Spring in Omaha a wonderful time to visit or explore your own backyard. Crowds are few at major city attractions like the zoo and Omaha Children’s Museum, for one thing. And another? It’s not hot and humid yet. Read on for ideas for great things to do in Omaha in the spring, particularly in the colder months of March, April and early May.
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What’s the weather like in Omaha in the spring?
March will typically have a random “warm” day, but most of the time, spring is still just a hint. Highs are around 50 degrees on average and lows are around upper-20s. St. Patrick’s Day is notoriously a cold time.
Early spring rolling into April can be fairly unpredictable with the forecast, with highs in the low to mid-60s and lows of mid-40s. There’s always a chance for flurries, but it’s more likely to be rainy in April. With the rain, though, comes hints of green and a few budding flowers. Midwesterners are hearty folk, so some people will already be busting out shorts and flip flops.
May is prime spring weather with highs of mid-70s (and sometimes 80s) and lows in the 60s. Pools will open on Memorial Day Weekend, with or without the weather transitioning to summer temps just yet.
Omaha events you may want to attend in March, April or May 2022
If you’re a planner, you and I can be friends. I love having a list of things to come. So, here are some events in Omaha I think you’ll like:
- Omaha has an active and passionate Irish-American community and so the week around St. Patrick’s Day is a lot of fun. The city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is held downtown on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day (so March 12 this yera). There’s also a Hooley celebration on March 6 with live music and dinner (and all family-friendly).
- “Forever Forest” is at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St., until April 16 and “Block Party” is there until May 1. The summer exhibitors “Moon to Mars” and “Namaste India” open on May 28. Special events at the museum include Candyland Weekend (March 18-20), Ms. Frizzle’s Wacky Weekend (April 22-24) and Marvel vs. DC Weekend (May 20-22).
- The shows this spring at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St., include “The Color Purple” (March 4-27), “The Giver” (April 15-May 8), “Stick Fly” (May 6-June 5) and “Kinky Boots” (May 27-June 26).
- Performances at the Holland Center of note include Omaha Symphony’s “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony” (March 5 and 6), Hasan Minhaj: The King’s Jester (March 20), Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson: An Astrophysicist Goes to the Movies (April 6), and “Omaha Symphony Presents: Star Wars Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” (May 14 and 15).
- Performances at the Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St., to be on the lookout for include “IMomSoHard: The Getaway Tour” (March 5), “Mean Girls” (March 8-13), “Disney Princess: The Concert” (March 20), Alton Brown Live: Beyond the Eats (March 25), “Madagascar The Musical” (March 26), American Midwest Ballet’s “Swing, Swing, Swing!” (April 9), “Eugene Oregin” (April 22-24), “Wicked” (April 27-May 15) and “The Masked Singer National Tour” (May 29).
- Exhibits opening at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St., include “Nelson Mandela: The Official Exhibition” (March 5 – July 3) and “Dinosaur Revolution” (May 28 – Sept. 4).
- Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St., will have Easter Extravaganza activities April 4-18.
- The Rose, 2001 Farnam St., will stage “Giraffes Can’t Dance” April 8 through May 1.
- Some of the big events at CHI Health Center include Billie Eilish: Happier Than Ever, The World Tour (March 16), Greta Van Fleet: Dreams in Gold Tour 2022 (March 25), Bon Jovi (April 1), Santana: Miracle & Blessings Tour (April 9), The Weeknd: After Hours World Tour (April 16), John Mulany: From Scratch (April 22), and Burlington Capital International Omaha Horse Competition (May 5-9).
- Cinco de Mayo festivities, including a parade on Saturday, are May 6-8 in South Omaha.
- Events at Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch, 11001 S. 48th St., this spring include The Renaissance Festival of Nebraska (May 7-15).
- If you’re not sure how to celebrate Mother’s Day, get yourself or the mom in your life a gift card to one of these spas or salons in Omaha.
Easter Bunny events and egg hunts in 2022
In a category all itself is “All Things Easter” events. I’m talking egg hunts, Easter Bunny pictures, and everything in between.
- Easter Bunny pictures at Westroads Mall, 10000 California St., run from March 25 through April 16 just outside Von Maur on the first level. Pet Night is March 28 and April 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. Photo package prices will vary.
- The Bubbly Tart, 3020 Leavenworth St., Suite 1, will hold an Easter cake decorating class on April 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $70 per person. Beginners welcome, limited seats available. Email chelsie@thebubblytart.com to reserve a spot.
- Easter Extravaganza at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St., runs April 4-18. Walk the trails and find all 14 eggs, and then collect a prize and a book at the end. Included with garden admission.
- The Family Fun Fair hosted by Josh Jones is April 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Hope Center, 2200 N. 20th St. Event includes an egg hunt, games, and music. FREE
- Breakfast with the Bunny presented by Kinder Joy® is April 9 and 16 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Includes an egg hunt and education station fun throughout Bay Family Children’s Adventure Trails followed by breakfast with a rabbit ambassador. Member tickets are $20 for adults and $25 for kids; non-members are $25 for adults and $30 for kids. 1 year and under are free but still need a ticket.
- Spring Eggstravaganza at Saddlebrook Community Center, 14850 Laurel Ave., is April 9 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Story time is at 9:30 at the library, egg hunt is in gym. FREE
- Gretna Baptist Church will have an Easter egg hunt at North Park on April 9 at 10 a.m. for kids ages 0-10 years. The field will be divided into sections by age: 0-2, 3-4, 5-7, and 8-10. FREE
- Easter Egg-stravaganza is April 9 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Urban Abbey, 1026 Jackson St. There will be live bunnies from Camp Fontanelle and a visit from The Big Garden as they host opportunities to plant and play. FREE
- Gifford Farm’s Spring Celebration and Egg Hunt is April 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 700 Camp Gifford Road, Bellevue, Neb. Includes hay rides and games. Admission is $5 per person ages 1 and older (kids under 1 who are not hunting eggs are free). Must RSVP if you’re doing the egg hunt.
- The Wonder Nook Easter Celebration is April 9 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. or 3 to 4:30 p.m. and April 10 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at 10806 Prairie Hills Drive. Event includes dancing, story time, egg decorating, create a centerpiece and an egg hunt. You provide the eggs – they provide the dye. Cost is $20 per kid ($15 siblings). Email create@thewondernook.com to reserve a spot.
- River of Life Omaha will have a community Easter egg hunt on April 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gallagher Park, 2936 N. 52nd St. Hunts are for ages 4 and under to up to 12 years old are invited to join the egg hunt. All other ages are invited to join the rest of the festivities. FREE
- Easter Activities including free pictures with the Easter Bunny at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St., April 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and April 16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Post pictures of the Easer Egg Scavenger Hunt using #OCMEggs for a chance to win a goody basket. Included with museum admission.
- Christ the King Catholic Church will have an Easter egg hunt on April 16 at 11:30 a.m. at the church’s soccer field, 831 S. 88th St. FREE
More fun things to do in the spring in Omaha
I treat Omaha in the spring a lot like Omaha in the winter so much of my recommendations for winter activities are great (indoor) options in March, April and May, too.
However, I figure you want some new ideas, too, so here are a few more recommendations:
Indoor rides in Omaha
With young kids, especially, it’s not so much quantity but novelty of going on a ride. So while Omaha doesn’t have an indoor amusement park or anything remotely like one, we have places with rides that always seem magical to youngsters.
There’s an indoor carousel and mini train at Omaha Children’s Museum (rides are an additional fee) in Downtown Omaha. Scheels, a chain sporting goods store with a location in West Omaha, there’s a large Ferris wheel (additional fee).
Amazing Pizza Machine, also a West Omaha attraction, has go karts and bumper cars as well as several rides for small kids like a frog small jumper (a ride that drops you a short distance). Joe’s Karting is an indoor track for kart racing.
Related post: Fun things to do in West Omaha with kids
High tea and hot chocolate dates
High tea, or afternoon tea, is like a grown-up’s version of a tea party. It’s typically finger foods served with tea (or sometimes alcoholic beverages) and desserts.
A few place in the Omaha metro area offers high tea services, including Chocolate Abeille, which serves afternoon tea and chocolate in its Bellevue shop on Fridays; high tea on Saturdays and Sundays at the Orleans Room inside Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel in Omaha; high tea at Our Specialtea in Blair; and Simply Delicious in Valley has high tea Wednesdays through Saturdays.
You can get hot cocoa at most coffee shops, sure, but if you want to up the ante a little, head to Edge of the Universe. Cocoa is served in mugs that either fit the season or the theme of this cafe. The theme changes every few months and in the past, it’s been Happily Ever After and Starry Night.
Another favorite place for hot cocoa is Felius Cat Cafe where you can sip away while petting or playing with adoptable cats.
Your turn: What are some of your favorite spring activities in Omaha?