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Omaha is the largest city in the U.S. state of Nebraska, with about 486,000 residents in 2020. Tourist attractions in Omaha include history, sports, outdoors and cultural experiences. Its principal tourist attractions are the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Men's College World Series. The Old Market in Downtown Omaha is another major attraction and is important to the city's retail economy.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
This nationally renowned zoo is Nebraska's number one paid attraction. It features an expansive and aquarium, "Kingdoms of the Night" (world's largest nocturnal exhibit and indoor swamp), the Lied Jungle (world's largest indoor rainforest), and the "Desert Dome" (world's largest indoor desert).
Has works by El Greco, Degas, Monet and Renoir and an extensive ancient Greek pottery display. The Joslyn also has a glass sclupture by Dale Chihuly hanging in the atrium.
A nationally recognized artist-in-residence program and art gallery that consists of three galleries in a warehouse-style studio. Tours are available by reservation and parking is free.
An art center, science center, and a mock grocery store.
A renovated art deco-style train station, it is believed to be the best example of art deco in the country with exhibits such as the Byron Reed Coin and Document Collection, the Trans-Mississippi Exposition Gallery, restored train cars, a teepee, an earth lodge, and more.
A Latino art, history, and cultural museum. It is the first in the Midwest and one of 11 Latino museums in America.
North Omaha Music And Arts
Dedicated to the history of jazz, North Omaha, and Preston Love.
The National Park Service regional headquarters contains a small free visitor center about Lewis & Clark on its first floor.
A place for those who are a fan of the spooky, paranormal, or just plain creepy. Contains a collection of haunted artifacts from around the world. As a result, the building itself is now considered haunted. While there is no age limit, the owners state their museum deals with dark and mature themes and is not recommended for young children.
His home no longer exists, but a marker stands on his former address.
George and Sarah Joslyn Home
It is the Scottish-Baronial style home of two of Omaha's most respected citizens and boasts four stories and 35 rooms. Tours are available to the public.
It has various monuments, including part of the route the Mormons took. The site known as the Winter Quarters marks the pioneers' winter camp of 1846, and 359 Mormons are buried in a nearby cemetery.
It pays homage to the late U.S. president. Twice destroyed by fire, the gardens stand where his house was.
Overlook Café inside the visitors center is open M-Th 6:30-9:30AM, 11AM-1:30PM. The gift shop is open when the visitors center is open.
Urban park and greenspace stretching from 13th Street to the Missouri River, between Douglas and Farnam Streets. Completed in 2023, it replaced the Gene Leahy Mall and Heartland of America Park. Includes a concert/ performing arts stage, roller skate rink, and an observation deck with views of Iowa and the Missouri River. The park hosts concerts and plays in the warmer months and allows pedestrians easy access to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and Lewis and Clark Landing to the north.
Runs along the riverfront and has two fountains. The Heartland of America fountain shoots water into the air and has a colorful nighttime show. There are also boat rides for a quarter per person.
A playground, a baseball field, paths, trails, and plenty of open space. The park is unique because of its floral displays and historical monuments.
Adjacent to Memorial Park. Has an 18-hole golf course, two baseball fields, a swimming pool, and many other things.
This botanical garden and arboretum boasts plants from all over the world, situated in exhibits designed to represent their natural habitat. Water features and manicured plants are also on display. Gift shop and cafe are available on site. The garden also hosts the annual Omaha Antiques Show.
Every June, the best college baseball teams from around the nation gather in Omaha for the Men's College World Series (MCWS, or just the CWS). The series is always a sellout event, so be sure to plan ahead. The MCWS is held at Charles Schwab Field Omaha in NoDo (North Downtown).
The so-called "Woodstock for capitalists", annually on the first Saturday of May, where investors all over the world come to listen to Warren Buffett. It might hold little interest to non business minded travelers, but just as important is that if you are not interested, better stay clear off Omaha during this period as the business crowd drives transportation and accommodation prices through the roof.
Built in 1927, this 2600-seat theater hosts Broadway plays, stand up comics, and musical performances. Parking is available to the south, across the road.
Two single-screen movie houses showcasing lesser known films and foreign titles. One location is in the Dundee neighborhood and the other is near the baseball stadium downtown.
Has a long and storied history as the nation's largest community theater. Marlon Brando's mother gave Henry Fonda his stage debut in the 1925-26 season. Community members and local professionals perform regularly in plays and musicals.
An organization that produces new works by local playwrights.
Opened on the UNO campus in October 2015 and replaced the Omaha Civic Auditorium (closed in 2014) as the city's main mid-sized indoor venue.
A sleek, modern concert hall and home of the Omaha Symphony. Hosts events as well. Parking is available on the north side of Dodge St.
Offers tours of the brewery and a tasting room.
Axe, Hatchet or Tomahawk Throwing
A destination for axe-throwing, tomahawk, and hatchet enthusiasts. Craft beverages are available. Groups and parties welcome. Experts will guide you through axe-throwing, ensuring a safe and entertaining experience for all skill levels.
Specializing in fried "puffy-shell" tacos, this small taco place offers filling Mexican food, quick and cheap. Tables get scarce in the afternoon. Happy hour is 4PM-5PM.
A small, family-run Chinese restaurant. Serves some more exotic dishes alongside the usual fare of Chinese food. Very friendly staff.
Local artisanal ice cream. Offers both traditional and experimental flavors.
Since 1965, this bar and grill has been serving up high class burgers and beer. A great place to relax after a long day.
Serving homestyle Greek food. Gyros, kebobs, and baklava are all made in house. They also sell their in-house dressing at local grocery stores.
Chinese restaurant serving up a variety of traditional dishes. As of Apr 2021, take-out only.
Serves Greek food and is the home of the Triple-Kong burger. Free drinks with a student ID.
Offering breakfast and specializing in roasted chicken. An authentic Mexican experience.
Authentic Mexican that caters to the more adventurous diners. Examples include steak served with cactus, quail, and tongue burritos.
Home of the famous Runza sandwich, a Nebraskan staple.
All-you-can-eat spaghetti dinners, including garlic bread and salad bar, for under $10. Many choices of sauces and pastas. Full bar.
Homemade old-fashioned ice cream with several flavors and a menu that's constantly changing. Voted best ice cream in Omaha. Vegan options available.
Great pizza and pasta for take-out or delivery. Many locations also have great buffets!
Uses natural ingredients and has huge calzones and great pizza.
A Northern Italian restaurant, located in the historic Omaha neighborhood of Dundee.
Great, authentic Persian food. All meals are prepared by the restaurant's owner, Ahmad, an Iranian immigrant. Located in the Old Market.
A lively atmosphere with some of Omaha's finest martinis, including the Pelini Martini named after Huskers coaching legend, Bo Pelini. Lush patio environment features breathtaking lakeside view and easy access to live duck sanctuary where restaurant owner Yves Menard gavages the stock. During summer months, patrons can select a duck and enjoy some of the finest foie gras and wine pairings in the Midwest.
Great Japanese restaurant that serves some of Omaha's freshest sushi and sashimi.
One of the few East Indian restaurants in the city. A modern take on Indian classics.
Modern sushi with an energetic vibe, offers an extensive menu of raw, non raw, and vegan sushi, all paired with a collection of premium sake.
Nationally recognized street food. A large menus featuring juicy burgers, fried chicken, and poutine. Alcoholic drinks available as well.
The Boiler Room is a hidden gem in the south side of the Old Market tucked in the gutted boiler room of an old warehouse. The food is usually sourced locally and has a heavy emphasis on gourmet French-style cooking, especially meat. Try the boar's head or scorpionfish. The menu changes daily.
Favored by Warren Buffett, a dear friend of the family and a valued customer.
A great restaurant where you can get your fill on prime-grade steaks, Australian lobster, and Alaskan king crab legs. The food is amazing and they have a great wine list to complement whatever you order. Chain Restaurant.
An intimate and romantic ambiance residing in the Old Market. The menu, which changes weekly, is continental but also offers some innovative culinary creations from a range of cuisine types. Great for special dinners. Famous clientele have included Bono of U2, Warren Buffet, and Bruce Springsteen. Reservations only.
Aged, hand cut and seared meats. Featuring USDA prime beef from Stockyards Beef of Chicago, Spencer’s restaurant offers sizzling hot porterhouses, juicy filet mignon and the bone-in ribeye for which Spencer’s is named. Validated parking in the Hilton Garden Inn Garage. Reservations preferred.
A white cloth dining establishment in downtown Omaha. Offers lobster, American Waygu, and single malt scotch. Reservations only. Chain Restaurant.
Hiro 88 is an upscale Pan-Asian restaurant group. With the help of renowned architects like Japan’s Nakamura-san, restaurateur Milton Yin has created distinct atmospheres at each location, each inspired by its surrounding neighborhood. Serving Chinese cuisine and some of Omaha’s best sushi.
A large pub with a German Bier Hall down below. Checkout Max and Joe's tasting room next door. If you find a drink you like, stop in Beertopia to grab a six-pack of it, or any other craft beer you'd like, both owned by the same people. A must visit for all lovers of beer.
Champagne on tap. This cozy bar is decorated with collectibles and memorabilia from yesteryear. Friendly atmosphere and a relaxed place to kick back.
Ostensibly the region's largest dance club and gay bar. Two dance floors (electronica on one, hip-hop on the other), three bars, and a huge courtyard. On the weekends it's mostly straight people and expect a $5 cover.
Eclectic bar with unique, quality cocktails. Be prepared to wait a few minutes while the bartenders mix them. Free live music W-Sa. Diverse and agreeable crowd. Before 9PM, order take-out from Mother India just a block west.
In the Old Market. Has pool tables and on Wednesday nights $7 pizzas and $2 microbrews are served. Also has a full menu and great food at a reasonable price. Try the sample platter of microbrews and get your favorite in a growler to go.
Resides in a walkable area of Omaha, the Dundee neighborhood. Stop in and get "Green Beret", then walk down the block to 'Great Harvest' for a free slice of bread of your choice. Alternatively, walk west to the Bread Oven, a French bakery featuring traditional French breads.
In Downtown, it serves a variety of coffee-based drinks. Desserts and sandwiches are also served. Occasionally there is live music on Fridays. Free wi-fi.
This fast-growing regional chain seems to have drive-up kiosks on every other corner, a testament to its popularity. Locations with seating offer free wi-fi. Original location is in Bellevue.
Beautifully remodeled award-winning hotel with spacious sleeping rooms that include free high-speed internet, microwaves, refrigerators, 37' flat screen TV, free local calls, iron/ironing boards, hairdryers, indoor water playland, exercise room, meeting space and Perkins Restaurant. Pets are welcome.
This downtown hotel offers stylish rooms & suites near many major corporate headquarters and offices. The hotel also features meeting & event facilities and extended stay accommodations.
Great location in downtown Omaha within walking distance to the Old Market Area with great shopping and dining. Grab breakfast at the Great American Grill and dinner at Spencer's. Guests can enjoy free hi-speed Internet access, business center, meeting/banquet facilities, indoor pool & whirlpool, fitness center and an Unconditional 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
Great location in downtown Omaha within walking distance to Qwest Center and the airport with free shuttle service. Enjoy an On The House Hot breakfast, free hi-speed Internet, business center, indoor pool & whirlpool, fitness center and 100% Hampton Guarantee.
Closest Hilton to TD Ameritrade Park, offers a full service spa, fitness center, indoor pool, and 4 dining options.
Close to CenturyLink Center and TD Ameritrade Park. Free local shuttle service within a 5 mi radius and complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel.
Omaha's grand old hotel, originally completed in 1916 as the Blackstone Hotel. It closed in 1976 and was used as office building from 1984-2017, before being renovated and reopening as a luxury hotel once again in 2020.
Owned by famed investor Warren Buffet. It is the largest independent jewelry and gift shop in the United States with an inventory of products that makes the Tiffany's catalog look small.
The largest furniture store in the country, with over of retail space, also owned by Warren Buffett. Primarily contained in two adjoining buildings, it features a vast array of furniture, electronics, appliances, and home decor.
An extensive complex near 144th & West Center Road with many stores including a Dick's Sporting Goods, Kohls, Sears, JCPenney, Dillards and Younkers. A megaplex theater is also nearby.
Has many restaurants and upscale shopping.
An upscale, open-air lifestyle center near 168th & West Dodge Road. Scheels, Best Buy, Brix, an Apple store, and other specialty stores and restaurants are found here.
Largest mall in Nebraska. The mall contains Dick's Sporting Goods, JCPenney, Von Maur, Younkers, and an AMC Classic movie theater.
The result of a decade-long urban renewal effort in midtown Omaha. This development provides shopping space, dining, contemporary condominiums and apartments in a single location.
A large, laid-back music store with a vast selections of LPs, CDs, and other related memorabilia.
Ubiquitous and good value, loved by Omahans. Most locations also offer postal services, a pharmacy, dry cleaning, and an ATM. Some also have an attached bank and gas station.
Local brand of Kroger. Sign up for a free Baker's plus card to get sale prices.
By train
Amtrak serves Omaha with the California Zephyr, which runs daily between Emeryville (in the San Francisco Bay Area) and Chicago.
By bus
The Intercity/Interline Bus Station for Burlington Trailways and Jefferson Lines south of downtown at 1601 S Jackson St while Express Arrow serves the airport. Check schedules & websites.
By shuttle
By car
By far the easiest and most convenient way of getting around. The city is a grid and easily navigable, numbered streets run north-south and increase in number as you go west.
By bus
The Omaha Metro has regular bus services serving around Omaha.60 for seniors. There is a bus rapid transit (BRT) line, ORBT, and there is also a streetcar line under construction as of 2026.
By taxi
Taxi service is available, but there is much less than in major cities.
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Omaha · International · OMA
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