Omaha New Year's Eve

Destination 01

Downtown Omaha & the Old Market

9 places

Two nights downtown for the 7 p.m. river fireworks, a steak dinner and Old Market bars.

• 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.

  SeeThe RiverFrontFree30 min7 p.m.

• 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.

  SeeThe RiverFrontFree45 min6:30 p.m.
• Photo: WiinterU · CC0

  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.

  DoNorth Downtown riverfrontFree45 minEvening
• Photo: Antony-22 · CC BY-SA 4.0

  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.

  ShopOld Market$$2 hrEvening

• 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.

  EatOld Market$$$1.5 hrDinner
• Photo: Matt Johnson · CC BY-SA 3.0

  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.

  EatMidtown$$$1.5 hrDinner

• The Drover

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

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

  EatWest Omaha$$$1.5 hrDinner

• 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.

  DrinkOld Market$$1.5 hrLate evening

• 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.

  StayDowntown$$$

Destination 02

Midtown Omaha

6 places

A slow Jan 1: art, a park on a hill, an old-school lunch and the Reuben's hometown.

• Joslyn Art Museum

  Nebraska's main art museum, a 1931 pink-marble Art Deco building with the Snohetta-designed Hawks Pavilion added in 2024.

  Tip General admission is free; check holiday hours for Jan 1.

  SeeMidtownFree2 hrLate morning
• Photo: JonClee86 at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel

  The restored 1916 Blackstone Hotel, where the Reuben sandwich is said to have been created, now with bars and a chophouse.

  Tip Have a drink in the lobby bar and order a Reuben nearby in the Blackstone District.

  DrinkBlackstone$$$60 minEvening

• Crescent Moon

  Blackstone District ale house across from the old hotel, known for its Reuben and a long Belgian beer list.

  Tip A good late lunch after the museum.

  EatBlackstone$$60 minLunch

• Dundee Dell

  Dundee neighborhood pub since 1934, known for fish and chips and one of the region's biggest Scotch lists.

  Tip Walk Underwood Avenue's shops before or after.

  EatDundee$$75 minLunch

• Memorial Park

  Hilltop park with a white WWII memorial colonnade, rose garden and long lawns that draw walkers year-round.

  Tip It is a short walk from the Dundee Dell; climb to the colonnade for the view.

  OutdoorsDundeeFree45 minAfternoon

• Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

  Large zoo with the indoor Lied Jungle, the Desert Dome and an aquarium, so most of it works in January.

  Tip Check Jan 1 hours; spend the coldest part of the day in the indoor buildings.

  DoSouth Omaha$$3 hrMidday