When I mentioned I was going to Omaha, Nebraska, I was immediately asked, “What’s in Omaha???”
Exactly! That’s what I wanted to find out!
Omaha exceeded my expectations, in a good way, and I want to share why Omaha, Nebraska, is a city worth checking out.
Thanks again to Visit Omaha for hosting my visit. All opinions are my own, and this article contains affiliate links.
1. Fantastic Food and Drinks
I had no idea that the food scene was so incredible in Omaha!
There is a strong focus on farm-to-table and locally sourced food with creative concepts and dishes.
A few of the not-to-be-missed restaurants are Dante and Monarch Prime. Both restaurants have a great atmosphere and menu items that double as culinary works of art that awaken all your senses.
For breakfast, try Earlybird Brunch, offering menu options that satisfy your sweet and savory cravings.
For artisan sweet treats, The Cordial Cherry is a MUST!
If you want to learn more about the history and sample from multiple venues, I highly recommend taking a food tour.
They will help you discover the restaurants you want to return to after you sample some of their incredible menu items.
The Omaha Craft Brew Penny Pack
The Omaha Craft Brew Penny Pack program was created specifically for out-of-town guests.
When you sign up for their program online, you get coupons, good for 12 featured breweries for “buy one 1 beer, get 1 for a penny.”
That’s a deal that’s hard to beat!
2. The Omaha Zoo
3701 S 10th St, Omaha, NE
Voted #1 zoo by TripAdvisor, the Omaha Zoo boasts the world’s largest indoor desert under the world’s largest glazed geodesic dome.
On colder days, you will appreciate the majority of the indoor exhibits within close proximity, located near the entrance.
On a beautiful day, you can observe the animals in their outdoor exhibits, and kids will find lots of space for outdoor play at the Children’s Adventure Trails.
A few of my favorites at the zoo were the Lied Jungle, Berniece Grewcock Butterfly and Insect Pavilion, and the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium.
3. The Old Market
The Old Market is a wonderful stop for shopping and dining.
The Old Market is also within walking distance of the downtown slides at Gene Leahy Mall at the RiverFront, which has fun slides.
This former alley connects you to local shops and eateries in the Old Market between two buildings.
The Old Market is also a popular spot for photos, including students taking pre-dance photos throughout the area.
4. Art Deco Design
801 S 10th St, Omaha, NE
If you love architecture, the Durham Museum is a MUST!
This former train station is eye candy from floor to ceiling with incredible art deco design. Make sure that you take time to take in all of the details.
Train lovers will have a blast on the lower level, walking along with the real train cars.
You can also learn more about the fascinating history of Omaha in the museum.
5. You Can Stand in Two States at Once
705 Riverfront Dr, Omaha, NE
The 3000-foot-long walkway, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, known as “Bob the Bridge,” is a popular spot for pictures.
In fact, he’s so popular that he even has his own social media accounts.
As you cross above the Missouri River, you will see the dividing line between Nebraska and Iowa.
As you straddle the line and take a picture, you are “bobbing.” Tag your creative photo on social media, and you might even be featured. If you’ve always dreamed of completing a marathon, Bob can help you with that, too.
If you make it across the length of the 0.90.9 K bridge and take a selfie with Bob, you can get an official 0.9K marathon sticker from the Omaha Visitor Center.
While near the bridge, you can find additional information about National Parks at the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center -Trail Headquarters, located a short distance from the bridge entrance on the Nebraska side.
Where to Stay in Omaha, Nebraska
10220 Regency Circle, Omaha, Nebraska
During my visit, I stayed at the Omaha Marriott. Their newly renovated suites are beautifully designed and very welcoming….and the most important part…. I slept great!
Save on Booking Your Stay at Omaha Marriott HereI really enjoyed my time in Omaha, Nebraska, and it surprised me in a good way. I hope you’ll consider stopping if you normally just pass through this Midwest gem.
Omaha is a beautiful place to live also to visit this town. And we have many beautiful adventures. We visited Omaha two times and we really came back asap!
Thank you so much for sharing this! My husband and I are going on a trip to Omaha in less than a month and are looking for things to do. We will definitely be going to Earlybird Brunch, “Bob the Bridge”, and the Omaha Zoo. Thanks for helping us get ideas!
Omaha is one of my favorite cities! The zoo and the Old Market are amazing…and you didn’t even go to Nebraska Furniture Mart! That place is super fun too! Now I wanna go back!