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Nebraska, United States

Downtown Omaha & the Old Market

Two nights downtown for the 7 p.m. river fireworks, a steak dinner and Old Market bars. This guide pulls together 2 sights, 1 activity and 3 places to eat from our curated routes.

Plan Downtown Omaha & the Old Market with friendsBrowse 9 places
Downtown Omaha & the Old Market, Nebraska, United States
Places
9

2 See · 1 Do · 3 Eat · 1 Drink · 1 Shop · 1 Stay

Curated routes
1

Omaha New Year's Eve

Best season
Dec 30 – Jan 1

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

31°C / 88°F avg high

Coolest month
January

-1°C / 31°F avg high

Wettest month
May

about 121 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for Omaha, the nearest city we track.

Things to do in Downtown Omaha & the Old Market

9 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Downtown Omaha & the Old Market in The RiverFront. All 2 are free to visit.

  • See

    RiverFront New Year's Eve Fireworks

    Choreographed fireworks over the Missouri River at 7 p.m. on Dec 31, closing Omaha's Holiday Lights Festival.

    Tip Tune to STAR 104.5 for the soundtrack; the show is visible from most of downtown.

    • The RiverFront
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • 7 p.m.
  • See

    Gene Leahy Mall

    Rebuilt downtown park running from the Old Market to the river, part of The RiverFront, with lit paths and lawns.

    Tip The east end near the river gives the clearest view of the fireworks.

    • The RiverFront
    • Free
    • 45 min
    • 6:30 p.m.

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Downtown Omaha & the Old Market in North Downtown riverfront.

  • Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge in Downtown Omaha & the Old MarketPhoto: WiinterU · CC0
    Do

    Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

    S-curved cable-stayed footbridge over the Missouri where you can stand in Nebraska and Iowa at once.

    Tip It is lit at night; walk out before or after the fireworks for the skyline.

    • North Downtown riverfront
    • Free
    • 45 min
    • Evening

Eat

3 places to eat across Old Market, Midtown and West Omaha, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Eat

    M's Pub

    Old Market bistro open since 1973, rebuilt after a 2016 fire, known for lavosh, salads and steaks.

    Tip Book a late table and walk to the bars after.

    • Old Market
    • $$$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Dinner
  • Gorat's Steakhouse in Downtown Omaha & the Old MarketPhoto: Matt Johnson · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Eat

    Gorat's Steakhouse

    Midtown steakhouse open since 1944 and famous as Warren Buffett's favorite, with neon signs and T-bones.

    Tip Reserve early; the bar is a good fallback.

    • Midtown
    • $$$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Dinner
  • Eat

    The Drover

    Dark, wood-paneled steakhouse since 1977, known for whiskey-marinated steaks.

    Tip Order the whiskey steak; it is the reason to come.

    • West Omaha
    • $$$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Dinner

Drink

1 bar or café in Old Market for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

  • Drink

    Upstream Brewing Company

    Brewpub in a 1904 firehouse in the Old Market, brewing its own beer since 1996.

    Tip Old Market bar crawls on Dec 31 have started here; expect a crowd after 9 p.m.

    • Old Market
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Late evening

Shop

1 shop in Old Market for browsing and souvenirs.

  • Old Market in Downtown Omaha & the Old MarketPhoto: Antony-22 · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Shop

    Old Market

    Warehouse district of brick streets and 1880s buildings with galleries, shops, bars and restaurants.

    Tip Horse-drawn carriage rides often run through the Old Market in winter.

    • Old Market
    • $$
    • 2 hr
    • Evening

Stay

Places to stay in Downtown Omaha & the Old Market in Downtown.

  • Stay

    Hotel Deco

    Boutique hotel in a 1930 Art Deco tower on Harney Street, a short walk to the Old Market and the RiverFront.

    Tip Its location means no car or cab is needed on Dec 31.

    • Downtown
    • $$$

How to fit Downtown Omaha & the Old Market into a trip

Downtown Omaha & the Old Market is stop 1 of 2 on our Omaha New Year's Eve route. Follow it as-is or lift Downtown Omaha & the Old Market into your own plan.

Weather by month, based on Omaha

Our climate figures for Downtown Omaha & the Old Market come from Omaha, about 1 km (1 mi) away. Average daily highs run from -1°C / 31°F in January to 31°C / 88°F in July. May is the wettest month, with about 121 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for Omaha. Omaha weather (covers Downtown Omaha & the Old Market) →

Near Downtown Omaha & the Old Market

7 other destinations from our guides within about 300 km (186 mi), measured in a straight line.

Downtown Omaha & the Old Market questions, answered

How many days do you need in Downtown Omaha & the Old Market?

Our route notes suggest 2 nights in Downtown Omaha & the Old Market. On our Omaha New Year's Eve route it is stop 1 of 2 in a 3-day trip. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 10 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Downtown Omaha & the Old Market best known for?

Two nights downtown for the 7 p.m. river fireworks, a steak dinner and Old Market bars. Standouts on our list: RiverFront New Year's Eve Fireworks (Choreographed fireworks over the Missouri River at 7 p.m. on Dec 31, closing Omaha's Holiday Lights Festival); Gene Leahy Mall (Rebuilt downtown park running from the Old Market to the river, part of The RiverFront, with lit paths and lawns); Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (S-curved cable-stayed footbridge over the Missouri where you can stand in Nebraska and Iowa at once).

When is the best time to visit Downtown Omaha & the Old Market?

Our Omaha New Year's Eve route is best Dec 30 – Jan 1. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for nearby Omaha put the warmest highs in July (31°C / 88°F), the coolest in January (-1°C / 31°F) and the most rain in May (about 121 mm).

What are the best things to do in Downtown Omaha & the Old Market?

Start with RiverFront New Year's Eve Fireworks, Gene Leahy Mall and Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 2 sights, 1 activity, 3 places to eat, 1 bar or café, 1 shop and 1 place to stay.

Where should a group eat in Downtown Omaha & the Old Market?

Our picks: M's Pub (Old Market); Gorat's Steakhouse (Midtown); The Drover (West Omaha). Book a late table and walk to the bars after (M's Pub).

What is near Downtown Omaha & the Old Market?

The closest destinations in our guides are Omaha (about 1 km / 0 mi), Midtown Omaha (about 2 km / 1 mi) and Des Moines (about 195 km / 121 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Downtown Omaha & the Old Market with your crew

Open the Omaha New Year's Eve route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 9 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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