Omaha, NE

Travel Guide
Omaha showing a high rise building, a city and a river or creek
Nebraska’s largest city rises from the picturesque plains, its skyline encompassing modern landmarks, sprawling gardens and a lively riverfront precinct.

Find exciting attractions for the whole family amid the modern architecture and scenic green spaces of Omaha, a dynamic city in Eastern Nebraska. Whatever the weather, you can discover the fascinating heritage of this city and its surrounding region, check out the state’s premier art galleries, visit a nationally acclaimed zoo, catch a local game and indulge yourself in Omaha’s excellent shopping and dining precincts.

Familiarize yourself with Omaha’s skyline by strolling around the downtown riverfront park, Gene Leahy Mall. Find the heart of the city in the Old Markets, where heritage brick storefronts enclose boutique shops and the city’s summertime farmers’ market. You might also see street performers, artists and other local vendors here.

Get to know the city’s culture and history at a selection of downtown museums and art galleries. Joslyn Art Museum and Benis Center for Contemporary Arts showcase extensive collections of artworks, while the Durham Western Heritage Museum features fascinating local history exhibits in a renovated art deco train station.

Kids will love learning about the arts and sciences at the Omaha Children’s Museum. Let them go wild at the indoor water park at the Coco Key Water Resort. Another highlight is the nationally renowned Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, an exciting facility with desert and rainforest exhibits. Experience the thrill of a local college baseball or basketball game.

Omaha is surrounded by charming smaller cities, including La Vista, Papillion and Ralston. Bellevue dates back to the 1830s and is situated nearby the leafy trails of the Fontenelle Forest. See the Malcolm X Birthsite in North Omaha. Venture into the city’s surrounding scenery to visit Wehrspann Lake and the Chalco Hills Recreation Area.

Sample some of the region’s finest produce at the Taste of Omaha Festival, held in early June near the Lewis and Clark Landing and the Heartland of America Park.

Omaha can be reached by air to Eppley Airfield, the city’s international airport. The city is served by Amtrak and interstate bus lines. Severe weather can occur in Omaha, so keep updated on weather reports. Stay in downtown accommodation or comfortable motels.

Where to stay in Omaha

Downtown Omaha featuring modern architecture, night scenes and a city

Downtown Omaha

4/5(1,476 area reviews)

Explore the historic core of Omaha, where you'll find the Old Market Historic District, offering boutique shops, dining, and cultural activities. Don't miss the Orpheum Theater and Omaha Children's Museum nearby.

Downtown Omaha
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West Omaha

4/5(172 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the golf courses and sporting events in West Omaha. You might want to make time for a stop at Boys Town Visitors Center or Village Pointe Shopping Center.

West Omaha
Old Market which includes signage as well as an individual femail

Old Market

Old Market is popular for its ample dining options, and you might make a stop by Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, a top place to visit in the area.

Old Market
Downtown Omaha featuring modern architecture, night scenes and a city

Southeast Omaha

If you're spending some time in Southeast Omaha, Omaha Children's Museum and The Durham Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Southeast Omaha
This has a lot of passengers sunflowers and stuff about our country!

South Central Omaha

3.5/5(442 area reviews)

While visiting South Central Omaha, you might make a stop by sights like Ralston Arena and Baxter Arena.

South Central Omaha
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Central Omaha

4/5(172 area reviews)

Travelers come to Central Omaha for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Westroads Mall and Omaha Community Playhouse while you're in town.

Central Omaha
BridgePointe Inn & Suites
BridgePointe Inn & Suites
2 out of 5
3619 9th Ave, I-29 & I-80, Council Bluffs, IA
The price is $79 per night from Jun 3 to Jun 4
$79
$89 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 3 - Jun 4
Book a stay at this golf hotel in Council Bluffs. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,625 reviews)
"The room was clean, the stairs to get to the second floor hadn't been vacuumed in some time. The breakfast was decent. There was no wifi due to a lightening strike. And the clothes washer was not available."

Reviewed on May 30, 2024

BridgePointe Inn & Suites
Magnolia Hotel Omaha
Magnolia Hotel Omaha
4.5 out of 5
1615 Howard St, Omaha, NE
The price is $116 per night from Jul 1 to Jul 2
$116
$136 total
includes taxes & fees
Jul 1 - Jul 2
Stay at this hotel in Omaha. Enjoy free WiFi, a free airport shuttle, and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,008 reviews)
Great stay
"Wonderful time in a wonderful city"

Reviewed on May 29, 2024

Magnolia Hotel Omaha
Holiday Inn Omaha Downtown - Waterpark, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Omaha Downtown - Waterpark, an IHG Hotel
3 out of 5
1420 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE
The price is $91 per night from Jul 1 to Jul 2
$91
$107 total
includes taxes & fees
Jul 1 - Jul 2
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Omaha. Enjoy free WiFi, water park access (surcharge), and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the clean ...
7.2/10 Good! (137 reviews)
"."

Reviewed on May 28, 2024

Holiday Inn Omaha Downtown - Waterpark, an IHG Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cozy home in Little Bohemia; 5 min from Zoo and Downtown w/ Free Parking
Cozy home in Little Bohemia; 5 min from Zoo and Downtown w/ Free Parking
Omaha
Stay at this vacation home in Omaha. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Henry Doorly Zoo and Harrah's Council Bluffs Casino are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
my booking
"Everything was nice and everything went as planned! my stay was wonderful, definitely will be booking again:)"

Reviewed on Mar 31, 2024

Cozy home in Little Bohemia; 5 min from Zoo and Downtown w/ Free Parking
Comfortable Apartment in Northwest Omaha
Comfortable Apartment in Northwest Omaha
Omaha
Stay at this apartment in Omaha. Enjoy a garden, patios, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Charles Schwab Field Omaha and CHI Health Center ...
10/10 Exceptional! (39 reviews)
Great apartment
"Everything about the apartment was as shown in the listing and was very clean. The kitchen is well stocked and we found the house with no issues. The neighborhood is quiet and we came and went without issues. Katy Helped me get the key when I struggled with the combination. We enjoyed our time there ..."

Reviewed on May 24, 2024

Comfortable Apartment in Northwest Omaha
Charming 3-bedroom near Aksarben/Baxter Arena
Charming 3-bedroom near Aksarben/Baxter Arena
Omaha
Book a stay at this golf vacation home in Omaha. Enjoy a garden, patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
10/10 Exceptional! (36 reviews)
Fantastic stay in Omaha!
"We had a wonderful stay at this terrific house. Cahner was a fabulous host and made our stay very enjoyable. We stayed here as a family for our daughter’s graduation from Creighton, and it was ideal. The location is fantastic - close to everything in Aksarben and nestled in on a very quiet street. ..."

Reviewed on May 13, 2024

Charming 3-bedroom near Aksarben/Baxter Arena
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Omaha

Omaha’s main public transit system is the Omaha Metro, a bus network with routes serving the city center and outlying suburbs. The most convenient way to explore Omaha and the surrounding area is by renting a car, as you will be able to get to places not served by bus routes. Taxis are available, but it’s often not possible to hail one in the city center; you have to call for one from your hotel instead. Visit the Nebraska Department of Transportation website.Browse Omaha rental cars.

Best time to visit

Omaha has a comparatively extreme climate, with hot summers and cold winters. Average high temperatures in January are only around 33 F (0.8 C), while in July they reach the high 80s F (low 30s C). As such, many people find spring and fall the best times to visit, when temperatures are milder and there are fewer other tourists. Hotel prices can also be cheaper in these shoulder seasons than in the summer.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Omaha

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
988
" "5 - Excellent 35.23537803138374%
4 - Good
1389
" "4 - Good 49.53637660485021%
3 - Okay
361
" "3 - Okay 12.874465049928673%
2 - Disappointing
40
" "2 - Disappointing 1.4265335235378032%
1 - Terrible
26
" "1 - Terrible 0.927246790299572%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 5, 2020

$

5/5 - Excellent

Phria
Jun 5, 2020

Appears to be reasonably safe. Good midwestern travel stop.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jun 3, 2020

More traffic than we expected. Just did our business, visited with family and left.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jun 2, 2020

I've been a number of times to visit family and it's always been pleasant. I appreciate the summertime heat & sun. The people have always been very nice and welcoming. They always have a smile to spare and I appreciate that.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
May 25, 2020

I love Omaha and actually live here was really blown away how bad the hotel was considering what part of the city it is in

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 3, 2020

Easy city to get around

Cities near Omaha