If there’s one recurring theme I notice with first-time visitors to Omaha, Nebraska, it’s this: Surprise. Omaha is not a big city, but it has most everything here that would would find in one. Only, it’s all much more affordable to do it all here. Ready to see what Omaha has to offer? Here are my favorite things to do in Omaha and the must-see attractions I recommend to all visitors.
And who am I? I’m a born and raised Omaha girl. I’m one of the city’s biggest fans.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
UPDATED: This post as first published in 2022 and has been updated in March 2024 with new attractions.
Visit Omaha’s zoo
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is regularly ranked among the Top 5 zoos IN THE WORLD, and it just keeps getting better. No matter the season, there’s plenty to see in a day. And you’ll need a full day for it.
Visiting in the winter? Visit the world’s largest indoor desert and the huge Kingdoms of the Night exhibit underneath it. Then head over to one of the largest indoor rainforests before venturing a short distance to the impressive aquarium, where the shark tunnel will mesmerize you.
In the summer, visit the African Grasslands to see elephants, lions, and giraffes roam. The birth of several elephant calves this year has made everyone excited to visit soon.
Don't forget to pack towels and a change of clothes for kids, because they will get wet playing in the fun seasonal attractions, Children’s Adventure Trails and Alaskan Adventure waterpark.
Then there are the rides, the restaurant overlooking the rainforest, the IMAX…there’s a lot! Plus, at Christmas time, there's Zoolightful.
Address: 3701 S. 10th St., Omaha
Cost: $$$
Explore the Old Market
The most recognizable district in Omaha, the Old Market is a charming spot day or night. What once was Omaha’s bustling produce and market center now is full of hip restaurants, quirky stores and boutiques. The brick roads remain, the vegetable warehouses now are condos and bars.
Shop stores like Ray Gun, Made in Omaha, Jackson Street Booksellers, and Hollywood Candy. Browse the free galleries like Omaha Artist Co-op and Old Market Passageway Gallery. And dine at some of the city’s best restaurants like Boiler Room, or be entertained at places like Monster Club (a horror movie-themed restaurant) or Laka Lomo Rum Club (a tiki bar).
Expect to pay for parking (metered or lot), and know that surrounding the Old Market is a bunch of one-way streets.
Address: The Old Market is located in Downtown Omaha, Neb. It runs from Farnam Street on the north side to Jones Street on the south side, and from 10th Street on the east side to 13th Street on the west side. The main intersection is 11th and Howard – head there to get an iconic photo for Instagram.
Cost: FREE
Explore Omaha in every season
Each season in Omaha has its high points. Spring has St. Patrick's Day and fabulous live performances. Summer bursts with concerts, festivals, and fireworks. Fall is the prime season for farms, pumpkin patches, haunted housses and apple picking. And winter? There's snowshoeing, holiday celebrations, indoor waterparks.
Explore Omaha RiverFront
The RiverFront is a public-private funded three-park project that is a total game-changer for the city. The much-anticipated first stage of the project opened in mid-Summer 2022 and features the Gene Leahy Mall, a mega green space (40,000 square feet) with an outdoor concert pavilion, playground, sculpture garden, water feature, and dog park.
In August 2023, two more areas reopened: Heartland of America Park and Lewis & Clark Landing. All three areas are connected by walkways and easy to reach by foot.
The big draw to Heartland of America Park is the all-season Skate Ribbon and Farnam Pier. The Lewis & Clark Landing is fantastic to stroll around, with an amazing playground, urban beach, and sand volleyball courts. The city's new science center, Kiewit Luminarium, is also there!
Address: From about 14th Street between Douglas and Farnam streets, eastward, and then once at the riverfront, it will extend north and south.
Cost: FREE to $$
Explore Omaha after dark
After the sun goes down, there's still plenty of things to see and do around Omaha. Downtown Omaha is an obvious part of Omaha to begin exploring, with live music venues, shops, bars, and theaters, but there's plenty of more to see beyond downtown.
A lot of people ask about things to do at night with kids, and Omaha has plenty!
Get close to history at The Durham Museum
My kids still refer to the Durham as “The Train Museum.” It’s way more than trains, but definitely, they are a highlight there as you can walk through old train cars and watch a humungous model train roam. The museum showcases Omaha history in exhibits as well as traveling special exhibits. In the past, they’ve have exhibits ranging from Muppets to dinosaurs to guitars.
Don’t miss visiting the old-fashioned soda fountain. If you don’t like root beer floats, treat yourself to a sundae.
The Durham Museum houses the city’s largest indoor live Christmas tree each year, and has a full season worth of holiday activities during “Christmas at Union Station.”
Address: 801 S. 10th St., Omaha
Cost: $$
See what the Luminarium is all about
The newest attraction to open in Omaha is the Kiewit Luminarium. It's like a science center that explores more than STEM that's crossed with a children's museum for older kids. It describes itself as "A new place to play and learn."
Go with or without kids, you'll enjoy it either way. They have late nights every Thursday just for the 21+ crowd.
Where: 345 Riverfront Drive, Omaha, Neb.
Feel like a kid again at Omaha Children’s Museum
If you have a child who’s 8 or younger, you cannot go wrong taking him or her to Omaha Children’s Museum. Full disclosure: I used to work there.
You can spend at least three hours there before your kiddo tires out. Definitely visit the Imagination Playground with the huge water table and mini grocer store, as well as the Tinker Factory to work with real tools. There is usually one or two special exhibits at the museum, with super awesome ones opening each summer (I’m biased and I don’t care).
There is a small cafe upstairs, and an oh-so-tempting popcorn machine. Parents, they also serve coffee and mochas.
Where: 500 S. 20th St., Omaha
Cost: $$, but the museum is a member of the ASTC program, so if you have a membership to a science center, you may get four people admitted for free! Your home museum needs to be 90 miles from OCM.
Appreciate art at Joslyn Art Museum
Note: The museum is closed to the public for remodeling and expansion until September 2024.
Home to one of the largest collections of Native American art, Joslyn is the pride of the city. The museum’s collection span ears, though, from contemporary to Impressionist, Ancient Greek to surreal.
There’s a large space for families to create and do hands-on activities called Art Works.
There is a cafe inside the museum.
Address: 2200 Dodge St., Omaha
Cost: FREE, though some special exhibits may require a ticket
Drive through the safari
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium operates a second animal attraction just outside of Omaha, the Nebraska Wildlife Safari. It's mostly a drive-through experience where you'll see bison, Sandhill cranes, and elk.
Midway through, you can park and explore trails that lead to bears, wolves and bald eagles, among others. Young kids will like the little petting zoo area, too.
Address: 16406 N. 292nd St., Ashland, Neb. (about 20 miles west of Omaha)
Cost: $$
Free Things To Do In Omaha
Omaha has a HUGE amount of free attractions and things to do, so much that I shared more than 60 free things to do in Omaha in one post!
A few of my most recommended free attractions: KANEKO, "The Bob," Joslyn Art Museum, and Heron Haven Nature Center. There's also the seasonally-open Freedom Park, a U.S. naval museum and park, and the outdoor sculpture garden, Pioneer Courage Park.
Addresses:
- KANEKO, 1111 Jones St., Omaha
- Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St., Omaha
- Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, 705 Riverfront Drive, Omaha
- Heron Haven Nature Center, 11809 Old Maple Road, Omaha
- Freedom Park, 2497 Freedom Park Road, Omaha
- Pioneer Courage Park, 1601 Dodge St., Omaha
Tour Joslyn Castle or other historic gems
Joslyn Castle (not to be confused with Joslyn Art Museum) is a not-so-secret hidden gem in Omaha. The historic mansion is well-preserved and open for public tours on select days. The tour can be a little info-heavy so not many kids will stay interested the entire time (I have one who would, one who wouldn’t last 10 minutes). Bring a camera because the place is gorgeous.
The grounds are always free and open to visit, and the gardens are exceptionally pretty in the spring and summer. Joslyn Castle has special events throughout the year, such as the popular Speakeasy series and a holiday boutique.
The Omaha Metro is home to other historic home that are open for tours including Gen. Crook House and General Dodge House. Learn more about them, other historical sites, and hidden gems of Omaha musuem scene here.
Addresses:
- Joslyn Castle and Gardens, 3902 Davenport St., Omaha
- Gen. Crook House, 5730 N. 30th St., Omaha
- General Dodge House, 605 S. Third St., Council Bluffs, Iowa
See what Boys Town is all about
The area known as Boys Town is a National Historic Landmark, and its history is tied to Omaha hisotry. There are a few places to visit while you're on campus, startting with the Visitors Center and Hall of History, where you'll learn more about the beginnings of the historic home for children.
If you're interested in the man who started Boys Town, you can also visit Father Flanagan’s home. I haven't written extensively about Boys Town, but it is among the city's historic sites and museums I recommend visiting at least once. And, as a quirky little bonus, you can find the World's Largest Ball of Stamps on the campus (right by the Visitors Center near the Dodge Street entrance).
Address: 13628 Flanagan Blvd., Boystown, Neb.
Cost: FREE
Eat all the foods at one of the food halls
Omaha has more than its fair share of talented local chefs. And now we have food halls that bring a lot of them together under one roof.
In 2019, Inner Rail Food Hall opened at Aksarben Village, and has abundant indoor and otdoor seating. Inner Rail is all quick-service restaurants with a definite world flavor appeal to it.
Omaha’s first food hall (actually, the state's first), Flagship Commons, opened at Westroads Mall in late 2015. Westroads is a pretty conveniently located mall near busy Dodge Street, as well as near Interstate 680. It has one a location of one of my family's favorite restaurants, Blatt Table + Beer. There are also great sushi and ramen quick-service restaurants there.
Most of Flagship’s seating is in a common area, with a mix of typical table seating, bar seating, and my favorite spot, a couch seating by a fireplace. Most seating is indoors, though if you dine at The Blatt, you can snag a table outside.
The newest food hall concept is Kamp, located in the Blackstone District.
Addresses:
- Inner Rail Food Hall, 1911 S. 67th St., Omaha
- Flagship Commons, 10000 California St., Omaha (north entrance)
- Kamp, 3618 Farnam St., Omaha
Pet cute farm animals
The pandemic one positive effect for my family: We actively sought outdoor experiences that made us happy. Those experiences typically involved cute animals.
Scatter Joy Acres is a long-running petting zoo of sorts, with many of its animals trained as service animals. Beyond the expected goats and hogs, you'll encounter a camel, peacocks, horses, donkeys, emus, a friendly porcupine, and many more critters. ** Scatter Joy recently moved outside of Omaha to rural Murray, Neb. **
Gifford Farm is a lovely, quiet little farm. It’s designed more for school groups, but every so often they will be open to the public on a Tuesday or on a Saturday for a special event. You'll find sheep, alpacas, and a variety of other farm animals. (PS: This is a cash-only place)
Make a reservation to visit the small non-profit Alpacas of the Heartland for an fun morning. You’ll each get a bag of carrots to feed more than 30 alpacas.
Pick produce off the plants (or buy from their farmstead), plus check out adorable animals at Nelson Produce Farm is more of a pick-your-own produce farm than an animal farm, but there are plenty of cute animals there, including chickens, cattle and horses. You can buy food to feed some of them, too.
Addresses:
- Scatter Joy Acres, 4107 Waverly Road, Murray, Neb.
- Gifford Farm, 700 Camp Gifford Road, Bellevue, Neb. (about 5 miles south of Omaha)
- Alpacas of the Heartland, 7016 County Road 39, Fort Calhoun, Neb. (about 10 miles north of Omaha)
- Nelson Produce Farm, 10505 N. 234th St., Valley, Neb. (about 15 miles west of Omaha)
Cost: $-$$
Enjoy the good life in Benson
Benson is a neighborhood in Omaha has 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. A good time to explore is on the first Friday of the month when art and pop culture collide in evening for Benson First Fridays. It's free and you can see a lot of great local art during BFF.
A few of my favorite places to visit with friends is the Beercade (exactly what it sounds like...pure awesomeness), Krug Park (a bar), and the beer garden at Bärchen. One of my favorite shops is in Benson too, Found, with an ever-changing selection of home decor. For live music, you've got to head to The Waiting Room.
Kids in tow? They'll love ice cream at Ted & Wally's and hot cocoa at the theme cafe, Edge of the Universe.
Addresses:
Most people refer to the stretch of Maple Street between 60th and 65th streets as Benson (where you'll find all the shops and restaurants), but it actually extends a bit more each way (and extends north and south of Maple into neighborhoods).
- Beercade, 6104 Maple St., Omaha
- Krug Park, 6205 Maple St., Omaha
- Bärchen Beer Garden, 6209 Maple St., Omaha
- Found Vintage Market, 6022 Maple St., Omaha
- The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St., Omaha
- Ted & Wally's, 6023 Maple St., Omaha
- Edge of the Universe, 6070 Maple St., Omaha
Celebrate quirkiness in Little Bohemia
Small in size but big on charm, Omaha's Litttle Bohemia is a neighborhood just south of the Old Market. It got its name because in the mid-1880s, Czech immigrants coming to Omaha created a community along 13th Street.
When of the city's oldest restaurants, Bohemian Cafe, closed in 2016, the neighorhood seemed doomed. But, it's enjoying a revival thanks to local entrepreneurs who've opened in the area, including Czech Inn who opened in the former Bohemian Cafe (and keep the vibe alive inside and out).
You'll find second-hand shops like New Wave Clothing and Pretty in Patina in Little Bohemia, plus quirky bars like Fizzy’s Fountain & Liquors and Beercade 2.
Addresses:
Little Bohemia is mostly along 13th Street, between Pine and William streets.
- Czech Inn, 1406 S. 13th St., Omaha
- New Wave Clothing, 1406 S. 13th St., Omaha
- Pretty in Patina, 1449 S. 13th St., Omaha
- Fizzy’s Fountain & Liquors, 1408 S. 13th St., Omaha
- Beercade 2, 1423 S. 13th St., Omaha
Go wild at indoor entertainment centers
Omaha has quite a few giant, indoor entertainment centers that are a lot of fun with a mix of arcade games, food, and sometimes bowling. Most are located in West Omaha, including Amazing Pizza Machine, Bowlero, Dave & Buster’s, Urban Air Adventure. The newest one to open in Omaha is Spare Time Entertainment. These activity centers are all in West Omaha.
Slightly different is the Activity Center at Mahoney State Park, which has climbing walls as well as a humungous indoor kids play area.
Addresses:
- Amazing Pizza Machine, 13955 S. Plaza, Omaha
- The MARK, 20902 Cumberland Drive, Elkhorn, Neb.
- Dave & Buster's, 2502 S. 133rd Plaza, Omaha
- Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure, 15364 Weir St., Omaha
- Spare Time Entertainment, 17202 Lakeside Hills Plaza, Omaha
- Activity Center at Mahoney State Park, 28500 W. Park Highway, Ashland, Neb. (about 25 miles west of Omaha along Interstate 80)
Cost: $-$$
Fun places for a drink
At last check, Omaha has 17 craft breweries...check that, 18 breweries. 19? I dunno, there's always new ones popping up. I like enjoying a meal with my beer, so I'm happy wiht places like Benson Brewery or Upstream Brewing Co., which have a menu alongside their beers. Upstream has the bonus perk of two great outdoor patios.
But, for just good beer, tthere are more than a dozen others from Kros Strain to Brickway Brewery and Distillery. If you like a little "show" with your beer, head to the Alpine Inn where the evening entertainment is a pack of trash pandas eating the table scraps outside the restaurant's windows.
Omaha has unique bars like the tiki bar Laka Lono Rum Club (I'm talking flaming cocktail drinks) or the riverside bar/restaurant, The Surfside Club.
And for some excellent cockttails, seek out one of the city's speakeasies, Alice, Wicked Rabbit, and Segreto.
Addresses:
- Benson Brewery, 6059 Maple St., Omaha
- Upstream Brewing Co., 514 S. 11th St., Omaha
- Kros Strain, 10411 Portal Road, La Vista, Neb., Omaha
- Brickway Brewery and Distillery, 1116 Jackson St., Omaha
- Alpine Inn, 10405 Calhoun Road
- Laka Lono Rum Club, 1204 Howard St.
- The Surfside Club, 14445 N. River Drive
- Alice, 17070 Wright Plaza Suite 10 (underneath Jam's restaurant)
- Wicked Rabbit, 1508 Harney St. (go into the cigar shop and find the secret door behind the shelves)
- Segreto, 3910 Farnam St. B (go down the ramp behind the bar)
Historic tours by trolley
The Durham Museum’s River City History Tours cover various themes from Omaha's seedy history to the city's storied jazz history. There’s a tour guide well-versed in history pointing out things along the way and sharing interesting stories related to the tour topic. The museum recently launched walking tours, too.
Address:
- The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St., Omaha
Lauritzen Gardens
Lauritzen Gardens is a colorful and serene place to visit any time of year. In the summer, visit gardens like the model train garden and the rose garden.
Year-round, visit the conservatory. It's a refreshing place to explore and there's even a waterfall in there.
The gardens often have a exhibition,, and their holiday display is among the best in the region.
Address: 100 Bancroft St., Omaha
Cost: $$
Cross “The Bob”
The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge spans the Missouri River and it goes by the name “Bob” or, “The Bob.” Crossing it is “Bobbing.” The bridge has a popular photo opp in the middle - the Iowa-Nebraska state line is right in the middle of the river.
We usually ride our bikes across it, as there are trails on both sides of the river.
Address; 705 Riverfront Drive, Omaha
Cost: FREE
Get your game on
Combine a coffee shop and bar with a huge collection of games and you get Spielbound. For a small fee, you can spend a whole day with friends or family playing nearly any board game, card came, or strategy game you can imagine.
Spielbound is essentially a game library, and lingering and browsing through the games is totally fine there.
Address: Spielbound Board Game Cafe, 3229 Harney St., Omaha
Cost: $
Go to a comedy show
Omaha has several of its own homegrown stand-ups and comedy troupes, and the city also attracts touring comedians. To see up-and-coming comedians, attend a show at The Backline, Blackstone Theater, or the monthly comedy show at Tiny House.
Touring acts will be at Funny Bone, the Orpheum Theater, Holland Performing Arts Center, and sometimes, CHI Healh Center Omaha.
Addresses:
- The Backline Comedy Theatre, 1618 Harney St., Omaha
- Blackstone Theater, 3624 Farnam St., Omaha
- Tiny House, 1411 S. 13th St., Omaha
- Funny Bone, 17305 Davenport St., Omaha
- Orpheum Theater, 809 S. 16th St., Omaha
- Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St., Omaha
- CHI Healh Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St., Omaha
Putt putt around
Like the idea of playing mini golf around a pirate ship, dinosaurs or glow-in-the-dark stuff? Omaha has several indoor putting options. Kids love the themed ones like Prehistoric Putt, Medieval Putt, and Pirate Putt.
The newest indoor mini golf spot will appeal to an older crowd (though it's all ages before 6 p.m.): The Fat Putter.
Addresses:
- Prehistoric Putt, 11134 Q St., Omaha
- Medieval Putt, 20915 Cumberland Drive, Elkhorn, Neb. (about 5 miles west of Omaha)
- Pirate Putt, 1718 Madison Ave., Council Bluffs, Iowa (about 5 miles east of Omaha)
- The Fat Putter, 111 N. 10th St., Omaha, Neb.
Golf like a pro
Whether you want an 18-hole course or just a simulation, Omaha has several great golf courses and golf simulators.
Addresses:
- Benson Golf Course, 5333 N. 72nd St., Omaha
- Beyond Golf Bar + Kitchen, 12040 McDermott Plaza, LaVista, Neb.
- Elmwood Golf Course, 6232 Pacific St., Omaha
- Iron Horse Golf Course, 900 Club House Drive, Ashland, Neb.
- Johnny Goodman Golf Course, 6111 S. 119th St., Omaha
- Knolls Golf Course, 11630 Sahler St., Omaha
- Spring Lake Golf Course, 4020 Hoctor Blvd., Omaha
- Topgolf, 908 N. 102nd St., Omaha
- Warren Swigart Golf Course, 3865 Parkview Drive
- Westwood Golf Course, 12929 West Center Road
X-Golf, 808 N. 102nd St.
Felius Cat Cafe
Yes there is a cat cafe in Omaha, and yes, you need to go (assuming you like cats). You order your coffee separately at Felius, and then pay for the amount of time you want to sit in the room, playing with the cats.
It’s a relaxing place…again, assuming you like cats.
Address: 522 S. 24th St., Omaha
Cost: $
Watch live theater
Omaha has a surprisingly large theater scene, with extremely talented local actors as well as touring productions passing through. Some of my favorite theatrical venues in Omaha are Omaha Community Playhouse, Bluebarn Theatre, and the Broadway Series presented by O-Pa.
If you’re looking for kids’ shows, see what’s happening at The Rose. Their June production is usually a top-notch musical.
Addresses:
- Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St., Omaha
- Bluebarn Theatre, 1106 S. 10th St., Omaha
- Broadway shows are at the Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St., Omaha
- The Rose, 2001 Farnam St., Omaha
See a live concert
We are spoiled in Omaha. Tickets to amazing concerts are a fraction of the cost in bigger cities. I've gathered a list of concerts by month so you can keep tabs on what's coming up!
Some of the city's best venues include The Slowdown, The Waiting Room, and both halls inside the Holland Performing Arts Center (the main concert hall and the intimate Holland Music Club. And we have big name shows, too, at CHI Health Center Omaha
For outdoor concerts, there are a few annual series and festivals that are top-notch every summer. There's the free summer series Jazz on the Green at Midtown Crossing and the Independence Day concert at Memorial Park, as well as tick.
Addresses:
- The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St., Omaha
- The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St., Omaha
- Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St., Omaha
- CHI Health Center, 455 N. 10th St., Omaha
- Jazz on the Green at Midtown Crossing, held in Turner Park between Dodge and Farnam streets at around 31st Avenue
- Memorial Park, 6005 Underwood Ave., Omaha
- Maha Festival, held in Stinson Park at Aksarben Village, 2285 S. 67th St., Omaha
Be one with nature at Fontenelle Forest
Miles and miles of trails are the draw to Fontelle Forest, though the rescued birds in the Raptor Woodland Refuge are a close second. Fontenelle is made for both the experienced hiker and inexperienced. You could spend hours on dirtt trails, or just an hour or so on the fantastic boardwalk that’s stroller-friendly.
Fontenelle is open in all seasons. In the winter, you can rent snowshoes to explore.
Don't skip the nature center. The lower level has a great space for kids.
Address: 1111 Bellevue Blvd N, Bellevue, Neb. (5 miles south of Omaha)
Cost: $$
TreeRush Adventure
Located inside Fontenelle Forest, but not a part of Fontenelle Forest, is TreeRush, a ropes course for everyone, all ages. For kids ages 4-6, there’s KidRush Adventure Park, a low-to-the-ground ropes course that’s just challenging enough for kiddos to feel a part of the action. For everyone, there are varying levels of challenging courses.
It's a blast, and a workout. And sometimess they have evening sessions where you can walk among treetops on courses lit by strings of twinkle lights.
Address: Located inside Fontenelle Forest, 1111 Bellevue Blvd N, Bellevue, Neb. (5 miles south of Omaha)
Cost: $$ (this is seperate from admission into the forest)
Take me out to the ball game
Sure, a lot of cities either have a pro baseball team or a AAA. We have the Omaha Storm Chasers, for instance. It's a great outing for friends and families (splurge for passes to the kid's zone).
But, only one city has the NCAA Div. I Men’s College World Series, and that city is Omaha. For a few weeks every June, Omaha attracts thousands for the NCAA Men’s College World Series. Beyond the games, there’s the Opening Day Celebration, Fan Fest, a fun run, live music and so much more. It's a big party.
Addresses:
- Omaha Storm Chasers at Werner Park, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion, Neb. (about 5 miles south of Omaha)
- College World Series at Charles Schwab Field, 1200 Mike Fahey St., Omaha
Cost: $-$$
See what tanking is all about
Tanking is a Nebraska thing. It's like floating or tubing, but in a livestock water tank.
Most tanking outfittters are located in central Nebraska in the Sandhills but you can have the tanking experience close to Omaha on the Elkhorn RIver with the outfittter Tank 'N' Tube River Rides. It's a memorable way to spend a summer day witth friends.
Pack the sunscreen.
Address; Tank 'N' Tube River Rides, Elkhorn, Neb. (about 10 miles west of Omaha)
Cost: $$
Have a ball at the lake
Just outside of southwest Omaha is Louisville State Recreation Area, home to the area's only inflatable obstacle course on water. It's exhausting and a lot of fun. If you haven't the energy for an obstacle course, just chill out at the sandy beach nearby.
For a more low-key day at the lake, explore Standing Bear Lake, which has a unique floating bridge and a fun sandy playground.
Addresses:
- Louisville State Recreation Area, 15810 Highway 50, Louisville, Neb. (about 15 miles southwest of Omaha)
- Standing Bear Lake, 6404 N. 132nd St., Omaha,
Cost: $$
Spend the day at Fun-Plex
Omaha's very own amusement park is called Fun-Plex Waterpark & Rides. You can easily spend a summer day in the waterpark area, splashing in the wave pool, flying down waterslides or floating along the Lazy River.
But, there's a whole other side to Fun-Plex you'd miss out on. A personal favorite is the cart racing, but there is also a small rollercoaster, bumper boats, putt putt and an indoor arcade.
And for the 21+ crowd, there is a tiki bar in the waterpark, with a swim-up bar area.
Address: 7003 Q St., Omaha
Cost: $$
Have a spa day
Feel like being pampered? Have a self-care day at one of these Omaha spas or salons:
- Becky with Utopia Massage (she comes to you, or you can book with her at Urbane Salon and Day Spa, 1007 Farnam St., suite 1, Omaha). Text 402-505-0701 to get the booking process started or request her at Urbane
- Harmony Med Spa, 6750 Mercy Road, suite 4, Omaha
- Loveland Nails & Spa, 8900 W. Center Road, suite 102, Omaha
- Martini Nails & Spa, 1008 S. 74th Plaza, Omaha
Shop your heart out
Love boutiques and shops? Omaha's got a few excellent shopping centers that have plenty of locally-owned stores witth unique inventory. A few favorites include Country Side Village, with shops like Gramercy, Village Pomegranite, and Made In Omaha, as well as bakeries, bars, and coffee shops; and Shops at Legacy, with shops like Posh Princess and Garment District, as well as excellent restaurants like Shucks and Blatt.
Addresses:
- Country Side Village, 8722 Countryside Plaza, Omaha
- Shops at Legacy, West Center Road and 168th Street, Omaha
Go to the “Star Wars” movie theater
There are movie theater chains, and then there is the Alamo Drafthouse. Each location has a different feel to it.
At the La Vista location, you'll find the ultimate theme: Star Wars. There's a Death Star in the lobby!
Address: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema (La Vista)
Cost: $$
Go To The Drive-In
The Omaha metro has two places to see a drive-in movie: Quesar Drive-In, which shows both new releases and classics, and Falconwood Park, which typically shows classics.
Tip: Quesar has free movies on Thursday evenings
Addresses:
- Quesar Drive-In, 13427 N. 300th St., Valley, Neb.
- Falconwood Park, 905 Allied Road, Bellevue, Neb.
Enjoy the variety of food flights (and drink flights)
The demand for food flights and drink flights has grown tremendously in Omaha. It started with Zen Coffee announcing its hot and ice flights of four flavors, and then suddenly, we all started craving samples of everything.
If you want ice cream flights, head to Graley's in Papillion. Margarita flights? MULA in the Blackstone District is your place. And there's so much more!
Addresses:
- Zen Coffee Co., 132nd and Center street, Omaha
- Creamery & Confections, 147 N. Washington St., Papillion, Neb.
- MULA Mexican Kitchen, 3932 Farnam St., Omaha
Events and Festivals In Omaha By Month
Want to know what big festivals or annual events are happening in the Omaha metro area by month? Click the link below to jump to the month below:
Each section of this guide will have a list of events that occur during the month with relevant information. Click the included links to read more about it and get dates and details.
Events in January
- Midlands International Auto Show is held every January at the CHI Health Center Arena in Omaha.
- Annual Cathedral Flower Festival is held at the end of January at St. Cecilia Cathedral.
Events in February
- Mardi Gras is celebrated at a few places in Omaha. Upstream Brewing Co. has a more family-friendly atmosphere with live music, face painting, and food specials (at least, earlier in the evening). Crescent Moon’s party is a bit more adult, with Hurricanes, drink specials, Cajun food, and live music.
- Temperature Tuesdays are a big deal in Nebraska, at least, for Runza lovers. The price of a Runza sandwich each Tuesday in February is whatever the temperature is at 10 a.m. (with purchase of fries and drink).
- Omaha Fashion Week typically hold its Spring event in February.
- Omaha Film Festival typically is held at the end of February or in early March.
Events in March
- One of the largest parades of the year, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, is held the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day in downtown Omaha.
- Lenten Fish Fries are a big deal in Omaha, and they’re usually held on Friday nights during Lent at various churches, community halls, and some restaurants.
Events in April
- The NE SciFest is held around the state in April, with several locations in Omaha hosting events.
- Earth Day is celebrated on the Saturday after Earth Day each year in Elmwood Park.
- Bockfest, an annual tradition of blessing and tapping the bock beer, is every April at Crescent Moon (typically outdoors under tents). This is the event where they poke the beer with a hot iron.
- Junkstock is held twice a year at Sycamore Farms in Waterloo each year. Typically over the course of two weekends in April and May and then again for two weekends in September and October.
Events in May
- Living History Weekends at Fort Atkinson are usually held the first weekend starting in May and running through October.
- Cinco de Mayo festivities are over one weekend in May, including a parade on Saturday, in South Omaha.
- Farmers markets around Omaha, including ones in the Old Market, Aksarben Village, and Village Pointe, begin opening weekly starting in early May and running through mid-October
- The Renaissance Festival of Nebraska is typically held over two weekends in May
- Celebrate CB is a weeklong celebration in May held around Council Bluffs and includes a popular Saturday parade and carnival.
- Toast Wine Festival, celebrating Nebraska wines, is held over two days in May each year.
- Annual Florence Days Parade is held in May
- Summer exhibit or exhibits open at Omaha Children’s Museum typically the Saturday before Memorial Day.
- The summer exhibit at The Durham Museum typically opens on a Saturday in May.
Events in June
- NCAA Men’s College World Series is held over the course of 10 days every June and includes games, Fan Fest, and more.
- Taste of Omaha is held one weekend in June, typically in early June.
- Omaha Summer Arts Festival is held one weekend in June and features hundreds of visual artists, two stages of musical performances and a children’s fair.
- The Blues & Balloons Festival is held the first Saturday in June at Soaring Wings Vineyard and Brewery in Springfield.
- Papillion Days is held over a weekend every June and features a parade, carnival, and the Market in the Park.
- Bellevue Rocks RiverFest is held one weekend in June on the riverfront in Bellevue, Neb.
Events in July
- Omaha Performing Arts presents Jazz on the Green at Midtown Crossing starts the Thursday after the Fourth of July. It’s a free event and typically people bring huge picnic spreads for it.
- Omaha Storm Chasers usually have Independence Day fireworks celebrations following one or two games each July.
- The Santa Lucia Festival is held over five days in July. There’s music, a crowning of a queen, and lots of food.
- Native Omaha Days Festival is held on the odd years at the end of July or early August. It’s a reunion of North Omahans and lasts about a week.
- Omaha Children’s Museum holds its annual Fairytale Ball in July each year.
- Railroad Days is in July at railroad-themed attractions in Council Bluffs.
- Playing With Fire is a free blues concert series held one weekend in July and one weekend in August.
- The City of Omaha’s Celebrate America Memorial Park concert is held every July, followed by a large fireworks display.
- The one-day Ribstock Festival is held in July each summer.
- Omaha Under The Radar Festival is held every July at various locations in Omaha.
- Heartland Pride Festival is held every July in Omaha, and includes a parade and youth pride festival.
- Maha Festival is an annual music festival in July. **Note: The festival is canceled for 2024**
- Gretna Days is held at the end of July each year.
- Benson Days is held at the end of July each year.
- Westfair is held at the end of July at the Westfair Fairgrounds & Amphitheater in Council Bluffs.
Events in August
- The Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival is a two-day event in August featuring both hot air balloons and Nebraska wines.
- Playing With Fire is a free blues concert series held one weekend in July and one weekend in August.
- Omaha Fashion Week’s Fall Showcase is typically held in August.
- Omaha Greek Festival is held over a three-day weekend every August.
- The Pinnacle Bank Championship, a stop on the PGA tour every August, is held over several days in Omaha.
- Millard Days is held every August for five days.
- Dundee Day is held one day in August each year, featuring a sidewalk sale and parade.
- The Midlands Pirate Festival is held one weekend in August each year.
Events in September
- Septemberfest is held over Labor Day Weekend, and includes a carnival, music, and parade.
- Junkstock is held twice a year at Sycamore Farms in Waterloo each year. Typically over the course of two weekends in April and May and then again for two weekends in September and October.
- Afro Fest Omaha is held in early September each year, and features food, live entertainment and the Children’s Village.
- Omaha Whiskey Fest is every September in downtown Omaha.
- The Harvest Festival is held the last Saturday in September at Soaring Wings Vineyard and Brewery in Springfield.
- The annual Intertribal Powwow is held one day in September and highlights traditional dance, storytelling, and foods of the state’s Indigenous Peoples.
- Fields of Flight Hot Air Balloon Festival is held in September at Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard in September.
- Omaha Restaurant Week is held over 10 days every September at various locations in Omaha.
- Midwest Winds Kite Festival is held in September at Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard in September.
- Oktoberfest celebrations are held at various times throughout September, including popular events outdoors at Crescent Moon and at the German-American Society.
Events in October
- Howl-O-Ween Safari is held over a weekend in October at the Wildlife Safari, 16406 292nd St., Ashland, Neb, featuring a hayrack ride, enjoy dinner and Halloween-themed games, roast some marshmallows, and more.
- Baseballoween is a free event held in October at Werner Park in Papillion, Neb.
- The Great HALL-oween Haunt is held in October at The Durham Museum.
- Japanese Ambiance Festival is held one weekend in October at Lauritzen Gardens each year.
- Omaha Symphony holds the family-friendly concert Symphony Spooktacular one Sunday in October each year.
Events in November
- Holiday Lights Festival kicks off on Thanksgiving night and runs through early January.
- “A Christmas Carol” is performed every November through December at Omaha Community Playhouse.
- “Santa’s Magic” interactive show is held at Omaha Children’s Museum starting on Black Friday and running through Dec. 23 each year.
- The annual Holiday Poinsettia Show is held at Lauritzen Gardens from mid-November through early January.
- Christmas at Union Station, featuring the largest indoor live Christmas tree in the city, is at The Durham Museum from late November through early January.
- Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade is held in November at Shadow Lake Towne Center in Papillion, Neb.
- Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium holds Zoolightful in November and December.
Events in December
- Noon Year’s Eve celebration are typically held on Dec. 31 at The Durham Museum and Omaha’s Zoo. All-day festivities for Bubbly New Year’s are held at Omaha Children’s Museum on Dec. 31.
- New Year’s Eve Fireworks are held in downtown Omaha at 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve each year.
Omaha FAQs
Q. What is there to do at night in Omaha?
A. Nightlife beyond the bar scene is more varied than you’d think. There are comedy clubs like The Funny Bone and The Backline; karaoke havens like Renos; and several escape rooms. There are also restaurants, bars and breweries that hold a weekly trivia night — and it seems like there’s one every night off the week!
Omaha’s zoo and the Wildlife Safari also offer another unique nighttime option: Campouts. You’ll have to plan in advance, though, and reserve a tent or space for your family. There are 21+ campouts at the zoo, too, as well as seasonal food truck nights for adults.
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Book a stay in Omaha
Want to stay at one of my favorite hotels in Omaha? Check out the following:
- Embassy Suites Omaha (Downtown/Old Market) – Within walking distance to Old Market, Capital District, and the RiverFront, and the best hotel near the zoo
- Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel – In the hip Blackstone District, great outdoor pool and brunch
- Cambria Hotel Omaha Downtown – Great view of Schwab Park, usually a lower rate than other comparable downtown hotels
Looking for condos or home rentals instead? Check out the variety VRBO!
Gina
Monday 14th of February 2022
Flying Timber indoor axe throwing, The Monster Cafe, Midwest Paranormal Historical Tours.