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Nebraska, United States

Omaha

Spend a full day and night: zoo in the morning, riverfront in the afternoon, Old Market for dinner and drinks. We have mapped 3 sights, 1 activity and 2 outdoor spots here, each with a reason to go.

Plan Omaha with friendsBrowse 9 places
Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Places
9

3 See · 1 Do · 2 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink

Curated routes
1

Kansas City to Omaha

Best season
Apr – Oct

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.

Things to do in Omaha

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 Omaha across South Omaha and Downtown.

  • Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in OmahaPhoto: Serenity · Google
    See

    Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

    Indoor desert dome, rainforest and aquarium; easily a half day.

    Tip Arrive at opening to see the dome before crowds.

    • South Omaha
    • $$$
    • 4 hr
    • Morning
  • The Durham Museum in OmahaPhoto: Michele · Google
    See

    The Durham Museum

    History museum inside Omaha's Art Deco Union Station, with a working soda fountain.

    • Downtown
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Afternoon
  • Joslyn Art Museum in OmahaPhoto: Bubudu57 · CC0
    See

    Joslyn Art Museum

    Free art museum in an Art Deco building with a recent glass-pavilion expansion.

    • Downtown
    • Free
    • 1.5 hr
    • Afternoon

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Omaha in Riverfront.

  • Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge in OmahaPhoto: Chuck Hayden · Google
    Do

    Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

    S-curved bridge where you can stand with one foot in Nebraska and one in Iowa.

    • Riverfront
    • Free
    • 45 min
    • Sunset

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around Omaha.

  • Gene Leahy Mall in OmahaPhoto: WiinterU · CC0
    Outdoors

    Gene Leahy Mall

    Rebuilt downtown park on the RiverFront, with a slide hill and lagoon.

    • The RiverFront
    • Free
    • 45 min
    • Evening
  • Lauritzen Gardens in OmahaPhoto: Lauritzen Gardens · Google
    Outdoors

    Lauritzen Gardens

    100-acre botanical garden near the zoo with a Victorian-style conservatory.

    • South Omaha
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Spring–fall

Eat

2 places to eat across Central Omaha and Downtown, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • The Drover in OmahaPhoto: Timi Travels · Google
    Eat

    The Drover

    Old-school steakhouse famous for whiskey-marinated steaks.

    Tip Order the whiskey steak.

    • Central Omaha
    • $$$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Dinner
  • Block 16 in OmahaPhoto: marquell jackson · Google
    Eat

    Block 16

    Downtown counter-service spot with creative burgers and daily specials.

    • Downtown
    • $
    • 45 min
    • Lunch

Drink

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

  • Upstream Brewing Company in OmahaPhoto: Upstream Brewing Company · Google
    Drink

    Upstream Brewing Company

    Old Market brewpub in a 1903 firehouse, brewing since 1996.

    • Old Market
    • $$
    • 75 min
    • Evening

How to fit Omaha into a trip

Omaha is stop 3 of 3 on our Kansas City to Omaha route. Follow it as-is or lift Omaha into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Omaha month by month

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. Omaha weather and the best time to visit →

Near Omaha

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

Omaha questions, answered

How many days do you need in Omaha?

Our route notes suggest a full day in Omaha. On our Kansas City to Omaha route it is stop 3 of 3 in a 5-day trip. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 14 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Omaha best known for?

Spend a full day and night: zoo in the morning, riverfront in the afternoon, Old Market for dinner and drinks. Standouts on our list: Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (Indoor desert dome, rainforest and aquarium; easily a half day); The Durham Museum (History museum inside Omaha's Art Deco Union Station, with a working soda fountain); Joslyn Art Museum (Free art museum in an Art Deco building with a recent glass-pavilion expansion).

When is the best time to visit Omaha?

Our Kansas City to Omaha route is best Apr – Oct. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages 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 Omaha?

Start with Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, The Durham Museum, Joslyn Art Museum, Gene Leahy Mall and Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 3 sights, 1 activity, 2 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.

Where should a group eat in Omaha?

Our picks: The Drover (Central Omaha); Block 16 (Downtown). Order the whiskey steak (The Drover).

What is near Omaha?

The closest destinations in our guides are Downtown Omaha & the Old Market (about 1 km / 0 mi), Midtown Omaha (about 1 km / 1 mi) and Des Moines (about 196 km / 122 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Omaha with your crew

Open the Kansas City to Omaha 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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