Water Fun In Omaha For Every Budget

Need to ideas for staying cool in Omaha this summer? This city is loaded with options: pools, splash gardens, water parks, etc.

UPDATE: This post was first published in 2013 and updated April 2019.

For all budgets, here’s our list of where to go to stay cool in Omaha:

Free

Spraygrounds – Omaha Parks and Recreation Departments offers FREE spraygrounds that are open Memorial Day to Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. They are found at:

Benson Park, 7028 Military Ave.

Fontenelle Park, 4405 Fontenelle Blvd.

Kountze Park, 1920 Pinkney St.

Orchard Park, 66th and Hartman

Seymour Smith Park, 6802 Harrison St.

Upland, 3104 Jefferson St.

Morton, 5724 S. 41st St.

Westwood Heights, 12334 Seldin Drive

Other spraygrounds & Water features to play in: Head over to Council Bluffs’ Bayliss Park to find a small sprayground by the fountain. Head to Shadow Lake Towne Center in Papillion for their sprayground. First National Bank Tower in downtown Omaha has a sprayground that I can vouch for kids enjoying, and there’s one in front of the Omaha Children’s Museum as well. Platte River State Park opened a two-level spray ground in 2018.

Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park – There’s a sprayground on the Council Bluffs side of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian bridge. Find it by the cute playground next to the giant metal man statue (you can’t miss him).

Hydrant parties – Omaha has hydrant parties around the city three times a day on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Council Bluffs also has hydrant parties.

Water activities for less than $10

Lake Manawa State Park – A close beach getaway in the metro area lies in nearby Lake Manawa State Park in Council Bluffs. Sandy beach and calm lake waters await. You get in for the price of a vehicle’s day-pass into Iowa State Parks, plus beach admission: $3 for 12 and older, $2 for ages 4-11 and FREE for children younger than 4.

Paddleboat – The nearest paddleboat rental is Platte River State Park. A half-hour rental is $8. Website

Water activities for more than $10

Kroc Center – Check out the aquatic center at the Kroc Center – it has two slides (one just for little kids) and a small lazy river. A family of four can get a day pass for $24 ($7 per adult, $5 per kid).

Omaha Pools – A family of two adults and four children can visit any of the Omaha public pools for less than $20. Save money and purchase a household pass for $175; punch cards are $50 and are good for 10 adult admissions or 20 youth admissions to any pool.

Outdoor pools in Omaha are: Gallagher Leisure, Miller Water Park, Camelot Traditional, Elkhorn Traditional, Lee Valley Traditional, Roanoke Traditional, Elmwood Leisure, Hanscom Leisure, Hitchcock Traditional, Karen Traditional, Spring Lake Traditional, Cryer Traditional, Deer Ridge Leisure, Oak Heights Leisure, Zorinsky Aquatic Center. Indoor pools: Montclair, Mockingbird and Common Ground

Council Bluffs pools – A family of four can get into Pirate Cove Water Park for $20 (use of water slides) or Katelman Water Park for $16. Save money with a season pass for the family, and get into both all season long for $200.

Goldfish Swim School – The West Omaha location of Goldfish Swim School (opening Spring 2019) will feature afternoon Family Swim sessions that are open to the public. The cost is $5 per person up to a maximum of $15 per family.

Fun Plex – Fun Plex includes the water park and unlimited rides in one admission pass. Enjoy the Makana Splash, Motion Ocean, Lazy River and slides for $25.95 for guests 54” and taller and $17.95 for guests 54” and shorter. Kids 2 and younger are FREE. And price is significantly cheaper if you go between 4 and 8 p.m. Website 

Alaskan Adventure at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium – The zoo’s huge Alaskan Adventure splash garden is a destination itself within the zoo. Admission to the zoo is FREE for members and children younger than 2; $18.95 for ages 12+; $17.95, military adult (12+) and seniors; $12.95, children ages 3-11; and $11.95, military children ages 3-11.