Immense zoo habitats, Art Deco rail history, riverfront parks, marble galleries, gardens, and neighborhood nights

Things to do in Omaha

Henry Doorly Zoo takes most of a day. The Old Market and RiverFront form one downtown outing, while The Durham Museum, The Joslyn, Lauritzen Gardens, Dundee, and Benson fill separate stops elsewhere in the city.

Zoo, downtown, museums, gardens, and neighborhoods

Eight Omaha outings worth giving real time

The zoo can fill a day by itself. Union Station, Old Market brick, and the riverfront parks form a downtown route. The Joslyn and Dundee lie west of the center; Lauritzen Gardens sits south near the zoo and rail yards; Benson is farther west along Maple Street.

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

Reserve most of a day. The Desert Dome, Lied Jungle, aquarium, African Grasslands, Asian Highlands, and other major areas sit across a large, hilly campus. Enter near opening with a short priority list, eat before the group is exhausted, and keep indoor habitats available when Great Plains weather turns hot, cold, or stormy.

Old Market and Gene Leahy Mall

The Old Market's brick façades, cobblestones, old loading openings, passageways, galleries, shops, and restaurant rooms preserve the warehouse district at street level. Gene Leahy Mall begins beside it with lawns, play areas, public art, and a direct connection toward the rest of The RiverFront.

Heartland of America Park and Lewis & Clark Landing

These rebuilt riverfront spaces extend the downtown walk around the lake, event lawns, playgrounds, and the Missouri River edge. They are strongest as part of one continuous outing from the Old Market rather than a collection of separate parking stops. Check The RiverFront calendar when a concert or festival could change the atmosphere.

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

The cable-stayed bridge arcs over the Missouri River between Omaha and Council Bluffs. The open span brings wind, sun, cyclists, runners, and a broad look back at the Omaha skyline; conditions can feel much hotter, colder, or windier than the downtown blocks.

The Durham Museum

Omaha's former Union Station is the first exhibit. The restored Art Deco waiting room leads into passenger trains, regional history, commerce, and changing exhibitions. Choose Durham over another general museum when rail history, architecture, or Omaha's role as a continental transportation city is the stronger draw.

The Joslyn

The pink-marble museum and its expanded campus hold American, European, Indigenous, and contemporary art, along with gardens and free general admission. Give it at least two hours. It pairs more naturally with Midtown or Dundee than with a tightly timed zoo day on the south side.

Lauritzen Gardens

The botanical center rises above the river and rail yards south of downtown, with indoor conservatory space and outdoor gardens that change sharply by season. Wear real walking shoes for the slopes and grounds. In difficult weather, confirm what is open before treating the conservatory as a full substitute for the outdoor visit.

Dundee and Benson

Dundee's Underwood Avenue offers a compact restaurant-and-shop stroll among older residential blocks. Benson's Maple Street puts live music, bars, murals, and casual food close together. Pick one for dinner instead of trying to skim both after a long museum or zoo day.

Art Deco waiting room inside Omaha's historic Union Station

The rail city indoors

Union Station makes Omaha’s history visible before the first label

The Durham Museum begins in a room built to impress rail passengers: high sculpted ceilings, chandeliers, terrazzo underfoot, and the warm gleam of restored Art Deco detail. The exhibits below widen the view to passenger travel, local business, Native and settler history, and the communities connected by the rails.

Pair Durham with the Old Market and RiverFront. Save the Joslyn for a separate art-centered window, and do not tack either museum onto the end of a zoo day unless the entire group still wants another large indoor experience.

Official Omaha visitor information

Current hours and visitor information for Omaha attractions

Zoo buildings, museum galleries, seasonal gardens, riverfront events, and holiday schedules change independently.

Omaha ZooHours, admission, and current zoo detailsConfirm current opening hours, admission, building schedules, seasonal operations, accessibility information, and any weather-related changes before the full-day visit.The RiverFrontGene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park, and the LandingReview park hours, amenities, events, maps, parking information, and current notices for the connected downtown park system.The Durham MuseumUnion Station visitor informationCheck museum hours, admission, exhibitions, accessibility, parking, and holiday closures before heading to the restored station.The JoslynArt museum hours and admissionConfirm current gallery hours, free general admission details, special exhibitions, parking, accessibility, and visitor policies.Lauritzen GardensGarden hours and seasonal conditionsCheck admission, garden and conservatory hours, tram availability, exhibitions, weather impacts, and current visitor information.

Bookable Omaha experiences

Tours for Omaha food, history, and the Old Market

Omaha tours cover Old Market history, local food, and subjects that are difficult to read from the streets alone. Henry Doorly Zoo already fills its day with large habitats and long walks.

Bookable experiences

GetYourGuide activities