to the next exhibit to catch an even briefer peek at an animal?

I love the Omaha zoo in the winter because fewer people want to visit it when there’s snow on the ground and/or sub-zero temperatures. So, right off the bat, there are two perks for visiting in the winter:

  • Great parking
  • No crowds blocking the view
Sometimes you feel like you get the Omaha zoo all to yourself in the winter.

Those who bundle up are rewarded with a great zoo experience. It’s peaceful in the off-season and the animals are more active.

The best part? The zoo has a lot of indoor exhibits near each other and near the entrance!

Ready to plan a winter visit? Here are five things to see and do if you visit Omaha’s zoo in the winter.

1. Go to the exhibits closest to the entrance

If it’s truly frigid outdoors, you’ll want to minimize time spent outside. Luckily, the zoo is designed with a four great exhibits near the Main Entrance.

Lied Rainforest

First stop: The Lied Rainforest, the largest indoor rainforest in North America (or it was at some point). It’s the closest exhibit to the entrance. Pretend you’re somewhere else on a jungle adventure with the kids, especially when you walk through the lower level. When you’re inside the rainforest in the winter with few people, you notice things, too – like the free-flying bats.

You’ve been warned. (They’re harmless…but, I still don’t like them)

Walking around the indoor rainforest located in Omaha's zoo

Tip: There’s a coat rack near the entrance to the restaurant that’s connected to the rain forest. Ditch your heavy coats there before entering the jungle.

Desert Dome & Kingdoms of the Night

If the humidity of the jungle isn’t your thing (as if your winter hat wasn’t giving you a bad enough hair day), head to the heat of the Desert Dome. This place is best viewed when there isn’t a packed line of people snaking through there. Which means, it’s best in the winter.

The Desert Dome on a quiet winter day.

While you’re at the Desert Dome, you’d better visit the lower level and see all the creatures of the night. It’s extra fun (and mysterious) to explore this exhibit when it feels like your family is the only one down there.

Part of the exhibit feels like (and looks like) you’re walking through caves. Another area is modeled after a bayou.

Scott Aquarium

I love, love, love the aquarium in the winter. It’s surreal to walk through there without a horde of people.

Giant sea turtle in the shark tunnel at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium.

You hear the New Age-y music piped overhead mixed with sounds of the ocean. And your kids don’t have to fight with 20 others to play on the interactive water projection mat or wait their turn to sit in the bubble by the penguins.

2. Exhibits further from the entrance (but worth it)

After you visit the Big 4 mentioned above, and you’re not scared off by a little cold, take your pick on visiting animal exhibits further from the Main Entrance. Let’s say you go to Kingdoms of the Night. When you exhibit the exhibit, you’re not far from the zoo’s newest exhibit, the stunning Orangutan Forest.

Orangutan Forest has indoor and outdoor exhibits, and the indoors is the place to be in the winter. And if you walk through Orangutan Forest, you can exit close to the gorillas– another great indoor exhibit just a couple steps away from Orangutan Forest!

Women stand near a large window inside Orangutan Forest at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium

The giraffe and elephant enclosures are a bit of a trek south from the Main Entrance, but they’re a regular stop for my family no matter the season.

3. Watch a movie

The zoo also has an IMAX movie theater that typically shows gorgeous (and short) films on animals. The seats are comfortable and the concession stand is open. Plus, if you have a zoo membership, it’s FREE to see a movie there.

You can see what films are playing — as well as the times — on the zoo’s website.

4. Have lunch with a view

The restaurant connected to the Lied Rainforest, Durham TreeTops Restaurant, has your standard grill fare, yes, but it also has something no other restaurant in Omaha can claim: A dazzling view of the indoor rainforest. Nab one of the tables next to the large wall of windows and enjoy the view.

Families sit next to the windows overlooking the indoor rainforest at Omaha's zoo

5. Have an interactive experience

The downside to visiting Omaha’s zoo in the winter is that there are far fewer animal encounters and keeper talks. You’re not going to be feeding a giraffe outdoors in the winter. But, there are still a couple interactive experiences with animals you can have during an off-season visit.

There’s a touch tank inside the Scott Aquarium. It’s not always open in the winter, but if there is a volunteer on duty, you’ll be able to touch aquatic life like a starfish or sea cucumber.

The only thing I don’t like about the touch tank is that it’s located right by the aquarium’s entrance, so if you’re already chilled because of the weather, you’re not going to enjoy plunging your hand into cold water.

Stingray Beach is an indoor stingray pool where you can touch and feed the rays (for an extra fee). It’s quite a trek to get to, and honestly, I’m not 100% sure it’s open through the whole winter. My kids love it, though, so it’s worth mentioning in case you are a hearty soul wanting to seek it out.

Tip: The zoo also offers visitor experiences that require reservations, like a backstage tours, for an additional fee. Public backstage tours are on the weekends, but you can also book private tours.

Find out why I love visiting Omaha's zoo in the winter! I share my favorite indoor exhibits and tips for making the most of a winter visit. #Omaha #Nebraska #Winter #FamilyTravel

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Else Tetrick

Thursday 28th of September 2017

Thank you, I really appreciate you.

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