Nebraska · best-of list
7 Top Things to Do in Nebraska
All 7 things to do our route editors picked in Nebraska, across 3 destinations, gathered in one list. Expect sights and experiences, with Downtown Omaha & the Old Market contributing the most (3).
Our curated picks
7 things to do in Nebraska, grouped by destination. Destinations with the most picks come first; this is not a ranking.
Downtown Omaha & the Old Market 3 picks
Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
Downtown Omaha & the Old Market · On our Omaha New Year's Eve route
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.
Photo: WiinterU · CC0Gene Leahy Mall
Downtown Omaha & the Old Market · On our Omaha New Year's Eve route
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.
RiverFront New Year's Eve Fireworks
Downtown Omaha & the Old Market · On our Omaha New Year's Eve route
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.
Midtown Omaha 2 picks
Joslyn Art Museum
Midtown Omaha · On our Omaha New Year's Eve route
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.
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Midtown Omaha · On our Omaha New Year's Eve route
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.
Omaha 2 picks
Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Omaha · On our Kansas City to Omaha route
Indoor desert dome, rainforest and aquarium; easily a half day.
Tip: Arrive at opening to see the dome before crowds.
Photo: Serenity · Google
The Durham Museum
Omaha · On our Kansas City to Omaha route
History museum inside Omaha's Art Deco Union Station, with a working soda fountain.
Photo: Michele · Google
How we picked these
Every entry is a stop on at least one of TripsCircle's hand-curated routes, chosen by our route editors, who wrote the reason to go shown with each place. These are our curated picks, not a scored ranking: we haven't rated or reviewed them against each other. The list is grouped by destination, and within each destination places that appear on more routes come first.
Prices ($ to $$$$) and visit lengths are rough guides from our route notes, not quotes. Check opening hours before you go.
About this list
How did you choose the things to do in Nebraska?
Each one is a stop on a TripsCircle route that our editors built by hand, and each comes with a written reason to go. This page shows all 7 of them. They are curated picks, not a ranked score.
Which part of Nebraska has the most things to do on this list?
Downtown Omaha & the Old Market has the most (3 of 7), followed by Midtown Omaha (2) and Omaha (2).
Are any of these free?
4 picks on this list are marked free in our route notes: Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, Joslyn Art Museum, Gene Leahy Mall and RiverFront New Year's Eve Fireworks. Check ahead, since parking or special exhibits can cost extra.
More lists for Nebraska
Top things to do nearby
Destinations on this list
- Downtown Omaha & the Old Market 3 on this list
- Midtown Omaha 2 on this list
- Omaha 2 on this list
Turn this list into a plan
Open a curated route in TripsCircle, add the spots your crew wants, vote with polls and keep everyone on one shared itinerary.