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
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 $68 per night from May 7 to May 8
$68
$80 total
includes taxes & fees
May 7 - May 8
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 ...
6.8/10 (92 reviews)
"Pool was a lot of fun for the kids."

Reviewed on Apr 26, 2024

Holiday Inn Omaha Downtown - Waterpark, an IHG Hotel
Magnolia Hotel Omaha
Magnolia Hotel Omaha
4.5 out of 5
1615 Howard St, Omaha, NE
Fully refundable
The price is $108 per night from May 12 to May 13
$108
$127 total
includes taxes & fees
May 12 - May 13
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! (1,007 reviews)
"Once again this hotel did not disappoint! Amazing hospitality and great food. This truly has become my favorite hotel in Omaha when I visit. It was a great experience. The cleanliness was a huge plus for me!!!"

Reviewed on May 2, 2024

Magnolia Hotel Omaha
Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha Downtown Old Market
Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha Downtown Old Market
3.5 out of 5
555 S 10th St, Omaha, NE
The price is $118 per night from May 19 to May 20
$118
$139 total
includes taxes & fees
May 19 - May 20
Stay at this hotel in Omaha. Enjoy free breakfast, a fitness center, and WiFi (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Love the location."

Reviewed on Apr 30, 2024

Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha Downtown Old Market
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.
Lily's Cozy Cottage, a quiet corner to unwind, and 20 minutes to everything.
Lily's Cozy Cottage, a quiet corner to unwind, and 20 minutes to everything.
Omaha
Stay at this family-friendly cottage in Omaha. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Maplewood Lanes and The Knolls Golf Course ...
9/10 Wonderful! (85 reviews)
Omaha stay
"Good location, quiet, plenty of room. The dryer was nice feature to have since Omaha was soaking wet the entire weekend and clothes needed drying out. The other special feature is the walk-in shower. Note that the beds are VERY soft, so if you need a firm mattress, you will be disappointed. The back ..."

Reviewed on May 1, 2024

Lily's Cozy Cottage, a quiet corner to unwind, and 20 minutes to everything.
♔ Cozy Apt A Stone's Throw away from Downtown ♔
♔ Cozy Apt A Stone's Throw away from Downtown ♔
Council Bluffs
Stay at this apartment in Council Bluffs. Enjoy free WiFi, an in-room coffeemaker, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Henry Doorly Zoo and CHI Health ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Great place!
"Stayed here during the CWS. Super convenient for my family."

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2022

♔ Cozy Apt A Stone's Throw away from Downtown ♔
Welcome to our Oasis on a golf course with a pool!
Welcome to our Oasis on a golf course with a pool!
Omaha
Stay at this golf vacation home in Omaha. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the pool in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
10/10 Exceptional! (24 reviews)
We had the best weekend!
"Lindy was so thoughtful with all the little touches during our stay. We were celebrating 2 big birthdays and the size and layout of this house was just perfect! My husband is skeptical of home rentals but was so impressed with this one- especially the location! We played yard games outside and the ..."

Reviewed on Apr 17, 2024

Welcome to our Oasis on a golf course with a pool!
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