Omaha NE has a lot going for it. The city is affordable and has a good sense of community.
Cornhusker state is known for its beef, corn and local restaurants like Dante Kitchen Table 402 Eat + Drink and Coneflower Creamery.
Henry Doorly Zoo
With a commitment to conservation and education, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo is one of the world’s top zoological attractions. The exhibits are spread out over several large complexes, including Lied Jungle and Kingdom of the Night.
Visitors are encouraged to explore and interact with the animals, as much as possible. Animal experts are available to answer any questions. For example, at Stingray Beach, visitors can touch and feel the stingrays in an 80-foot-long pool. Kids can also ask questions about their diet, lifestyle, and more.
The zoo also offers animal adoptions and educational programs. It also hosts special “edzoocational” programs that use two-way internet videoconferencing to bring the zoo into classrooms.
Joslyn Art Museum
Omaha is a city where creativity thrives. This can be seen in the museums and galleries. Joslyn Art Museum is one of the most renowned in Omaha. It houses a large collection of 19th and early 20th century European and American artists, including Winslow homer, Mary Cassatt and Claude Monet.
Joslyn is reaffirmed as a hub of visual arts culture with the new expansion. Visitors will experience a reimagined sense of arrival on the Museum grounds, anchored by new community spaces that support the galleries.
The Museum is undergoing a 2-year expansion project which will add more classrooms and public space, as well as more galleries. The Museum is open but some buildings will be closed due to safety and Security concerns. Visitors are encouraged to explore the nearby Joslyn Park during this time. There, they will discover a revitalized entrance drive that sits on axis with the new raised sculpture garden and Museum entrance, creating a clear sense of front and a new beginning for the Museum experience.
Durham Museum
The Durham Museum is housed in Omaha’s historic Union Station. The museum has an extensive collection of artifacts reflecting the history of western United States and a wide variety of exhibits.
A restored Mack flatbed truck from 1922 and a model train layout in O scale are among the highlights. The Byron Reed Collection, which includes coins, documents and other rare items, is also on display. Several galleries showcase real accounts of immigrants and their contributions to the city, such as the Brown family, who started the Omaha Star, and the Throup family, who owned and operated a Danish Boarding house for over 10 years.
The Durham Museum makes a great family-friendly outing. The exhibits are well-organized, and the staff is extremely knowledgeable. They will answer all your questions. I recommend allowing at least 2 hours for your visit. Also, the museum is rarely crowded and it’s reasonably priced.
Old Market
In the Old Market area, you’ll find a huge variety of shops, restaurants, bars and more. This historic warehouse district is where the action happens in Omaha. Everything is easily accessible by foot.
The Old Market is famous for its farmers market which runs from May through September and into early October. You’ll find some of the freshest produce in town here. Bring the kids along. It’s also a great time to see all the local artists and artisans at work.
For eclectic or upscale shopping, check out City Limits, Curbside Clothing, Hollywood Candy, and Drastic Plastic. For a laugh, head over to Raygun for funny shirts and cards. You can even shop locally at Made in Omaha.