Top Things To Do In Omaha

The Greater Omaha area is home to nearly 1.3 million people and often referenced as the Gateway to the West. In 2009, Forbes recognized Omaha as Best Bang-For-The-Buck City and Fastest-Recovering City in America after the recession. Learn more about the city's rich pioneering history at world-class museums and cultural centers, eat at some of the best restaurants downtown, and explore the city’s natural wonders.

Up to 29% Off on Ice Skating at Motto McLean Ice Arena
Up to 29% Off on Ice Skating at Motto McLean Ice Arena
5015 S 45th St, Omaha4.2 mi
4.9
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277 ratings
$14 $10
29% discount_off
Admission and Skate Rental for Two
My 90's Playlist W/ Vanilla Ice, Juvenile, Trina, Montell Jordan, & All 4 One on August 11 at 7 p.m.
My 90's Playlist – Up to 47% Off
2425 South 67th Street, Omaha
$66.05 $35
47% discount_off
My 90's Playlist Vanilla Ice Juvenile Trina Montell Jordan All 4 One Baxter Arena Omaha 2023
3 bought
Chocolate-Making Classes For One /Two /Four People by Classpop! (Up to 36% Off)
Chocolate-Making Classes by Classpop!
44 Locations0.6 mi
4.3
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248 ratings
$99 $65
34% discount_off
Classpop! Signature Chocolate-Making Class for One
One or Two Golf-Swing Lessons and a Physical-Therapy Consultation at Total Rehab PC Golf Program (Up to 70% Off)
Up to 70% Off Golf-Swing Lessons
10858 W Dodge Rd, Omaha7.6 mi
4.8
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8 ratings
$250 $79
68% discount_off
One swing lesson with physical therapy consultation
One-Year Single or Family Membership at Great Plains Black History Museum (Up to 40% Off)
Up to 40% Off Membership at Great Plains Black History Museum
2221 North 24th Street, Omaha1.5 mi
5.0
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1 ratings
$20 $12
40% discount_off
One-Year Single Membership
Self-Guided Omaha or Lincoln Scavenger Hunt for Two, Four, or Six from ScavengerHunt.com (Up to 54% Off)
Up to 54% Off Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt from ScavengerHunt.com
2 Locations0.2 mi
3.9
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4,141 ratings
$40 $22
45% discount_off
Self-Guided Omaha Scavenger Hunt for Two
◆ Mother's Day: Classpop! Signature Cooking Classes for One, Two or Four (Up to 33% Off) ◆
◆ Classpop! Signature Cooking Classes for One, Two or Four ◆
181 Locations0.6 mi
4.3
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248 ratings
$95 $65
32% discount_off
♠ $65 for $95 Toward a Classpop! Signature Cooking Class for One ♠
$14.95 for Scavenger Hunt Game for One Group at It's A Scavenger Hunt! ($44.95 Value)
67% Off Scavenger Hunt Game at It's A Scavenger Hunt!
online_deal
3.4
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5 ratings
$44.95 $14.95
67% discount_off
Scavenger Hunt Game for One Team (Up to 4 Players)
Survival Scavenger Hunt for One or Two Teams from Zombie Scavengers (Up to 62% Off). Two Options Available.
Up to 62% Off Scavenger Hunt from Zombie Scavengers
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3.9
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1,213 ratings
$39.95 $15
62% discount_off
Survival Scavenger Hunt Tour for One Team

See the most popular attractions in Omaha ranging from museums to historic trails. The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is centrally located and known for its leading conservation efforts, a massive cat complex, and indoor habitat recreations like the jungle or desert.

The best things to do near Omaha:

  • Boys Town, a national historic landmark district
  • Durham Museum, housed in the former Union Station
  • Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, 3,700 mile-long trail that passes through 11 states
  • Lauritzen Gardens, public botanical gardens and arboretum
  • Florence Mill, oldest mill in Nebraska now doubles as a museum and art gallery with a locally-sourced farmers market on Sundays

Events in OmahaView All

My 90's Playlist W/ Vanilla Ice, Juvenile, Trina, Montell Jordan, & All 4 One on August 11 at 7 p.m.
My 90's Playlist – Up to 47% Off
2425 South 67th Street, Omaha
$66.05 $35
47% discount_off
My 90's Playlist Vanilla Ice Juvenile Trina Montell Jordan All 4 One Baxter Arena Omaha 2023
3 bought
One-Year Single or Family Membership at Great Plains Black History Museum (Up to 40% Off)
Up to 40% Off Membership at Great Plains Black History Museum
2221 North 24th Street, Omaha1.5 mi
5.0
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1 ratings
$20 $12
40% discount_off
One-Year Single Membership
Admission to Titanic Branson
Up to 9% Off Admission to Titanic Branson
3235 West 76 Country Boulevard, Branson
4.7
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6,833 ratings
$39.66 $36.26
9% discount_off
Admission
Experience the World from a New Perspective at One World Observatory - Your Iconic Landmark Destination!
The City from Above: One World Observatory's Spectacular Skyline Views
285 Fulton Street, New York
4.7
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7,451 ratings
$48 $33
31% discount_off
Standard Admission Experience for One Adult (Ages 13–64)
Limited Time Offer: Buy 2 Days, Get 3 Days FREE! Valid for Select Promo Tickets. Save Up to $166 on Select Dates.
Limited Time Deal- Buy 2 Days, Get 3 Days FREE with Select Tickets*
6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando
$164
PROMO: Buy 2-Day Ticket, Get 3 Days Free
10,000+ bought
The Doobie Brothers on June 17 at 8 p.m.
The Doobie Brothers – Up to 53% Off Concert
401 Gordon Drive, Sioux City
$74.85 $35
53% discount_off
The Doobie Brothers on June 17 at 08:00 p.m.
3 bought
Visit to the Johnny Carson Birthplace for Two, Four, or Six (50% Off )
50% Off Visit to the Johnny Carson Birthplace
500 13th St., Corning
2.0
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1 ratings
$14 $7
50% discount_off
Admission for 4
One Rental or Purchase-to-Own Streaming of Pride and Prejudice or Emma from Streaming Musicals (Up to 25% Off)
Up to 25% Off Pride and Prejudice or Emma Musical Streaming
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5.0
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4 ratings
$5 $4.99
Purchase-to-Own Streaming of Choice

The Missouri River also acts as a Nebraska-Iowa state border. Stand in two states when you cross the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.

Popular attractions near Omaha include:

  • Touring Joslyn Castle, once home to George and Sarah Joslyn built in 1903
  • A history or district tour with Nebraska Tour Company
  • Spacecraft exhibits, planetarium shows, and more at Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum
  • See upwards of 110 different flower species at the home and gardens of Civil War General George Crook
  • Learning about pioneer life at the Mormon Trail Center

With so many fun daytime activities in Omaha, it’s important to allot time for each city district. Midtown Crossing is a must-see district filled with unique shops, top-rated restaurants, and live entertainment ranging from music performances to outdoor movie showings.

Exciting activities near Omaha include:

  • Shop at boutiques in small business districts like Shops of Legacy or Countryside Village
  • Take a walk through the Berniece Grewcock Butterfly and Insect Pavilion, a total immersion exhibit at the zoo
  • Book a Heartland History Tour, themed to send you back in time
  • Catch a horse race at Horsemen's Park
  • Learn about the Omaha World-Herald printing process on a John Gottschalk Freedom Center tour

Popular nightlife destinations in Omaha include concert venues, cocktail bars, local craft breweries, and casinos. Shop and eat in Omaha’s Old Market Entertainment District, a historical neighborhood now bubbling with shops, restaurants, and popular bars.

Other things to do tonight in Omaha include:

  • See live performances at The Waiting Room Lounge or Slowdown, two local Omaha venues
  • Gamble at the best casinos in Omaha like Horseshoe, Ameristar Casino, and Harrah’s
  • See film as an art form at Film Streams at the Ruth Sokolof Theater, a nonprofit arthouse cinema
  • Watch the Heartland of America Park and Fountain show
  • Get your microbrewery fix in the Blackstone District, a revitalized historic neighborhood

Tooling around Omaha with the kids is never a dull time. Browse fun museum exhibits, live theater performances, and other things to do with kids in Omaha.

Family-friendly things to do near Omaha include:

  • Spend the afternoon exploring exhibits at the Omaha Children's Museum
  • The Joslyn Art Museum also has interactive exhibits for children
  • See a kid-friendly, live theater performance at Rose Theater
  • Cool off at the splash park on the Omaha side of Bob Bridge
  • Sign the kids up for Hummel Day Camp, an outdoor nature-based program at the Hummel Park Nature Center

Omaha also has several reputable theaters and art centers. The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts spearheads an international artist-in-residence program to support the dreams of young artists. Other indoor art exhibits in Omaha can be found at Hot Shops Art Center and Love’s Jazz and Art Center.

Things to do indoors in Omaha include:

  • Grab a drink at Lucky Bucket Brewery, locally recognized as one of the best microbreweries in Omaha
  • Midwest Paranormal History Tours
  • Explore Latino and Hispanic art and history at El Museo Latino
  • Schedule a day of relaxation at a top spa or resort in Omaha
  • Visit the aquatic center and indoor play place at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park

Omaha is filled with exciting activities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. For Nebraskans, this often includes bird watching. Some of the best bird watching locations include Hummel and Dodge Park, Boyer Chute, Neale Woods, and Fontenelle Forest.

Active things to do near Omaha include:

  • Fishing, boating, and off-roading at Keystone Trail
  • Hiking along the West Papio Creek via the West Papio/Zorinsky Trail
  • Guided paddleboard tours at Lake Zorinsky or Standing Bear Lake
  • A ride on Screaming Eagle Zipline, the fastest, longest zip line in the Midwest
  • Exploring multi-use trails, swimming, archery, and more at Platte River State Park

With its many parks, museums, and events, there is no shortage of things to do in Omaha. Here are a few more suggestions for how to spend your time in this vibrant city:

Visit the Omaha Children's Museum: This popular museum is a great place for kids to learn and play. With its many interactive exhibits, including a water play area and a mini-grocery store, the museum is a fun destination for families.

Explore the Omaha Zoo: This world-class zoo is home to a variety of animals, including elephants, gorillas, and polar bears. The zoo also has a number of special exhibits, including a tropical rainforest and a desert dome.

Take a stroll through the Omaha Botanical Gardens: Located on the outskirts of the city, the Omaha Botanical Gardens is home to a variety of plants, flowers, and trees. The gardens also host a variety of special events and exhibits throughout the year.

Go for a hike at the Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium: This popular attraction is home to a variety of animals, including giraffes, lions, and gorillas. The zoo also has a number of hiking trails, which offer beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.

Visit the Omaha Farmers Market: This market, which is held on Saturdays, is a great place to find locally grown produce, handmade crafts, and other goods. The market is a popular destination for both locals and visitors, and is a great way to support local businesses.

Check out the Omaha Symphony: This professional orchestra, which is based in Omaha, performs a variety of classical and popular music. Attending a symphony concert is a great way to experience the city's thriving arts scene.

These are just a few of the many things to do in Omaha. Whether you're interested in the arts, nature, or just exploring the city, Omaha has something for everyone.


Frequently asked questions about Omaha:

What is the population of Omaha?
As of 2021, the population of Omaha was estimated to be around 487,300 people (The Greater Omaha area  is approximately 1.3 million).

Is Omaha a safe city?
Omaha is generally considered to be a safe city. However, as with any city, it's always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to protect yourself and your belongings.

Is Omaha a good place to live?
Many people enjoy living in Omaha due to its affordable cost of living, strong economy, and abundance of cultural and recreational activities. Omaha is also home to a number of Fortune 500 companies, making it a good place for job seekers.

Is Omaha a good place to visit?
Yes, Omaha is a great place to visit! It has a rich history and culture, and there are many interesting things to see and do in the city. Omaha is also located in a convenient location, making it easy to access from other parts of the Midwest.

What is the weather like in Omaha?
Omaha has a humid continental climate, which means it experiences hot, humid summers and cold winters. The average high temperature in the summer is around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average low in the winter is around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Omaha also experiences occasional thunderstorms and blizzards, which can bring heavy rain and snow.