Omaha offers visitors and residents alike a variety of interesting attractions to explore. From museums and zoos to performing arts and cultural sites, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
| Attraction Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium | Home to the world’s largest indoor desert and nocturnal exhibits, along with a big cat complex. |
| Old Market District | Historic area featuring cobblestone streets, boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries. |
| Joslyn Art Museum | Offers a vast collection of art from ancient times to the present. |
| Durham Museum | Housed in an art deco train station, it showcases regional history. |
| Omaha Children’s Museum | Interactive exhibits aimed at young children for learning and play. |
| Lauritzen Gardens | A living museum of unique four-season plant displays. |
| The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge | A 3,000-foot-long bridge connecting Nebraska and Iowa over the Missouri River. |
| Lewis & Clark Landing | A riverfront park marking the historic landing site of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. |
| Union Pacific Railroad Museum | Chronicles the development of the railroad and its impact on the region and nation. |
| Fontenelle Forest | Offers over 2,000 acres of forest, prairies, and wetlands for exploration. |
| Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum | Focuses on the history of the Strategic Air Command and aerospace. |
| Holland Performing Arts Center | Known for its acoustics and hosts a variety of performances. |
Read on for the top 12 attractions you won’t want to miss when visiting Omaha.
The Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
Name and Location: The Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is located in Omaha, Nebraska.
History and Significance: The zoo opened in 1894 and has grown to become one of the premier zoos in the world, known for its leadership in animal conservation and research. It features several notable exhibits including the largest cat complex in North America and the world’s largest nocturnal exhibit.
What to Expect: Visitors can expect to see a wide variety of exotic animals from around the world. Popular exhibits include the desert dome, aquarium, chimpanzee forest, and African grasslands. Lots of interactive educational opportunities.
Visitor Information: The zoo is open daily from 9am-5pm with extended summer hours. Admission is $19.95 for adults, $14.95 for kids. Discounts available online. Onsite parking is $3.
One of Omaha’s premier attractions, the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium features innovative exhibits housed in immersive natural habitats. See exotic animals from around the world, walk through the world’s largest nocturnal exhibit, and view marine life through the huge glass dome of the Desert Dome. The zoo offers an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.
Popular highlights include the Scott Aquarium featuring a walk-through shark tunnel, the inland sea exhibit with penguins and puffins, the Cat Complex housing big cats like lions and tigers, and the Desert Dome containing a living desert with meerkats, hyraxes, and reptiles. With new exhibits and animals added regularly, no two visits are the same at Omaha’s beloved Henry Doorly Zoo.
Lauritzen Gardens
Name and Location: Lauritzen Gardens is a botanical garden located in Omaha, Nebraska.
History and Significance: Originally the family estate of Omaha business leader Charles Lauritzen, the gardens opened to the public as a nonprofit botanical center in 1995. It features 100 acres of botanical displays across 20 unique garden areas.
What to Expect: Visitors can explore a variety of themed gardens like the Victorian garden, herb garden, and arboretum. Seasonal floral displays, model railways, and children’s activities. The Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory is a must-see.
Visitor Information: Open daily from 9am-5pm. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids over 4 years old. Onsite parking available. Tram tours and facility rentals offered.
Spread across 100 acres right in Omaha, Lauritzen Gardens features beautiful botanical gardens and horticulture displays. The gardens include vibrant floral shows in the floral hall, model railroad gardens, a Victorian garden area, arboretums and walking trails, as well as a childrens garden perfect for little ones.
The Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory is a must-see, with palms, tropical plants, and blooming orchids housed year-round thanks to the climate-controlled glass structure. Lauritzen Gardens also hosts events, classes, and exhibits about gardening, botany, and horticulture throughout the year. Nature lovers will find beauty and tranquility among the diverse plant species from around the world.
Old Market District
Name and Location: The Old Market District is a historic warehouse district located in downtown Omaha, Nebraska.
History and Significance: It originated as the city’s original business and wholesale district in the late 1800s. Many of the brick warehouses have been renovated into shops, restaurants, bars, and art galleries. The area is known for its vibrant culture and nightlife.
What to Expect: Victorian architecture housing a mix of local eateries, boutiques, produce markets, and entertainment venues. Art, shopping, dining, street performers, and people watching. The Omaha Farmer’s Market operates seasonally.
Visitor Information: Free to visit. Shops typically open from 10am-9pm Mon-Sat, 11am-6pm Sundays. Street parking available, garages nearby. Walking friendly.
The Old Market District offers excellent shopping, dining, arts, and entertainment all within a historic warehouse area full of restored brick buildings housing local businesses. Funky art galleries, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and street performers give the Market its artistic charm and vibrant atmosphere.
Visitors can browse goods at retailers like household décor shop The Foundry, shuffling through vintage vinyl at Homer’s Music store, or picking the perfect gift item at one of the Market’s many unique shops. Sample famous steaks or fresh seafood at various renowned restaurants or stop into a bakery or candy store for artisan sweets. With its cobblestone streets and cast-iron architecture, the Old Market District transports visitors to the past while offering endless modern-day indulgences.
Omaha Children’s Museum
Name and Location: The Omaha Children’s Museum is an interactive children’s museum located in downtown Omaha, Nebraska.
History and Significance: Founded in 1976, OCM was the first hands-on children’s museum in the state. It is designed to encourage play-based learning with hands-on, minds-on experiences.
What to Expect: Immersive, educational exhibits focused on science, culture, literacy, and health across three floors. Popular permanent exhibits cover bubbles, trains, an art studio, inventing, and more. Also hosts traveling exhibits.
Visitor Information: Open daily, 10am-4pm. Admission is $12 per person, free under age 1. Memberships available. Onsite parking in attached garage is $2 hourly. Family friendly facility.
The Omaha Children’s Museum offers families with young children the opportunity to play and learn through hands-on, interactive exhibits. Displays like the Bob the Builder Construction Zone, Kick It Up Climber Structure, Idea Lab Maker Space, and Airflow Adventure Exhibit entertain kids while building skills and sparking the imagination.
Other areas like Omaha Children’s Museum Store, Art Studio, Splash Lab water area, and daily live presentations let little ones exercise creativity, get physical, and engage more deeply with specific topics. Parents can even book rooms at the museum for birthday parties and private events. With 7 acres of indoor/outdoor space and constantly changing activities, the Omaha Children’s Museum keeps children ages 1-10 engaged through educational play.
Elmwood Park
Name and Location: Elmwood Park is a large public park located in central Omaha, Nebraska spanning 60 acres.
History and Significance: Originally purchased in 1885, the park is Omaha’s oldest municipal park. It has remained a popular spot for recreation, picnics, and community events for over 100 years. The park has gardens, ball fields, picnic space, and a pavilion.
What to Expect: Outdoor and garden areas for picnicking, walking, festivals, and playing. Sports facilities include tennis/basketball courts, baseball diamonds, and a playground. The pavilion can be rented for gatherings. Seasonal concessions available.
Visitor Information: Free admission. Open daily from 6am to 11pm. Pet friendly. Limited onsite parking, additional nearby street parking. Restrooms, walking paths, open green space.
Omaha’s own 60-acre green space, Elmwood Park offers outdoor recreation and relaxation for area residents. The park includes tennis courts, picnic areas, basketball courts, baseball/softball diamonds, and an archery range for active fun. Kids can burn energy at the playground or splash pad water area.
For more leisurely enjoyment, visitors stroll down walking paths and across bridges traversing the park’s three ponds. Elmwood Park hosts yoga classes, concerts, movies in the park during summer, an Easter egg hunt in spring, and holiday lights in winter providing year-round community engagement. Home to rose gardens, a lily pond, lush oak trees, and open grassy spots, Elmwood Park allows you to experience nature without leaving the city.
TD Ameritrade Park
Name and Location: TD Ameritrade Park is a baseball stadium located in the NoDo (North Downtown) neighborhood of Omaha, Nebraska.
History and Significance: Opened in 2011, the stadium was built specifically for the NCAA College World Series held annually in Omaha. It hosts the CWS every year along with other sporting events. Part of Omaha’s revitalization efforts.
What to Expect: Modern open-air baseball stadium with capacity for over 24,000 spectators. Offers public tours on non-game days. Interactive exhibits on college baseball history. Luxury seating, concession stands with classic ballpark fare. Gift shop onsite.
Visitor Information: Hours vary by event. Ticket prices differ depending on the event. Parking in nearby garages typically $10-20. Easy downtown location near restaurants and entertainment.
Baseball fans won’t want to miss catching an NCAA College World Series game at TD Ameritrade Park, home to the final rounds each year. With 24,000 seats, state-of-the-art amenities, and unrivaled views, TD Ameritrade Park offers both comfort and top-notch DI baseball excitement.
Even non-baseball lovers can appreciate the ballpark’s food, drinks, interactive games to play, and party suites for group entertainment. Tour the ballpark’s press box, field, dugout, batting cages, and more on non-game days. With NCAA heavy hitters battling on the field and fans rooting from the bleachers, the energy inside TD Ameritrade Park crackles during baseball’s biggest college event.
Omaha Community Playhouse
Name and Location: Omaha Community Playhouse is a performing arts theater located in central Omaha, Nebraska.
History and Significance: Founded in 1924, the Playhouse is one of the oldest and largest community theaters in the United States. It has a reputation for high-quality theatrical performances across multiple stages.
What to Expect: A wide variety of live theater including comedies, dramas, musicals, and productions aimed at young audiences. Features award-winning local talent. Hawks Mainstage seats over 600.
Visitor Information: Showtimes vary by production. Tickets available online or by phone. Parking lot and garage adjacent to theater building with paid parking. Concessions and cocktails available onsite.
For nearly 100 years, the Omaha Community Playhouse has produced high-quality musicals, comedies, dramas, and theater for the local community. Both the smaller Howard Drew Theatre and its main Hawks Mainstage Theatre immerse audiences in outstanding local productions almost year-round.
The Playhouse puts on beloved musicals like Mamma Mia! and Fiddler on the Roof as well as family-friendly shows, holiday performances, and theatrical classics. It provides creative education through classes and summer camps for adults and children while also supporting emerging talent. For an evening of culture and entertainment, it’s tough to beat the exceptional performance quality found on-stage at the Omaha Community Playhouse.
The Durham Museum
Name and Location: The Durham Museum is a museum located in downtown Omaha, Nebraska, on the historic Union Station site.
History and Significance: Housed in the renovated Art Deco Union Station building (1931), the museum showcases regional history from the 19th century onwards. It contains permanent and traveling exhibits focused on the American West.
What to Expect: Immersive historical exhibits using artifacts, archival materials, and recreations of environments. Also features vintage trains, vehicles, a soda fountain, and museum store. Family friendly with youth education programs.
Visitor Information: Open daily 10am-5pm, closed major holidays. General admission is $13 for adults. Discounts for seniors, students, military. Free onsite parking and accessible entry.
Honoring Omaha’s past, present, and future, The Durham Museum converted a historic 1930s train station into a modern museum facility filled with interactive exhibits. Visitors can climb aboard retired trains, tour galleries spotlighting Omaha history, view classic automobiles, and explore hands-on science displays.
Special exhibitions rotate regularly, covering topics like fashion, prominent Americans, regional pioneers, and natural history. Experience what life was like for Union Pacific railroad workers during WWII or learn about innovators in business, politics, and communication shaping Omaha over time. Through immersive exhibits and artifacts from across the country, The Durham Museum tells the story of Omaha to locals and tourists alike.
Film Streams
Name and Location: Film Streams is an independent, nonprofit cinema located in central Omaha, Nebraska.
History and Significance: Founded in 2007, Film Streams provides access to a diverse range of independent, foreign, classic and art films in the Omaha community. Its two theater locations have state-of-the-art equipment.
What to Expect: A curated selection of indie films, cult favorites, repertory cinema, and first-run art films. Concession stand with food and drinks to enjoy during the movies. Some specialty event screenings.
Visitor Information: Showtimes vary. Tickets $8.50 for regular films with discounts for students, seniors, etc. Validated parking in nearby garage. Fully wheelchair accessible facilities.
For indie movie lovers, Film Streams offers a unique theater experience focused on independent, foreign, classic, and art cinema. Their two theater locations, Ruth Sokolof Theater and Dundee Theater, provide first-run viewings not featured broadly at chain cinemas.
Film Streams also supports emerging filmmakers, hosts red-carpet events and Q&As with directors, presents niche film series or festivals, and spotlights diverse films telling impactful stories. While enjoying the theater’s lounge, café or bar, movie-goers can discuss thought-provoking films giving voices to underrepresented groups. Offering hard-to-find indie flicks, specialty series showcases, and cultural conversations in Omaha, Film Streams provides a one-of-a-kind, intimate movie-watching adventure.
Fontenelle Forest
Name and Location: Fontenelle Forest is a nature center and forest preserve located 15 minutes outside Omaha, Nebraska spanning over 1,400 acres.
History and Significance: Fontenelle Forest provides critical sanctuary for plant and animal life along the Missouri River Valley. The nature center opened in the 1960s to connect visitors to the natural world through immersive experiences.
What to Expect: Miles of wooded hiking and biking trails. Interactive exhibits at the nature center. Canoeing, ziplining, raptor feedings, geocaching and other family activities. Picnic areas and gift shop onsite.
Visitor Information: Open year-round with varying hours. Standard admission is $11 for adults. Extensive free parking provided. Some areas wheelchair/stroller accessible. Private event rentals available.
Just outside Omaha near Bellevue, Fontenelle Forest encompasses nearly 1,500 acres of forest, wetlands, and prairies. Guests hike over 17 miles of trails through varied landscapes and ecosystems. The Raptor Recovery Center rehabilitates injured birds of prey like hawks, falcons, owls, and eagles.
Hands-on exhibits in the Nature Center teach about plants, wildlife, water systems and sustainability helping visitors better understand natural environments. Special guided tours, scout workshops, classes, summer camps, and annual events like the Spring Butterfly Festival educate both kids and adults on conservation, the great outdoors, and environmental stewardship through interactive activities. With diverse flora and fauna straight from the Nebraska forests and wetlands, Fontenelle Forest lets you deepen your connection to the natural world.
Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
Name and Location: The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum is located near Ashland, Nebraska, between Omaha and Lincoln.
History and Significance: This military aviation museum opened in 1998 at Offut Air Force Base. It is dedicated to the history of the US Air Force’s Strategic Air Command and aerospace technology. One of largest aviation museums displaying vintage aircraft.
What to Expect: Massive display hangars feature bombers, fighters, and experimental aircraft from World War II onwards, many available for climbing through. Also offers simulators, exhibits on SAC technology and missions. Gift shop onsite.
Visitor Information: Open Mon-Sat 9am-4pm, Sun noon-4pm. General admission is $12 adults. Reduced rates for seniors, military members. Valid photo ID required for access to military base. Free parking provided.
Located right on Offutt Air Force Base land, the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum chronicles the history of aircraft and air defense used by the USAF and beyond. Visitors can get up-close to historical planes like the B-29 Superfortress bomber Enola Gay or the SR-71 Blackbird while learning about aviation development through the decades.
Exhibits highlight stories of SAC crews who flew vital missions during WWII, the Cold War and Vietnam War among other conflicts. Rotating displays feature topics like women airforce service pilots (WASPs), experimental flight attempts, and modern aerospace advancements by SpaceX plus NASA. Interactive flight simulators even allow aspiring pilots to take the controls of a supersonic jet. With vintage hangars filled with extraordinary aircraft plus captivating exhibits, this museum lets you relive moments showcasing air and space travel innovations safeguarding our country.
Joslyn Art Museum
Name and Location: Joslyn Art Museum is an art museum located in Omaha, Nebraska.
History and Significance: Opened in 1931, Joslyn Art Museum was a gift to the city from Sarah Joslyn in memory of her husband, businessman George Joslyn. The museum holds significant collections of art across cultures and genres.
What to Expect: Spacious galleries displaying European, American, and contemporary art including sculptures, paintings, photography, and more. Also features traveling/temporary exhibitions, family programs, talks, special events and a museum shop/cafe.
Visitor Information: Open daily 10am-4pm, Thursdays open late until 8pm. Timed entry tickets $12 adults, discounts for seniors, students, etc. Limited street parking, additional paid lot behind museum. Wheelchair accessible entry.
For art lovers, Joslyn Art Museum houses impressive permanent collections and travelling exhibits spanning centuries of works by artistic masters. Wander sculpture gardens outside then view paintings, prints, drawings, photos and mixed media pieces inside spanning European to contemporary American genres.
The museum continually rotates installations from its permanent collection while also hosting temporary national and global exhibits. Enjoy classics like Monet and Degas landscapes then fast forward to modern, innovative takes on art concepts by current creators. Throughout the year, experience evening jazz concerts, weekend family programs, art classes for all ages and more. At Joslyn Art Museum, inspiring artistic genius from ancient to present day springs to life.
Holland Center
Name and Location: The Holland Center is a performing arts center located in downtown Omaha, Nebraska.
History and Significance: Opened in 2005, the Holland Center provides a state-of-the-art venue for concerts, theater, dance, and other cultural events. Part of Omaha’s revitalization initiative for the arts. Home of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra.
What to Expect: Striking modern architecture housing two main performance spaces – a 2,000 seat concert hall and a more intimate 450 seat theater. Hosts touring musicians, dance troupes, children’s series, holiday shows. Bars and lounge space onsite.
Visitor Information: Showtimes vary. Ticket prices differ depending on performance. Adjacent parking garage, additional street parking. Wheelchair seating and accessible entry available. Bars/cafe onsite open 1 hour pre-show.
As the premier performing arts center in Omaha, the Holland Center brings Broadway musicals, famous musicians, comedians, dancers and more to town. Touring shows that have graced the Holland stages include hits like Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Aladdin and The Lion King.
Throughout the year, national acts like Jerry Seinfeld, Harry Connick Jr. and St. Paul & the Broken Bones entertain crowds with sold out concerts. Beyond performances, Holland Center also offers community outreach concerts plus music and theater education programs for area students. For unmatched live entertainment spanning all genres, you can’t top the state-of-the-art facilities plus fantastic performances happening at Omaha’s own Holland Center.
So there you have it – the top 12 attractions you must experience when visiting Omaha for either a quick trip or extended stay. From natural wonders like the Henry Doorly Zoo and Lauritzen Gardens to historical insights at The Durham Museum and Cultural Center, Omaha offers incredible sights and activities for all interests. Immerse yourself in our vibrant performing arts scene, explore diverse neighborhoods like the Old Market District, or learn something new about aviation and art. When getting to know Omaha, these 12 beloved local attractions should top your sightseeing list.