Top 12 Attractions in Omaha
Omaha has several fascinating attractions for both locals and tourists to enjoy. There is something for everyone to enjoy, from zoos and museums to cultural attractions and performing arts venues.
Omaha Community Playhouse
Name and Location: Omaha Community Playhouse is a performing arts theater located in central Omaha, Nebraska.
History and Significance: Founded in 1924, the Playhouse is one of the oldest and largest community theaters in the United States. It has a reputation for high-quality theatrical performances across multiple stages.
What to Expect: A wide variety of live theater including comedies, dramas, musicals, and productions aimed at young audiences. Features award-winning local talent. Hawks Mainstage seats over 600.
Visitor Information: Showtimes vary by production. Tickets available online or by phone. Parking lot and garage adjacent to theater building with paid parking. Concessions and cocktails available onsite.
The Omaha Community Playhouse has been providing the local community with top-notch theater, comedies, dramas, and musicals for almost a century. Nearly all year long, audiences may immerse themselves in exceptional local plays at both the big Hawks Mainstage Theatre and the smaller Howard Drew Theatre.
The Playhouse hosts family-friendly productions, Christmas events, and theatrical classics in addition to well-known musicals like Mamma Mia! and Fiddler on the Roof. It supports up-and-coming talent while offering adults and children artistic education through classes and summer programs. It’s difficult to top the outstanding performance quality at the Omaha Community Playhouse for a cultural and entertaining evening.
The Durham Museum
Name and Location: The Durham Museum is a museum located in downtown Omaha, Nebraska, on the historic Union Station site.
History and Significance: Housed in the renovated Art Deco Union Station building (1931), the museum showcases regional history from the 19th century onwards. It contains permanent and traveling exhibits focused on the American West.
What to Expect: Immersive historical exhibits using artifacts, archival materials, and recreations of environments. Also features vintage trains, vehicles, a soda fountain, and museum store. Family friendly with youth education programs.
Visitor Information: Open daily 10am-5pm, closed major holidays. General admission is $13 for adults. Discounts for seniors, students, military. Free onsite parking and accessible entry.
The Durham Museum, which honors Omaha’s past, present, and future, transformed a historic train station from the 1930s into a state-of-the-art museum with interactive displays. Visitors can see vintage cars, see galleries highlighting Omaha history, climb on retired trains, and investigate interactive science exhibits.
Regularly changing special exhibitions offer subjects like natural history, fashion, notable Americans, and local pioneers. Discover how Union Pacific railroad employees lived during World War II or discover how commerce, politics, and communication pioneers shaped Omaha over time. Both locals and visitors can learn about Omaha’s history at The Durham Museum through interactive exhibitions and relics from throughout the nation.
See also: Top 12 Attractions in St. Louis
Film Streams
Name and Location: Film Streams is an independent, nonprofit cinema located in central Omaha, Nebraska.
History and Significance: Founded in 2007, Film Streams provides access to a diverse range of independent, foreign, classic and art films in the Omaha community. Its two theater locations have state-of-the-art equipment.
What to Expect: A curated selection of indie films, cult favorites, repertory cinema, and first-run art films. Concession stand with food and drinks to enjoy during the movies. Some specialty event screenings.
Visitor Information: Showtimes vary. Tickets $8.50 for regular films with discounts for students, seniors, etc. Validated parking in nearby garage. Fully wheelchair accessible facilities.
For indie movie lovers, Film Streams offers a unique theater experience focused on independent, foreign, classic, and art cinema. Their two theater locations, Ruth Sokolof Theater and Dundee Theater, provide first-run viewings not featured broadly at chain cinemas.
Film Streams also supports emerging filmmakers, hosts red-carpet events and Q&As with directors, presents niche film series or festivals, and spotlights diverse films telling impactful stories. While enjoying the theater’s lounge, café or bar, movie-goers can discuss thought-provoking films giving voices to underrepresented groups. Offering hard-to-find indie flicks, specialty series showcases, and cultural conversations in Omaha, Film Streams provides a one-of-a-kind, intimate movie-watching adventure.
Fontenelle Forest
Name and Location: Fontenelle Forest is a nature center and forest preserve located 15 minutes outside Omaha, Nebraska spanning over 1,400 acres.
History and Significance: Fontenelle Forest provides critical sanctuary for plant and animal life along the Missouri River Valley. The nature center opened in the 1960s to connect visitors to the natural world through immersive experiences.
What to Expect: Miles of wooded hiking and biking trails. Interactive exhibits at the nature center. Canoeing, ziplining, raptor feedings, geocaching and other family activities. Picnic areas and gift shop onsite.
Visitor Information: Open year-round with varying hours. Standard admission is $11 for adults. Extensive free parking provided. Some areas wheelchair/stroller accessible. Private event rentals available.
Fontenelle Forest, located close to Bellevue just outside Omaha, has about 1,500 acres of prairies, marshes, and forest. Hikers traverse more than 17 kilometers of paths through diverse habitats and vistas. Hawks, falcons, owls, and eagles are among the raptors that are rehabilitated at the Raptor Recovery Center.
In order to assist visitors better understand natural ecosystems, the Nature Center features interactive displays that teach about flora, wildlife, water systems, and sustainability. Through interactive activities, special guided tours, scout seminars, classes, summer camps, and yearly events like the Spring Butterfly Festival teach children and adults about environmental stewardship, the outdoors, and conservation. You may strengthen your bond with nature at Fontenelle Forest, which features a variety of plants and animals directly from Nebraska’s marshes and woodlands.
Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
Name and Location: The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum is located near Ashland, Nebraska, between Omaha and Lincoln.
History and Significance: This military aviation museum opened in 1998 at Offut Air Force Base. It is dedicated to the history of the US Air Force’s Strategic Air Command and aerospace technology. One of largest aviation museums displaying vintage aircraft.
What to Expect: Massive display hangars feature bombers, fighters, and experimental aircraft from World War II onwards, many available for climbing through. Also offers simulators, exhibits on SAC technology and missions. Gift shop onsite.
Visitor Information: Open Mon-Sat 9am-4pm, Sun noon-4pm. General admission is $12 adults. Reduced rates for seniors, military members. Valid photo ID required for access to military base. Free parking provided.
The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, which is situated directly on the grounds of Offutt Air Force Base, documents the history of aircraft and air defense utilized by the United States Air Force and other countries. While learning about the evolution of aviation over the years, visitors may get up close and personal with historic aircraft such as the SR-71 Blackbird or the B-29 Superfortress bomber Enola Gay.
Stories of SAC aircrew who flew crucial missions during the Cold War, Vietnam War, and World War II are highlighted in the exhibits. Topics such as women air force service pilots (WASPs), experimental flight attempts, and SpaceX and NASA’s recent aerospace innovations are highlighted on rotating screens. Aspiring pilots can even operate a supersonic plane in an interactive flight simulator. This museum allows you to relive moments highlighting air and space travel advances protecting our nation through its fascinating exhibits and old hangars filled with amazing aircraft.
Joslyn Art Museum
Name and Location: Joslyn Art Museum is an art museum located in Omaha, Nebraska.
History and Significance: Opened in 1931, Joslyn Art Museum was a gift to the city from Sarah Joslyn in memory of her husband, businessman George Joslyn. The museum holds significant collections of art across cultures and genres.
What to Expect: Spacious galleries displaying European, American, and contemporary art including sculptures, paintings, photography, and more. Also features traveling/temporary exhibitions, family programs, talks, special events and a museum shop/cafe.
Visitor Information: Open daily 10am-4pm, Thursdays open late until 8pm. Timed entry tickets $12 adults, discounts for seniors, students, etc. Limited street parking, additional paid lot behind museum. Wheelchair accessible entry.
For those who enjoy art, the Joslyn Art Museum features both traveling exhibits and significant permanent collections that span decades of creations by master artists. Explore the sculpture gardens outdoors before entering to see paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, and mixed-media works from modern American to European styles.
The museum hosts temporary national and international exhibits in addition to rotating installations from its permanent collection. Savor masterpieces like Monet and Degas’ landscapes before moving on to contemporary artists’ inventive and avant-garde interpretations of the same themes. Enjoy weekend family events, art lessons for all ages, nighttime jazz concerts, and more throughout the year. Inspirational works of art from antiquity to the present day come to life at the Joslyn Art Museum.
Holland Center
Name and Location: The Holland Center is a performing arts center located in downtown Omaha, Nebraska.
History and Significance: Opened in 2005, the Holland Center provides a state-of-the-art venue for concerts, theater, dance, and other cultural events. Part of Omaha’s revitalization initiative for the arts. Home of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra.
What to Expect: Striking modern architecture housing two main performance spaces – a 2,000 seat concert hall and a more intimate 450 seat theater. Hosts touring musicians, dance troupes, children’s series, holiday shows. Bars and lounge space onsite.
Visitor Information: Showtimes vary. Ticket prices differ depending on performance. Adjacent parking garage, additional street parking. Wheelchair seating and accessible entry available. Bars/cafe onsite open 1 hour pre-show.
The Holland Center, Omaha’s top performing arts venue, delivers Broadway musicals, well-known musicians, comedians, dancers, and more to the city. Hits like Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Aladdin, and The Lion King are among the touring productions that have graced Holland’s stages.
National performers including St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Harry Connick Jr., and Jerry Seinfeld play sold-out shows all year long. In addition to shows, Holland Center hosts community outreach concerts and provides local schools with theater and music education programs. You can’t surpass the cutting-edge facilities and amazing performances taking place at Omaha’s own Holland Center for unrivaled live entertainment in all genres.
Here are the top 12 sites you simply must see when you travel to Omaha, whether for a short visit or a longer stay. Omaha provides amazing sights and activities for all interests, from historical discoveries at The Durham Museum and Cultural Center to natural wonders like the Henry Doorly Zoo and Lauritzen Gardens. Discover new things about art and aviation, explore various districts like the Old Market District, or get involved in our thriving performing arts scene. These 12 well-liked local sights have to be at the top of your list of things to see when visiting Omaha.
The Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
Name and Location: The Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is located in Omaha, Nebraska.
History and Significance: The zoo opened in 1894 and has grown to become one of the premier zoos in the world, known for its leadership in animal conservation and research. It features several notable exhibits including the largest cat complex in North America and the world’s largest nocturnal exhibit.
What to Expect: Visitors can expect to see a wide variety of exotic animals from around the world. Popular exhibits include the desert dome, aquarium, chimpanzee forest, and African grasslands. Lots of interactive educational opportunities.
Visitor Information: The zoo is open daily from 9am-5pm with extended summer hours. Admission is $19.95 for adults, $14.95 for kids. Discounts available online. Onsite parking is $3.
The Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, one of Omaha’s top attractions, has cutting-edge exhibits set in realistic natural settings. Explore the largest nighttime exhibit in the world, see exotic creatures from around the globe, and observe marine life via the enormous glass dome of the Desert Dome. The zoo provides guests of all ages with an experience they won’t soon forget.
The Scott Aquarium with its walk-through shark tunnel, the inland sea exhibit with its penguins and puffins, the Cat Complex with its lions and tigers, and the Desert Dome with its meerkats, hyraxes, and reptiles are all well-liked highlights. At Omaha’s cherished Henry Doorly Zoo, no two trips are the same because new exhibits and animals are frequently added.
Lauritzen Gardens
Name and Location: Lauritzen Gardens is a botanical garden located in Omaha, Nebraska.
History and Significance: Originally the family estate of Omaha business leader Charles Lauritzen, the gardens opened to the public as a nonprofit botanical center in 1995. It features 100 acres of botanical displays across 20 unique garden areas.
What to Expect: Visitors can explore a variety of themed gardens like the Victorian garden, herb garden, and arboretum. Seasonal floral displays, model railways, and children’s activities. The Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory is a must-see.
Visitor Information: Open daily from 9am-5pm. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids over 4 years old. Onsite parking available. Tram tours and facility rentals offered.
Lauritzen Gardens, which spans 100 acres in Omaha, is home to stunning horticultural exhibits and botanical gardens. The gardens have strolling trails, arboretums, a Victorian garden area, model railroad gardens, a children’s garden ideal for young children, and colorful flower displays in the floral hall.
The climate-controlled glass structure of the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory, which houses palms, tropical plants, and orchids in bloom all year round, makes it a must-see. Throughout the year, Lauritzen Gardens also holds horticultural, botany, and gardening-related events, workshops, and exhibits. Among the many plant species from throughout the globe, nature lovers will discover peace and beauty.
Old Market District
Name and Location: The Old Market District is a historic warehouse district located in downtown Omaha, Nebraska.
History and Significance: It originated as the city’s original business and wholesale district in the late 1800s. Many of the brick warehouses have been renovated into shops, restaurants, bars, and art galleries. The area is known for its vibrant culture and nightlife.
What to Expect: Victorian architecture housing a mix of local eateries, boutiques, produce markets, and entertainment venues. Art, shopping, dining, street performers, and people watching. The Omaha Farmer’s Market operates seasonally.
Visitor Information: Free to visit. Shops typically open from 10am-9pm Mon-Sat, 11am-6pm Sundays. Street parking available, garages nearby. Walking friendly.
The Old Market District, a historic warehouse district with rebuilt brick buildings housing local businesses, provides great dining, entertainment, shopping, and the arts. Street entertainers, cafes, restaurants, shops, and funky art galleries contribute to the Market’s lively atmosphere and creative appeal.
Shoppers can peruse merchandise at establishments such as The Foundry, which specializes in home décor, Homer’s Music, which specializes in antique vinyl, or one of the Market’s several distinctive businesses, which offers the ideal present. Visit a bakery or confectionery for handcrafted confections, or indulge in renowned steaks or fresh seafood at several well-known eateries. The Old Market District offers several contemporary pleasures while transporting tourists to the past with its cobblestone lanes and cast-iron buildings.
Omaha Children’s Museum
Name and Location: The Omaha Children’s Museum is an interactive children’s museum located in downtown Omaha, Nebraska.
History and Significance: Founded in 1976, OCM was the first hands-on children’s museum in the state. It is designed to encourage play-based learning with hands-on, minds-on experiences.
What to Expect: Immersive, educational exhibits focused on science, culture, literacy, and health across three floors. Popular permanent exhibits cover bubbles, trains, an art studio, inventing, and more. Also hosts traveling exhibits.
Visitor Information: Open daily, 10am-4pm. Admission is $12 per person, free under age 1. Memberships available. Onsite parking in attached garage is $2 hourly. Family friendly facility.
Families with little children can enjoy engaging, hands-on exhibits at the Omaha Children’s Museum while also learning. Kids are entertained while developing skills and igniting their imaginations with exhibits including the Airflow Adventure Exhibit, Kick It Up Climber Structure, Idea Lab Maker Space, and Bob the Builder Construction Zone.
Little ones can express their creativity, be active, and learn more about particular subjects in other spaces like the Omaha Children’s Museum Store, Art Studio, Splash Lab water area, and daily live presentations. For private events and birthday celebrations, parents can even reserve rooms inside the museum. With seven acres of indoor and outdoor space and ever-changing activities, the Omaha Children’s Museum uses educational play to keep kids from one to ten years old interested.
Elmwood Park
Name and Location: Elmwood Park is a large public park located in central Omaha, Nebraska spanning 60 acres.
History and Significance: Originally purchased in 1885, the park is Omaha’s oldest municipal park. It has remained a popular spot for recreation, picnics, and community events for over 100 years. The park has gardens, ball fields, picnic space, and a pavilion.
What to Expect: Outdoor and garden areas for picnicking, walking, festivals, and playing. Sports facilities include tennis/basketball courts, baseball diamonds, and a playground. The pavilion can be rented for gatherings. Seasonal concessions available.
Visitor Information: Free admission. Open daily from 6am to 11pm. Pet friendly. Limited onsite parking, additional nearby street parking. Restrooms, walking paths, open green space.
Elmwood Park, Omaha’s own 60-acre green space, provides locals with outdoor leisure and relaxation opportunities. For active recreation, the park has baseball/softball pitches, tennis courts, picnic spaces, basketball courts, and an archery range. The playground and splash pad water area are great places for kids to burn off energy.
Visitors can appreciate the park’s three ponds more slowly by strolling along walking paths and crossing bridges. Elmwood Park provides year-round community participation through yoga classes, concerts, summertime park movies, springtime Easter egg hunts, and wintertime holiday lights. You may enjoy nature without ever leaving the city thanks to Elmwood Park, which has rose gardens, a lily pond, beautiful oak trees, and wide grassy areas.
TD Ameritrade Park
Name and Location: TD Ameritrade Park is a baseball stadium located in the NoDo (North Downtown) neighborhood of Omaha, Nebraska.
History and Significance: Opened in 2011, the stadium was built specifically for the NCAA College World Series held annually in Omaha. It hosts the CWS every year along with other sporting events. Part of Omaha’s revitalization efforts.
What to Expect: Modern open-air baseball stadium with capacity for over 24,000 spectators. Offers public tours on non-game days. Interactive exhibits on college baseball history. Luxury seating, concession stands with classic ballpark fare. Gift shop onsite.
Visitor Information: Hours vary by event. Ticket prices differ depending on the event. Parking in nearby garages typically $10-20. Easy downtown location near restaurants and entertainment.
The annual final rounds of the NCAA College World Series are held at TD Ameritrade Park, which baseball fans won’t want to miss. With its 24,000 seats, cutting-edge facilities, and unparalleled vistas, TD Ameritrade Park provides comfort and excellent DI baseball action.
The ballpark offers interactive games, food, drinks, and party suites for group entertainment that even non-baseball fans can enjoy. On days when there are no games, take a tour of the ballpark’s dugout, field, press box, batting cages, and other areas. At baseball’s most important college game, the atmosphere inside TD Ameritrade Park is electrifying as NCAA heavy hitters battle on the field and spectators cheer from the bleachers.