Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
A full-scale zoo and aquarium day in south Omaha. Families should protect most of a day for it rather than treating it as a downtown add-on.
RiverFront and East Omaha · 5 hours
Family travel guide
Things to Do in Omaha with Kids
Omaha is a three-day city break built around an unusually deep zoo, the Old Market, museums, and a riverfront that makes downtown easy to shape. Give downtown, Midtown, and one wider-area outing their own turns. Each choice includes a pace, weather, or access cue for planning with children.
The Durham Museum
A Beaux Arts Union Station museum that gives an Old Market day a weather-proof history anchor, especially when the riverfront forecast turns.
Old Market and Downtown · 3 hours
Joslyn Art Museum
A substantial art museum near Midtown with a collection and building worth giving a real afternoon, not a hurried stop between meals.
Midtown and Blackstone · 3 hours
Old Market Historic District
Brick streets, galleries, shops, and restaurants make this Omaha's easiest first-night district. Go early for wandering and return later for dinner.
Old Market and Downtown · 3 hours
Omaha's RiverFront
A riverfront walk and public-space layer between downtown stops. It works best as fresh air around a museum or meal rather than the entire day.
RiverFront and East Omaha · 2 hours
Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
Walk the Missouri River bridge for skyline views and the state-line marker, ideally early or near sunset when the exposed deck is more comfortable.
RiverFront and East Omaha · 1 hours
Heartland of America Park
A compact waterfront pause with paths and views close to downtown. Pair it with the RiverFront or Old Market rather than driving across town for it.
RiverFront and East Omaha · 1 hours
The Union for Contemporary Art
A North Omaha arts stop with studios, exhibitions, and a different local lens than downtown's larger institutions. Check current programs before timing the visit.
North Omaha and Florence · 2 hours
Malcolm X Memorial Foundation
A North Omaha history stop that rewards travelers who want context beyond the usual downtown circuit. Confirm current visitor access before setting a fixed time.
North Omaha and Florence · 2 hours
Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts
A free, contemporary-art layer in the Old Market that is easy to pair with a late lunch or rainy afternoon.
Old Market and Downtown · 1 hours
Lauritzen Gardens
A botanical-garden half-day with seasonal color and broad paths. It belongs on a fair-weather plan, not in a rushed downtown itinerary.
RiverFront and East Omaha · 3 hours
Omaha Children's Museum
Hands-on exhibits make this a genuine young-family weather backup, particularly when a zoo or river day needs to be replaced.
Midtown and Blackstone · 3 hours
Dundee Historic District
A leafy neighborhood walk for coffee, small shops, and dinner. Use it as an evening district after Joslyn, not as a substitute for a core attraction day.
Dundee and West Omaha · 2 hours
General Crook House Museum
A small historic-house visit in North Omaha with a focused Civil War-era story. It works for history-minded travelers with room beyond the headline museums.
North Omaha and Florence · 1 hours
Gene Leahy Mall
A downtown lawn, play, and riverfront pause that helps families reset between the Old Market and the bridge. It is better as connective tissue than a destination by itself.
RiverFront and East Omaha · 1 hours
Confirm current details with Official Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium information before departure.
Travel conditions, access, and reservations can change. Check official sources close to departure.