Things to Do in Omaha, Nebraska: A Returning Visitor’s Guide

Jess and I have family in Omaha, which means we’ve visited the city a number of times over the years. In that time, we’ve worked through most of Omaha’s main sights and a fair few of the smaller ones, so we wanted to put together a guide to our favourite things to do in Omaha, Nebraska.

Omaha is the largest city by population in Nebraska. It grew up as a 19th-century transportation hub, with the railroads, meatpacking, and industry pulling people in to stay. Today the mid-sized Midwestern city is home to a clutch of cultural attractions and plays host to a couple of the biggest annual events in the country: the College World Series and the Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting.

If you’re in town for a big event, a conference, visiting family like us, or just wondering what there is to do in Omaha, this guide is for you.

We’ll cover the main sights and attractions, give tips on where to stay, suggest foods to try, share ideas for what to do in Omaha with kids, and lots more.

Let’s get started.

 

The Short Version

Omaha is a planning-friendly two-day city built around the Old Market and the Riverfront, with the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Joslyn Art Museum as the two day-fillers that pull most visitors out of downtown. Best for: returning visitors, family trips, anyone in town for the College World Series in June or the Berkshire Hathaway meeting in early May. Not best for: a week-long vacation as your primary destination. Two days is the sweet spot. Base yourself in the Old Market or downtown.

 

How to Plan Your Time in Omaha

Most people landing on this page aren’t choosing Omaha, they’re going. Jess’s brother lives here, which is why we keep coming back, but the question we get asked is always the same: how do you actually fill the days? Here’s how we’d think about it.

One day in Omaha. Stick to downtown. Spend the morning at the Durham Museum, have a Reuben for lunch at the Crescent Moon or the Cottonwood, then walk the Old Market and the Riverfront in the afternoon (Gene Leahy Mall, Lewis & Clark Landing, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge). Dinner in the Old Market.

Two days in Omaha. Day one as above. Add the Henry Doorly Zoo for day two if you have kids or like zoos. If you don’t, swap in the Joslyn Art Museum (free), Joslyn Castle (paid tour), and Lauritzen Gardens, and have dinner at a steakhouse.

A weekend tied to an event. The College World Series in June and the Berkshire Hathaway meeting in early May both add a half-day of event logistics on top of the standard two-day spine. We’ve put a panel below for each. The short version: book accommodation as early as you can, the prices and availability go in the wrong direction fast.

Three or more days. Add Council Bluffs (the Squirrel Cage Jail, the eastern end of the Bob Kerrey Bridge), the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum southwest of town, and a day-trip to Lincoln. Vala’s Pumpkin Patch in autumn is a half-day on its own.

 

Things to Do in Omaha

There’s a lot to do in Omaha, from museums to historical sights to eating and shopping. Here are our favourite things to do in Omaha.

 

Durham Museum

Downtown / around $17 adult, free under 2 / 2-3 hours

The Durham Museum is found in Omaha’s original Union Station building, which dates from 1899. It was the Union Pacific’s first Art Deco railroad station and ran as a passenger train station until 1971.

The Union Station building is a gorgeous example of Art Deco architecture, and it’s almost worth visiting for the building alone. That said, the museum inside the building is one of our favourite attractions in Omaha.

The Durham focuses primarily on the history of the region and the American West in general, covering history, culture, science, and industry. If you’re interested in transport and trains, Native American culture, or wildlife, you’re going to find something interesting. We particularly enjoyed the full-size train exhibits on the lower levels, but the whole museum is well done.

If you want to learn about Omaha and this part of the country in general, this is the best place to start. If you’re only going to visit one museum in Omaha, this is our recommendation for most people.

There’s also an on-site museum shop, and the Soda Fountain and Candy Shop, which is the original Union Pacific soda fountain. It serves phosphates, egg creams, sundaes, soda, coffee, ice cream floats, snacks, candy, and the rest. Sandwiches, salads, and soups are also served here during lunch hours.

If you stay for lunch, you can easily spend half a day at the Durham. As of May 2026, admission is $17 for adults, $14 for seniors and military, $10 for children 3-12, and free for under-2s. There’s free parking on site, and you can also save on admission with the free Omaha Savings Pack (more on that below). They also often have special exhibitions and family events running.

 

The Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium

South Omaha / $19.95-$31.95 adult by season / half to full day

Rated as one of the world’s top zoos, the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (also known as the Omaha Zoo) spreads across more than 160 acres and is home to over 17,000 animals representing 962 species. It’s been around for over a hundred years, making it one of the oldest attractions in Omaha on our list.

The zoo is big, and there’s a lot to see, with different habitats home to different species. These include:

• the 28-acre African Grasslands area, home to African elephants, giraffes, rhinos, lions, cheetahs, meerkats, ostriches, and more
• the 8-acre Asian Highlands area, with species such as red panda, Indian rhino, snow leopard, and Siberian tiger
• the Desert Dome, one of the world’s largest indoor deserts. This 1-acre covered space has desert species from around the world including African wild cat, klipspringer, bobcat, and greater roadrunner
• Gorilla Valley, an exhibit focused on primates including gorillas and various monkey species
• Orangutan Forest, another primate-focused exhibit which includes orangutan and langur
• the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium, one of the world’s largest in-zoo aquariums. Species include sea turtles, sharks, jellyfish, puffins, and penguins
• Kingdoms of the Night, the world’s largest nocturnal animal exhibit, which also happens to contain the world’s largest indoor swamp. Inside you’ll find everything from bats to porcupines, sloths, crocodiles, and alligators

There’s a lot more besides, but this should give you a sense of how big the zoo actually is. There are also rides, including a 2.5-mile steam-powered narrow-gauge railroad which loops around the park, a tram, and a “Skyfari” open-air chairlift which gives good views over exhibits including the lions and cheetahs.

The old Rosenblatt Stadium, which used to host the College World Series (now played in town at Charles Schwab Field), can also be found at the zoo. Whilst not a lot remains, the footprint of it is still visible in the zoo parking lot.

As you can see, there’s a lot to do at the Omaha Zoo. We’d plan on spending at least half a day here, but ideally a full day. As of May 2026 the zoo runs seasonal pricing tiers: around $19.95 adult in winter, $26.95 in spring and autumn, and $31.95 in summer, with free parking on site. You can save on admission with the free Omaha Savings Pack.

 

Joslyn Art Museum

Midtown / free / 1-2 hours

If you like art museums, you’ll want to include a visit to Omaha’s Joslyn Art Museum on your trip. The museum originally opened in 1931 and has gone through several updates over the decades. The most recent was a $100 million Snøhetta-led expansion which reopened on September 10, 2024 and added the 42,000-sq-ft Rhonda & Howard Hawks Pavilion, growing the museum’s gallery space by 40%.

The collections cover a wide range of time periods and areas. Ancient art from Greece and Italy, European painters including Rembrandt and Monet, a strong run of early and modern American art, a sizeable modern and contemporary section, and a lovely outdoor sculpture garden. The new Hawks Pavilion gives the modern and contemporary work room to breathe in a way the museum hadn’t really managed before.

The Joslyn is free to visit and there’s also free parking on site, though the car park does fill up. Be prepared to wait, or find parking nearby (paid street parking is also available).

 

Omaha’s Riverfront Area

Downtown / free / 1-3 hours

Omaha’s riverfront has gone through significant redevelopment since the 2022 RiverFront re-opening, turning it into a destination in its own right. Today it’s a 72-acre area which links downtown Omaha to the river. There are three distinct sections to explore: the Lewis & Clark Landing, the Gene Leahy Mall, and the Heartland of America Park.

You can do all three in one go, or pick and choose depending on your interests. The whole riverfront is worth a stroll on a nice day. If you’re looking for somewhere to walk, picnic, sit on a bench, or take the kids out for some fresh air, any of these will do the job. Here’s what you’ll find in each area.

 

Lewis & Clark Landing & Visitor Center

In the early 19th century, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark journeyed across the vast expanse of land which the United States had purchased from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase. They primarily followed the Missouri River, which today flows through and marks the eastern edge of Omaha.

A few things to do in the landing area. First, we’d recommend the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center. This building is the headquarters of the historic trail, which covers 4,900 miles across 16 states. It’s a good place to learn about the expedition and the trail as it can be explored today, and it’s free to visit.

The Lewis and Clark landing area has a lot more besides. It’s home to an urban beach, volleyball courts, walking trails, and a fun playground with zip-lines, rocket-ship climbing towers, sand pits, and so on. If you have kids, they’re going to love this playground.

This part of the Riverfront is also where you’ll find the Kiewit Luminarium, covered separately below.

 

Gene Leahy Mall

The Gene Leahy Mall extends Omaha’s riverfront parks into the downtown area. This large urban park has a sculpture park, an outdoor concert venue, water features, outdoor tables and benches, and a play area. If you visit in winter, it’s covered in the Holiday Lights display (see the events section below).

The Gene Leahy Mall connects with the Old Market and the Heartland of America Park. It’s a nice place to walk for a green break from the urban surroundings.

 

Heartland of America Park

The largest of the three RiverFront parks, this is also the most southern. It extends along the Missouri River, with the centrepiece being a large lake with three fountains. The biggest of those shoots water 300 feet into the air and has a nighttime light show.

There’s a walking trail which loops the lake (around a mile in length), and in the summer you can take rides on the General Marion boat. If you’re in Omaha in late spring, this is also where you’ll find the annual Taste of Omaha event.

 

Kiewit Luminarium

Riverfront / paid (Wed evening discount after 3pm) / 2-4 hours

Found in the Lewis & Clark Landing area of Omaha’s Riverfront, the Kiewit Luminarium is a large science museum with an emphasis on hands-on, interactive exhibits. It’s a particularly good option if you’re visiting Omaha with kids, but adults are catered for too. In fact, there’s normally an adults-only event called Night Light on Thursday evenings.

Inside, you’ll find more than a hundred hands-on exhibits, covering everything from physics and material science to structures, the human body, technology, maths, and geometry. There’s plenty to keep you occupied for a few hours.

As of 2026, the Luminarium runs Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, with Wednesdays open late until 7pm and a discounted admission rate after 3pm on Wednesdays. There’s free parking on site. The entry fee is on the higher side, but it’s worth it if you plan to spend at least half a day.

 

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

Riverfront / free / 30-60 min

Omaha sits on the eastern edge of Nebraska, with just the Missouri River separating the city from Council Bluffs, Iowa. Linking the two, and giving you the chance to stand in both states at once, is the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.

This 3,000-foot, 15-foot-wide bridge curves across the river, and from it you get good views of Omaha, Council Bluffs, and the Missouri running between them. The bridge is pedestrian-only (no car traffic), which makes it a popular option for families with kids.

On the Omaha side, the bridge starts near the National Park Service Visitor Center. It takes you to the Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park on the Iowa side. The bridge opened in September 2008 and links into more than 150 miles of trails on both sides, so if you enjoy walking or cycling, you can keep going for quite a while.

 

Museum of Shadows

Downtown / $25 adult / 1-2 hours

If you like your experiences paranormal, you’ll likely enjoy a visit to Omaha’s Museum of Shadows, which moved to 1110 Douglas Street in downtown Omaha after previously operating out of Plattsmouth. The museum is home to a wide range of haunted artifacts, and the museum itself is said to be haunted.

Now, this one isn’t going to be for everyone, and reviews are mixed. But if you want something a bit different and you believe in the paranormal, it’s an option. As of May 2026, the museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 2pm to 10pm, and admission is $25. You can buy tickets online in advance or on site, and find out more here.

 

The Old Market

Downtown / free to wander / half a day

One of our favourite neighbourhoods to wander around and grab a coffee in Omaha is the Old Market. This was originally the heart of Omaha’s wholesale grocery trade back in the late 19th century, when the city sat at the junction of railroads connecting East and West. The brick buildings here served as warehouses, wholesale stores, and offices.

By the 1950s the way groceries were bought and sold had changed, the Old Market was no longer doing its original job, and many of its buildings were at risk of being condemned. Local landowner Samuel Mercer saw the potential of the area and led the renovation effort. Today, the Old Market is the heart of dining and shopping in Omaha. The old buildings and cobbled streets remain, now home to stores, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, thrift stores, pubs, and apartments. You can even take a carriage ride.

You’ll also find the Omaha Visitors Center next to the Old Market at 306 S 10th Street. It’s normally open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm. They have staff who can help you plan your time, free tourist brochures, and local souvenirs for sale. If you want to ask about the Omaha Savings Pack, this is a good place to do it.

 

Lauritzen Gardens

South Omaha / paid (modest, free for under-6s) / 2-3 hours

If you enjoy green spaces, Omaha has plenty of options, both free and paid. Falling into the latter category are the Lauritzen Gardens, a botanical garden and arboretum in southern Omaha. The site covers 100 acres, including a 4-acre arboretum and a bird sanctuary, and runs events throughout the year. We visited once during a Japanese festival, which was a lot of fun. You can find out more on the official website here.

The arboretum area focuses on the flora of the Nebraska region, with helpful information on how to attract local birds to your garden. The gardens also include a rose garden, a Victorian garden, a herb garden, a Japanese park, and a model railroad garden complete with running model trains.

Speaking of trains, right next to the Lauritzen Gardens is Kenefick Park. This overlooks Interstate 80 and welcomes people arriving from Iowa with the sight of two massive locomotives, which you can stand right next to if you visit. The park is free, and we enjoyed wandering through it.

Lauritzen Gardens charges a modest entry fee (free for under-6s), with free parking on site. You can save on admission with the free Omaha Savings Pack. As of May 2026, hours are Monday and Tuesday 9am to 8pm, Wednesday to Sunday 9am to 5pm, with last entry an hour before close.

 

Joslyn Castle & Gardens

Midtown / $20 adult ($17 senior/student/military) for guided tour / 90 min tour, 2 hours total

When you visit Omaha, you’ll notice the name “Joslyn” cropping up, most obviously at the Joslyn Art Museum and the Joslyn Castle & Gardens. There’s a reason for that.

George Joslyn and his wife Sarah moved to Omaha in 1880 and made their fortune through George’s involvement in the printing industry. They contributed a great deal to the city, including the Art Museum mentioned above.

By 1893, the Joslyns had the wealth to build the garden and home they wanted. The result was the house they called Lynhurst, today known as Joslyn Castle & Gardens. The four-storey building was completed in 1903, built in just eleven months at a cost of $250,000 (around $9 million in today’s money). It’s done in the Scottish Baronial Revival style, designed by John McDonald, and looks much like a small Scottish castle dropped into a Midwestern city. The gardens, which predate the castle, were completed in 1899.

The almost 20,000-square-foot house is open to the public by guided tour only, and we’d recommend taking one if you want to learn more about this unusual property and the people who built it. The tour runs through the main, second, and third floors and includes a ten-minute video on George and Sarah Joslyn’s story followed by a room-by-room guided walk.

As of April 2026, public tours run on Sundays and Mondays at 10:45am and noon, Wednesdays and Thursdays at noon, and Fridays at 9:30am, 10:45am, and noon (no tours Tuesday or Saturday). Total tour time is around 75 to 90 minutes. General admission is $20, with $17 for seniors (60+), students, and military. Cash and card are both accepted, and the meeting point is the front doors, which open ten minutes before each tour. You can check the schedule on the castle’s tour page here.

If you aren’t visiting on a tour day, or if you just want to explore the garden and see the building from outside, that’s free. There’s free parking on site, and the grounds are open daily sunrise to sunset.

 

Public Art in Omaha

Citywide / free / 1-2 hours to walk a sample

If you like public art, Omaha has plenty of it scattered across the city, all free to enjoy. Some of our favourite pieces include:

• Untitled by Jun Kaneko in the Gene Leahy Mall. You can’t help but notice the large peaceful head as you walk through the park
• The Illumina sculptures outside the CHI Health Center Arena. Six statues representing the arts and humanities events held at the convention centre, plus a 35-foot clock. Step inside the centre at night for another colourful installation
• The Pioneer Courage Park sculptures by Utah sculptors Blair Buswell and Edward Fraughton can be found on Capitol Avenue. They feature a wagon train proceeding along a creek bed, and have to be seen to be believed. There’s also a sibling installation in this series, the Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness sculptures outside the First National Bank of Omaha, which depict over 50 larger-than-life Canada geese
• Fertile Ground Mural by Meg Saligman. You can’t talk about public art in Omaha without including this one. At 70 feet tall and 465 feet long, it’s the largest public art project in Omaha and one of the largest murals in the USA. Find it at 602 N 13th Street, near the Old Market
• The Chef Boyardee Statue outside the Conagra building in the Heartland of America Park. OK, so this is an oddball pick, but if you’ve ever eaten canned spaghetti in the USA as a child, you’re probably familiar with the Chef Boyardee brand. The statue is of the real-life chef behind the brand, Italian immigrant Ettore Boiardi (who changed his name to Hector Boyardee to help sales of his packaged spaghetti)

You can find lots more public art in Omaha, with location details and information about each piece and artist, at the official Public Art Omaha website here.

 

Local Food and Produce

Citywide / varies / spread across your visit

When you’re in Omaha you’re going to want to eat, and there are a few things to try when you’re in town. Our picks:

• A Reuben sandwich. The Reuben is widely credited to a 1925 poker night at Omaha’s Blackstone Hotel, where local grocer Reuben Kulakofsky put it together for a group of late-night players (although some New Yorkers would contend this). The good news is that you can still have a Reuben at the Blackstone Hotel, which is now the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel. We had one here and it was excellent, as was the rest of the food. We also had one at the Crescent Moon across the road on another visit, which many claim is the best Reuben in Omaha. Honestly, they were both good. If you prefer a more formal dining experience, the Cottonwood is the better choice. If you prefer a pub setting with a beer, go with the Crescent Moon.
• A steak. It’s hard to mention food in Omaha without talking about steaks. There’s literally a whole company dedicated to the concept. This makes a lot of sense, given that beef is Omaha’s largest industry and the city has been a meatpacking centre since the middle of the 20th century. So you might want to actually have a steak while you’re in town. Options worth considering include the Drover, Mahogany Prime, Jericho’s, Sullivan’s, Gorat’s, Fleming’s, and Brother Sebastian’s.
• Speaking of steakhouses, Gorat’s is famous for another reason: it’s Warren Buffett’s favourite steakhouse. The former Berkshire Hathaway CEO has eaten here many times, including with Bill Gates. His favourite dish is the 22-oz Omaha T-bone with hashbrowns. We didn’t see Warren in person on our visit, but there’s a cardboard cutout of him you can pose by if you so wish.
• If you want to try local produce beyond steak, corn is the number one crop grown in Nebraska, so we’d recommend an ear of corn when it’s in season. Other popular crops and produce include milk and dairy, beans (Great Northern, pinto, and others), pork, poultry, eggs, sugar beets, apples, and honey. Nebraska is also home to over 30 wineries, so there’s a chance to try some local wine.
• A locally popular fast food, the Runza is a yeast dough bread pocket filled with beef, cabbage or sauerkraut, onions, and seasonings. The best place to try one is at a Runza’s, a fast-food chain which has been operating in Nebraska since 1949. For a proper local experience, buy a cinnamon roll at Runza’s and dip it in their chili. We’ve done this, and it is better than it sounds.
• If you like ice cream (who doesn’t like ice cream?), we’d recommend a visit to Coneflower Creamery. The original Blackstone-area location is within walking distance of the Kimpton Cottonwood and Joslyn Castle. There’s also a second location at Millwork Commons if that’s easier for you. Coneflower placed first in a nationwide ranking of ice cream locations, so we’re not the only ones who think it’s worth a visit. They handmake their ice cream with local, fresh ingredients, with a range of classic and seasonal flavours.

That should give you some ideas of where and what to eat in Omaha, though there are of course plenty more options across the city.

 

Omaha Children’s Museum

Downtown / $17 adult and child, $16 senior, free under 2 / 2-3 hours

If you’re visiting Omaha with children, you should consider the Omaha Children’s Museum. This award-winning museum aims to stimulate kids’ imagination and get them excited about learning new things.

It does this through a wide range of permanent and temporary exhibits, the majority of which are interactive. These include a science centre where experimentation is encouraged, a kid-sized hospital with interactive “x-ray” machines, an interactive kid-friendly bank branch, and lots more.

As of May 2026, admission is $17 for adults and children, $16 for seniors, free for under-2s, with a discounted $8 last-hour-of-day rate. There’s free parking on site, and you can also save on admission with the free Omaha Savings Pack.

 

Shopping

Citywide / varies / half a day for a sample

As with most cities, Omaha has an excellent choice of shopping options, from the standard big-box and department stores you’ll find everywhere through to locally owned spots, which is what we’ll focus on here.

• The Old Market is where we’d head if you’re looking for smaller, locally owned shops. You’ll find everything from antique shops to candy shops, home decor, books, vintage clothing, jewellery, and music. The Artists Cooperative Gallery is also worth a look if you’d like to peruse and buy art from local artists. The area has plenty of coffee shops, restaurants, and bars to keep you fuelled, and the local tourism office is here as well
• The Dundee neighbourhood, west of downtown, is another good option. Shops in the area include Albany and Avers (vintage clothing) and Dundee Candle Co, where you can make and pour your own candle
• Nebraska Furniture Mart. Founded in Omaha in 1937 and today owned by Berkshire Hathaway, this is an iconic Omaha home furnishings store and the chain’s Berkshire flagship. With around 450,000 square feet of retail space across a 77-acre campus, it’s one of the largest furniture stores in the country. Jess and I visited and were impressed by the range, across a wide span of budgets. Yes, they offer shipping
• For more name-brand retail therapy, the nearby shopping outlets are worth a look. They’re largely outside of Omaha and include Nebraska Crossing (the largest outlet mall in Nebraska), Village Pointe, and Regency Shopping Center (more upscale brands). We did some coat shopping at Nebraska Crossing once and found it a nice outdoor outlet mall

As you can see, plenty of shopping options in Omaha for most interests.

 

Fun Plex Waterpark and Rides

West Omaha / paid (varies by date) / half to full day

If you’re visiting Omaha in the hot summer months with family, you might consider a trip out to the Fun Plex Waterpark and Rides. About seven miles from downtown, this is the largest amusement park in Nebraska.

The park has a number of regular rides for both adults and kids, plus a large waterpark area with slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and more. There’s even a 21+ swim-up bar if you want a bit more adult fun.

The Fun Plex’s 2026 season opens on May 23 and normally runs through early September. You can check ticket prices and opening hours on the official website here.

 

And Even More

Of course, there’s more to do in Omaha and the surrounding area than we’ve covered above. A few other highlights to consider, depending on your interests:

• Squirrel Cage Jail. Found in Council Bluffs, Iowa, this museum was a jail from 1885 through 1969. Notable as one of only 18 revolving “squirrel cage” cells ever built
• Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum. Just southwest of Omaha, this museum focuses on the aircraft and nuclear missiles of the US Air Force during the Cold War. Exhibits include an SR-71 Blackbird and a B-52 Stratofortress, plus more aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft
• Platte River State Park. Halfway between Omaha and Lincoln, this state park has nature trails, fishing, and kayaking. We’d recommend climbing one of the observation towers for views of the surrounding landscape
• Vala’s Pumpkin Patch. If you’re visiting Omaha from late August through October into early November, consider a visit. This huge outdoor attraction focuses on all things autumn, with pig races, a corn maze, cider, live shows, and more. A fun family day out

 

Annual Events and Festivals in Omaha

Omaha hosts a steady drumbeat of annual events, from major sporting and business gatherings to film and music festivals. Even if you’re not planning to attend one, it’s worth knowing when they fall: events like the Berkshire Hathaway meeting and the College World Series push accommodation prices up sharply and book popular restaurants out, so you’ll either want to plan around them or steer clear.

Here’s the year in Omaha events, roughly in calendar order:

• March: Omaha Film Festival. The 2026 edition was the 21st annual, running March 10 to 15 at Aksarben Cinema
• Early May: Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting. Held at the CHI Health Center, typically the first weekend in May. The 2026 meeting was on Saturday May 2
• Late May / early June: Taste of Omaha. A three-day food festival in the Heartland of America Park
• June: College World Series. The two-week baseball tournament has been held in Omaha every year since 1950 (apart from the 2020 cancellation). The 2026 edition ran June 12 to 22 at Charles Schwab Field
• August: Maha Festival. A music festival at Heartland of America Park. The 2026 edition was a single-day event on Saturday August 8 (it’s run as a one-day festival in recent years rather than a weekend)
• Late August to early November: Vala’s Pumpkin Patch. Mentioned above, this autumn-long attraction is one of Omaha’s biggest family draws
• Late November to early January: Holiday Lights at the Riverfront. The 2025-26 lighting ceremony was at 6pm on Saturday November 28 at Gene Leahy Mall, with displays running nightly through December and on to January 1. The 72-acre display covers Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park, and Lewis & Clark Landing. Free to attend

There are also plenty of plays, musical acts, and other performances at venues across the city throughout the year, including The Rose Theater (children’s theatre), the Orpheum Theater, the Omaha Community Playhouse, The Waiting Room, and the CHI Health Center. Movies, axe throwing, arcades, bowling, mini golf, the list goes on.

For more on what’s happening in Omaha, pop into the Visitors Center at 306 S 10th Street in the Old Market, or check the Visit Omaha website.

 

Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting Weekend

The Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting is one of the biggest weekends on Omaha’s calendar. Around 30,000 to 40,000 shareholders descend on the city for the first weekend of May each year, and 2026 was the first under Greg Abel as CEO after Warren Buffett stepped down at the start of the year.

If you’re in town for the meeting, the centre of gravity is the CHI Health Center for the Saturday morning Q&A. The Friday before is a shareholder shopping day, when stores including Borsheim’s, Nebraska Furniture Mart, and Oriental Trading run shareholder-only discounts. Most of these are walkable or a short drive from downtown. The Sunday is for departures and recovery.

The weekend itself spreads across multiple events. Borsheim’s hosts a shareholder-only cocktail evening on the Friday (6 to 8pm) and a main public shopping day on the Saturday. Nebraska Furniture Mart runs its Berkshire Picnic on the Saturday afternoon (4 to 8pm), with shuttles from the CHI Health Center. Both stores are a short drive from downtown.

If you’re not booked solid with events, the meeting weekend lines up neatly with Omaha’s standard two-day spine. The Old Market is walkable from the CHI Health Center, the Joslyn Art Museum is about 5 minutes by car, Joslyn Castle is 10 minutes further west, and the Henry Doorly Zoo is 10 minutes south. Gorat’s, Warren’s favourite steakhouse, books out months in advance for this weekend, so don’t leave that to the day. The other steakhouses we list above are more achievable.

The biggest practical issue is accommodation. Hotel prices double or more for the meeting weekend, and the central hotels book out 6+ months ahead. The Hilton Omaha (connected to the CHI Health Center via a skybridge) is the most convenient but also the first to sell out. If you can’t get a central room, the Hampton Inn or BridgePointe in Council Bluffs are a few minutes’ drive and worth considering.

 

College World Series Week

The College World Series runs for about two weeks in mid-to-late June, with the championship best-of-three series across the final weekend. It’s been in Omaha since 1950 (apart from the 2020 cancellation), and since 2011 the games have been at Charles Schwab Field (formerly TD Ameritrade Park), a short walk from the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and the northern end of the Old Market.

If you’re attending, the Hilton Omaha is the closest hotel to Charles Schwab Field and is the obvious pick if you can book early enough. The Peregrine and the Hotel Deco are both walkable from the stadium for fitter visitors, with the Old Market in between. Parking around the stadium fills up early on game days, so plan to walk in from downtown or get rideshare drop-offs further out and walk the last few blocks.

Between games, the Old Market is a 10-minute walk from the stadium and is where most of the post-game eating and drinking happens. The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge is a good pre-game spot for shots of the stadium and the river. If you’re juggling multiple games with kids or other non-baseball travellers, the Kiewit Luminarium and the Lewis & Clark Landing playground are both five minutes from the stadium on foot.

 

How to Get to Omaha

Omaha is right in the middle of the USA and has reasonable transport connections. We’ve visited Omaha by car, plane, and train. Here are the main ways in.

• By car. Omaha is connected to the rest of the US by two main interstates. I-80 runs east all the way to New York via Chicago and west to San Francisco via Salt Lake City. I-29 runs north to Fargo and on to the Canadian border, and south to Kansas City. If you’re driving in from out of state and want to rent a car, we use and recommend Discover Cars
• By plane. Omaha’s airport, Eppley Airfield, offers direct flights to over 35 US destinations as of May 2026, with eight airlines flying out. Recent additions include New York LaGuardia, Miami, and a seasonal Gulf Shores route. The airport is just a few minutes from downtown
• By train. Omaha is on the Amtrak passenger network. We’ve travelled to Omaha on the overnight sleeper from Denver, which was a fun experience. Omaha is on the main Amtrak route between Chicago and San Francisco, the California Zephyr, which also stops in Denver, Salt Lake City, and more. Service is daily in both directions

 

How Many Days Should I Spend in Omaha?

You can spend as little or as much time as you want in Omaha, given there’s plenty to do and see. You could easily spend a week visiting the cultural attractions, exploring the parks, gardens, and walking paths, shopping, eating at steakhouses, and taking in some evening entertainment.

At a minimum, we’d recommend at least two full days and nights to get a proper taste of the city.

 

Suggested Two Day Omaha Itinerary

Here’s a quick overview of a possible itinerary for two days in Omaha.

On your first day you might go to the Durham Museum in the morning, have a Reuben for lunch, spend the afternoon walking the Old Market and the Riverfront, and see a play that evening.

On the second day, head over to the Henry Doorly Zoo for a full day out, then have dinner that evening at a local steakhouse.

If you have more time, work through our list and write down all the places you want to see, with a rough estimate of how long you’d spend at each. That should give you a good idea of how much time you’ll need. Also be sure to take opening times and days into account, as many attractions are closed at least one day a week.

If you’re visiting for the College World Series, the Berkshire Hathaway meeting, or another big event, it’s a good idea to add an extra day to your trip so you have more time to explore around the event.

 

Where to Stay in Omaha

Omaha has a wide range of accommodation options, including hotels, apartment rentals, motels, and more. Prices run from budget to high-end, and generally the closer you are to downtown the higher the prices are. If you’re driving, most downtown hotels offer valet parking, although street parking is often an option too (just remember to pay the meter).

It’s also worth knowing that pricing varies a lot by the time of year you visit and any major events on. The Berkshire Hathaway meeting in particular is a time when prices for Omaha accommodation can really jump, so if you aren’t attending that, you might want to avoid those few days.

Some options for where to stay in and around Omaha:

• Hotel Deco. In the 1930 Redick Tower, one of Nebraska’s premier Art Deco skyscrapers, this 4* boutique hotel offers lovely en-suite rooms within easy walking distance of the downtown sights. There’s an on-site restaurant and valet parking. We stayed here for three nights on a recent visit to Omaha and enjoyed it
• Hilton Omaha. The closest hotel to the CHI Health Center, to which it’s connected via a Skybridge, making it a good option if you’re attending an event there. 4* hotel with on-site restaurant, airport shuttle, pool, and both self-parking and valet parking. Pets accepted. This is also a good hotel option for the College World Series at Charles Schwab Field, as it’s very close to that venue too
• The Peregrine. This hotel sits in a Renaissance Revival building, the Saunders-Kennedy, with construction beginning in 1914 and completing in 1918. It was restored and opened as The Peregrine, Curio Collection by Hilton, in 2021. Today it’s a 4* boutique hotel a few minutes’ walk from downtown
• The Farnam, Autograph Collection. One of the most highly rated hotels in downtown Omaha, this centrally located 4* property has comfortable rooms, on-site parking, and three restaurants to choose from
• Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel. In Omaha’s Blackstone district, a few minutes’ drive from downtown, this 4* hotel is the revival of the Blackstone hotel, which stood on this location from 1916. The Reuben sandwich was invented here, so be sure to try one. The hotel also runs afternoon tea on some Sundays
• Hampton Inn Council Bluffs. If you’d prefer a hotel with free parking, the Hampton Inn in Council Bluffs, Iowa is a good option. It’s a few minutes’ drive to downtown Omaha and breakfast is included
• BridgePointe Inn & Suites. A more budget-oriented option in Council Bluffs, Iowa. There’s free parking on site and breakfast is included, and it’s a short drive from downtown Omaha

There are many more accommodation options in Omaha besides. See a full list of options including vacation rentals, motels, and hotels here.

 

How to Get Around Omaha

Omaha is a fairly easy city to get around, whether on foot, by car, by bike, or by public transit.

Downtown Omaha is walkable, with many sights just a few minutes’ walk apart. For destinations a little further from downtown (the Blackstone District, Joslyn Castle, Lauritzen Gardens), you’ll want some form of motorised transport.

If you’re flying in and want to rent a car, we use and recommend Discover Cars for car hire across the US. They compare rates across the major rental companies and have served us well across multiple US trips.

Public transport, primarily in the form of a bus system, runs across the Omaha area. The system is the Omaha Metro, and you can find live bus times and routes on the My Ride website and app. Fares are paid through the Umo system, which means downloading the Umo app, getting an Umo card, or buying an Umo token. More on that here.

Omaha is also building a streetcar service intended to link downtown with the Blackstone District, which is hoped to be running by 2027.

You can also drive easily around Omaha, which is what we normally end up doing. Street parking is available all around the city for reasonable rates, and you can pay using the Park Omaha or ParkMobile app. Rates vary, and you can check current parking info here.

Ride-share services including Uber, Lyft, and zTrip are available, as are bike share and scooter rental services.

 

How to Save Money in Omaha

Omaha doesn’t have a city-wide attraction pass that we’re aware of, but you can save on attractions with the free Omaha Savings Pack. This is a free service run by Visit Omaha and it carries discounts across some of the most popular attractions in the city, including the indoor desert and rainforest (Henry Doorly Zoo), the Children’s Museum, a treetop adventure, an aircraft museum, and a pizza spot, among others.

We picked one up on a recent visit and found it to be good and worth grabbing, especially if you’re hitting two or more of the participating attractions across your stay. There’s a points programme attached, where you earn points by redeeming offers, and the current 2026 incentive is a free commemorative 24-oz water bottle if you redeem enough.

It’s free to get and it’s all handled online. You sign up on the website and the pass is sent to your phone as a mobile pass. You can see more and sign up on the official Omaha Savings Pack website here.

 

Omaha FAQ

A few common questions we get about visiting Omaha.

How many days do you need in Omaha?

Two full days is the sweet spot for most visitors. That gives you time to cover the downtown core (Durham Museum, Old Market, Riverfront, Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge) on one day, and the bigger half-day attractions (Henry Doorly Zoo or the Joslyn Art Museum and Joslyn Castle) on the other.

If you’re in town for the College World Series, the Berkshire Hathaway meeting, or another major event, add a day to give yourself room around the event itself.

What is Omaha best known for?

Omaha is best known for the College World Series, which has been held here every year since 1950, and as the home of Berkshire Hathaway, the holding company chaired for decades by Warren Buffett. The Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is also nationally known and frequently ranks among the world’s top zoos.

The city has a strong food reputation around beef and steakhouses (Omaha Steaks started here) and is the birthplace of the Reuben sandwich.

Is Omaha walkable?

Downtown Omaha (the Old Market, the Riverfront, the Durham Museum, the Kiewit Luminarium) is walkable. You can cover most of it on foot in a day. The Henry Doorly Zoo, Lauritzen Gardens, Joslyn Castle, and the Blackstone district are all a short drive or bus ride from downtown, so you’ll want a car or rideshare for those. The streetcar service planned for 2027 will connect downtown with Blackstone, which will close some of the gap.

What is the best time to visit Omaha?

Late spring through early autumn (May through September) is the most reliable window. May is the Berkshire Hathaway weekend, June brings the College World Series, July and August get the music festivals, and September is still warm enough for the Riverfront and the Zoo. Late November through early January is also worth considering if you want the Holiday Lights display along the Riverfront. Winter outside the holiday window (January and February) can be cold and grey but most indoor attractions stay open year-round.

Is Omaha worth visiting?

For visitors, yes, with two caveats. Omaha is best for a two-day visit (rather than a week-long destination in its own right) and works well as part of a wider Midwestern road trip, a College World Series or Berkshire weekend, or a stop on the California Zephyr Amtrak route. If you’re visiting family or in town for an event, the city has more to do than most people expect.

 

Further Reading

That’s it for our guide to things to do in Omaha, Nebraska. Before you head off, a few more resources we’ve put together to help you plan your trip to the city and travel in the USA in general.

• If you want a guidebook for the wider US, we use and recommend the Lonely Planet USA. It covers all the major regions and is a good companion if Omaha is part of a longer US trip
• Wondering how much a visit to Omaha might cost? Check out our guide to how much it costs to travel in the USA to help with your trip budget
• I’ve written a guide with some of my top tips for driving in the USA to help get you going on the road
• We’ve visited a lot of other cities in the USA. See our guides to things to do in Las Vegas, things to do in Huntsville, things to do in Savannah, things to do in Charleston, things to do in Albuquerque, visiting New Orleans during Mardi Gras, things to do in Cambria, things to do in Houston, things to do in Dallas, and things to do in Santa Fe
• If you want some USA road trip inspiration, see our itineraries for a USA Deep South road trip, California Road Trip, Route 66 Road Trip, and Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
• And if you’re looking for inspiration for the rest of the USA, check out our USA section, which has lots more

Do you have any questions about visiting Omaha? As always, we’re happy to answer, so just pop them in the comments below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.