If you haven’t heard, “Disney’s The Lion King” is returning to Omaha in 2020. I saw the Broadway musical the first time the tour came to Omaha and it was jaw-dropping gorgeous. The return engagement will be at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha April 15 through May 10, 2020.
As of March 24, 2020, O-pa had to suspend all performance in April due to crowd restrictions put in place due to COVID-19. That means the performance WILL NOT be in Omaha this spring and Kids’ Night On Broadway WILL NOT occur.
While it is definitely long even by Broadway standards, the show is familiar and fun and great for kids. So, if you want to take the whole family, read on for the discount ticket promo.
Disclosure: I partnered with O-pa for this post so I could share the Kids’ Night On Broadway details with you. I received complimentary passes to the show. All thoughts, opinions and typos are my own.
What’s the show about?
Well, if you’ve seen the movie, then you are pretty familiar with “Disney’s The Lion King.” What I remember most of the show from the first time I saw it was the stunning puppetry. The opening scene is impressive.
Photo courtesy O-pa
Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock emerges from the mist.
More than 100 million people around the world have experienced the visual artistry, the music and the theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular.
Kids’ Night On Broadway
UPDATE: Kids’ Night On Broadway has been canceled for this show.
And now, here’s what you’ve come for: How to get discount tickets to the show! OK, there is one night when you can enjoy Buy One, Get One Free tickets. Each year, one Broadway touring production in Omaha participates in Kids’ Night on Broadway, where an adult can bring a child up to age 18 to the show. It’s for one night only.
Kids’ Night on Broadway is for the April 22 7:30 p.m. performance of “Disney’s The Lion King.” Use promo code KIDSNIGHT to get Buy One, Get One tickets at Price Level 1 to Price Level 3 for one adult and one child up to 18 years of age. It’s only valid for April 22, while supplies last.
Be sure to go through Ticket Omaha, the official ticket seller for shows at the Orpheum Theater. You can purchase tickets online at TicketOmaha.com, by phone at 402-345-0606, or save the handling fee and go to the box office located inside the Holland Performing Arts Center at 1200 Douglas St.
Kids’ Night On Broadway isn’t just about getting a free ticket to a Broadway show for your kiddo. There will be fun pre-show activities for kids in the lobby and a Meet & Greet with the show’s Young Cubs! Plus the first 200 children will receive a “Disney’s The Lion King” bag filled with treats (first come first served).
The nitty gritty details: Code processed as buy one get one free when two or more tickets are selected. Please be sure to purchase your intended number of tickets. Offer not valid on prior purchased tickets and may not be combined with any other offer. Not all seats are discounted.
ALL SALES FINAL. No exchanges or refunds. Blackout dates and other restrictions may apply. Standard service fees apply to online and phone orders. Dates, times, prices, and cast subject to change without notice. Offer may be revoked without notice. Limit nine tickets per person. All prices include a $2.25 facility fee and $2 city user’s fee. Offer expires on April 22, or while supplies last.
Of course, if you’re taking teens, you may be able to broaden the scope of restaurants for your night out, so here’s a complete guide to Old Market restaurants.
I have a cousin turning 6 this year and he owns his own home. Yeah, he’s a Leap Day baby. For those birthday “kids” excited to be celebrating Leap Day in Omaha, as well as the general public, there are some fun activities to look forward to.
Disclosure: I partnered with Altitude Omaha for this post and received complimentary admission in trade. All thoughts, opinions, and typos are my own.
Where to celebrate Leap Day in Omaha
It happens only every four years: Leap Day. Since it takes 365 1/4 days to go around the sun, an entire day is added to the month of February every four years. And 2020 is a Leap Year, making Feb. 29, 2020 Leap Day.
As you can imagine, trampoline places are all over the “leap” in Leap Day. Altitude Trampoline Park in Omaha actually has Leap Week planned to celebrate. It’s a 10-day celebration that runs from Feb. 21 through March 1.
The big day, Feb. 29, is an all-ages promotion for Leap Year babies. It’s a birthday party with gifts and free birthday jump passes for life!
Other promotions running during Leap Week: Two for $20 jump special; $50 off birthday parties; and $5 Toddler Time.
Altitude Omaha features more than 34,000 square feet of attractions, including Battle Beam; Extreme Dodgeball and Volleyball; The Foam Pit, High-9 Reaction Wall; Trampoline Basketball; The Main Court (wall-to-wall trampolines); Kid’s Court; Gymnastics Tumble Tracks, Wipeout; Performance Trampolines, Trapeze Swing and Rock Wall.
Photo courtesy Altitude Trampoline Park
More 2020 Leap Day events in Omaha
While not a massive birthday party for Leap Year babies, there are several other fun events planned for Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020.
Coffee: From Seed to Cup with A Hill of Beans – 10 a.m to noon at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Advanced registration required.
Sip N’ Shop | A Leap Day Event – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hardy Coffee Co. inside the Highlander Building, 2112 N. 30th St. It’s a shopping event featuring local makers.
SuperMART Leap – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (games start at noon) at Nebraska Furniture Mart, 700 S. 72nd St.
Succulent Bar! – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Makery, 12100 West Center Road, Suite 612. Select the container, succulent, and decorations and pay for the type/number of components chosen. Don’t forget to use TAGG with your purchase. All Ages.
Omaha Royal Princess Ball – 12:30 p.m. for earliest admission at Courtyard by Marriott Omaha Bellevue at Beardmore Event Center, 3730 Raynor Parkway, Bellevue, Neb. Regular tickets are $25 and early admission tickets are $40.
Celebrate Black History with Vaunda Micheaux Nelson – 1 to 3 p.m. at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. Reservations are required and regular museum admission applies; free for members. All Ages.
Omaha Fashion Week “Evolve Featured Designer Showcase” – 6 to 10 p.m. at the Omaha Design Center, 1502 Cuming St. Reserved seats are $45.
Dierks Bentley presented by WoodhouseGives – 7 p.m. at CHI Health Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St. Tickets are $40-$255 and benefit Food Bank Backpack Program.
Omaha Mom Prom – 7 to 11:30 p.m. at Soiree Room, 7040 N. 102nd Circle. SOLD OUT.
“Stomp” – 7:30 p.m. at the Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Tickets are $30-$89.
Back to the 80s Party – 9 p.m. at Driftwood Inn, 2701 Harry Langdon Blvd., Council Bluffs, Iowa.
As one of Omaha’s most popular attractions, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge offers visitors more than just a place to enjoy a walk or bicycle ride. From a troll guarding its entrance to photo opportunities, “Bob,” as locals call it, offers family fun with a splash park and summer concerts.
As the country’s longest pedestrian bridge that connects two states (Nebraska and Iowa), the Bob Kerrey offers several fun opportunities. On the Iowa side, you can enjoy long walks or bicycle rides along western Iowa trails. With his own Twitter account (@BobTBridge), the bridge shares jokes and fun tips.
The Kerrey bridge’s design reflects the current of the Missouri River. As you walk, jog or bicycle across the bridge, take the time to stop and read the information placards that cover the river’s history, and its role in the area’s development.
Meet OMAR the Troll
OMAR, a blue troll, sits at the foot of the Kerrey bridge on the Omaha side, standing guard against all who seek to cross. Will he ask you three questions in order to cross? Or, is he looking for the Billy Goats Gruff?
Actually, he’s there to pose for photos with anyone wanting one with a 300-lbs. blue guy (who’s not a Smurf). Added to the Missouri River bridge in 2019, OMAR (Omaha Missouri Area River) quickly became a fan favorite. He even has his own book, “OMAR finds a home,” which can be found at local book stores, such as The Bookworm.
Complete the .9k marathon
Run, bicycle, or walk the world’s shortest marathon at .9 kilometer, which is the distance from one end of the bridge to the other. The bridge is 3,000 feet long.
Photo courtesy Visti Omaha
Take a selfie on the bridge and stop by the Omaha visitors center at 10th and Farnam streets and show it to the staff for a bumper sticker highlighting your achievement. It’s intended as a parody of the half- and full-marathon stickers runners receive.
Fun tip: To complete a true marathon, you’d need to cross the bridge 47 times, according to Visit Omaha.
Go ‘Bobbing’
Since the Kerrey bridge connects Nebraska and Iowa over the Missouri River, the act of standing midway across the bridge with one foot in Nebraska and the other in Iowa is known as “Bobbing.” It may be the most popular spot in the United States for photos of feet.
Take a picture and post in on social media with the hashtag #ItHappensOnBob.
Cool off at the sprayground
During the summer months (Memorial Day-Labor Day), a section of the riverfront near the foot of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge gives families and children an opportunity to jump around in the water spraying from the ground in a circular play area.
Photo courtesy Visit Omaha
Parents and others can watch from a stepped seating area.
Attend a Bridge Beats concert
Beginning mid-July and running for the next six Friday evenings, the sprayground area of the Kerrey bridge turns into a concert arena with the annual Bridge Beats series.
Featuring popular local bands, such as Lemon Fresh Day, On The Fritz, and Taxi Driver, the public is invited to grab a seat on the stepped seats or the grassy area and enjoy the free concerts, which can range from Top 40 music to classic rock and country and western.
Rent a bike and ride across Bob
With a bike rack near the Bob Kerrey bridge, you can rent a single-rider bicycle from Heartland B-Cycle and enjoy a ride across the bridge and then travel along the riverfront trails on ether side of the Missouri River.
It’s a great way to exercise and have fun exploring the area. You can even ride the bicycle to explore other Omaha sites, but you’ll need to return it to one of the Heartland B-Cycle stands located around the city.
Learn about the area’s history
You can learn about Native American history of the Missouri River and Omaha, which is the homeland of the U-mo’n-Ho’n (Omaha tribe) – also known as the “Upriver People” – at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center at the National Park Service Midwest office.
Located a short walk from the Kerrey bridge, the visitors center also features exhibits and information about the Lewis and Clark expedition, as well as the flags of the Native American tribes along the Missouri River to the Columbia River at the confluence with the Pacific Ocean, where the expedition ended.
Take a ride on the River City Star
Take a river cruise aboard the River City Star and see a different view of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. As the paddle boat travels downriver and then upriver, you can see the bridge from beneath, admiring the curves that represent the river’s current, as well as the city’s skyline.
Photo courtesy Visit Omaha
The River City Star offers a variety of tours, including a public tour cruise and lunch or dinner cruises. The River Star is located a short distance north of the Kerrey bridge.
With a water splash area, free concerts and more, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge offers people more than just a place to enjoy a walk or run. Connecting two states, the bridge is a beautiful spot to connect with family and friends.
Benson is a popular neighborhood in Omaha, Neb., having a fun vibe without much pretension. You’ll encounter a mix of ages depending on where you choose to dine, drink and/or hang out.
I remember moving to the area 10 years ago, pregnant with my firstborn and not worrying about missing much while I sat at home and ate pickles and mac & cheese. And then, one year later, the neighborhood was cool. Like, everyone was going there, and great bars were opening, and breweries, and concert venues, and and and…and I had a baby so I felt like I was missing out.
These days, Benson has evolved into an eclectic neighborhood that’s welcoming to all, with unique nightspots, a stellar concert venue, and a few places that kids will love. I still don’t get to visit as much as I’d like to, but it is one of my go-to places with friends and for date nights. Here’s my guide to Benson.
Where is Benson in Omaha?
Most people refer to the stretch of Maple Street between 60th and 65th streets as Benson, but it actually extends a bit more each way (and extends north and south of Maple into neighborhoods). It’s considered a part of Midtown Omaha.
For the purpose of this blog post, I’m focusing on that busy stretch of Maple Street. It’s kinda what you’d call Benson’s downtown area.
Where to park it in Benson
Parking in Benson, as is the case in a few of Omaha’s popular neighborhoods, can be a bit of a headache. However, I’ve never NOT been able to park. Plus, parking is FREE. So relax. We can handle this.
The first parking lot to check is just south of 61st and Maple Street (on the southeast corner of the block). If that’s full, begin checking neighborhood streets south of Maple Street, as well as on-the-street parking along Maple Street.
Very few businesses have (tiny) parking lots, but they exist. Ted and Wally’s has a few spots, for instance.
Dining options – Benson restaurants
Breakfast, brunch, dinner, dessert. Whatever you want to eat, Benson has it. There are a lot of restaurants to run through so I’ll start with my favovrites and then share the rest.
Why: This is a greasy spoon at its finest. It’s a small eatery, so it’s possible you’ll have a wait if you show up after about 9 a.m. The only downfall of Leo’s, alas, is that the coffee is not good. But I still have a lot of love for Leo’s.
Why: This casual pizza shop serves up delicious pie by the slice. It’s a quick option if you’re planning on going to a show and it’s low-key enough to want to hang out there with friends for a while.
Honorable mentions:
1912 Benson, 6201 Maple St., casual hangout with burgers and great drinks, plus a nice rooftop bar
Bärchen Beer Garden, 6209 Maple St., pub grub with good German beers plus (as the name implies) they have a beer garden.
Danny’s Bar & Grill, 2007 N. 72nd St., this is a little ways from Maple Street but a solid choice for pub food. There’s also a kid’s menu.
Hartland Bar-B-Que, 5402 Northwest Radial Highway, this is a solid choice for take-out barbecue just east of the main strip of Maple Street. They have a “best of Omaha” award under their belt, too.
Why: This cozy place purposely has European touches to it. I highly recommend splurging on the chef’s tasting menu. One warning about the menu, though: Creative bites are sometimes exactly that. Bites. If you’re a big eater, a tasting menu like this may not fully satisfy you.
Honorable mentions:
Yoshitomo, 6009 Maple St., this sushi restaurant has a devoted following. I have no complaints about the food, and I found the menu to be creative. But for some inexplicable reason, it’s just never one I recommend to people.
Why: This made-from-scratch ice cream is my favorite. The Benson location is Ted & Wally’s second location and I find that it’s also the one with the least amount of wait no matter the season. Same ice cream, less wait. Score!
Honorable mention:
Baked After Dark, 6103 Maple St., satisfy your sweet tooth with this late-night cookie shop.
Hardy Coffee Co., 6051 Maple St., a coffee shop that often has irresistible baked goods.
Benson restaurants I’ve yet to try
So, I haven’t eaten at every restaurant in Benson (shocking, I know). So the following restaurants I can’t quite tell you whether or not they’re great choices. Yet.
Ika Ramen and Izakaya, 6109 Maple St.
Jojo’s Diner, 6118 Military Ave., word is this new diner is a good place to go for breakfast.
Mantra Bar & Grille, 6913 Maple St.
Mayne St. Market, 6207 Maple St.
TACO CO., 6108 Maple St.
Taqueria Chingon, 6324 Maple St.
Cheers! Bars & breweries in Benson
It’s easy to bar hop in Benson, since there are a lot of unique places in one compact strip of Maple Street.
Why: This is a great bar housed in a restored 1908 building. The craft beer and cocktail selection are superb, and usually, the music is perfection.
Honorable mentions:
If you’re eager to try local beers, head to either The Benson Brewery or Infusion Brewing Co. The Benson Brewery has the bonus addition of serving up good pub food, too. The Benson Brewery, 6059 Maple St., and Infusion, 6115 Maple St.
Barley Street Tavern, 2735 N. 62nd St., go here for live music and a neighborly, convivial atmosphere.
Burke’s Pub, 6117 Maple St., it’s got the neighborhood bar feel to it.
Bars that I just haven’t been to yet
Flavas Margarita Lounge, 6052 Maple St.
Jake’s Cigars & Spirits, 6206 Maple St.
Kaitei, 6109 1/3 Maple St., look for this hidden little Japanese bar below Ika Ramen.
Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave.
St. Andrews Pub, 6102 Maple St.
The Sydney, 5918 Maple St., it’s been so long, I don’t know if I can tell you what The Sydney is like. I do recall it has good acoustics if you can catch a live show there.
Things to do in Benson with friends
Benson is a grown-up’s playground. There are several things to do for nights out with friends or for dates. But first, let’s talk about daytime.
There’s also a lingerie store right on the main street of Benson with window displays that nearly always makes me giggle uncomfortably like a 12-year-old.
Photo courtesy Visit Omaha
For daytime and nighttime, a fun place to go is the Beercade at 6104 Maple St. It’s a classic arcade disguised as a really good craft beer bar. You can play pinball or challenge your friends to the likes of “Mortal Kombat.” You don’t have to have a drink in your hand to play.
If shuffleboard is your thing, head to Musette Bar. This dive bar is not really my scene, and I’ve only been there once. Bring cash.
I’m most likely, though, going to be headed to a concert at The Waiting Room Lounge if I’m in Benson at night. There are some fantastic tours that pass by this venue, as well as popular local vands. And, if craft beer is a priority, this concert venue has a fantastic selection on tap.
New to the scene, is Omaha Virtual Reality, a virtual gaming place I’ve yet to visit. It sounds like a fun place to go with friends.
Things to do with kids in Benson
Arguably, Benson is more fun for grown-ups. However, we’ve found many reasons to head to the neighborhood with the kiddos over the years.
When the weather is nice, we’re at Benson Park, 7028 Military Ave. The playground is huge and there’s a great splash park there. There’s a short, paved trail around the lake. It’s where my kids learned to ride their bikes. Even though it gets a tad crowded, it’s one of our favorite Omaha parks.
And when it’s not so nice outside, we tend to spend time at the Omaha Public Library Benson branch, 6015 Binney St., which has a pretty solid kid’s section. They’re known for their annual event with several storybook characters that’s free and really adorable.
The Benson Community Center is also a good spot, though, to be honest, we’ve only ever been in there for the Halloween party.
Which reminds me, Benson businesses LOVE trick-or-treaters and there’s an afternoon each October set aside for kids to stop by stores and get goodies.
If you’re wondering which Benson restaurants are the best for families, the ones that are my family’s favorites include Ted and Wally’s, Leo’s Diner, and Virtuoso.
Events in Benson
Benson’s annual and seasonal events are more in the spirit of neighborhood celebrations, though a few can and do draw large crowds.
Benson First Friday is a free monthly art event in Benson. You can venture into pop-up galleries in businesses and see (and purchase) art by local artists. It’s pretty casual and you’ll likely meet all of the artists.
Benson Days is held in July each year. It’s a neighborhood celebration held on a single day, though the name Days has stuck. There’s typically a parade, live music and other family-friendly activities. There’s also a 5K fun run planned near or on Benson Days.
Benson Boo Bash is held on a Saturday in October and consists of trick-or-treating at various businesses as well activities as at the community center.
Enjoying the best of Omaha doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Or any money, for that matter. Read on for a big list of free things to do in Omaha, as well as top free Omaha events to enjoy.
Top free things to do in Omaha
Below are some of my favorite free attractions and free activities in Omaha. Some are open year-round and you can visit (for free!) at any time. Others are held on select days.
While it’s definitely a store, Hollywood Candy is a fun trip down memory lane. Browse the memorabilia and antiques, check out the candy aisles, and maybe sit and watch an old movie.
If you have some change, be sure to play in the pinball arcade.
Hummel Park Nature Center is one of the best city parks to visit, at least, it's one of the most unique. If it’s hiking you want, you can enjoy some (short) trails for free at this city-owned park. There’s a nice nature center to visit and fun, futuristic slides there, as well.
There are occasional free family events at Hummel, including ones for fall and winter.
Of course, there are seven other great ones I recommend, too, so click the "Continue Reading" button to see the others!
This is truly a haven in the middle of Omaha. The small wetlands sanctuary is located just off one of the city’s busiest streets, but the short wooded trails make you feel removed from the chaos. Be sure to take a stroll on the boardwalk.
From quirky shops to Instagrammable sights, the Old Market is a fun place to spend time. If you're young or young at heart, don't skip the slides on 11th and Farnam streets.
Omaha Community Playhouse’s Alternative Programming series features free readings of plays. Held on select Monday evenings, these plays tend to be a bit more risqué than what you’d find on the Playhouse’s stages. (No reservations needed)
Each summer from mid-May to mid-October, several markets run on the weekends (mostly) in Omaha. My favorites, the “official” Omaha Farmers Markets, are held on Saturday mornings in the Old Market and Sunday mornings in Aksarben Village.
Featuring a ton of vendors, plus typically a few performers, there is a vibrancy at these markets that can’t be beaten.
First Fridays
On the first Friday of the month, head to either Benson (along Maple Street) or the Old Market for a mix of art and socializing. Participating galleries will have artwork on display, and often, snacks and/or beverages. More details
Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts often has some thought-provoking temporary exhibits worth checking out. It’s well-known, though, for its artist residency program.
Be sure to visit Bemis whenever they announce open house/open studio days since you’ll get the chance to meet some of those artists and see their workspaces.
KANEKO is a hard-to-describe creative space, but there is often a temporary exhibit on display worth checking out. A few of the past ones have often had an interactive component that my kids have loved, like a musical swing set and rocking chairs.
Every so often, KANEKO has a free family day, so be sure to check their online calendar. More details
World-class art from antiquities to contemporary (and my favorite, Impressionism) can be seen at Joslyn Art Museum. Occasionally, there are special exhibits that are an additional fee, but generally, you can see the museum’s permanent collection without paying an admission fee.
If you have children with you, be sure to visit the interactive play space, Art Works, on the lower level.
Free annual events in Omaha
Year-round, Omaha has a variety of popular free events. Here are some of my favorites I recommend attending.
It’s not summer until I’ve been to a Jazz on the Green concert at Turner Park. This series, produced by O-Pa, runs for six Thursday nights each summer starting the first Thursday after the Fourth of July.
This is an extremely popular event, and some groups arrive right when the green opens at 5 p.m. There is usually a pre-show band or dance lessons, so it’s worth arriving early. Pack a picnic for this (and bring along some wine or adult beverage if you wish).
Rarely do you get to see Shakespeare performed for free and performed superbly. Two different plays are performed over three weekends each summer near Elmwood Park in Midtown Omaha. Pack a picnic and bring lawn chairs or a blanket to this. And arrive early to enjoy pre-show activities.
I like to include Taste of Omaha on this list even though if you actually wanted to taste any of the foods offered by vendors, you’ll have to pay. Still, this is a fun event to stroll, plus there is usually live music.
The Holiday Lights Festival lasts several weeks, but one of the big highlights is the Family Festival on the first Sunday in December, where venues around downtown Omaha are free and have activities. Participating venues include Omaha Children’s Museum, The Durham Museum, and the Omaha Police Horse Barn. This is the one day a year Omaha Children’s Museum is free to the public.
Other free events during the Holiday Lights Festival include the Holiday Market at Aksarben Village and New Year’s Eve fireworks. Obviously, there are also a lot of lights to see throughout downtown Omaha.
Each September, Smithsonian Museum affiliates participate in the nation-wide free day. All you have to do is download the pass. Two museums in Omaha usually participate - The Durham Museum and El Museo Latino.
Free days at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium are rare but they do happen each year. Typically, these free days will be off-season, and sometimes, as is the case for Veterans’ Day, they’ll be for only a special group of people.
One of the largest free concerts held each year in Omaha, this free concert at Memorial Park is held around the Fourth of July. Featuring a well-known band and ending with fireworks, thousands of families from around the metro make the trek to Midtown to enjoy the evening together.
Omaha families love a parade. Some of the biggest ones held each year include Septemberfest Parade, held on Labor Day, and my favorite, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, held usually the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day. Both parades are in downtown Omaha.
December is the perfect time to visit Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. Seriously. Add all my reasons for visiting the zoo when it’s cold out with the enchantment of the holidays, and you can see why I recommend planning an Omaha zoo visit at Christmas time.
Where is the Omaha zoo?
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (AKA Omaha’s zoo) is located at 3701 S. 10th St. It’s located just off Interstate 80 and about a mile south of Omaha’s bustling downtown area called the Old Market.
Plan your visit knowing that in November and December, the zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except on those holidays mentioned above). Buildings will stay open until 5 p.m.
Omaha’s zoo is open on winter holidays like Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, as well as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The zoo is always closed on Christmas Day.
Why go to the zoo during the holidays?
Omaha’s zoo is the state’s most-visited attraction, seeing about 2 million guests each year. The busiest season — by far — is summer. There are plenty of reasons to go to the zoo in the summer, but crowds are not one of them.
So, avoiding crowds is one reason why I love winter at the zoo. The colder weather scares away a lot of people leaving you quite a bit of room to leisurely enjoy each exhibit.
However, there are some events at Christmas that are decidedly going to draw a crowd. I think they’re worth it, though. More on each of those events in a minute.
My other reason to go to the zoo in the winter is possibly unfounded scientifically, but I think the animals are more active in the winter.
Is the zoo in Omaha decorated for Christmas?
No, the zoo doesn’t string lights or put up a lot of holiday decorations. However, you will find event spaces decorated for the holidays, especially for Supper with Santa.
If you want to see something really Christmas-y at the zoo, plan your visit to watch a holiday-themed character dive in the shark tunnel at the aquarium. These special dives are on Dec. 7, 14 and Dec. 21.
On Dec. 7 and 14, you’ll see a variety of characters, including Santa. When we went, we saw an angel, elf and Mrs. Claus. On Dec. 21, you will only see Santa (but isn’t that enough?).
What are some special events during Christmas at Omaha’s zoo?
There are a few annual events at the zoo. These are ticketed events, so you will need to make your purchase in advance, not the day of. These events are likely to sell out.
Supper With Santa
When: Dec. 13-21; Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: Lied Jungle and Durham TreeTops Restaurant on Dec. 13 & 14, and Scott Aquarium Conference Center on Dec. 20 & 21.
What: Enjoy a spaghetti dinner, activities, storytime, and of course, pictures with Santa.
Cost: $23, members; $28, non-members; and FREE for children ages 2 and young
Penguins and Pancakes
When: Dec. 26-30; seating times are from 9 to 10:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. seating.
Where: Scott Aquarium Conference Center
What: Enjoy pancakes from The Pancake Man, an animal visit from an African penguin and keeper talks, as well as a special penguin plush to take home.
Cost: $20, adult members, and $25, adult non-member; $15, child member (ages 3-11), and $20, child non-member (ages 3-11); and FREE for children ages 2 and younger
